Happy 8th Birthday, Zara!

Zara turned 8 today, and as with last year, we celebrated with some birthday "muffins" (more of a cupcake, really, but following the Luke McCaffrey school of thought, anything you consume in the morning must be a scone or a muffin) this morning. This year's choice was banana muffins with nutella swirls. She went off to Triple C where Wes, Amity, and I joined her at "round up" for another birthday celebration. Surrounded by her bunkmates, Zara was serenaded by the whole camp. And she received another birthday cupcake!

But wait, there's more! We were joined by Stu, Chris, Fiona and Eilidih (aka the Greene-Hutchingses) for the traditional Red Robin dinner fest. Which, of course, also entails ice cream sundaes. So for those of you keeping track, that's 3 for 3 on birthday treats. All in all, a good day of fun, family, and friends. Happiest of birthdays to our favoritest Zebra! We love you oodles!

New Camera

The ever fabulous Auntie Gabi got Z a digital camera (for camp) for her birthday. As you can see, she's pretty happy about it. Also, she is now taking a lot of pictures of Amity, who is maybe slightly less thrilled?

Amity Goes to Camp

Summer time fun in C'ville at Camp CBI. Amity goes to the spray ground (on the #4 bus), plays in the pools in her school camp's courtyard, and practices her fine motor skills while chopping veggies for a bean salad for "hungry people" (aka the soup kitchen at the church across the street).

Urban Hike to SweetHaus

Sometimes, instead of going hiking in the beautiful mountains near by, we take an urban hike instead. SweetHaus (home of cupcakes, coffee, couches, and play area w/ kiddo toys) is just under a mile from our house. And mid-walk coffee and cupcakes and play-break are motivation enough for all of our household members. Amity makes it all the way there on her own, and usually most of the way back, too. Here's Zara modeling some dress up she discovered. Very Harry Potter, no?

Summertime

Zara dressed up as an unknown but very creative superhero for superhero week at Triple C. Amity's hair gets really curly in the summer. Just another June day here in the Craig household.

Ye Olden Hats

We took advantage of lovely weather and the break in between school and camp for a little trip to everyone's favorite Frontier Culture Museum. Here's Z modeling a hat they wear while working outside at the German farm.

Last Day of 2nd Grade

For the first time since we moved here, it rained on the last day of school. Nothing else super eventful happened. Well, Zara finished 2nd grade so technically she's a 3rd grader (that's pretty insane), but otherwise, same old, same old. Adorable Amity is in desperate need of a nap in this picture. She took one when we get home.

Session Player

Zara has played in the last two sessions we attended. The first time (standing, in the skirt playing her whistle) she only played on one set of polkas (Britches Full of Stitches/Peg Ryan's). This was a pretty big deal though, getting up and playing with everyone. A month later she brought both her whistle *and* her fiddle, and sat right up in the middle of the circle with the rest of the session players for the entire hour we were there. She played one instrument or another on at least one tune in most of the sets, and was trying to pick up some tunes she didn't know by watching others play. So, she;s gone from brave and fantastic to REALLY brave and REALLY fantastic. What parent wouldn't kvell? The fiddle player opposite her in both shots is Brock, who leads the session class (and these monthly sessions) and will be taking over teaching her and the other BRIMS kiddos fiddle in the Fall. Z's very excited, and hopes to be playing at session as much as she can in the coming months!

Healthcare Providers

Amity's friend Naomi came over to play this morning so her mom could finish up teaching a class without the aid of a 3 year old TA. The kiddos had a wonderful time, playing all kinds of "pretending" games and generally reveling in their 3 year old-ness together. Here's a shot of them playing "healthcare provider." Naomi's taking Amity's blood pressure... on her leg. Amity, ever the helpful friend, is assisting.

Stepping Up

Amity, Amaya, and their teacher Emily watch as their fellow classmates "step up" and celebrate a successful year in preschool. It's been a great year in Keshet, and we can't wait for next year!

Amity's First Trip to the Dentist

This was not Zara's first trip to the dentist or even her first trip to this particular dentist, Dr. DJ. It was, however, Amity's first trip to the dentist as a patient. She's actually been there several times before when one of her three other family members had appointments. Today was Amity's turn to really sit in the chair. Zara went first, ever the reassuring big sister, and showed her how it was done. Amity was a quick study and did great!

Learning Together

Pre-dinner time in our house is a very tricky time of day. Usually everyone's tired, hungry, and maybe a bit cranky, too. Dinner gets made faster when both adults (and sometimes one or both of the kids) help with the prep and cooking, but sometimes the aforementioned cranky, hungry and tired necessitate a grown up facilitate interactions between the children. Sometimes we (the "grown ups") break down, surrender and let the kids veg with the iPad (aka "watch TV"), but often they'll read books, play outside, or play a game. Here Zara's chosen the game "What's GNU" which is considerably beyond Amity's abilities. No matter, they are playing collaboratively, and Zara's working on "teaching" Amity to read. Amity's learning how awesome her big sister is, and Zara's learning that a little patience can go a long way in garnering respect and cooperation from a 3 year old. Something all of us could probably use a reminder about sometimes, too.

ZNA Power Walk

The McGowans stopped in for a brief visit on their way from Texas to Michigan. I could go on and on about how much we miss them and how awesome it was to see them for any amount of time (no matter how small). But instead I'll just say that if Zara, Nora and Amity ever form a band, this has got to be their album cover.