Molly's new smile

Molly pulled her tooth out at halftime today during her soccer game. It was hanging on by a thread, and came out quite easily. She's rather proud of her new smile, and as you can see the adult tooth has already been working it's way in.

Happy Birthday Clara! and Emma!

Happy Birthday, dearest Clara. I'm at the same time amazed that you're already 4, and amazed that you're only 4. As cliche as it sounds, it seems like just yesterday that you came screaming into this world. And yet, you show us over and over again that you're big: "I can ride a bike with no training wheels!" "I can write my name!" and my recent favorite "I can spell my name backwards!"

We had the honor of celebrating your birthday today with Emma, who shares your birthday (minus one year). Her wonderful parents and I put together a fun little party at the park, and everyone seemed to have a nice time. There was bouncing, cake, playground, and your own creation: pin the tail on the pig (which Nona helped make with you & Molly last night).

And, of course, your wonderful big sister helped make this day super special. She dreamed up hunting down your very own Spot blanket, and helped cheer you on today as you marked another year.

So, Happy Birthday Dearest Clara! Here's to watching you jump right in to face every challenge that comes your way. And with style!

Spot II

Birthday Girls!

Birthday jumpers!

Opa & Molly make an entrance

Clara pins the tail on the pig

The pig, with one tail

Emma pins the tail on the pig

Lucy pins the tail on the pig, while Clara watches

The pig now has many tails

Tired birthday girls go for a spin

Speaking of that pig... I had the pleasure of overhearing a great conversation last night as Nona & the girls started making the pig. The pig had been drawn, and they were starting to color. Clara had drawn the black lines below the pig's butt...

Nona: Don't draw poop on there. I don't want the pig to be pooping!
Molly: it's okay, why not?
Clara: I don't want to have poop on there either. But it's not poop. It's something that looks like poop, but it's not poop.

Zach later noted that Clara's got the politician response down pat.

Dita, our First Furry Foster

Pretty Dita goes back to the Humane Society tomorrow hoping to find a quiet home where she can snuggle some lucky human. She's been with us since Monday and has spent most of that time literally hiding under the covers. She's incredibly loving when all is quiet, which isn't that often in these parts. I think for our next foster (or "rent-a-cat, as Zach calls them) they'll give us kittens.

It's raining

The rains came early this year. Luckily, Molly has the gear (and the style) to handle it.

The Key Goodbye

A few weeks ago, Nona found an old key to the Takoma Park house. She stashed it in her purse, and mostly forgot about it, until today when we were at the beach. We decided to say thank you the the Cockerille Ave house, and send the key out into the Pacific. Clara helped. It was surprisingly satisfying!

it's out there somewhere...

Molly's Meal

A few weeks ago Molly made this "meal". It includes broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, a napkin, & a table cloth. Now we just have to get her to eat some of that food for real! :)

Clara (November 2010)

Did I mention that I just inherited an android phone from my mother in law? And that I'm just as addicted as I suspected (feared? hoped?) I would be? Well lucky me - I found this absolutely adorable picture of Clara on the memory card. Looks like she was trying on hats with Nana last Thanksgiving. What fun!