Happy Birthday to Me!

A few weeks ago, I turned 31. To celebrate, my two girls and I dressed up Fancy Nancy style and went out for parfaits at none other than Baskin Robbins (get it?). You, my dear friends, know me, and so you are probably not surprised that I actually went out in public looking like this. But Emmy is still getting to know her own mother, and asked me if I was embarrassed. (Funny because she actually dictated my outfit and then chose something perfectly normal for herself). I said of course not and walked into the ice cream parlor with head held high.

Good Week

We've had a good week this week.  For some reason I have been blessed with an overall feeling of contentment over the last few days.  I've been more patient than normal, more laid back.  We've spent a lot of time at the park lately.  It makes me happy to see my children so fulfilled by the simple pleasure of being outside.  Ryan happily spent his time picking up sand and pulling at grass.  Sophie ran back and forth across the field in her princess dress, lost in her own imaginary world.  Emmy swung herself on the monkey bars, going from one end to the other 32 times in a row.  I sat and watched them, and then laid down in the sand, deciding not to care if I got sand everywhere.  Ryan noticed I was lying there, climbed right on top of me and gave me big slobbery delicious baby kisses on my cheeks.

Tomorrow is Friday, the start of Easter weekend.  I look forward to spending a little more time thinking about Jesus in the Garden, Jesus on the cross, and an empty tomb.  I look forward to teaching this to my girls, to celebrating new life, new hope, and a world that has burst into color after months of gray. 

Kindergarten is Magical

Emmy's Kindergarten year has been simply delightful.  We love her teacher.  He is a modern day Mr. Rogers.  He starts off each morning by playing the guitar and singing with the kids.  His manner is mild, consistent, and unfailingly polite.  His classroom is welcoming and neat as a pin.  The children love him and respond to the respectful and considerate tone that he sets.

I can't believe that the end of the school year is in sight.  I feel sad.  I love that the Kindergarten is still so separate from the rest of the elementary school.  I love that the days are shorter and that even though they are learning SO MUCH, they get the chance to do really fun stuff.  Here are a few photos of all of the fun Emmy has had this year:

Emmy's class on Halloween

The Halloween parade

Singing Thanksgiving Tunes

Making a life-size gingerbread boy!

Wacky hair day

Chinese New Year - Emmy's class paraded for the whole school!

Celebrating the 100th day of School

So excited to bring Valentines to class

Celebrating Dr. Suess's birthday by wearing PJs and eating green eggs and ham

Proud to bring bird nests to share for the Spring celebration

Emmy and good friend James are ready for their Mexican dance

Dance of the Fish

James, Emmy, Jack, and Zanna are ready backstage for their dance to "Singing in the Rain"for the school talent show

They were almost as good as Gene Kelly

Love this little guy!

Ryan at 8 months

I took these pics of Ryan on the day I discovered that his bottom tooth would cut through any second. I wanted to remember his little gums without teeth!

Bug Girl

This morning Sophie said, "I want to be a princess when I grow up. And a bug girl."

I said something generic like, "That's nice."

and then she said, "I'm kind of like a bug fairy."

She cracks me up. She truly loves bugs and would love nothing more than to spend all day, every day, lifting up stones and digging in the dirt, looking for her little friends.

Sophie's Salamander

Sophie's teacher at church knew how much she would appreciate this cup of ladybugs

The cutest baby snail ever

always a favorite, the roly-poly

Sophie's first caterpillar

Ode to Opa

This past Friday we were treated to a short but very sweet visit from my dad, also known as "Opa."  We looked forward to this little visit for two weeks and made the most of our time with him. The day started out with Opa helping out in Emmy's classroom.  He loved seeing her classroom, watching her awesome teacher in action, and meeting all of Emmy's classmates.  Emmy was so proud to show him off to everyone.  When he got home from Emmy's school, he spent some one-on-one time with Sophie, in the rain, looking for bugs.  This is Sophie's favorite thing to do, and she loves it even more on a rainy day.

After lunch, we all headed to San Francisco, where we sampled Ghiradelli chocolate and rode the cable cars through the city.  When we got back, we went out to eat at one of my favorite places, Howie's Artisan Pizza, and then came home and had a mini celebration for Opa's birthday, which was earlier in March.  At this point, I normally would have put my kids to bed.  But they were just so happy to be with him, that I let them stay up late, playing games and reading stories.  They didn't go to bed until almost ten, but it was totally worth it.

The next morning, he had to leave at 5:30 in the morning, so when Emmy woke up, he was already gone.  She told me that when she looked down and saw his empty bed (he slept on the bottom bunk of her bunk bed), she cried a little bit.  So sweet!  Opa, we all love you!  (And we love the longer hair style too!)

Opa and Sophie are off to find bugs

Emmy and Sophie look at the long line of people waiting to ride the trolley

A proud Opa with Baby Ryan

Opa and Sophie on the cable car

Opa with his three grandbabies

so tired after such a journey

Fun times playing the new Fairytale Spinner Game, courtesy of Nannie and Opa

Emmy's gift to Opa

I love how she put the picture of herself and Opa holding the picture of themselves

Happy Birthday to the best dad and grandpa ever!

Sophie laughing sooo hard because the candles were tricks

Emmy showing off her reading abilities before bedtime