Happy Birthday, Johanna

And good work not sharing your birthday with new baby. Zara sure enjoyed helping with the frosting!

Fully Baked

Zara's testing her sibling for doneness.

Bike Rider

First, Marmee got Zara a tricycle. Zara learned all about peddling. Then we got her a push bike. She learned to balance and glide. So around when she turned 4, Marmee got her a two wheeled peddle bike (a big girl bike). And she could more or less ride it the very first day. But there was a problem! Zara's friends were still using training wheels. Zara didn't want to ride her bike without training wheels. So, we dutifully put training wheels on. Apparently, training wheels are pretty hazardous if you already know how to ride without them. You fall a lot, they don't steer the way you might expect. In short, you might get the idea that you didn't really want to ride a bike at all. Add the fact that your friends have now outgrown their training wheels, and you get some serious sour grapes.

Anyway, fast forward past a few months of cold and a little snow, and Zara picks her bike up, and away she goes. Hardly looking back.

Long Dress

A gift from Uncle Brian & CiCi.

Doll Clothes

Zara working on a nightgown for her doll. Material salvaged from an old shirt.

Lasagna

Clearly, Zara remembered the recipe from some time back.