Poster Presentation

Grace's last day of school for the year was today!  She did a poster presentation and pretty much loved being in the spotlight.  Many of the kids were shy for their presentations, but not Grace!

Grace loves school and she was actually sad today because she knew it was the last day.  Luckily for her, school starts back up in August!

(p.s. I didn't put a video with Grace flashing the camera on the internet.  We always put Grace in shorts under skirts and dresses.  Don't freak out, future Grace!)

Magnie Sleepover

We had a family sleepover at our dear friends house!

First we had lots of playing around of course.  Ethan is exactly one year between each girl so he relates well to each of them.  I sadly didn't take a picture of this, but both girls slept in a tent!  Not this tent in the video, but a real life camping tent that was set up in their basement.  Clara had her back and play set up in there, and Grace slept on a mess of blankets and was in heaven.  She said,"this will be a good night of sleeping" as we tucked her in.  I guess we need a tent!

After the kids went to bed we did adult stuff, and no one needed a babysitter!

The next morning, Gini made a great breakfast!

The kids helped put in the fruit in the juicer.  Grace enjoyed it but also thought it was too loud.  She thinks everything is generally too loud.  She asked Gini if she had any earplugs before she participated in this activity because we actually give her earplugs sometimes.  Her ears haven't been ruined by rock concerts and bass trombone and cymbal players sitting right behind you.

Gini made a quiche that had asparagus sticking out like a crown for our Kings of the households.  Are you witnessing this?  Grace is looking at the camera and smiling when prompted!  It must be the maturity of approaching four.  Seriously though, I can tell she has grown a lot this year in behavior and attitude.

This picture does it for me.  A loving father on father's day, his hands and heart full, everyday.

I love you, Jason.  WE love you, Daddy!

Farewell

We had a sad farewell today.

Grace was a big help carrying stuff to the van.

The cats don't know what they are in for!  San Diego is a long drive from here.

The adults were fighting tears.

I don't know if it was sinking in for the girls.

Or maybe it was.

Backyard is finished!

The backyard remodel is finished!

It stopped raining and the sun came out about an hour after Clara's party.  Oh well.

Clara's Second Birthday

Clara just had her second birthday!

She received a lot of great presents!  She definitely understood the concept of opening presents this time and was very excited to open the pile that had accumulated.  

We had a dog themed birthday party and did face painting.  Grace refused to let me paint her face but she loved doing her own and our neighbors Oliver and Ashley.

Jacob was a more patient participant.

Clara enjoyed the face paint but refused the dog ears and dog tag.  She also rubbed her eye and got her fist all black, so I had to wash it all off after not too long.

Avery loved the dog ears and was thrilled to take them home!  (Really, what am I going to do with 8 dog ear headbands?)

Grace kept reapplying her make up.  We also decorated doggie bags and gave ourselves animal tattoos.

So proud of her make up work!

Big sis helps to blow out the candles because Clara thought they were "too hot".

Clara took forever to eat her cake but Gini entertained her while she ate.

Happy and tuckered out, clutching her new microphone that plays Frozen songs (thanks a lot, Alisha).  It was a good party, and I loved that Grace had just as much fun celebrating as Clara did!