Darby 14/52 v3

This week Darby got her first stamp in her passport when we flew her across the border to Mexico for Mama's birthday. She was a star on the plane, loved the pool, questioned the ocean, and continued to hate having sunscreen applied (I swore to her she would thank us). A highlight of vacation for Darby was definitely sleeping in a big bed, sometimes on her own and sometimes sharing with her brother. It was a sweet week away that we all needed.

52 : 21 (part 5)

Visiting Mexico this week for Mama's 35th birthday and this kid has proven he understands vacation.

52 : 20 (part 5)

After one too many bad haircuts at the kid places Mama called in the big guns! Ewan enjoyed his first salon visit, although he was VERY confused by all of the foil that was in Mama's hair when he arrived.

Darby 13/52 v3

The Botanical Garden in San Francisco is a special place for us. When we went for our annual picnic for DeeDee's birthday this year we became members and have been looking forward to more visits since. A few weeks back we got a postcard for an event called Flower Piano, where they place 12 pianos throughout the gardens and allow people to play them, they also have scheduled performances. We had a leisurely picnic of salami and cheese and listened to some great music... definitely looking forward to Flower Piano 2017.

Darby 12/52 v3

After a couple tough movie experiences, which led to Daddy wandering the halls with DeeDee, we took a break from movie going with her. Since she has been excited by "The Secret Life of Pets" preview every time we saw it we decided to give her another chance at the theatre and she did so well. When the credits started to roll she yelled, "I DID IT!" she was so proud she made it all the way through.

52 : 19 (part 5)

This week Ewan started in Bat Rays, the 4 to 5 year old class at his preschool. We had been building up to this change, and counted down the days until his transition to the classroom was complete. Before his first official day we went to the cafeteria at Kevin's work for breakfast and then Ewan went with us to drop off Darby and then we dropped him off. It was fun to explore as a family the new arrival routines - he wrote his name on the check-in sheet (capital E and now lowercase wan), answered the question of the day on the whiteboard (how many time zones are there in Russia, he answered ONE, which he wrote on the board with our help spelling), and then he showed us his new cubby. Mama made him pause for a few pictures and his pride and excitement was so apparent. When the day was done and Daddy picked him up it was ruled a very good day with no table jobs (tasks done instead of recess when a child does not listen). We are hopeful for a very good year and can't believe Kindergarten is next!

Darby 11/52 v3

Every week Darby is getting more and more outspoken and this week she reached a new level when Ewan interrupted her while she was telling us something, she put up her hand and said very sternly, "stop it brother," and then she proceeded to finish her story. 

By the time the Fourth of July weekend rolled around she forgave him for interrupting her, but did not tolerate getting any less than her share of cake batter or frosting. For the holiday we baked a special dessert of red/white/blue cupcakes and frosting. We had so much fun mixing the colors in to the batter and the frosting... and due to all of the colors we had a lot of extra spoons/spatulas/whisks to lick!

52 : 18 (part 5)

Ewan was so excited that this weekend included 3 stay home days due to the Fourth of July holiday. We did a lot of swimming, went to the farmer's market, ran other errands, did some baking, and cuddled a bunch. During a trip to Target Ewan picked out a Star Wars watch, which he put on and instantly looked twice his age. In this week's picture you can see Ewan cuddling with Darby on the couch in the "comfy spot" he made for them, he even shared Camo with her.