Big Bird vs Elmo

The following is a rough transcription of a conversation between Molly and Clara this morning. I was lucky enough to overhear most of it. Molly was getting a band aid for Clara (to put on an itsy bitsy boo boo).

Molly presents two band aids for Clara to pick from.

M: Do you want Big Bird or Elmo?
C: I want Elmo.
M: Why don't you want Big Bird?
C: I don't like Big Bird.
M: Why not? He's just a big yellow bird. He doesn't poop, or fly, or do anything. He just stands around chatting.
C: I want Elmo.
M: Big Bird has lots of yellow. You like yellow.
C: I want Elmo.
M: Elmo doesn't have any of your favorite color.
C: I like that.
M: So I'll give you Big Bird, okay?
C: I want Elmo.

At this point I walk away, when I return Molly proudly shows me how she put the Big Bird band aid on Clara all by herself.

S (to Clara): Oh! I see you got Big Bird!
C: I wanted Big Bird.
M: I convinced her.

Stripey Sisters

Clara now has a pair of the most comfortable pj's ever to almost match her sister (and me!). Thanks Nona!

Whale Watching on Monterey Bay

Angel Island

We're (mostly) recovered from our first family backpacking trip to Angel Island. It was a really magical trip - the girls were amazing! We took the ferry over on Sunday morning, played on the beach, had lunch at the cafe, then hiked most of the way. We had a little interlude at the Immigration Station where we ran into Dave & Liz! Then up the hill to our incredible campsite (out of the wind, but with a view!). This morning Zach and Molly climbed Mt. Livermore while Clara and I hiked back to the ferry. Well, Clara got to ride in the stroller (thanks Meg!).

Pinata

We decided to make a pinata. Our lovely neighbors helped us bludgeon it. And we all enjoyed the candy inside.

Hardhat Girl

Trying on the hardhat before we give it to Zach for his birthday.

Kids in the Sky

At the boat tour they had a green screen (to take pictures of patrons and superimpose them on tourist backgrounds to sell back to those patrons). We decided to do our own picture of the girls flying in the sky. Here's the result (with a bird added for extra fun).

Chick Housing

In the few weeks that we've had the chicks they've changed housing situations a few times. Mostly they needed bigger digs. When they were 2.5 weeks old we did this by expanding their cardboard box.

An important part of every change in chick-housing is having the girls test it out. And watching the chicks in their new space. Here Clara and Sofi demonstrate:

A Girl & A Chick

Molly & the Rhode Island Red. Two sweet chicks. (pictures taken a few weeks ago when the chicks were about 3 weeks old)

Cliff House

We wrapped up our SF day with dinner at the Cliff House. Beautiful view. (and more sunglasses pictures).

Photos: everyone and the Pacific Ocean; Watching Nona and the girls run on the viewing deck; Molly & her sunglasses.

Golden Gate Park

After the beach we hit the park (enjoying the excellent $2 shuttle). Right away we hit a goldmine: the park police stables. Horses Horses Horses. A perfect fit for our group. Rhea chatted up the staff, Molly quietly asked about everything, and Clara enjoyed looking at the horses. One of the staff members even gave each girl a horse shoe and explained how to keep it "right-side up".

Photos: (above) Molly & her first horseshoe; Clara leading the way through the benches; Molly at the de Young sculpture garden; Clara on the de Young rocks (doing some "shows"); the de Young sculpture garden.

Ocean Beach

Saturday afternoon we drove out to Ocean Beach. The weather was uncharacteristically warm. Which was really nice.

Photos: Molly in her rockstar sunglasses; Clara loves sand (even if sand doesn't love Clara); Clara loves the beach; Zach, Clara, & Nona walk along the beach walk; Clara, ready to hit the beach; Nona strolling the beach for sand dollars; Molly hitting the beach; Clara, Zach, & Molly ready to dip their toes in the water; Rhea & AJ soak it all in.

Molly's Playground

A few weeks ago Molly made this playground. It has (clockwise from top left): a swing, slide, Zach, Monkey Bars, and Molly. But you knew that already. :)

New Sunglasses

Molly & Clara wore their new sunglasses for the drive up to their swim class this morning. Too bad we forgot that swim class was canceled. They took it amazingly well. Maybe the promise of going to a (non-swimming) beach in the afternoon blunted the disappointment.

They Grow Up So Fast...

On Thursday we moved the chicks outside. It was long overdue, the house was smelling like a barn and the chicks were done being in their (bigger) inside "brooder". So we scrubbed down the upstairs part of the coop, laid down fresh sawdust, and set them out into their new home.

Here they are in all their awkward teenage cuteness.

From Left to Right: Buff Polish, Rhode Island Red, White Crested Polish, Buff Polish, and Ameraucana. We're pretty certain the 2nd Buff Polish (2nd from the right in the top photo) is gonna be a rooster.

Photos: all 5 chicks in a row; Molly watches the chicks; Molly & Clara watch the chicks; Molly shows the (ridiculously docile) RIR around the coop;