with all the hussle and bussle I forgot to share some highlights from last week.

This girl can sleep anywhere now that she has made friends with her thumb.

He is loving his map in his room these days, it goes with his pirate play.

Henry and I (plus friends in the other car) fed the ducks and geese from our car window. 

A little too agressive to get out, because they are wild and will just come right up.

Paul has started making his own food and is quite good at it.

starting with breakfast in bed..this boy ate two bowls of cereal.

Grammy came over early to help with party set up and to bring Paul a new bike!

Henry could hardly wait to get in the water (even thought it was overcast at first, I should have known better and packed swim trunks for this water baby).

I loved Joe’s hand-painted signs complimenting the theme

who doesn’t love a candy smorgasbord?

or homemade cupcakes? (thanks Grammy)

Paul had a chance to blush a little with everyone gathered to sing to him.

I know it is sensory overload for him to see friends from the co-op, school, church, family, and they are all in the same place at once.

We tried to minimize some of this and allowed him to open just one present at the park, which included that crazy ninja outfit (his latest obsession).

Olivine was happy to be passed around, sleep in a sling, or check out the hair on her second cousin who is three months younger and already outweighs her.

The weather turned out better than expected and I am so grateful that folks showed up to share in this special day.

So I officially have a two year break and will then (I am swearing by it) do this all again for Henry when he turns five.

A make shift photo booth at the Patchwork Craft Festival on Sunday

meant we grabbed props and posed quickly

because we love a group photo.

Five Days Until Five

with the jacket and tie we just bought him I hardly recognize my baby boy.

He is my own little handsome man who suddenly this year has blossomed and grown more than I could have prepared myself for. This is what all mothers experience and I am a sensitive ball of emotions this week. He is thrilled and has been counting down the months, weeks, and now days. 

I sit back and see how quickly the time passed. He was our “mystery” baby and yet that dream I had when I was pregnant came true: of a curly haired boy calling to his Papa. This boy is smart, sweet, funny, and has the same gentle patience of his father. He is charming and makes me already so proud as he helps take care of his younger brother and sister.

Hope you will celebrate with us this Saturday as he turns five.

An adventure and definitely a “to-do” that I can cross of my list.

I now know (thanks to Tina) how to make cake pops and cake balls.

Before:

After:

We made peanut butter and vanilla flavor (color green).

We used sprinkles and had lots of fun.

Taste test: they were a hit!

that her socks looked extra cute today

that Michelle painted and Brandon carved these pumpkins for the party last night.

that I am particularly fond of the cloudy sky promising rain.

that we spent at least four hours outdoors today, taking advantage of the sunshine.

that the coughing is almost gone and we can pack up the humdifier until our next outbreak.

Joe is voting while I stay home. They boys are playing legos and baby girl is sleeping.

Joe has a fever, the boys have residual coughing, and I am happily tired from the 13 parent conferences I held today.

The sun is setting earlier and I am enjoying the quiet around here. Happy Voting.

is what I say about my friend Stella and her backyard birthday bash.

Here are the highlights:

cake and a jumpy house

the reminders of her love for Disneyland

plenty of space

to hang out and chat with friends

or listen to the music

and of course pass around the cutie pie.

This will be a month full of birthday parties.

began as a backyard full of sculptures

all made by one man

impressive

included found objects

a local landmark

art appreciation for the little ones

a tour that sounded a lot like story telling

a mailbox 

the spiky cactus garden made from glass

and a wonderful way to spend a Saturday morning.

on a whim I gave her the whole fruit

usually I cut it up but was curious to see what she would do

knowing it was soft and ripe

she rolled and explored it’s strange shape

she sucked the juice

and she eventually ate some suprisingly big bites

however she is easily distracted 

and this is how bright her eyes light up to see her father come into the room.