Parlier Picnic

The Parlier Picnic has always been something we all look forward to... but earlier in the week, when it was raining for four days, we worried about what would happen... but as luck would have it, Sunday was absolutely beautiful! Kara woke up and the first thing she said was, "it's not raining! We don't have to cancel the Parlier Picnic!"

Kara and Ben had practiced their "Parlier picnic run" the weeks leading up to the big event and Ben was "thumbs up" to run!



The prizes are always fantastic, things the kids love... but who knew that Ben would choose a flyswatter for one of his prizes? He ran with the flyswatter, used it to push a beach ball along the grass and generally, just enjoyed carrying it around.



Kara loved hanging out with her cousins, Claire and Elyse. Watching them play together is really fun and makes us happy to know that they'll see more of each other now that we live so close.



Jason had fun too... he "ran" some races, played on the grass, and was happy in the baby bjorn... but he was probably happiest and cutest with Daddy.

And at the rate of his army crawl, Jason will definitely be ready for next year's picnic!

I gotta write that down...

I always worry that I'm going to forget the precious moments and I try to write things down so I'll have a reminder of this time in our lives. As Ben says, this is "the good stuff."

We were finishing dinner at my parents' house and Grandpa told Kara, "you have to finish your food so you'll grow big" and Kara replied, "I don't think I need to eat it all because my Daddy doesn't want me to grow up too fast. He says he wants me to stay just like I am."



We talk about how fun it is to listen to Ben talk because he's so honest and innocent and that equals just so darn cute sometimes. Ben has little towels he likes to sleep with or play with and when I had to leave for a work event Ben said, "my towel is going to miss you, Mom." Ben still likes eating ribs and with barbeque sauce on his fingers, puts his hands up and says, "happy rib dance!" while he's eating.



And Jason... his smile says it all. He is a happy guy. He's become very aware of what's happening around him and looks around for certain people and things. And no matter where he is in the room, he seems to be able to find the least baby-safe things to be of greatest interest...

These squishy, rolly polly legs are attached to the happiest kicking feet ever.

I wish I could just bottle this time up...

The Hunt Is On!

Our experienced hunters knew it was more efficient to collect as many eggs as possible before heading back to the basket... since we decided to keep the baskets at home base.



The kids had a successful hunt and were surprised that their loot consisted of quarters, small toys, bouncy balls and "coupons" for things like Legos and shoes! The easter bunny is getting creative and one bunny is also on a diet, so no need for extra chocolate around the house.



Jason was very content to sit outside on a blanket with his one egg... full of baby-crack, also knows as Gerber puffs.



A beautiful day with happy, healthy kids... Life is good.

Our Easter Message

Kara made us an easter basket with a very special message attached...

Hope your basket is overflowing with happiness and love!

New and Exciting!

Jason will be 8 months old soon and he sits up by himself and he's on the move! While on his stomach, Jason uses his arms to pull himself in the direction he wants to go. No longer can we leave him alone in a room... I don't know how many times I've asked Kara and Ben, "Can you just watch Jason for a second?"



Ben seems to want to do most everything Kara is doing... coloring in the lines (with less "scribble-scrabble"), drawing family pictures, writing letters and doing "homework". He's concentrating so hard when he's writing and drawing and he says, "I'm doing hard work!"



Ben got a new soccer ball and was excited to watch his ball slowly roll into the goal. It was so cute to see him crouch down and just wait to see if the ball would make its way into the net...

Kara registered for kindergarten this week! It was her chance to meet Mrs. Harrell, see her new classroom and show her teacher that she's ready to start kindergarten. Following the assessment which included colors, shapes, numbers and letters, Kara told Mrs. Harrell, "I also know my right from my left and my lower case "b" from "d". Walking to the car she told me, "that was easier than I thought, Mom" and with pride she said, "I'm a Clay cougar!"

It's March!!

Everyone in our house seems to know that March Madness is beginning! The best time of the year! Since the Bruins won't be playing, we won't be cheering for UCLA, but that didn't stop Kara from drawing our family doing the 8 clap... UCLA.. Fight, Fight Fight!



Kara made sure to include a basketball hoop and Sho holding a basketball. I love our family drawings and I love that my hair and Ben's is always brown (because Kara knows Ben's is lighter than hers) and that the girls always have long eyelashes. And we're so happy!

Here I Come!

Ben and Kara had to get new helmets, as it seems their brains are continuing to grow. Ben has always preferred that we push him on a toddler tricycle, but yesterday he decided it was time to peddle! He started off a bit tentative, keeping his eyes on his feet...



But soon he was riding down the driveway, doing turns and even riding to the other side of Grandma and Pampa's house to collect some tangerines for a snack! He loved riding his bike so much that he had to be bribed to go inside.



We think Kara is ready to try her bike without training wheels, but she's not sure she's ready for the next step... That's okay. She's enjoying her exercise, finding flowers and her new turquoise helmet!

Did you ever think you'd see in her a color other than pink or purple?