like father, like daughter

Jason snapped these out of sheer pride. we were wrapping up dinner, and Maddie snuck off for some quiet reading time. her mag of choice: Bodyboard!

happy birthday to Nalu

so, today Nalu turned 6. in the past, we've gotten her a bone and called it a day. but now that the girls can get into it, we decided to make the day even more special. i took the kids to target and let them each pick her out a toy. (thank you target dollar section.) and then we went to puppies n'love and i let them choose from a selection of yummy looking pet-pastries. they chose a donut with pink and green swirls which i spent the rest of the day convincing them would not be tasty for humans. after dinner we had a birthday party, complete with cupcakes and Aunt Tashy! Nalu liked her gifts almost as much as the girls enjoyed giving them! happy birthday pup!

virtual valentine

fashionistas

need i say more?

ps: Anna's hair is reminding me so much of my own. for better or for worse. it's a trip to see your own features on someone else.

getaway

finally, Jason and i were able to take advantage of a State Farm vacation properly, by going kid-free. okay, verbal kid-free, we did take Avery. we had a weekend getaway at the Kierland Westin here in Scottsdale. Anna and Madeline had a weekend in Villa Park, CA. we took long walks, had fabulous meals, shopped, saw a movie, slept in, watched almost the whole season 4 of 24, listened to the rain on the rooftops, and generally enjoyed ourselves. they, ate junk food, lost sleep, played with cousins, ate more junk food, watched almost the entire collection of Disney movies, and generally enjoyed themselves. a blissful weekend for all!

could it be?

we were lucky enough to sleep in again this week. this time as a family. we all cuddled up in bed, Jason and i secretly relishing the moment since we knew the big girls would be taking a little vacation....

ps: it probably should embarass me to post this pic with my perpetual laundry pile in the background (i'm well over my no make-up bed-head self), but hey this is life!

sleeping in....hurray

taday we slept in, the kids all slept longer than usual, and Anna and Avery spent time cuddling with me in my bed. these moments are heavenly.

as if this weren't enough, when Madeline got up, Anna took it upon herself to get dressed for dance! small miracles...