Drop-off Birthday Party!

Zara invited five friends for her big-girl drop-off birthday party. We had a crown making station, a bracelet making station, a pizza topping station, and a cupcake decorating station, in addition to Simon says, "jump up and down!" in the backyard. Smashing success! How to top it for 5?!

Costco Park

While picking up Gab & Maryann from the Richmond Airport, we took time out to play at the park near Costco, Deep Run.

Polaris

He was supposed to visit for a week in January...

Live! from Tonsler Park Amphitheater!

Our park is currently out of commission while the city replaces everything in it but the trees. The next nearest park has an under utilized stage. Luckily, Zara was available to introduce her traveling show, choreograph a wild combination of dance, martial arts, stand up comedy, and acrobatics, perform the same, applaud, and act as several ushers. Reviews were a smash.

New Car Seat

Zara has outgrown her Britax Roundabout, the seat she's had since she was around 7 months old. Technically, we could probably put her in a booster, but her new Sunshine Kids Radian XT is way sweeter. It's good for 53" and 80 lb, very low profile, folds up nice & small, and pink. Need I say more?

Tag-a-long

Gone are the days when Zara would ride passively on the back of my bike. Now, she pedals! And it's both noticeable and helpful on the hills! Life is good.

Dear Prudence

We visited Brooklyn for the weekend, since there was a few-day break between the end of Zara's school and the beginning of her summer camp. They have a new kitten, the sweet and adorable Prudence. Pictured here with my sweet & adorable family. And Chocolate Fudge Brownie, the stuffed horse.

Riprap Hollow

On our second swimming hole expedition, we traveled over the mountain to Rip Rap Hollow, which is more or less the other side of Afton mountain from Sugar Hollow. We went with the MM's. This time, we actually swam. It was ... cold. Not a little cold. All three girls swam, tho they might have turned slightly blue.

To make up for it, we stopped for Tastee Freeze. Ironic. No one ordered the "Freedom Fries". Char took these pictures, because Jo & I are lame. I think our battery charger is messed up. Or something.

Zara-patra

Amazement Square is even more fun when you're nearly 4.

The Wave

We went to Richmond to see Carbon Leaf perform at Plan 9, stock up on Costco & Trader Joe's, eat at Kuba Kuba, visit the Richmond Children's Museum, and play in this nice little park. Busy day. Zara's pictured here wearing "The Wave", a silver necklace that belonged to her great grandmother, Dorothy. It was made by Maryann's upstairs neighbor in Providence, Doug.