6.8.14: Surprise Party

The girls and I thought we were headed to Nicole's house to have a playdate and help with some baby preparations (aka assist in Nicole's nesting).  However, when we arrived, there were decorations all over the house, brownies (with sprinkles!), birthday girl buttons, lunch, toys and so much more.  That's right, we walked right into our own surprise birthday party.  The girls (and I) had an amazing time and didn't want to leave.  I was completely surprised and genuinely touched by the thoughtfulness that went into all the details for our party. Thank you Nicole and Peter - we will forever remember this amazing celebration!

Birthday Girls! (Stella, Nicole, Fiona, Daphne, Peter)

Peter making brownies

 Peter decorating everyone's brownies - even writing our names on them

 Enjoying our party (and all the decorations!)

6.7.14: Box O' Science

Auntie Kelly decided to send the girls a giant (and I mean over 25lbs) Box O' Science for their birthday this year.  We opened the giant box of activities early in order to stay very busy while Brant was gone. Auntie even included the scientific reason that the experiment worked the way it did (which was good because I wasn't 100% sure on some of them).  This also happened to align with the girls' new love for the show Mythbusters.

Stella, Daphne, Fiona watching raisins bob up and down in soda 

Stella, Daphne, Fiona chasing pepper in bowls of water with dish soap.

6.1.14: Keeping busy

Today Brant left for Santa Barbara for five weeks.  We had been talking about his big trip for a while now and I think I was more worked up about it than anyone.  Needless to say, we needed to stay very busy - distractions are good.  We made tie dye shirts, painted bowls, and established target practice on our wall.  I always try to set myself up for success when Brant is gone, getting groceries ahead of time, laundry done, etc - somehow I thought making tie dye shirts was a good idea.  I was very wrong.  outside wind + 30 little fingers + fabric dye + one parent = not a good idea  :)

Target practice (daphne, fiona, stella)

 
Tie dye shirts rolled up 'setting'

Hand painted bowls

Lesson learned - even with plastic gloves fabric dye can get you

5.30.14: Daddy time

It seems whenever it is Daddy and daughter day, they always end up at the zoo and they all seem to have such a great time.  Fiona, Daphne and Stella riding the peacock in front of the zoo. 

 Our favorite tree, almost every time we go to the zoo, a picture is taken here.

 Bikes in the morning, before it gets too hot.

We also seem to have a new obsession:  Mythbusters.  Somehow the girls started watching Mythbusters (non-violent ones) and now they are hooked.  They love learning about science and guessing if the experiment is going to be confirmed.  Daphne has even started suggesting her own experiments that she wants to submit.  I never would have predicted five year-olds would be into Mythbusters, but then again with an Astrophysicist for a dad, I suppose anything nerdy is fair game.

5.27.14: Nene time

Nene was in town for the girls' birthday party and stuck around for a few extra days to play with the girls during school break.  Of course this means there were projects...there are always Nene projects.  In fact, usually within the first hour, the girls ask to see what is inside her 'project bag'.  That Nene is a crafty one...

(Fiona, Stella, Daphne)

Nene found some pillows where you poke in the fabric and eventually make a decorative design.  The girls spent hours focused on this craft project and were already asking for more. 

Once the pillows were complete, they moved onto beads on pipe cleaners.  Yes, Nene is the only one brave enough to bring out 2300 beads onto a tile floor.  The good news, I only saw one major spill - success!

5.25.14: Birthday Party

Months ago while at the school fundraising auction we found ourselves bidding for the Bruce (music teacher) Birthday Party package against one of the girls' best friends families who happens to have a birthday days before the girls.  Upon this realization, we decided to have joint birthday party for all four girls.  Needless to say, all of the children were thrilled - having Bruce come to our house for their birthday was a very special treat.

 (Ewan, Bruce, Daphne, Molly, Harper, Stella, Fiona, PJ, Ariadne, Summer)

 Before Bruce arrived we decorated white inflatable guitars and shakers in preparation for the big concert

When Bruce sings 'Popcorn', everyone dances

A wonderful celebration with our closest school friends.

5.22.14: Graduation from Bears

Today was a very exciting day for the Daphne, Stella and Fiona - they graduated from their Bears class (and thus their preschool).  Next stop:  Kindergarten.

The girls' best friends at school:  Ariadne, Summer, Stella, Fiona, Daphne

The Bear teachers:
Eve
Peggy
Daniela
Tina
Two proud mama moments occurred at graduation.

1. The kids all walked outside alphabetically by first name.  Stella was second to last and her dear friend Summer was last.  She told me in the morning that Summer didn't want to be last so the two of them made a plan to walk together holding hands - that way they were last together.

2. Each child who was graduating held a microphone and stated their name and school they would be attending.  Apparently Daphne, Stella and Fiona made a plan to all go up to the microphone together but then say their own name and school. Fiona got shy when she was supposed to say her name and school even after Daphne and Stella tried to cheer her on, so Daphne grabbed the microphone, wrapped her arm around Fiona and shared Fiona's name and school.

Both adorable...both videotaped...both priceless.  I'm not sure how the girls grew up this fast, but they are some pretty amazing little people and I can't wait to see watch them grow.

5.21.14: Confusing teachers

Somehow Fiona and Stella decided together that they should confuse their teachers on the last full day of school. Daphne wanted to make sure everyone knew who she was so she wore her 'D' shirt that Auntie Kelly made for her. Fiona wore all pink, with a side french braid and even Stella's shoes.  Stella wore a blue shirt with black and white pants with her hair in two braids just as Fiona usually prefers.  Results:  Success. They managed to confuse a few of their teachers and many of their friends' parents.  This is really the first time we have seen this strategic alliance...more to come...who knows.

5.11.14: Dinosaurs

We had a fabulous day at the dinosaur exhibition.  Of course there we lifelike dinosaurs to look at, a few to ride and many interesting exhibits to explore, but by far our favorite were the dinosaur themed bounce houses.  We spent a solid two hours jumping....thus resulting in a very quiet drive home

Daphne sitting on a baby t-rex 

 Stella riding a moving t-rex

Fiona climbed inside this dinosaurs mouth. 

5.10.14: Relaxing

Sometimes when Brant is out of town, we do crazy things - just because there is no adult around to suggest otherwise.  Today we began our day in pajamas outside playing in the front yard.  We colored, we made some rock piles and we even sanded the front door.  Just as I was cleaning up to go back inside Daphne, Stella and Fiona all decided they needed to 'relax' outside because the weather was so nice. Why, of course, the middle of the driveway squished together IS the best place to relax  :)  We ended our evening eating dinner in the backyard on the ground - happy as can be enjoying the sunset.  I love these moments.