Molly's Friend Birthday Party

Wow! What a party. We all survived our first "organized" friend party. It was a lot of work, but I *think* Molly enjoyed it. We had just a few of Molly's friends over for Shrinky Dink making, pizza making & pizza eating, lots of running around, and of course (cup)cakes and ice cream. I totally understand now why folks say small parties are best. Even with just a handful of kids invited, it was overwhelming!

All things considered, Molly held things together pretty well during the party. We just need to work on convincing her that, although the birthday girl is special on her birthday (or birthday party day), she still doesn't get everything she wants.

Here are pictures of the girls decorating the cupcakes, Molly-the-birthday-girl striking a pose, and balloons. More to come.

Happy almost birthday, Molly.

Family in Fog

As I drove off to work this morning I beheld this beautiful foggy sight...

Pictures

Pictures from a trip up to Tilden two weeks ago on a bright sunny day after many rainy days. Clara, Molly & Zach examine a ladybug; Molly & Clara peer down at a creek; Sofi & Molly eat lunch; Zach takes a walk; Clara & Zach eat lunch. Yum!

Feeding Animals - on the farm

On Sunday we went down to Ardenwood Farm for a kids 'n' goats program. The kids cracked the corn, fed the goats, and then the naturalists read them some goat-themed stories by the fire. Fun for a rainy Sunday!

Pictures: Molly in raincoat. Clara in red. Goats in fur.

Feeding Animals - at home

Here's Clara enjoying feeding the hens a snack. That's Jane the Jersey Black Giant, Clucky the Americauna/Easter Egger, and Chie-Chie the Marans (last photo only, she's a little more shy than the others).

Molly's Table

A few weeks ago Molly helped/watched as I quickly built a stand for the chicken's water. In the process, I pulled out a collection of pieces of wood from our stash. As I pieced together the stand, Molly pieced together her own creation.

I made one or two suggestions about matching the height of the "legs", and did the drilling for her. But otherwise, the table as you see it is a "Molly original".

Always Our Babies

A week or so ago, Zach and Molly had a sweet exchange at bedtime, along these lines:

Z: Will you always be my baby?
M: Yes.
M: Daddy?
Z: Yes?
M: You don't have to ask.

In other, related news, on Monday, I got to go to gymnastics with the girls. For the bear-walk warm-up, Clara insisted on being the baby bear, walking under the mama bear (that's me), as usual. About half way through, though, she scooted out from under me and announced: "I'm my own bear!".

Yes, dear, you are your own bear. But you'll always be my baby. Just like Molly.

Photo: sisters watching a ladybug, Tilden Park, February 15, 2010