Simone's Birthday Party

Last weekend we enjoyed Simone's birthday party. Molly was overjoyed with the party hat, and still can't stop talking about the easter egg hunt. Clara had fun, too, of course!

Clara & the plants

Clara contemplates our horticultural purchases (thanks Nana!)

Backyard Fun (March 2010)

Pictures:
1. Ladybugs, the day after the release (2)
2. Ladybug release, with neighbors (& neighbor's friends)
3. Sisters in cage
4. Molly on the rope swing
5. Molly on the slide
6. Clara changing the chicken's water

Angry Molly

Molly got really angry today. And I'm really proud of her. Actually, I'm proud of both of us (me and her). Her for expressing her anger, and me for giving her the space to express the anger. Here's the long story.

We're on day 5 of 6 days without Zach (2 days last week, 4 this week*). We miss him dearly. I suspect if we did this more often we'd all have routines and ways to make it all work. But we don't. We're spoiled.

Even so, we have had a pretty good time this week. I've taken time to leave work early, which gives me a head start on the evening rush. Most days.

Today we had planned to go out to dinner with friends. They had to cancel, which was understandably disappointing. I set up ground rules for going on our own (every one had to pee, and everyone had to show me that they had the energy to keep it together through dinner). Molly stepped right up and got herself ready to go. Clara threw herself on the floor. Several times. I called off the restaurant trip and started making dinner.

And Molly was mad! She stomped around and yelled "I'm angry!" But she didn't hit. She didn't throw herself on the ground. She didn't point, or call names. And so I let her express that anger. And suggested she draw an angry picture. So she did.

This is Angry Molly. With freckles. And light blue eyes. And a yelling mouth.

She used Angry Molly to tell me that I never listen to her, I only listen to Clara. That she's mad at me for not letting us go to the restaurant. And she's mad at Clara for crying so much. And I listened. And she said she wasn't mad at me any more, just Clara. And when Clara was ready (Clara was recovering from another tantrum when she realized we really weren't going to the restaurant, even after she promised she was done crying), I let Molly tell Clara how upset she was.

And we went and had dinner in our kitchen.

* Zach went to Fresno on the train last week to visit GRID's new Fresno office. This week he's doing 2 days in the LA office (& visiting family), & 2 days in the San Diego office (& visiting Andy).

Changes

Clara's officially all done with her crib. It's been dismantled and moved out of their bedroom. Now we just need to find a new home that will love it the way Molly and Clara both loved it.

She's now so settled and comfortable in her bottom bunk bed that there's no need to keep the crib, even for just in case. While past attempts at other sleeping arrangements (sister bed, floor bed, etc) were temporary at best, this time she was ready for it and loves it.

I also want to give a big shout-out to the ESOL folks, in Maryland, who aree saying goodbye to our Nona this week. We love you!

Lunch on the Porch

Lunch on the porch while the furnace guy works - wonderful morning of biking gymnastics and market. - Zach

Molly Creates

This is why I should post pictures when I actually take them. I absolutely can't remember what animal Molly fashioned for herself here. I know the tail is important. And there are ears. And she was very proud of it and asked me to take a picture. But what was it?! Oh well. It was cute any way about it.

With Simone

Playing on the playground after fun at the pool.

Pinecrest

We just got back from enjoying a lovely snow-trip to Pinecrest where there was limited cell phone reception, no internet, and lots of snow. We were joined for the first half of the trip by some lovely friends, and the last two days we were on our own. Both parts were fantastic.

We stayed in a funky cabin in spectacular surroundings: almost unlimited snow play outside our door! It was perfect for coming and going as the kids got tired, cold, hungry, etc. We also ventured out to explore the nearly dry lake bed (drained to prepare for spring snow-melt), ice skating, and a sweet un-plowed forest service road. I was sick the first day, but having the friends with us helped ease the burden and speed my recovery. In the end, our biggest challenge was keeping mittens on Clara's hands.

Our friends brought their trusty dog, Arthur (not pictured), who not only helped clean up after the kids, but also helped convince Clara that she loves dogs (she cried when Arthur left!) and Molly that she's not necessarily afraid of dogs. Thanks Arthur!

Birthday Party - the pictures

Here's the complete set of birthday-party madness pictures. A huge thank you to Iain for his excellent work as designated photographer.