Friends and Fish

Iris. One of Penelope's best friends is a little girl named Iris, who is also in Kindergarten with her, although not in her class. David, Iris' dad, is at stay-at-home dad (and also a working magician!) and one of the greatest guys I know! He bought Penelope and Iris the matching Dalmation hats, which of course she immediately loved! Thank you David!


Jackie. Penelope also has a matching hat with her other best friend Jackie (Nemo, her other animated character of choice lately). jackie and Penelope have a grand time together...here they are playing dress up with sparkly jewels.


The Fish part. Those darn fish we brought home from the carnival weeks ago are STILL alive! Despite not cleaning their bowls more often than once a week, despite not even feeding them every day.... they live on! Two of them live on our kitchen table, two on the dining table. I guess I just figured they would end up in toilet heaven soon, because I really think eating with live fish on the table is sort of disgusting.... but we really don't have anywhere else to put them, and the girls LOVE it. Here is Millie, taking a closer look at her beloved "beesh!"


Ainsely. Penelope and Ainsley have been friends for a long time, used to be preschool buddies, were almost kindergarten buddies but we changed schools. Now they are piano buddies! I think it is great, they encourage each other to play (and by play, sometimes it isn't playing piano, but playing together... oh well, they are only 5!) My mom told me to make practicing piano a privilege... so to tell Penelope that she "get's" to play piano after she does something good, etc. HA! Funny mom. Hey mom, you GET to go work out if you help me with my kids! good times. Even a sticker motivation chart complete with prizes doesn't motivate her to play all that often. However, the day we got home with prizes, she DID play for 30 minutes straight to earn one. way to go.


This last shot was taken by my friend Christi, Jackie's mom. We went to the pool today at the YMCA, it was so gorgeous out. Before we got in our suits I had her take a picture because look, we all match! It was school spirit day at Valhalla Elementary and like a good parent, I wore my Valhalla shirt along with Penelope. Millie wore a blue shirt too. We all had pink pants and pink shirts underneath. And our crocks. Aren't we obnoxious. I love it.

I re-read this blog after I posted it, and I realize I just sound like a blathering momma but it is 1a.m. and I'm sitting with Jules geekin out in Carmel, after having driven for two hours (she drove 6! you win, jules). la la la. i'm a little punchy. not that i'm going to punch anyone. oh, and i forgot to mention that penelope earned 20 jewels and was able to go to the disney store and choose the little dalmation toy (and millie got one too, lucky for her). she had been waiting for a few weeks since playing at iris' house... she had the same little dog and penelope was determined to earn one. hoooray for little p.