Finally, a bit of respite from our desert heat.  The 2008 summer monsoon season officially started last week, but we did not see any real sight of it until night before last when the sky lit up with bolts of lightening and the rumbling of thunder echoed across the desert floor.  Yesterday, the clouds rolled in early and by early afternoon the rains came.  Some across the city said they had up to 2 inches, but the official number was only .10 inches.  There were high winds and flooding in the streets.  There is always one who thinks they can enter a wash and make it to the other side while water is raging across it, without getting caught in it.  Yesterday was no exception.  Fortunately, the woman was rescued without any harm to her.  Although, her car may not have faired as well.  We did not get a lot of rain out here where we snuggle up against the Catalina and Rincon Mountains.  The other end of the Catalina Mountains was the area hit most.  We just got to revel in the sweet smell of rain and watch it gently fall onto the desert. 

And we enjoyed the dip in temperatures from those 100++++ to the 70's.  That was pure pleasure in a drop of rain.  The temps will go back up today and jump over 100 again, but hopefully, the afternoon will bring another respite monsoon rain and we will enjoy what it brings.  The animals will come out of hiding in search of small puddles to drink from and dance in the rain. 

Note how empty the pool and labyrinth are of the dancing and giggles of one little girl who enjoyed them so much just a few days ago.  It wasn't the rain that made them look so empty to me...it was the absence of that little girl.  Thankfully, we will see her again tomorrow afternoon.  Life is good...oh, so good.  Two things that make me smile ... Desert rain in a parched desert

and the smile of a toddler girl...

We had to say "goodbye" this morning, as the kids left for Washington.  It wasn't fun, but it wasn't as bad as other times.  This time...we know we will see them again in 4 short days.  We will have another 2 weeks with them before we have to say that "final goodbye" before we come back to Tucson and they pack for Thailand.  That's when the tears flow and the heart aches.

Enough said about goodbyes...We had a great day yesterday.  The "boys" went out to play golf in the 108 degree heat.  Oh my goodness...why would anyone do that to their body?  Golf is an interesting game...it brings out the craziness in men.  Maybe some women too...but, not this one.

So, Tara, Sojo and Po Po were on their own.  Sojo had a great night sleeping (all the way through...woo....hoo) so she had lots of energy to have a full day of fun. 

We started out the day early and still in our jammies, we walked the labyrinth with Mama. 

Next we were on our way to JW Tumbles where we were able to tumble on mats, climb ramps and stairs, swing from poles, slide on slides, run and jump and play with balls.  It was a lot of fun.   Tara met a gal she knew in High School who worked there.  What a small world.

We had the best time and still had enough energy to stop at Joann's Fabric Store, so Mama could find some things to create great things with her new sewing machine when she gets to Seattle and Thailand.  Po Po and Sojo explored the store while Mama browsed and shopped.  No pics of that. 

After a short nap in the car, we went home and just plain old played with toys and read books and listened to music.

And later...the best part...swimming...She had a ball.  She decided that it was time to do things "self" and wanted no ones hands and she would jump to her Mama.  Oh my...underwater and seeing under water and taking in a little water, but she seemed to know what to do.  She loved watching her Mama go "over" in the water and stick her feet out of the water.  Riding the "noodle"  Getting ready to jump

Laughing with Mama

Baba made it home in time to see some of the fun.

More...more...more

And then the day ended and as Sojo slept (all night again) Mama and Baba packed up everything and I quietly snuck out to take one last picture of life with Sojo.  Earlier in the day...between one fun thing and before another...we did a little project of the garden stone and Sojo's hand prints.  We had tried that at Christmas for an ornament and her squiggly little fingers just dug into the material rather than lay softly on it.  Same thing this time.  It took two of us to get her fingers planted firmly into it.  I thought this was a perfect way to end this blog today....Sojo in JoJo's car and then ready to get in the car to go and then...memories to cherish until the next time...

Thank you God for the precious gifts you give us to create memories with. 

This girl just makes me smile.  Whether it is seeing her smiling face and hearing her silly chatter when she wakes up or whether it is the dancing she does to music or the way she plays with her toys with such intent and simple joy.  She just makes me smile.

Now you know why.

In spite of the temperatures being way over 100 degrees...like maybe 108, we went to the zoo yesterday morning.  We didn't stay long, but long enough to get some candid shots of Sojo enjoying herself at the zoo. She loves to go 1, 2, 3, wheeeeeeeeee

She got her face painted with a pretty flower for the first time. Riding an elephant with a little help from JoJo Sean and Baba.

We had a family dinner for Sean's birthday and attempted to get the ever obligatory family picture.  I overheard some grumbling that this is what Mom makes them do every year.  Wait till they are the ones who have to gather their chicks in from all over the globe for a picture sitting.  It was the first time we had taken a "time exposure" with the new camera, so RGR was having a bit of a time figuring it out.  There were a few pics without him in them, until he figured it out.  Yeah...for Gong Gong...he did it.  This one was before we got all settled in and were still trying to get Sojo to sit still.  Dale looks like he is the only one understanding the whole family picture taking thing.  You go...Dale.  Ahhh...we got it, including Cathy's mom.  We are just one big happy family.  Whew!

Sojo with her Jojo and her Mojo. 

A morning dance with Teddy Bear, Gong Gong and Elmo.  Does life get any better?

Reading a story with Mama..."Goodnight Gorilla", which has become her new favorite book.  We bought a bunch of books long before Sojo came on the scene at a silent auction and they have been sitting patiently on the floor in a box for a little girl (or boy someday) to enjoy. This special one may have to find its way into someone's little pink rolly bag.

We took Sojo to church this morning.  No pictures of that.  She enjoyed cruising around the place before many people starting coming in.  She liked listening to the choir practice and clapped for them and said "more" after they had finished.  Soon after Mass started, she got a bit antsy.  Luckily, her Gong Gong's office is also used as the Sunday morning nursery.  We took turns with her in there and she enjoyed riding the little "horsy" and sliding down the little slide all by herself.  She came back out at the end and enjoyed the music again.  She also enjoyed cruising around as people left and we enjoyed showing her off to all of our friends.  We got lots of smiles from people and we enjoyed the moments sharing the joy that she brings us.  Talk about something to go to church and thank God for.  She is one special blessing in our life. 

It is so much fun watching this sweet baby (even if she doesn't sleep so much) and it reminds me of raising 3 sweet babies of my own.  One of those sweet babies turned 37 today.  Whoa! Where did those years go?  Sean was born at 7:39 PM EST, so he isn't quite 37 yet here on MST, but almost.  He was also born on Father's Day, so some years he and Ron have to share the spotlight.  This year, it is all his.  He is in the middle of his last class of his Masters Degree in Special Education, so it is a special and double celebration today.  Plus, his sister, brother-in-law and niece are here to celebrate.  We are eating in so that Sojo can have a more enjoyable time.  Actually, I think we are doing it so we can all have a more relaxed time.  Hee! Hee!  Toddlers don't seem to get as much enjoyment out of the dining out experiences as adults do.  Sean certainly does...his favorite is seafood and especially crab legs.  So, we made a trip to Costco for seafood and we figure that Sojo is probably saving us a few bucks by us having the celebration at home too.  Matt, Cathy and Cathy's mom will be out later too.  Sean is already here and watching Curious George with Sojo.

Happy Birthday Sean!

We continue to enjoy Sojo and all her little antics.  She continues to struggle as she adjusts to the time change.  16 hours difference is huge.  I think about how I drag myself around for days after a trip like that and I know.  She doesn't.  Look at this map and imagine the miles that little girl has traveled in her life and will continue to do as she grows in her Global Nomad family.

She is falling asleep in her Baba's arms right now while watching Curious George.

Yesterday, we had fun exploring Bookman's bookstore.  She loved the ladders that she found around the store and especially loved a little monkey she found and someone purchased it for her.  I think it was her "one toy only" Baba.  She loves that monkey (not her Baba, silly...the stuffed monkey).  We also went to Chucky Cheese.  Now that is complete overload for an adult, let alone a small child.  She did like the characters though.

This was just a wee little tantrum on the kitchen floor.  Which ended the minute her Gong Gong came in the door from being gone most of the day.

Mama and Sojo in the pool.  She wasn't thrilled with it yesterday.

Shucking a little corn with her Po Po

Eating that corn and loving it.

Morning eggs with Gong Gong

Sojo had to have a little blood test today and was such a good girl.  She did a good job.  No pictures of that.But we do have a picture of the mighty tower builder.

The face of an angel.  

We are certainly are having fun, but no one is getting any sleep.  Miss Sojo's sleep schedule is willy nilly and all over the map.  We really thought that yesterday was the break through because she had slept much better Wednesday night...even though she was up.  However, she slept later...until about 9:30 and then took her nap around 11:30, getting up around 1:30.  She was a few hours off there, but closer than she had been.  We had a great afternoon and she went to sleep at 7 pm.  We were sure she was back on schedule...NOT!!  Up at 10 pm and not back to sleep til 4:15 this morning.  WOW!  Mama and Baba are still sleeping. What patience they have with that little one.  Amazing.  Understanding how a 20 month old's little mind works...they eat when they are hungry and they sleep when they are tired.  Makes sense to me.

In spite of the lack of sleep, we are still enjoying the joys of this toddler.  Mama and Baba run off to do errands and PoPo and Gong Gong get to revel in the joys of grand parenting all by themselves.

Cooking up breakfast and eating a "homborger"  I bought these little food and cooking things several years ago when my nieces were little.  I knew that someday I would have a grand child to share them with again.  They waited patiently (like me) on a shelf for Sojo.

Po Po and Sojo fall asleep on the floor after a little back massage for Sojo. 

Watching Curious George (her favorite) with Gong Gong and the Bears.

This is becoming a habit.  Po Po gives her another massage and she falls asleep again.  Maybe this is the problem????

Baby/Toddler Story Time at the Library while Mama and Baba run errands.  I don't know who have more fun...Sojo or Po Po and Gong Gong.  Sojo loves bubbles, so this was her favorite part.  She also loved being in the middle of the room and dancing to all the songs played and clapping at the end of each one.  She was the oldest one there, so she was quite the charmer as she paraded in and out and around and about.  She was very careful of the little babies as she did this.  She is a very "aware" little girl.

And then, we had ice cream.  A very special treat that she does not get often, but you know the saying (on the bib) "what happens at Grandma's, stays at Grandma's".

Mama and Baba brought her back a little wading pool, so she could have more freedom than in the big pool and we could sit in the shade of the patio and watch her delight.

I didn't take this picture.  I am thinking someone took this in the middle of the night....

It was a VERY GOOD DAY...Can't wait for her to get up today and start all over again.  But, for now Sojo...sleep.

This is a test.  I am testing the Windows Live Writer to see how it works, so hopefully my speedy fingers will get a quick spell check before I post/publish my blog.  I see far too many errors that are either simply nimble fast fingers going too fast or simply my old brain not making all the connections it should be. 

• Ethnicity...you see faces of all colors.  You feel a sense of oneness and likeness through the differences around you.  Where else would you find the oldest Cathedral in California in the middle of China Town. 
• Corner Markets and little cafes built into the neighborhoods   
• Street Musicians ... I love the way they bring their talent to the streets.  Questions of why...homeless or just determined to use that talent to entertain.  They are always grateful for whatever you give.  We once read this book that gave you ideas on how to live a good life.  One was to always give to street musicians.  From those from other continents to those with Southern charm and humor to clownsto wannabee James Taylors.  I love it all.
• Traffic and Transportation.  I wouldn't care to drive in any of the big cities I have lived in or near.  I don't even like having to drive through Phoenix on I-10.  Forget going from I-10 to the 101 Loop or any place else.  But, I do love watching it from a distance...especially in the downtown areas.  In San Francisco, the highlight ofcourse is seeing the cablecars....    or how cars park on those steep streets 
• Architecture and Landmarks: 

Oh, I love my desert dwelling here in our little cowtown, sometimes disguised as a growing metropolis, but I do enjoy an occasional visit to the big city where I can drink in the differences and breathe in the history.