4.7.13: Kelly reads...and reads...and reads

Kelly came to visit while in town and the girls (Daphne, Stella, Kelly, Fiona) made a point to showoff their amazing tricycle skills.  They also reminded her that the last time she visit, she brought a different (non-yellow) water bottle and told her about how much they liked this water bottle.  Of course, it wouldn't be a visit to our house unless it involved our guest reading books.

4.5.13: Painting their own faces

Daphne, Stella and Fiona had a great day at school today.  Apparently they got to look in a mirror and paint their own faces and they all chose to be clowns.  Their were so many giggles about their face paint.  We still went out to our planned restaurant just this time it was with three clowns and two laughing parents.

3.31.13: The amazing Nene

The Kochmans adventured to Nene's house earlier in the week and we drove up as soon as we could to have our own family reunion.  The girls were SO excited to see their family and especially Cooper.  Their mission:  teach him to crawl!

Kelly, Cooper, Rob, Nene, Daphne, Kari, Fiona, Brant and Stella all posing for a semi-squirming family photo. 

Cooper is a ridiculously happy, chill baby  - couldn't imagine what that calmness feels like.

Cooper has an Auntie who is constantly playing/harassing him.

We attempted a spring training baseball game but had to leave because it was too hot for all the kiddos (and the adults).

Easter egg hunt at Nene's house.  The Easter bunny gave each girl a separate room /area to find their eggs so there wasn't any confusion about egg ownership.   Great idea Easter bunny.

 Candy for breakfast....don't' get me started

The amazing Nene, entertaining all four of her grand kids (Daphne, Nene, Stella, Cooper, Fiona) at the same time while remaining totally calm and happy after her house has been destroyed in just two days.  I was completely impressed.

3.25.13: Playdate dance party

Daphne, Stella, Alyssa and Fiona had a great time playing together while Kim, Alyssa and Zachary were in town visiting their grandparents.  The girls got along great and were fascinated by baby Zachary - especially Fiona.

Kim started up a dance party on the 'stage'.  Zachary did great with all the chaos and primarily cuddled with his grandparents, but he sure is an adorable baby.

Our attempt at a group picture  :)

 

3.17.13: Soccer St. Patrick's Day

Fiona, Daphne, Peter and Stella had a St. Patrick's Day full of soccer - this time including a real goal.  Peter did a great job teaching the girls the rules of soccer, they did less of a good job listening.

Our dear friends KC, Sofia, and Viola moved away and left us with some great new crafting materials.  Stella, Daphne and Fiona had a great time makes bead purses, necklaces and headbands.

3.16.13: Summer 'do

With summer fast approaching, it was time for the girls (stella/pink, daphne/stripes, fiona/yellow) to get their second haircuts.  They definitely remembered their first haircuts in April 2012 and were very excited to go again - we have been talking about it for weeks.  Everyone got several inches trimmed which will definitely help to keep tangles out and stay cool during the hot summer months.

before

 

after

3.11.13: Murals

The girls have now been in separate rooms for over a month and seem comfortable with the change.  Occasionally we get an 'I miss my sisters' night but nothing some kisses, hugs and back rubs can't cure.  I have been asking the girls what they wanted on their walls now that they have their own rooms.  I figured I'd get this painting done during the time they were in school and I was job hunting.  The good news is that I got a job much faster than I expected.  The bad news is that I didn't finish the murals until now.  The girls were very excited to each get exactly what they wanted on their walls and I had a blast painting them.  Of course, I realize in a few years they will want different murals but for now they sure brighten up their rooms and make them very personalized.

Daphne wanted a blue wall with clouds and ten colorful butterflies.

 

Fiona wanted a blue wall with ten clouds and a rainbow.

Stella wanted a pink wall with ten flowers.

3.10.13: Visiting neighbors

Our old neighbors from Pasadena came to visit us and the girls were VERY excited.  We used to play with Fausto and Heather weekly from the time the girls were 8 months until we moved at 26 months.  Matias was born shortly before we left, so they didn't remember him.  They weren't sure that they remembered Fausto but once the kids started playing together, it was all so familiar.  They got along great!

Yes, four three-year-olds having a dance party = blurry picture.

 
At the children's museum they all worked together to build a fort, even Matias helped.

When we adventured to a festival, the kids found a grassy hill to roll down over and over again. 

Attempting a picture with five kids is a bit challenging, here was our best attempt: Fiona, Daphne, Kari, Stella, Fausto, Heather, Matias.

3.6.13: Dr. Daddy

Dual employment has surely brought on some challenges.  Within my first two weeks of work, Brant had to stay home with at least one of the girls three times already.  With his Super Dad skills, they are all on medicine and able to go back to school today.  Hopefully next time the girls get sick, they'll wait until I have accumulated some sick time so I can help out at home. 

3.2.13: Elephant and Piggie

We went to storybook day at the University. Stella was drawn to Piggie because he matched her balloon (he is pink after all), Fiona was thrilled that they had blue balloons, and Daphne was a little disappointed that there were no balloons in her favorite color and settled for blue. While we were all very excited to visit Elephant and Piggie, Daphne wasn't interested in taking a picture with them, maybe next time.