So we’ve discovered Lincoln’s “sprayground.” And it rocks. It’s close to downtown, it’s free, it’s free and it’s free. What’s not to love? Check out this little cutie, I’ll call her Twin #1, playing in a fountain.

Next up is Liv. Check out the water toy I’ve given her to play with—clearly, I’ve spared no expense in the summer toy department. (Me, digging in the trunk: “Yeah, I’m sure there’s something you can play with back here. Here take this old cup I found. No, that’s not dirt on the edge. I’m sure it’s clean enough. Go play.”) Livia seems to be eyeing the Bellagio-esque leaping fountains that surprised her with a water-up-the-nose hit on our last visit. I think she avoided that area entirely upon our second sprayground trip.

Here we have Twin #1 accompanied by Twin #2 and Big Sister. They’re playing on these cool space-age seats that spin around really fast. The speed and slipperyness of the seats didn’t faze the twins one bit.

Big Brother. I love the mohawk and the smile—this kid charms me.

Last weekend Jeremy’s class held its 20th high school reunion. Seven years younger than my husband, I tagged along as a spouse and member of Lincoln Southeast’s class of 1996. We attended most of the planned activities—the informal gathering at a downtown bar, the school tour on Saturday, and the more formal reception at the Nebraska Club later that evening.

Being the spouse at a high school reunion is not the most exciting role ever. After a while, faces tend to blend together and you wonder how many times you can listen to the same introduction-type conversation (what do you do, where do you live, have any kids? etc). But, I have to say Jeremy’s classmates are a cool bunch. I know I only met them briefly over three events, but I was impressed by how kind, entertaining and genuine everyone was. From what I’ve heard, twentieth reunions are far better than ten year ones. Hear that, Sarah & Charity? Plan on 2016 with me!

Kids were invited to the tour of the school and, let me tell you, it was weird to walk down those halls again. By and large, the school looks the same and smells the same. I could feel echos of rallys, assemblys and musical events past when walking in Prasch gym. I recalled running laps around the track upstairs, breathing hard and wondering how I was going to make it through the mile for my gym class. I remember watching the synchronized swimmers in the pool nearby and recalled selling hot dogs and nachos to raise funds for drama club during basketball games.

As we walked Liv up and down hallways, past row upon row of lockers, I wondered at the fact that my husband tread these halls seven years before me. I never once considered that my future mate was working on his locker combo in the same location, just a few years ahead of my time. And though Livia is slated to be a Lincoln High Link someday—a prospect that I’m really excited about—I can’t help but wonder if she’ll end up a Knight and learn in the classrooms we learned in.

If you care at all about Southeast, click on a photo in this post to check out a few other shots on Flickr. The new cafeteria is awesome, large and airy, while the very new auditorium is beautiful, too. There’s a ticket office (!) and, Adam, you’ll be pleased to know the old artwork has been preserved in a new location. I was surprised by how sentimental I felt upon entering the auditorium. I can’t count how many hours I spent on stage in that place, creating and being created at the same time. My name is on the backstage doors there, accompanied by a smiley face to preserve my high school self as long as the doors stand strong.

Last winter Liv’s dentist predicted our girl would lose her baby teeth soon, at “age five” she said. On Livia’s fifth birthday she worked and worked at that baby tooth, convinced it would fall out that day. This morning a little floss and a damp cloth did the trick! First tooth down, many to go. We’re pretty pumped around here. One of us in particular is eagerly awaiting the Tooth Fairy’s visit tonight!

1) These peas taste delicious. I’m amazed I had anything to do with the production of them. Granted, I did very little in the whole scheme of things, but between the Tredway Three, we did plant, water, weed and pick the pea plants. So that’s something.

2) My husband and child like peas far more than I do. Each little pod I harvest goes straight from garden to mouth. I have five little plants set up, though, so eventually we might save up enough for a real meal.

3) I selected this shot for the peas but then found myself gazing at my hands. At first I thought they looked kind of old. Later I realized that I have my Grandma Iola’s hands—and even when Grandma was younger, she seemed old to me. Indeed, this is a photo of a pea pod in a young/old lady’s hand. Ha.

The plans for last week included out-of-town friends, a due date, a garage sale, a big move and an anniversary celebration. Joe and Karen Choi stopped in for a late night visit and it was so good to hang with them. My sister-in-law’s due date came and went with nary a newborn to be found. The garage sale swept in according to strict schedule and myriad shoppers were on our front yards before all our crap (I mean, merchandise) could be placed on tables. And then that newborn, my adorable nephew, showed up, as I mentioned recently, between a sale and a glass of water. Part of the anniversary celebration was postponed to this weekend, which makes sense considering June 13 is our actual anniversary.

But there was another event that I felt got rushed over in the hustle and bustle of the crazy week: Joie’s big move. So our dear friend filled up her station wagon and headed for the bright lights of the big city in order to pursue life as a dancer. I couldn’t be more proud of her if I wanted to be and I’m super excited to see what she’ll do next, but oh my goodness… the way time marches on when someone special leaves is almost breathtaking, in a bad way. I look at this photo of Joie, Renae and me and almost feel lost when considering how to be okay without Joie.

This isn’t the first time I’ve said goodbye to beloved friends. Last year alone saw Jamie, Brook and Karen leaving town (say nothing of the O’Donnells’ international destination!). Before that was Julie, who was a huge part of my world. Sarah and Charity still live far away—but we’ve forged new relationships that work despite the miles between us. I’m aware that I’ll survive being left behind, but it’s tough nonetheless.

Why I’m blogging this, I don’t precisely know. What I do know is that I miss Joie. And that I really like this picture (credit to Jason for snapping it).

The birth or adoption of your own child is a phenomenal event, obviously. But the birth or adoption of a niece or nephew is just something else. It’s exciting and thrilling. It’s wonderful to see your sibling become a parent and take on this amazing responsibility of raising a human being (something you could never have fathomed in your younger years). Also, being an aunt is simply awesome. It involves all the goodness of the adult/child relationship without the responsibility—purely delightful, I believe.

I became an aunt for the second time last Friday morning at 11:08am. With Mom giving me the play-by-play as she could tell from the hospital waiting area, I knew the birth of my first nephew was imminent. In a moment between me selling tchotchkes at our garage sale and getting a glass of water, Noah Robert Lawton was entering the world, all 9lb 1oz, 21.5 inches of him.

Noah is a beautiful little guy and I’m incredibly proud of all the hard work Kristin did to deliver him! Adam, from what I understand, was pretty cool too. My brother and Kris are great parents and I love their sweet family so much. Congrats to big sister Madeleine and welcome to the world, Noah Robert!

Liv was a little sick Saturday. Maybe it was a one-two punch from the garage sale and all the sweets she had eaten the day before. Shiloh was either empathetic or also a little worn out, because he, too, lay around the floor much of the day.

Should a photo-happy mama takes advantage of such cuteness? Definitely.