Lydia's Balloons

Every year on Ruby and Lydia's birthday, we put purple balloons in Lydia's tree. 

Even though it was cold and rainy, we still made it outside to tie the balloons.

 

It's a very odd year, such a late spring.  The lilacs are only starting to bud, and most years they are in full bloom by now.  I guess we'll have another reminder of Lydia soon, when they flowers bloom.

Ruby's Birthday

Ruby was so excited!  She brought cupcakes to school, and got to wear her new "Birthday Girl" shirt


And she came home from school just as excited ...

with her birthday crown on, and a new stuffed puppy! 

She named him -- puppy.

One of her birthday presents from Nana and Grandpa was a set of princess shoes!

These are sooo funny; she adores them ... and shuffles around the house in them.  Too cute!

So far, six is fun!

Six

We took the kids out for pizza last night, for Ruby's birthday.  They do a whole little birthday sundae thing here, and sing the (actual) happy birthday song (copyright violation, sure, but FUN!)

So, the guy comes out with the ice cream sundae, toots the horn (seriously!) and the red light is flashing on the ceiling.  He says something about "We're celebrating a very special birthday - Ruby is six!" and Ruby pops way up on the bench, leans far forward so other people can see her well, hand on her hip, smiling at the other patrons.

Because, Ruby has such confidence, she just KNOWS these other people are feeling so fortunate to be there to celebrate her moment, you know?

Everyone sang to her, and she glowed.  She blew out her candle (even though Lilya tried to sneak in at the last moment), and shared her ice cream with her sister.  And Mom.

I don't think she made a wish, so I made one for her -- I wish that she always has that confidence, throughout her life, and the ability to draw people in.  She has such charisma - you can't see her happiness and not share it.

We love you, Dolly. (Mommy, I'm RUBY!) I mean, Ruby.

Happy 6th Birthday!

Helper

Daxy helped Karly unload the dishwasher
 

 

Daxy's first box of tissues

 

Dax Video

Wanna see a cutie one-year-old walking and waving? Of course you do!

 

Girl Scouts

I have 2 darling Girl Scouts who are selling cookies!  Ruby and Lilya are both new to Girl Scouts this year.  Lilya hasn't had a troop meeting yet, but Ruby is loving hers!

Cookies are $3.50 a box, and will arrive in late February.

Please let me know if you'd like to order!

• Thanks-a-Lot
• Lemonades
• Thin Mints
• Caramel deLites
• Mango Cremes
• Shortbread 
• Peanut Butter Patties
• Peanut Butter Sandwich

Sledding

Yesterday, Brian took Braden, Ruby & Lilya sledding!


Ruby was a little bit excited, can you tell?

Ready?

Set...

Go!

Braden was sledding, too, but he was on the big hill and Brian didn't get any pictures of him sledding.  We did get this one last night -- he's got a couple bruises on his face.  He has no idea how they got there ... I asked him if he was sledding with ninjas, and I got this look.

I guess no ninjas were involved.

Daxy Meets Cake

 

 

 

 

 

Fun with Math

Braden and I had a discussion at breakfast today.


Today is the last day that Daxy < 1.

Tomorrow, Dax = 1.

Then, he will always be > 1.