And more hiking...

We all just can't seem to get enough of these green hills this winter. Audrey and I headed up this weekend a few times to swing on a tree swing that someone lovingly built for all to enjoy. Thank you, someone.

Zipper goes to 2nd grade...

Audrey just finished up her reign as Star of the Week. This is a very big deal in 2nd grade and when the star schedule came home the first week of school and she saw that she wasn't going to have her week until mid-February it seemed like it would take an eternity to get here. But, as I knew it would, it seemed to come in a flash like mid-February always does.

As the class star, she got to take roll, manage the calendar, answer the phone, dim the lights, etc. She ate it up. She could also share something each day and she chose her American Girl Doll, Samantha, a family photo book from the year we moved to California and pictures of Scarlet. Such sweet selections. On the last day of her special week she wanted to share Zipper. This is in large part because Natalie shared Zipper with her 2nd grade class when she was star of the week and Audrey (a 4 year old preschooler at the time) was there and remembers it vividly. So on Friday morning we all headed to Mrs. Swimme's classroom (I had the day off work for the holiday weekend, Corey usually takes the kids to school on Fridays and just arranged to go in a little later and Natalie wasn't about to miss this so she arranged with her teacher to miss a few minutes that morning). It was a family affair. The only ones missing were Scarlet and the fish.

 Zipper preferred to steer over resting

in the shoebox we brought him in.

 He showed off his tricks for the kids.

 They were all pretty mesmerized.

Zipper did great and I was grateful Corey was there to handle, calm and transport him (there is no way I could have done this as I have yet to hold him and he's lived with us for four years). Audrey's classmates were very interested in him and asked lots of questions. Although one flirtatious 2nd grade boy was seemingly only interested in asking Natalie questions about Natalie. He was starstruck by our brainy, leggy blonde for sure. So funny. But Audrey didn't seem to care or notice and loved being able to show off our family and the gecko to her class.

More Hiking

Because this winter isn't nearly as soggy as the last one we've been able to enjoy the open space more as the trails aren't muddy and slippery. I suppose that's a way to put a positive spin on what may be a drought year. We all took a picnic up into the hills when Nana visited and then friends met Corey and the girls up there later to play some open space hide and seek (with the help of dropped pins and iphones!).

Birthday Shoes

For Natalie's birthday this year she wanted one special gift: custom Converse! This girl loves herself some Converse and has quite a collection of them already. But during our Christmas visit to SF we stopped into the Converse shop on Market and learned they can customize shoes with your own artwork. Her (and Corey's) creative wheels immediately started spinning and whirling. At first she wanted to design them herself but then decided she'd rather have Daddy do the artwork. He worked and he worked, sketching for weeks to get the right collection of images that would incorporate her favorite things onto these pink hi-tops: flowers, hedgehogs, and peace signs.. He succeeded and they turned out absolutely adorable. While I prepped the house and food for her birthday party later that evening, she, Corey, Nana and Audrey headed into the city to create her shoes. I don't think she's taken them off since they came hot off the press.

Genuine artwork by Daddy.

Genuine smile by Natalie.

Happy 11th, Natalie Ann!

How on earth is our girl 11?!? Weren't we just cutting teeth? Now she's almost finished losing them! She's as lovely inside and out as we could have ever hoped she'd be as she transitions from kid to tween and finishes up her last year in elementary school. Yikes.

This year she wanted a SPA party. She and her friends made peppermint sugar scrubs and decorated flip flops perfect for pedicuring. After a "breadboard dinner" they all got in the hot tub which Natalie was allowed to add a scent to for the evening. After much deliberation at the pool/spa supply shop she chose Heavenly Honeysuckle!

 Then they ended the evening with a chocolate fondue dessert and opening gifts. One of her long time friends (they met in kindergarten) made her a HUGE cuddly stuffed hedgehog and the three of them shared Natalie's bed that night for a sleepover. The girls giggled and giggled and had a great time. She has truly lovely friends!

 Meet "Hedgehugs" He's about the size of Audrey.

These two "jammed" in bed before going

to sleep, Natalie on the ukelele and Syd on the guitar.

Coolest. Girls.Ever.

Girl Scouts Daddy Daughter Dance

The annual Daddy Daughter Dance fell on Natalie's 11th birthday this year. It made for a fun excuse to get dressed up and party! And because she knows Girl Scouts leaders in high places, she had a special shout out from the DJ and the whole room sang Happy Birthday to her. Super fun night out followed by a trip to ice cream with buddies and coming home to Nana who arrived for a visit while they were out on the town.

 There was a card making station at the dance and Audrey wrote me a note...it said, "Me and Emma want a play date soon." Could these girls of ours be any cuter??