Not Water Related

Despite my last couple of posts, our girls didn't spend their entire trip to California in the water. They also went to the park! Their favorite is a park they called Castle Boat Park. 

As you can clearly see, Castle Boat Park is comprised of a castle and a boat play structure. How convenient. That dot in the middle is Penny running at top speed toward the castle. 

At Castle Boat Park, Norah and Penny enjoyed such activities as:

Running. 

The balance beam. 

Going up and down the steps. 

Climbing the giant fake rock to be higher than mom. 

Running. 

Climbing the simulated rock wall into the tower. 

And teasing Daddy by pretending to jump off the castle. 

They also both loved the tiny drinking fountain for dogs. Which, I suppose, is somewhat water related. 

Plight of the Youngest

This is what happens by the time the hand-me-downs are making their way to the third girl. 

That's Darcy's adorable big toe. 

Fortunately for Darcy, after her big sister was done laughing...

She was willing to help her little sister out. 

I suspect that this will be the case for most of our sweet Darcy's life. 

Water Adventures

We met up with a few friends in CA for dinner. We decided to keep the girls occupied by meeting at their community pool. As usual, a good time was had by all. 

It was the perfect sized kid pool!

I got exactly one photo in which both girls smiled. 

The rest were some variation of this. 

Or this. 

Norah begged me to take a photo of her "starfish float", which she learned in swim lessons. 

Which prompted Penny to request a photo as well. 

We could barely get them out of the pool for dinner. There was serious wailing and gnashing of teeth when it was time to go. We are not getting a pool. That is all. 

Best. Birthday. Ever.

Our friend Tiffany has such varied taste in music that she has been known to declare a song, album, or artist, to be the "best ever currently". If Norah knew this phrase, I think she'd steal it in a second. 

Case in point: she asked this year to have her birthday at the beach. After our outing she quickly declared it to be the "best birthday ever". See the evidence below!

Sand castles were built. 

Daddy helped with the engineering. 

Building sand castles with Daddy was super interesting.

At one point, Penny saw a pigeon and excitedly yelled, "Flamingo!!" Don't mind her. She's from the mountains.

And, after some cajolling and with much trepidation, Mark managed to get the girls into the water with him. But only up to their knees. Still, by all accounts, it was the best birthday ever. (Currently)

No Naps Required

We took a trip a couple of weeks ago to California for Mark's brother's wedding. We left on the fourteen hour drive super early in the morning (3am) and told the girls that if they slept in the morning until we said it was time to wake up, one of their rewards would be that they didn't have to take naps. This is them not taking naps at about 2pm.

 

A Month of Milestones

So many things happened this month there's no way I could have kept up! Norah turned five, Uncle Matthew got married in California, the big sisters got to hold Darcy for the first time, and Norah started kindergarten, to name just a FEW major events. Here are a few photos to whet your appetite. There will be more soon!

Norah held Darcy for the first time. 

Darcy may have been uncomfortable with the arrangement. 

Penny held Darcy too, with a little help. 

This is exactly how they both felt about that situation. 

This is the only photo I managed to take at Matthew and Kim's wedding. Norah and Ryan danced all night together. Penny danced all night too, alternating between Matthew, Daddy, and Jarod the florist. 

More photos to come. I promise I'll post in less than a month!

Interview With A Three Month Old

So Darcy, you're three months old today. How has it been to become the newest member of our family?

Aw, it wasn't tough at all. I'm a pretty easy going gal.

How are you liking naps?

Meh, I could take 'em or leave 'em.

How do you like your big sisters?

They're awesome!

The Big One brings me my pacifier and blankets.

The Not As Big One makes funny faces to keep me happy.

I'm not sure about The Furry One yet. She just sniffs me.

It feels funny on my feet.

What has been the worst part?

Two month shots were super scary.

But the nurses still made me smile.

What do you think of your daddy?

Best. Guy. EVER!

Seriously.

He can make me smile every time.

Even just thinking about him...

I get SO EXCITED!!

What's your favorite toy?

I just discovered my feet.

They kinda weirded me out at first. 

But now I'm pretty sure that I'm the one making them move.

Which is pretty amazing.

Maybe it's my super power.

Do you think you'll be able to hold your own when your sisters start picking on you?

Wait, what? That's not actually going to happen is it? 

Course not. I'm sure you're just kidding.

Anything else you'd like to add?

My family is awesome and I think I have super powers.
That about covers it!

Thanks for your time. Talk to you soon!