Our little artist

Mark did some touch up painting recently. He knew Claire was watching and definitely interested so he was careful to keep all the paint and paintbrushes out of reach. But she must have been a lot more interested than he thought because Claire got a bowl of water and a Polly Pocket with hair and painted the kitchen table, chairs and wall. We were very amused, impressed and relieved all at the same time.

Colorful kids

Hey, Mom, what color is my tongue? Blue.




Hey Claire, what have you been eating? Jelly.

Hi, Ojai

We decided to take off to Ojai on a Sunday afternoon earlier this month. We threw a few snacks, clothes and blankets into the car and took off. It turned out to be a wonderful time. We drove up to a little town in the Ventura mountains called Ojai. Stayed at the Ojai Ranch Inn and our room had bunk beds that were one of the many highlights of the trip. We spent hours at the park playing, building a fire, crossing the stream and running one of Mark's birthday presents - a remote control off-roader that had all of us laughing hysterically. We had some good pizza and some so-so shopping at the outlets on the way home. It was a terrific getaway.

Mark's birthday

We celebrated Mark's birthday this month. We had a party for him, except the party was really for the kids. When I got Claire out of her bed that morning I said "It's Daddy's birthday" and she shrieked "Oooohhhhhh, CAKE!" I took Mark out to dinner and bought him a grill - looks like the entire family is fixated on food, cake or otherwise. Happy birthday, Mark.

Audrey graduates from preschool

There were no mortar boards, but there was a party and lots of pictures, hugs from teachers and more than a few tears shed by mommy. Audrey started at her preschool just two days before Claire was born. I was ready for a few hours a week to rest before the baby came, but then Claire arrived 6 weeks early and those quiet hours did not materialize. It's been a great preschool. We have always felt the care and concern of the teachers and Audrey has always enjoyed herself doing crafts and practicing letters, playing with other kids, going to chapel, rejecting her snacks, bringing home "treasure" for mommy, having open house, Eggstravaganza, Mother's Day Tea, walking to the library and playing a game called "poop machine" with her friend Maureen that involved throwing gobs of mud down the slide, lovely. We could not have asked for a better, sweeter place for Audrey to get her first taste of school. Her teachers have been super: Mrs. A, Mrs. Furbush, Mrs. Dewart and Mrs. Kosch. We are so grateful for all their kindness and hard work. Audrey showed only a few moments of uncertainty during her first few days, but after that she never looked back. Now it's been more than two years and she is on to kindergarten this fall. She's ready, but I'm not sure I am. This is a picture of Audrey in March 2007, the month she started preschool, and on one her last day (June 2009). She's changed so much - no more baby fat. I thought she was a little kid that first day, but she still looks like a baby and now she really looks like a little kid. What will I say when I look at this picture in another two years?