Sweet Ballerinas

Mia has had a wonderful year of dance with Miss Lisa at Studio 10 Dance.  She just loves Lisa, all of the fun princess music that they dance to, and, of course, her fellow dancers and friends, Brinn and Paige.

Homework Helper

After setting Luke up at the kitchen table to do some homework today, I ran upstairs to do a few little chores.  When I came back, this is I what I discovered.

Really not okay for our cat to be ON our kitchen table ... but too cute not to take a picture of.

A Big Girl Bike

Mia was treated to a belated birthday present from Grandma and Grandpa today.  Since Mia's birthday falls just after Christmas, and we are usually on present overload by then, Grandma and Grandpa have adopted the practice of presenting Mia with a special birthday present at a time later in the year when there aren't quite so many new toys around.

So, today, Mia got a new Strawberry Shortcake bike, complete with bell, basket, and training wheels.  She is so very thrilled!

A Beach Day

Grandma and Grandpa are here visiting from New Jersey this week.  It is Grandma's Spring Break from school, but we had ours a few weeks back, so we have all of our regular activities.  We've had fun showing them what a week in the lives of Luke and Mia look like.

Today we decided to take them to another one of our favorite places:  the beach at Capitola.

It was a gorgeous day - we dug in the sand, flew kites, and ate ice cream!

Here comes the Tooth Fairy!

The big day that we have been waiting for has finally arrived...

Luke lost his first tooth this morning!

He presented it to us as soon as he woke up.  Honestly, I'm surprised he didn't swallow it in his sleep.

I guess tonight will mark the tooth fairy's first visit to our house!

Yosemite Weekend Getaway

As part of our Christmas present, my parents gifted Michael and I an adults-only trip to Yosemite, complete with fabulous accommodations at the Ahwahnee and a weekend of childcare.  Oh, and built-in company ... my brother and sister in law, Michelle.

So, this past weekend we enjoyed the weekend away, taking in the breathtaking beauty that is Yosemite.  Honestly, there are no words to describe how majestic it is.  We took a couple of good hikes, enjoyed some alone time, and had more than one fabulous meal.  It was a perfect weekend getaway.

A visit with friends

We were so happy to have the M family come to stay and visit with us this month!

Steph and Mommy were roommates in college and have remained very good friends.  We were so lucky that it worked out for them to visit us this year since our families don't get to see one another nearly enough.

One night when they were in town we had some of our other favorite people, the A and M families, over for a BBQ (since all of the mommies went to college and were in their sorority together).  Somehow they have grown from a group of 4 friends to a total of 17 (soon to be 18) with husbands and children!

 The next day, after the sleepover with our friends, we took them to ... where else?...Happy Hollow!

We had to share one of our favorite places with them.

We think that they might have liked it as much as we do!!

Thank you, M family, for coming to visit.  We had such fun!

T-Ball MVP

Luke has shown tremendous growth this year as a t-ball player.  He is having a great season individually (hitting much better and just starting to show a real interest in and understanding of the game), and as part of his team.  His coach has been incredible - really giving the kids some good tips, moving their skills forward, and just encouraging a real love for the game.

One of the ways that the coach keeps the kids working hard is to award an MVP or player of the game award at the end of each game.

Today, with us and the M family looking on, Luke received the MVP award!  He was so proud (as were we!).

Stairway sleeping

As I came up for bed tonight, this is what I found:

Reminds me a bit of another little one that I know!

She was so passed out that we simply moved her back to bed.

Spring Break at Happy Hollow

After a week of Spring Break spent in Santa Barbara and enjoying some down time at home, we decided it was time to get out and enjoy one of our favorite places:  Happy Hollow.

This year's first Happy Hollow visit proved that Mia is fearless.  She had every desire to take on all of the rides - even ones that she is barely tall enough to ride (and the roller coaster, which Luke opted not to ride this time).

All smiles as she wait in line for the roller coaster

Boarding

Riding with Mommy

Next, we moved on to the swings

I

We even got to meet Danny the Dragon!