Muir Woods

Sunday was a perfect day to get out of town for a bit and escape the heat. Muir Woods fit the bill.

Beatrice was so excited to go for a 'hike like Uncle Graham'. Not sure we actually hiked much, but it was a nice walk.

After a full 5 minutes of walking, we had to stop for a "'nack" of crackers, cheese and apples. Yum.

In my defense of this next video, in which Beatrice yells, "Mommy no take a picture!", she made me get out the camera and take one of her in the tree tunnel. It's a love-hate relationship with the paparazzi.

If you haven't been to Muir Woods, it's definitely worth a visit! www.nps.gov/muwo

Three Girls

We kept Eleanor and Anna on Saturday afternoon and evening. We all had a blast. I know I took too many photos. I have a problem, I know it. But seriously, I don't think I've seen 3 cuter people in the world. Especially when they're together (and being sweet the whole time!)

Post naps, we had snacks on the porch and a dog party in the house (with stuffed animals), then we went to the park and Zach and I taught them hide-and-seek. Through trial-and-error, they finally got it. Sort of. I love the video of them on the slide - Eleanor is tapping her foot READY TO GO, Beatrice is weepy at the bottom (too many emotions for that girl), and Anna is game for another try. So cute.

Our 'let's wear them out' tactic worked very well.

The evening was more supervised chaos than anything else, but we did manage to get everyone seated and eating at roughly the same time. And no, we didn't serve them cake for dinner, as Anna told her parents later. They had pasta. Then cake.

Grandpa joined us for dinner, storytime, bathtime, etc.

I said to Zach at one point - this is what it would be like if we had three kids under 4 and one on the way. He didn't respond verbally.

And these are from a few days ago. Gratuitous, I know. But they get so happy by the mere idea of spending time together. I was worried the reality would be fighting and tears, but they were perfect angels. Guess the fighting and tears will be when they're 15, 13 and 12. Or next time.

Big Sister

Beatrice is very excited to become a big sister. She wants pictures "with the baby" which I've been able to accommodate to varying degrees, above and below. She's also quite happy with her new "Big Sister" t-shirt from Eleanor.

So we're getting ready. This is me at week 16, or thereabouts. I'm currently in an argument with my OB. She thinks the baby is due Dec 14th; I'm gunning for Dec 7th. We get to decide for sure after the '20 week' scan. Fingers crossed for late November!

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What is it? Beatrice thinks it is a boy ("brudder"). Zach wants it to be another girl ("Beatrice 2"). All I know is there's ONLY ONE!

Green toenails

Beatrice picked the color.

Best card of all time

"Merry Christmas - 2004 to 2008. Love, Harry"

Happy Father's Day!

Zach went in to get Beatrice up this morning.  I heard a bit of their conversation through the monitor.  

Daddy:  "Good morning Beatrice"

Beatrice:  "It's Father's Day?"

Daddy:  (surprised) "Well, yes it is"

Beatrice:  "Right now?"

Daddy:  "Yes, right now is Father's Day."

Beatrice:  "Happy Father's Day, Daddy"

Aww, so cute.

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To celebrate, we hosted a bunch of fathers for brunch.  Here they are with their kids:

Jim also joined us for brunch.  The minute Beatrice saw him at the door, she quickly ran and dumped out her puzzle map of the United States, grabbed Alaska, brought it to Jim, and screamed, "Jim, you live in Alaska!"  He does.  He was quite impressed (so were we, actually).  Colby also won best dressed honors today; yes, his t-shirt says what you think it says.

My favorite part of the day was after Beatrice's nap.  

Zach & I got out the dollhouse Dada made for me years ago.  

We filled it with Playmobil ("play-mo" as Beatrice calls it).  It was like Christmas morning.  

I love that Zach did all of this on Father's Day.

We also had a lovely dinner at Megan & Colby's new (empty) house.  The adults toasted the new digs and the kids played in the backyard.  I haven't seen Beatrice that dirty, or happy, in a long time.

The weekend was such a nice start to the summer. 

Happy 4th Bday E!

We went to Eleanor's birthday party today and had a blast.  The weather was perfect and all the kids from Eleanor's preschool were there.  

The cupcakes were absolutely delicious (I had 6 at least)

And Colby sang songs for the entire party.  I have some good ones of him singing, but decided this one was the funniest (and I wasn't sure if he'd be pleased that I put him on the blog singing).  I particularly enjoyed that Beatrice is dancing the whole time (note:  there's no music)

2.5 year check up

Beatrice is really growing up.  She had her 2.5 year check-up this week.  She's now 32.5 lbs and 37 inches tall.  With this growth spurt, she's now in the 80th percentile for both height and weight.

She's also started telling jokes.  I asked her the other day what we should serve Ari for brunch on Saturday.

Beatrice:  "Dog food!"

Me:  "What?  We can't serve him dog food.  What should we have for brunch?"

Beatrice:  "Cat food!!!"  (giggle, giggle, giggle)

Bye bye Uncle Graham

Uncle Graham returned for a few days before flying back to Atlanta.  Beatrice was so very, very happy to see him.

Graham tried to teach her lots of things, some with more success than others.

We'll miss you Uncle Graham!