7.4.14: Nana one-on-one

Not only did Daddy just return home, but Nana came to visit.  Since preschool was ongoing but Nana was in town, we came up with a compromise.  Everyone got a special day with Nana, just one-on-one.  Each girl independently got to skip school for the day and do whatever she and Nana wanted to do.  Then Nana picked up the remaining girls at school and they all got to spend the afternoon together.  We figured in less than a month, the girls would be attending 'real school' where skipping was less permissible so we needed to take advantage of this opportunity now.  Needless to say, they all very much enjoyed there one-on-one time.  I think Brant and I were even a little jealous that we can't do something similar  :)

7.3.14: Daddy is back!

We were more than thrilled when Brant arrived home safely tonight.  Santa Barbara was amazing, but having Brant gone for five weeks was tough (thankfully we were all together for two of them in California).  No picture capturing the moment, we were ALL too excited to be together.

7.2.14: Movie Week

Stella 

 Daphne

Fiona

During the month of July, preschool is only open until 2:30.  I'm sure this is manageable for most, but for two working parents, this provides an additional challenge.  With Brant still gone, the girls and I decided we would have 'Movie Week'.  This meant each day when I picked them up from school we would come home, have a snack, and watch a movie.  That allowed me the opportunity to finish working while the girls were thrilled to relax and watch a movie after a full day of playing in the hot sun at preschool.  Without having to commute home at night, we were able to squeeze in some extra game time each evening.

6.28.14: Adventure home

After a very straightforward flight home from Los Angeles, the girls and I (Brant was driving home later this week) entered to a small lake in the laundry room that expanded well into the hallway.  It seems the washing machine had a mind of its own while we were gone and although it was completely empty, open and had not been used several days before our departure, it filled itself up with water, overflowed and created a mess.  Putting aside the mysterious puddle for a while, I went to confirm the toilets were working and sure enough 2/3 were not.  My non eventful day was quickly changing.  While upstairs dealing with toilets, I told the girls to stay out of the puddle and play in the play room while I got the house back in order (or tried to).  Sure enough, I start to hear giggles - too many giggles.  I came downstairs to discover that the puddle had been splashed all over the walls and furniture by three little girls who decided together it was a good idea to jump in the (hopefully clean) water. I did not agree.

6.27.14: Contraption Camp

After a very successful Sea Squirt Camp the girls were excited to go to Contraption Camp the following week.  This camp focused on building, testing, and the science behind simple machines.  Held at the Natural History Museum, the girls were able to explore the exhibits, planetarium and the amazing live butterfly exhibition where butterflies flurried around a giant greenhouse and even landed on us.

For the final project of Contraption Camp, the girls created a contraption that could smash an egg. Each contraption used a different simple machine (or many) that they learned about during the week.

daphne

fiona

stella

Some of the contraptions created during contraption camp

Our little ladies were in contraption camp when a news reporter stopped by to do a story on the Natural History museum's exhibit.  She needed some volunteers to play in the exhibit and guess who the teacher's picked....that's right.  Less than two weeks in Santa Barbara and our little ladies were in the local news.

http://m.keyt.com/news/children-learn-about-the-important-of-conservation/26659684

Children Learn About the Importance of Conservation

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"Home Sweet Home" educational exhibit runs through September.

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. -

Two of our beloved American icons are brought to life in Santa Barbara to teach kids about conservation and taking care of our environment.

Smokey Bear and Woodsy Owl are part of the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History's Home Sweet Home exhibit.

Children are transported into urban, woodland and stream settings.

Each area features a variety of educational activities including props, costumes and puppets that underscore the importance of protecting ecosystems, as well as highlighting ways to reduce, reuse and recycle resources.

The exhibit runs now through September 21st.

6.22.14: Zip and Zoo

Oh yes...we found a park right next to the ocean that had a zip line...a kid sized zip line!  I would estimate the girls went on the zip line at least fifty times....each!

fiona

daphne

stella

Once we had our fill of the zip line and ocean for the day, we went to the zoo.  The Santa Barbara Zoo is great with lots of opportunities to interact with animals...perhaps more than we expected.  After feeding the goats then posing for a picture, Fiona, Stella and Daphne were a little surprised when the goat rammed the fence in an attempt to get more food.

We tried to feed fish but the ducks ended up stealing most of the food.

6.21.14: Celebrating solstise

(stella, fiona, mama, daphne)

The only full weekend we were in Santa Barbara happened to coincide with Summer Solstice and there just happened to be a giant festival in town.  We had a great time playing at the largest play structure we have ever seen modeled after a giant wood fort.  With nooks, crannies and secret passages abound, even Brant and I found ourselves playing, taking a break only to enjoy the bounce houses and festival treats.

6.20.14: Sea Squirt Camp

While in Santa Barbara, the girls got to go to day camp.  The first week was all about the ocean.  They learned about all types of marine life from seals to plankton.  They pet sharks, stacked decorator crabs and investigated the bottom of the ocean.  After lunch each day, they spent time playing in the ocean, jumping waves, and building in the sand.  Each day culminated in three soaking wet children, happy as can be.

Fiona, Daphne, Stella petting a shark

Fiona, Stella and Daphne wearing their camp shirts over hoodies...because 70 degrees is cold when you are used to 100.

When walking back from the ocean on the busy pier, all the campers held onto a rope with handles to make sure all of the little ones stuck together.

6.14.14: Adventuring to Santa Barbara

Today was a very big day for us girls in the Robertson family.  We were flying to Santa Barbara to see Brant after two weeks apart.  A lot has changed since we were with him last....including turning five.  Looks like we have to celebrate again!   Stella, Daphne and Fiona were very excited to ride the shuttle to the airport, I was excited for the activity bags full of snacks and new coloring sheets.

What do you do when your flight is delayed and you are at a tiny airport in a tinier terminal but are really excited?  You find an empty seating area and make your own obstacle course.  Sure, we got a few looks - but honestly trying to force kids to sit still for hours would have been worse.

Upon safe arrival and reuniting with Brant we were off to visit with Uncle Ragan and Auntie Christina in Santa Monica.  First stop, the ocean, because honestly - we were all excited to play in the water.

Daphne, Uncle Ragan, Fiona, and Stella playing with Lexi.

6.11.14: FIVE

Stella, Daphne and Fiona are FIVE!

HAPPY FIFTH BIRTHDAY GIRLS!!!

Our dear sweet little ladies, you are amazing!  Your creativity, enthusiasm, and inquisitiveness is contagious.  We are constantly overwhelmed by your compassion and generosity for your sisters and friends.  You have your own personality and preferences yet understand the necessity to share and take turns.  We are so very proud to be your parents.

In the past year, you have learned to write all of your letters, sound out words, swim, hike, ride bikes, play board games, sleep in big girl beds, lost some teeth (or gained molars), create beautiful art from recycled materials and even make the perfect mud ball.   

We look forward to each and every day with you.

love,

mama and daddy

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Fiona @ 7:35 (exactly five years old)

41.2 lbs, 43.5"

 

Daphne @ 7:3 (exactly five years old)

47.2 lbs, 45.5"

 
Stella @ 7:39 (exactly five years old)

41.0 lbs, 43"