HAPPY BIRTHDAY TODAY PENELOPE JULIET! 6 years old already!

How did this happen that my baby girl, who was born on Easter Day in 2001 is already 6 years old? She has brought so much joy and love (and chaos) into my life and I am forever changed for the better because of it. I love you, Penelope! IF you frequent this blog, please leave a comment to say happy birthday to the birthday girl!!



I'll post pictures soon, but to get a sneak peek--click the link below!
link to the fabulous jules bianchi

Easter!

Only a week behind now.... and lots happens in a week! phew. Well, Easter at Linda's house this year was so fun... Linda always does a great job decorating and hosting. Brett was determined to make the lamb that the chef at his hotel made the week before... and he did a pretty good job! I ordered a cake from Jill Shinn, one of the moms at Penelope's school who is a professional baker. Oh it was good! Uncle Jeffrey helped the girls decorate cookies and the girls enjoyed their baskets o' goodies! Fun times! Enjoy! Many many pictures this time.... click on any for a larger view!

Millie Jane and her baby. All of her babies are named "Nallie" or something like that. It's not her version of "Millie" since she refers to herself as MIMI. I like this little series of shots... Millie is such a doll herself.



Penelope working on some picture. Look at Brett.... love the shirt from H&M! You go, hot daddy!

A kiss for my cutie

Nana Linda works happily on the Easter meal. She's such a great hostess....

Grandpa Neil and Uncle Jeffrey show up with the Easter goods....



What is Easter without PEEEPS???

The girls and Uncle Jeffrey worked hard on their cookie creations. . . thanks to Babcia for this fun activity (and resulting sugar high)




One of the moms at Penelope's school is a baker--she made me this unbelievable ginger cake with rolled fondont-- my favorite! It was such a gorgeous creation we hardly wanted to eat it, but of course we did!


Dinner and basket opening was a highlight of the day--I love this holiday, not only for the religious implications, but because it is such a family-oriented one, without all the trappings and stress of Christmas.

Egg Hunts and Easter Bunnies...

I'm getting very behind here... so I'm going to put up Easter and then in a few days I have Farmers Market and Pixar to show you!!!

The Pleasant Hill/Walnut Creek Mother's Club, of which I've been very involved in the past 4 years, hosted their annual Spring Fling complete with egg hunt and Easter Bunny. It was a well-done event, with crafts and basket-making... the girls had a great time, and Millie gathered up her courage to hang out with the Easter Bunny. It took about 45 minutes for her to get close (she was fascinated, but didn't want to sit next to him). When she finally did it, she was so proud of herself. so cute.

Fun Days at Valhalla Elementary!!

Having a little girl in kindergarten has been quite an event into the world of the public school system. I help in the classroom every Thursday, and often come on other days for extra events, parties, etc. This past week Penelope started Daisies ... the precurser to Brownies and Girl Scouts. It's a really fun groups of girls-and mommies! And then we had Spirit Week... trying to keep up with all the different Spirit Days was a challenge!!

Here are the Daisy girls!! So cute!


A little shot of Millie --she's been attempting the potty thing! Nothing like a potty and a beer.... hmm

It was Twin Day at Valhalla, but after coming back from Vegas, all of Penelope's friends had matching shirts, so we were the sextuplets instead!!

Penelope and the "gang" hanging out at Snack Recess!!

I love this cool blue wall... Penelope and Maya looked cool with their pink shirts!

Danny, lookin' hip. He is a sweetie, and always plays with Millie when she comes to school!

Lovebirds Ainsley and Dax...

Look at these cutie pies!!! Quadruplet Days!!

Look, real Twins for Twin Day!! Ainsley and Abigail are adorable, and such sweethearts.

Crazy Hair Day!! LOVE THIS! Penelope wanted cats and dogs in her hair, so we got creative. Millie of course had some crazy hair too... but then she always has crazy hair. ha ha.

Fun with Friends!

Now that warmer days are here and summer is rapidly approaching, we've been hosting friends with a weekly BBQ! It is fun to have friends over and share a meal while the kids run screaming through the house. It's amazing how much noise one can just ignore while actually having an adult conversation.... there is something about the TONE of the noise. Moms can tell immediately if the tone changes and we need to pay attention and rescue someone. It's kind of funny, we'll all be talking, and then the moms will freeze.... listen... and resume talking... ah, all in a day in the life of the mommy. . . . Here we had dinner with the Ferrons-- Shawn, Sandra, Gabbie, and Ben!!
The kids' table...

Ben has a big smile when he hears there are popsicles for dessert!!

Millie is monkey SEE monkey DO

Brett works hard on the tri-tip!! Is it BBQing or is it grilling?

Gabbie and Penelope say hip hip hooray for fudgsicles!!! And there is a sneak shot of me and Millie behind them on a gorgeous canvas, thanks to photog genius jules bianchi (www.julesbianchi.com/blog). It is practically life-size!!