The Birthday Dance

It's about this time where I EXHALE. The last of the 3 birthdays just passed - what a hectic time of year for us. Amelia's 1st birthday was March 21st, Sam's 7th, April 19th and Maggie's 10th, April 23rd.

Sam is settling into 7 quite well and it was way too cute watching him on his birthday - he was so happy. That morning he walked in to the kitchen and immediately started to feed the cat water and food (without being asked) and then looked at me and said "mom, I suppose Cobie is hungry too" and went on to feed him as well. He had a great day at school and had a fun afternoon having two friends over to play and he enjoyed his requested taco dinner followed by ice cream cones.

Maggie is a big 10 now. She is changing so fast. She is into clothes & shoes and somewhat giggly about boys now and interested in music. She is a super kid. Very smart, such a leader and eager to push forward. We hope the next 10 years move a little slower than the last. We are very proud of her.

Amelia

Easter 2012

EASTER 2011

EASTER 2012

Sam's letter and radishes for the Easter Bunny

Decorating Grandma's famous bunny cake

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Recent pictures and Spring Break

4th grade field trip to the John Muir House 4/5/2012

This was one of the 1st pictures I took. Her face says it all.

 "Another picture mom?"

Painting a birdhouse

Candle making

Homemade apple cobbler - made outside at the picnic tables. What fun!

The Park Ranger telling ghost stories up in the attic.

Maggie was excited to be able to make us the John Muir Apple Cobbler a few days later.

Some for the neighbors too. Yum!

New trick for Amelia.

Lucky Cobie and lucky kids. We are so happy he's with us. It's as if he's always has been here.

 Spring Break came and went as fast as ever. We are now down to 8 more weeks of school. I can't believe summer is nearly here.

Amelia at almost 13 months is completely on whole milk now. Unlike Maggie and Sam, the transition was easy. We are now working on weaning her to a sippy cup. Not walking yet but showing all the signs she's almost there. Colin and I noticed her vocabulary bursting lately. She is wonderful and so easy. Still sleeping excellent and the best traveler ever.

Sam is a few days shy of turning 7. I somehow feel like he skipped a few years. He is such a good kid. So compliant and very gentle and loving. Sam is very interested in insects & snakes right now. Starting most mornings off in the yard with a container and sometimes a magnifying glass too. Just yesterday at the garden shop, he caught a few bugs. They unfortunately escaped the bag and are in my van now :) It is so fun to watch him explore through the day and listen to him speak. He has the best questions ever.

Maggie is amazing. I can't get over the information she can retain. She really has a thing for history and is very excited sharing her knowledge with us. We are very proud of her. Maggie at almost 10, now has interests in clothes, her hair and music. She loves to pick out her outfit for the day now but does not seem to put up a struggle too much when we tell her she can wear some things at home but not at school, etc. Maggie is eager to grow up all too fast. I can't believe she will be in 5th grade next year.

Happy 1st Birthday, Amelia

This blessing made three. How lucky are we...

Mission San Antonio de Padua Trip

We surprised Maggie with a trip last weekend to see her 4th grade mission. The weekend began Friday in Pacific Grove with a night there at the Lighthouse Lodge where Grammy & Grandpa Terry met us. Saturday we walked the beach in Pacific Grove collecting rocks and shells and explored the water life amongst the rocks and tide pools. Grandpa Terry even gave a brief lesson on bull kelp. The afternoon was spent on the wharf in Monterey where we had lunch and walked around for a bit. We then traveled on to Mission San Antonio de Padua where we spent the night. Grammy & Grandpa met us there the next morning and we started off the day with Mass at the mission and then walked the grounds. What a special weekend for Maggie. We are looking forward to doing the same thing for Sam.