Family Art Night

I sure hope she managed to have a little fun...

The great outdoors

I wanted to post a few photos of Daddy's trip last weekend, but the boys didn't take a lot of action shots. I thought these illustrated the weekend nicely enough though. And it's official - Elena loves the outdoors just like her Daddy. The spring weather has gotten us outside a lot this month and Elena is all about riding her tricycle (and will be graduating to a bike on her 4th birthday, we think), making new hopscotch chalk drawings with me, playing tag and 'monster' with Daddy, or using her new butterfly catcher to capture ladybugs and roly-polies.


We just hauled out the wagon and the big pool, so we're all ready for the Northern California summer. Now if those 100 degree days can only hold off until this baby is done cookin'...

40 days and 40 nights

40 more days until our little boy arrives (at least I think that's right) and nobody is more eager than me. I've truly entered the era of extreme discomfort with this extremely large child. Knowing it might be a bit until a boys weekend could be scheduled again, Daddy enjoyed three days mountain biking with the boys last weekend and Elena and I spent the time with friends (I PACKED the days full to keep us busy and happy until Daddy's return). I'm happy to say he arrived home relatively unscathed. As for these photos, they are random, but made me smile - the first is the VW bus that partially housed the boys' weekend and the other is "Cool Elena." I've been promised some good biking action photos and the seven boys in a group shot -- stay tuned.

Peter Cottontail, Elena loves you.

I am pleased to announce that Easter in our house, now complete, was an overwhelming success in the eyes of young Elena. Between the candy, the candy, the toys and oh yes, the candy, she was fairly well giddy all day. Add some fun family time, a breakfast barbeque and our friends (Dana and Olivia) stopping by for dinner and a whole lot of running, and a perfect day is made. Daddy even fit in a bike ride in preparation for his big biking extravaganza next weekend. I used this time to nap with Elena, so all were very content indeed.

Basket-seeking.... and success












Egg-hunting and Easter pretties













And the running begins....

I like the eggs, but I don't want to eat 'em

"Dyeing eggs is fun, but I sure don't want to eat deviled eggs, Mom."

Little does she know she loves eggs a'deviled and just doesn't remember what they are. We'll fix that.

You big baby

This week's Baby Center update reads as follows:

This week, your baby measures more than 16 inches long. He weighs about 3.3 pounds (try carrying four navel oranges) and is heading into a growth spurt. He can turn his head from side to side, and his arms, legs, and body are beginning to plump out as needed fat accumulates underneath his skin. He's probably moving a lot too, so you may have trouble sleeping because your baby's kicks and somersaults keep you up. Take comfort: All this moving is a sign that your baby is active and healthy.

Pardon my skepticism, but this kid was determined to be 3.3lbs. three weeks ago. I think he might be seven naval oranges by now. At least the part about his constant moving is accurate. He's formed a hockey team in there these days.

La can swim so fa. Not.

Oh our Elena Maren is so funny... She is hands down, one of the most fearful children I've met. She's afraid of the motorized cars the kids drive around the neighborhood, of the "Goon" in the "Little Bunny Foo Foo" song and today, she was certainly afraid of the water. She slowly took to her first REAL swim lesson (not counting the apparently useless {and much cheaper} CSD 'lessons' from years prior), but we can tell it's going to take some doing for this kid to embrace the pool. At the end of the lesson, she wanted to stay in the pool though - it's a good sign.

Oh and completely unrelated - - how cute is this sleeping photo from last night?

Halfsies and an early EB

Elena turns 3 1/2 today and what a morning we've had with half pancakes for breakfast in her honor and the big EB (Easter Bunny) coming early to our neighborhood. She's also anticipating half a strawberry cake later today (I must be nuts thinking all this sugar was a good idea).

This year's verdict on the Easter Bunny? Well, there were actually two who made appearances... one (unexpected) with a face that showed through the bunny suit. Elena was okay with him (as she knew he wasn't the real deal). The REAL Easter Bunny still made her uneasy as the last photo illustrates...

8 1/2 more weeks... 61 days.... But who's counting?