Julia's Performance Piece

After Aidan and I got back from a weekend doing some Hiking Laser Bearing, and Julia and Mommy got back from a weekend at Yaya and Baba's, the two kids were ready to get back to hanging out and being together.

You two quickly got to business, wrestling, talking, catching up, and doing some creative works outside on the deck. 

Aidan, you and I were pretty wiped out from our weekend in the woods, but Julia, you got an AMAZING burst of energy, agency, and creativity.

You ran into the house, emerged in a costume...

...brought one for Aidan...

 ...and then hopped in a tree before crashing on mommy's lap and watching what happened next with as much wonder and amazement as the rest of us...

For about 45 minutes, Julia, you conceptualized, practiced, practiced, and repeated your production over and over and over again.

"1, 2, 3...follow me...march this way...girls curtsy, boys bow. Follow me. 1, 2, 3"

We watched in amazement as you perfected your performance, and then willingly joined in as you invited us to the stage.

Your creativity, your passion, your energy on full display. You are a magical fairy butterfly, Julia. And I pray that you never forget that. 

Getting Back Home: Late January

Ah....home sweet home...

After three weeks living with Mimi/Pops and Yaya/Baba while our floors were being redone, we were finally able to move back home. And- not that we didn't have fun with our family- but it feels good to be home and get back to our regularly scheduled programming.

Not to say that there wasn't work to do...

You guys have been huge helps in the remodel, you even put together IKEA furniture...

...set up the entertainment system...

...do whatever this is with whatever those are...

...and make sure the storage container is empty empty empty:

Despite a few differences in our landscape, it felt good to get back to our home.

can you spot the kiddos?

And...while we were still in transition we had some open spaces and open drawers and took advantage of both:

You were pleased to get back to your playground...

...back to our sunshiney house...and our old rooms...even if we didn't use the bed all the time..

...and to visit some of our old haunts, like the zoo:

So...now we're back home...and able to do some monkeying around...

Despite getting nipped in the butt on the remodel and unpacking from time to time...

In general, it just feels good to get back to hanging around without having to live out of a trunk.

#ZooPuns

School Picture Day

I love school pictures. They're little windows into who you were at the beginning of each school year. A great little way to see how much you've grown from year to year.

Sometimes they're cute-bad; sometimes they're cute-amazing; but they're always phenomenal! A wonderful way to begin a school year and take your loving smiles with us into the future.

Aidan, here you are in all your handsome, monochormatic glory. Sporting a spiky bracelet we got you in Australia and a fresh hair cut, your impish smile, and caring eyes really come through.

 And of course, the class photo!

Miss Julia, you have grown up at White Rock Montessori, even before you were officially a student there! Your photos highlight your awesome fashion sense- including your new pixie hair cut; you're wearing a locket we bought for you at Comicon! You are fun, mature, silly, and amazing!

Class Photo!

I love that our photographer also takes pictures of siblings together, because even though you two may be in different classes, you are very much a duo, and I love capturing that love on film!

We are so lucky to have the opportunity to come do FAMILY school pictures with you!

And, I also spotted a few BONUS pictures of you with your pals, Aidan! How cool is that?

Yay Picture Day!