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Welcome to the Birthday Parties

I really should have expected this, yet I still feel like I have been caught by surprise.  The volume of birthday parties that Luke is invited to is ... well, let's just say that he is WAY more popular than the rest of our family combined.

This particular party included most of his class and at was at a very cool place, Cucina Bambini - a kid's kitchen.

I snapped a few pictures of Luke with his BF, Owen, laughing and cooking together.

Mia the Gymnast

Mia really seems to enjoy gymnastics.  This shouldn't surprise me since she is often trying to somersault down the hallways and jump on all of our couches and beds!

 



It doesn't hurt that Mia's BF, Paige, also is at the gym at the same time as us each week



Waiting for their coaches to call them

 

Working on the bars

Little monkey

 

Friends

School Spirit

Luke is sporting his Bengal pride on orange and black Spirit Day at school.

What were his tiger whiskers now just look more like he was cleaning a chimney ... but you can imagine :)

Kindergarten Field Trip

This week, Luke's class took a trip to Santa Clara University's theatre to see "Miss Nelson Is Missing" and I was able to join them.  The kids seriously think that riding together in a car is perhaps the best part of the trip!

The Music Place

At Luke's parent/teacher conference back in November his teachers asked us if he was involved in any music-related classes.  They wondered because they have observed in class some strengths of his that might translate well into playing an instrument.  We asked if they had any suggestions for places that exposed kids to music and a variety of instruments.  They recommended The Music Place, so we tried a trial class there this week.

As I said, this was something for Luke, but when we got there and Mia realized that this might be fun she wanted to go as well.  Thankfully, since the class is for 3-5 year olds, they were able to accommodate her.

The class was fun and the kids loved it.  It had lots of instruction at an introductory level on the basics of reading music, and during each class kids get to try a different instrument.  Obviously the week we visited featured the cello.

We did not sign up given that both kids wanted to do it and we are already involved with swimming, dance class, gymnastics, and soon the t-ball season will begin.  However, we will certainly be back once schedules have calmed down a bit.

Back in the Pool

The kids took a break from swimming through last summer and fall.  Both kids swam almost daily last summer at the Country Club, and when fall came I wanted to see how Luke adjusted to his new full-day, 5 days a week Kindergarten schedule before I started adding afternoon activities.  Plus, I was anxious for Mia to turn 3 so that she could be in the water without a parent.  So, this month we went back to swimming lessons for the first time since last spring.

Luke is starting back at his previous level as a Sea Turtle, and Mia is at the first level without a parent, which is Guppy.

Mia's Rainbow Art Party

Mia's 3rd Birthday party was a Rainbow/Art theme.  It was one that both she and I (and Luke also, to be honest) were very excited about.  So much fun to plan because the options are endless.

 



The front doorway

 

 

When guests arrived, they chose their monogrammed apron

 

Outside there were several art projects set up for the kids to do (and I'm pretty sure several adults painted canvases also ... otherwise, we have some serious 3 year old Picassos)

 

 

Blossom, the Rainbow Fairy from Happily Ever Laughter (highly recommended!) set up inside to entertain the kids with a magic show, balloon twisting, and face painting.  Mia absolutely LOVED her and the show.

 

Sandwiches with rainbow colored fixing were served, as well as a few other rainbow-themed foods



The kids' table

 

The adults' table

 

The sweet table

**Lots of pictures of this as I was attempting to capture the colors as best I could without my good camera, which conveniently died just before the party started ... so you'll notice that we have very few pictures of good quality of the next several months :(

 

Birthday Cake Time

If the cake looks like it's leaning ... well it is!  Apparently 6 layers is more difficult than it looks.  Lesson learned.

With Day and Paw (and the only photo I have of the multi-colored layer cake)

Party favors

Happy Birthday to our sweet 3 year old, who colors our world everyday.  We love you so, Mia!