first day 2012

This week the kids went back to school.  Ava is now in second grade, while Norah started kindergarten!  Norah wasn't quite as thrilled about kindergarten as Ava was.  In fact, the teacher had to literally peel her off my leg the first day.  But now that we're done with the first week, Norah is settling in, and even making new friends (one who is named Plum - yes, Plum).  Ava as always was fully of energy and excitement for school.  She loves getting into projects, reading new books, and playing with her friends.

I think it's going to be a great year!

cavalia!

As a late birthday present for me, and an early birthday present for Mason, we got tickets to see Cavalia!  For those who don't know what it is, it's like Cirque du Soleil, but with horses.  I've wanted to see it since I first saw that white tent in San Francisco back in 2004.  It can again to the Bay Area in 2011, and then this summer.  I was soooooo excited to go.  And it was amazing.  A-MA-ZING.

Everyone should go.

creatures of the night

Last night when I got home from Zumba, Mason gave me the run-down of what happened at bedtime.

After he put the girls down, he heard Norah crying about 15 minutes later.  When he went to check on them, he saw both Ava and Norah up on Ava's top bunk, and Keira on the floor, growling.  Mason asked Norah why she was crying, and Ava responded with:

"Keira is acting like a REAL warthog, and we're scared and can't sleep!!" 

Yes, Keira was acting like a warthog, complete with tearing all the sheets off her bed.

Sometimes I am glad that it's Mason that has to put them to bed!

anniversary!

Today is our 9th anniversary!  9th!  I can't believe how the time flies.  I am so blessed to have a caring, supportive husband, and to have four beautiful daughters.  Happy day!  And here's to many more wonderful years.

On our wedding day

And one of my favorites with my friends who came

 

sleep

Just another random pose my kids are in while sleeping.  I might add that Keira loves that blanket and loves to take it everywhere.


 

ladybugs

Tonight my mom came over to help us release some ladybugs into our backyard - on our rose and other flower bushes to be precise.  Ladybugs are a natural pesticide, since they eat aphids.  The girls were pretty excited, although Norah got freaked out once the ladybugs were released from their plastic tub.

looking at the ladybugs

 

the ladybugs are thirsty once they are released, so all the plants needed to be thoroughly watered beforehand

 figuring out how to open the container

ladybugs everywhere!

 

Keira turns 3!

Keira's birthday is Cinco de Mayo.  Fitting for her personality, to be honest!  We just had a backyard bbq with the grandparents and had cake and presents.  Nothing too fancy, but we had a good time.

Some things about Keira:

- she loves her red blanket

- she will randomly come up to me and say "I love you mama"

- she is a snuggle bug.  If you are on the couch, she will climb up to be with you

- she loves doing everything her older sisters Ava and Norah do

- while she is very sweet and loving at times, Keira is definitely the most defiant of all our girls

- her favorite toys include her animal train, her walkable LPS, and her plastic animal figures

the cake

 the presents

 opening the presents (with some help from her sisters)

Serena exploring the grass, and finding that it doesn't really taste good