Send Me On My Way

Yes, even Reader's Digest entertains her. Tessa loves books.We had a great weekend. First of all, Jake didn't have any papers to write, so he was able to spend a lot of time playing with us. We had a picnic at a beautiful park Jake found out in Richardson. I love the huge parks here --especially the ones with water and ducks (and an occasional Blue Heron).
We went to the Plano International Festival Saturday afternoon. I was personally excited for the entertainment scheduled, so I didn't pay any attention to the "naturalization" on the online program . Well, we showed up right as the naturalization was getting started. Fifty people were sworn in as new American citizens. They were from all over the globe --Argentina, Ghana, India, Mexico, Bosnia-Herzegovina.... I had never witnessed something like this and neither had Jacob. We felt incredibly fortunate to be there. They repeated the oath of citizenship and then said the Pledge of Allegiance with the crowd for the first time as American citizens. Jake and I both couldn't help but get a little emotional. I don't need many reminders, but I just thought about how grateful I am to live in this country as I watched those little old Sons of the Revolution present our flag. With a crowd cheering, it seemed a wonderful way to be welcomed as a new citizen.
We made our way around the different booths representing different countries and watched some of the entertainment. Tessa had fun dancing with Mom and Dad to the music. One booth, surprisingly, didn't make it into the main collection of booths. This particular booth was for Klingons. Yes, Star Trek Klingons. Two men in full garb were there to represent. The Klingon flag waved proudly above the table. Where does one even find a Klingon flag? No clue. I guess these guys didn't get the memo that it was an international festival..... not an intergalactic one.
Later that day we went over to another park. Jake went to grab something from the car, so I pushed the stroller off the path a little toward a pond/lake. I took Tessa out to get closer to the water and left the stroller sitting there with my purse, the diaper bag, etc. in the bottom basket and a folded blanket sitting on the top umbrella part. I crouched down with Tessa at the water's edge to look at some ducks swimming away from us. A breeze picked up, and I saw something out of the corner of my eye. I whipped my head around to see my stroller ZOOMing down the incline toward the water. I ran to set Tessa down away from the water and sped toward the stroller as it jumped and toppled forward into the pond. I splashed into the water to pull out the stroller (it was only up to mid-calf) as the blanket floated further out. Suddenly I realized there was a man in the water with me helping me get the stroller out. He then went out a little further to get the blanket. I'm glad chivalry isn't dead. Jake got back in time to hear this guy explain that he thought there was a baby in the stroller when he saw it rolling toward the water. Poor guy. I was grateful for his help. Tessa looked thoroughly entertained. Jake pointed out all the little fish swimming around right where I'd been. Ick. I laughed pretty hard about it. Everything in the stroller was okay. I just sprayed it off when I got home and washed the raft/blanket. Upon hearing the story, most people have reminded me that the stroller has brakes. Thank you, everybody. I know.
Other than that, it's been a good week overall. Just the usual for the most part.... watching the babies, visiting with friends, park time, Rhyme Time at the library, projects, grocery shopping ...just stuff. Jake's brother Matt is coming into town tonight for business. We're excited to have him come stay. Last thing: Erica Whetstone, a friend of mine for over 20 years!?!, is getting married to a really great guy this coming Tuesday. I just wanted to send out a huge CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!

My kid is the reason you have to supervise your child while eating those big Gerber cookie stick things. She wants it all at once.