random pictures and glimpses of our life

Clare asked me to help her tie this ribbon around her neck "like Grandma Linda" who wore a pretty scarf while she was here! I just love Clare. She is so observant and so feminine!
Whenever we are getting ready to go, Tressel is there. What do I mean by "there"? I mean he is under my feet and/or sitting by the door and not missing a thing as we load the car, get shoes on, pack snacks and get ready to go! Then, he is usually the first in the car.
Here he is in the car, ready to go, with car-mate and room-mate Clare.
Most days I let him go w/ me to drop off Calvin at school and often we'll go someplace fun (for him) after like a park or playground or the best of all -- dog beach!



This particular day we were actually going to dog beach. The girls were getting over a bad bad cold and too sick to play w/ friends but well enough to go out and get some sunshine. Notice how well the sand sticks to the snot.



Aren't the kids cute?!! On this day we were off to school for Calvin and Clare had a mini Children's Chorus performance for "the Grandmas and Grandpas" at and old folks home. And Alexey was wearing the cutest outfit ever thanks to Pete and Jessica! When we got home from the chorus performance and a couple of errands on the way home I was changing Clare out of her chorus clothes and noticed she was burning up. (She ran a temp of 104 for 2 days). I felt TERRIBLe for dragging her out so sick and for exposing so many people to her illness. We did purell before going in and I hope that it was enough not to get anyone sick.






Clare is in the middle wearing red pants. She didn't sing hardly at all == probably 'cuz she felt so sick.

titty tat

This picture is a couple of months old but I thought it was worth posting anyway. Our friends got a kitty for Christmas and we went over to see it. Alexey LOVES dogs and cats. If we didn't have a dog I would get a cat. (quick side story: the other day when Clare asked for a cat I said, "no, we can't because we already have a dog. She said, "well how about when Tressel dies, then can we get a cat?" I didn't really answer but I don't think she realizes how sad it will be when Tressel dies).

Anyway, Alexey loved this little kitty. She calls it "titty tat." When our time holding the kitty was over and I told alexey it was time to go she said "okay" and picked up the kitty and started walking out the door and waving bye to everyone. She thought she would just take it home!

One of our friends got a teacup yorkie -- currently 1 pound, going to be 3 lbs full grown -- and we are super excited to go visit it this week too!

Happy Birthday dear Alexey!

Alexey is 2 today!

Happy Birthday to you!

Happy Birthday to you!

Happy Birthday, sweet Alexey!
Happy Birthday
to you!





Alexey really enjoyed having us sing the birthday song to her. She was smiling super big as we did so! (And I just noticed as I was looking at the pics that Clare really enjoyed sneaking bites of her cupcake!)

We went to the park to celebrate Alexey's birthday. It was a fun activity for her as she really loves playing at the park. Often when we drive by a playground she will say "play!" and cry if we do not stop.

My Dad got Lex a dress that she calls "rella" (cindrella) and she thinks it is her princess dress. She was soooo adorable -- when we got home from the park I let her try it on and as soon as she had it on she started singing "I know you I walked with you once upon a dream...." and dancing. Dave picked her up and danced with her. She is such a funny little girl.


Alexey also knows a couple of other songs. She sings "tomorrow" from Annie quite often. She knows "so what" by Pink. She knows all of Calvin's childrens chorus songs (w/ hand movements) from Christmas.

She understands everything now and talks quite a bit. I think more than the other kids at 2 but it could just be that I don't remember. Some of the things she says really make me smile: "Mom, watch" "I love you" "no no no no no" "here kitty kitty kitty" "movie" "sorry" "happened?"

just to make you smile

the girls were super excited to dress alike yesterday. Clare really wanted to go to the mall to have their picture taken together (don't you just love her?) but we opted for a quick one at home since lex is getting over a cold. They really wanted to stand in front of my 16 year old car instead of the trees and bushes!

Clare and Alexey have been inseparable lately. Alexey protests in a major way anytime she has to be split up from Clare and is super sad when Clare goes to dance or singing class w/o her! Lex recently started calling Clare "bear bear" (Clare bear). She used to call her "Clare". All day she runs around the house following her and if she is not near yells for her. Lex wants two of everything, one for her and one for bear bear. It is such a delight to see.

great-grandparents

A couple of weeks ago my grandparents - Grandpa Calvin and Grandma Joyce - had a long layover in LA so we met 1/2 in orange county for lunch. It was great to see them for a few hours. The kids warmed up to them very fast, which was fun to see.












we found a nearby playground in a beautiful area of Orange county in Dana Point area. It is so beautiful (tracy, it was different than the one you recommended but thanks for doing that anyway).



Alexey's hair is finally growing and going crazy with those darling curls. I don't really know what to do with them so they are always flying wild! She will be 2 next week. It is amazing how fast the time goes by!


big shout out to my aunt and uncle Shauna and al who drove them down to meet us!