Almond Blossom Festival: Carnival

After the parade, we (tried) to hightail it over to Mistlin Park where additional festivities were occurring. In hindsight we should have gone on Thurs. or Fri. it wasn't that we had to wait for rides, it was the long wait for parking that was a drag. The kids LOVED riding on some rides and enjoying the sights and sounds. (I was just glad that I was able to get out of there only having to ride one ride. I just get too motion sick to find it fun.)

Almond Blossom Festival: Parade

The almond trees blossomed right on schedule so that we could enjoy a wonderful festival. Today we had a fun-packed day. We enjoyed a wonderful parade full of cheerleaders, baton-twirlers (Anika's fav), princesses, horses, old cars, tractors (Drew's fav), clowns (Anika & Drew's shared fav), not to mentioned that we met up with our friends: Jen, Ella & Delia. (Thanks to Jen for pictures of our day, since I forgot the camera!)

Almond Blossom Time

I asked Lloyd to snap a few shots of the beautiful almond trees in full bloom. It is so pretty in the valley right now. (At least, it is if you don't have allergies!) Here are some pictures of this wonderful time of year.

Anika's Fashion Design

Hmmmm, Anika is, well, rather opinionated when it comes to what she wears. I'm not really sure where it comes from but . . . she refuses to tuck anything in and she dislikes things that are "wide". Here is one of her design alterations:-)

Hair clip in action:-)

What to do on a beautiful day?

The rain has passed for the moment and we are enjoying the most BEAUTIFUL day. So here are some things on our list of "Things to do on a beautiful day!"

• run errands with a stroller
• walk to the library
• eat lunch outside
• enjoy an orange right off the tree in the back yard
• dig in the dirt
• throw a ball to the dog
• read a book in the sun
• ride a bike/trike/scooter
• absorb Vitamin D
• practice baseball & basketball skills
• lay on the fresh cut grass
• take pictures of my happy kids & dog
• (wash grass stains and dirt out of 4 pairs of jeans/pants/shoes/shirts!)

Sisterly Love

Anika loves to take care of her little sister. She is such a big helper.

Can we do? Yes we can

Andrew got a Bob, the Builder video from the library and he loved it. This morning he and his sister got all duded up as Bob and Wendy and fixed things around the house. They are always role-playing, it's no wonder that I can't ever call the right child by the right name -- they are always changing their names!

Daddy's Day Off

Anika & Andrew both love FRIDAYS - because it is Daddy's "day off". (Andrew will frequently play that it his day off throughout the week.) This Friday was just a beautiful day so we enjoyed some bike riding, going to the park, and playing with Scout.

Kathryn and Daddy!Anika riding her "big" bike. She is getting so much better. She can't wait until we can take a family bike ride - it won't be long now.

Drew is re-discovering his trike. He pedals like a pro now!

Food Frenzy

Kathryn is making great strides in the solid food department. She LOVES to eat and she especially likes it when she can feed herself. It is fun to watch a baby enjoying eating:-) Here are a few shots of the spaghetti that ended up ALL OVER!

Good Bye!

It was so hard for the kids to say good-bye to Papa & Nene. Many tears were shed - but it was a wonderful surprise.

A Wonderful Visit

We had a wonderful weekend with Papa & Nene. Anika & Andrew kept asking how long they were staying since they were so surprised to have them visit. Andrew got some Play-doh for his birthday so there were HOURS of play-doh fun (yeah!!!) and shopping and ice cream and tea parties and potty training. Yes, Nene is a great motiviating factor and Drew is FINALLY making great strides in that department. I'm so very grateful.

I can't believe how absorb Drew is in this activity. His normally short attention span is much long when he is playing with dough.

SURPRISE!

Another birthday celebration has come and gone (and while this one had ice cream from Baskin Robbins, it didn't have Applebees!!). It was Lloyd's turn to be showered with love & affection. After a week of silence, I can come clean:-) Lloyd's parents drove up to surprise him for his birthday. We walked into BJ Brewhouse restaurant and his parents were waiting at the table. It was so much fun. (And the first birthday they have celebrated with him since he left for college!)

Andrew & Papa:

(I couldn't tell the kids about the surprise so they were as shocked as Daddy!)

The kids help Daddy blow out his birthday candles on the Baskin Robbins cake!