Sunday, May 18, 2008

Busy Week in Los Alamos

May is always a busy time of the year. Everyone is planting gardens, the hummingbirds are finding feeders, the school year is coming to a close, and there are many end-of-the-year things happening around town. Here are a few things we have been up to...

Today: The local kite festival. It is a highlight every year -- making kites, sitting in the grass, eating a picnic lunch with friends, watching the colorful sky of kites.

Not only was Elise able to hold on to her kite this year, but check out her fancy kite flying/acrobatic maneuvers.


Saturday: Eric ran the 50K in the Jemez Mountain Trail Runs on Saturday morning. It was right in our mountains so he slept in his own bed, ate his own food, and was home in time for Maddie and I to head to her ballet performance. He was awesome -- coming in 6th place and shaving an hour off his time last year. Unfortunately, we weren't able to see him and get any race photos, but this picture is of us going out that night. We got a babysitter and celebrated his race success and my birthday at my favorite restaurant in Santa Fe, Andiamo. Maddie picked out Eric's tie and my high heels, and took this picture! We NEVER look like this!


Friday & Saturday: Maddie decided to try ballet this year. She was one of the elves in a production of the "The Hobbit" with her best friend Tayra.


We had lots of dress rehearsals this week. The girls were pretty nervous about being on the big stage but did a great job. This photo is of them peering around the corner at the auditorium.

I made a little video of the dance but it isn't loading...oh well.


Maddie and Elise were so hungry this week. They ate all the pot roast I made for dinner on Wednesday. Eric and I couldn't believe these little carnivores. After dinner, they flexed their muscles and showed us how strong they were.


Elise made time between the events to be a little cowgirl...yee-ha!




Oh no! No photos of Gus!! He really had to just come along this week. He is doing a great job pushing himself up to sitting, pulling himself (really, almost crawling) to get toys, and finding all those things we don't see on the floor. I guess it's time to vacuum everyday!

Sunday, May 11, 2008

I Love Mother's Day!

I couldn't have asked for a better day...
  • Sleeping (and dreaming) until 9am.
  • Waking up to breakfast in bed with gifts and smiling faces.
  • Reading homemade Mother's Day cards.
  • Eric taking care of breakfast, lunch, dinner, and all the everyday issues.
  • Hiking at Bandelier with friends.
  • Shopping at the local greenhouse.
  • Planting all the new greenery with our little sprouts in the new garden box Eric made.
  • Adding the final touch to the garden box -- sunflower seeds in memory of my mom.
  • Gentle, restorative yoga class this evening.
  • Three angels who remind me of what matters...


Watch Out World

Here comes Gus!

Friday, May 9, 2008

Will the exersaucer survive another bouncy baby?

Summer Birthday Girl Gets Her Day


After the first birthday celebration for one of her classmates last fall, Maddie asked "Mom, will my class come back to school for my birthday in July?" Thankfully, Mrs. Hopkins let the summer birthday kids pick a school birthday. Maddie celebrated today. Happy Almost 6th Birthday!

Wednesday, May 7, 2008

Edelweiss


Elise loves to sing. One of the first songs she learned was "Edelweiss." Sandy, her babysitter, taught her when she was 18 months old. She likes to sing it with their cuckoo clock. Today, Gus clapped with delight.

Hiker Party



Elise is a hiker! Since January, Elise has walked 25 miles with her babysitter, Sandy. Every 10 miles, Sandy, Elise, Gus, and I have a "hiker party." At 25 miles, everyone was invited for hot chocolate, cake, pie, and frosted animal cookies. We are so proud of our little hiker. Here is a message from Elise: vo;[pddedeeennnbnbntnp

Snow Leopards


We went to the local arts and crafts fair on Saturday and the girls got their faces painted -- Maddie was a snow leopard and Elise had a bee and butterfly on her face. When we returned home, Elise wanted to be a snow leopard with her big sister so they washed Elise's face and re-painted it with their paint set. What do you think? Thank goodness it was washable paint.