Molly Sparkles

Molly's gymnastics place had a "Spring Show" today. Every student got to be in the show. It was really nicely done: they had a special time for each "level" (Molly's in the pre-school program), and they somehow managed to keep it really fun. Molly was thrilled at this chance to be in a "show". She's been asking about it since they announced the show a few weeks ago. And, she took the opportunity to wear a leotard for the first time (a preschool mom handed down this snazzy piece a few weeks ago, which Molly adores, but hasn't wanted to wear until today).

Not only did Molly totally love being in the show (she asked later when the next show would be), but she also won not one, but TWO things in the raffle! She got an "I Spy" game (Nona just introduced us to the world of "I Spy" so this is timely) and (this is the best part) a leotard! She's thrilled to go pick out the sparkliest of the sparkly leotards that the gym sells. But, it might be a while before we get it. She had me read the gift certificate and when she heard that we had one year to use it she started making plans to get her leotard in 2010. There's no denying she's our daughter: she wants to save (and savor) this prize.

(in the 2nd to last photo, Molly's jumping off the yellow block on the right)

Clara & Sparkles

Clara *adores* any opportunity to hold an animal. Lucky for her, the neighbor's cat, Sparkles, is alright with being held. In fact, she's one of the most complacent cats I've ever met. Here she is expressing her joy over "Meow", showing off her stylish shirt & boots, and later, with Sparkles & Roxanne. (no cats were harmed in the making of these photos!).

Happy Mother's Day

Chicks 'N' Chicks

They still have no names (although "Chickie" and "Chirpie" were the favorites of the day), but they're still pretty cute. We're trying to walk that fine line between handling them too much (and scaring them) and handling them too little (and not acclimating them to us).

ESOL for a Cure!

Here we are, showing our pride: wearing our Team ESOL For A Cure bracelets; Clara, admiring her bracelet; Clara & Sofi showing off their bracelets; We support! stickers!; Molly sticking the support stickers; Molly modeling the ESOL For A Cure bobby pins; Molly showing off her bracelet; Molly.

Go Nona Go!

This weekend we'll be cheering Nona on (from a distance) as she does Avon's Walk for Breast Cancer. She's walking in honor of her friends and co-workers who have battled (or are still battling) cancer.

Needless to say, I'm incredibly proud of her. This walk not only honors her friends' struggles, but it honors the strength within her that we all know and love.

Go Nona Go!

Butter and Eggs Day Parade (Petaluma)

We had an egg-citing day today up in Petaluma. First we enjoyed Petaluma's 28th annual Butter and Eggs Day Parade - a classic farm-town parade and festival. The girls favorite was having free rein on the construction equipment. And the parade. Molly was initially disappointed that she couldn't be IN the parade, but as soon as she saw the floats and heard the music she was hooked. It took Clara a few floats to get what was going on, but pretty quickly she was waving and clapping along with everyone, and anxiously peering down the street to see when the next float would come by.

Then it was off to Ranch Hag Hens to pick up some chicks. Sadly, Henrietta then Hen died a few weeks ago and we decided it was time to bring our flock back up to 4. A friend told us about this lady up in Petaluma who sells chicks to folks looking for pet hens. We ended up getting six-week old girls who were ready to live outside in a (segregated) part of the coop. We got one Maran and one Welsumer breed. Both should have lovely dark brown eggs. I'll try to get pictures of them soon.

Until then, here's the girls on the construction equipment, before my camera ran out of batteries. And Molly with the Chick Carton in what she calls "the sweetest and cutest picture ever." Hmm... I wonder if she hears us say that sometimes?

We're going to let her name them, but we've asked her to think about it for a few days and see what names fit. Her first idea is to name one "Sis" and the other "Dah". As in sis-dah. Could work well!