Violet's birthday party, Part I

We celebrated Violet's birthday on Saturday at Placerita Canyon, which has now become our preferred birthday party location. Cora's first and third parties were here too...

Stace and I handled the food and drinks, while Grandma was on duty for crafts and activities. Here, she is helping Alexyss with her bag for collecting various items from nature.

Violet's and her best bud on the scavenger hunt...












Then, it was time to decorate sun visors! Later, those who had time decorated little bird feeders to take home, to bring the nature to them.

Here come the 2-year-olds! Violet turned 2 Friday, and it was Ezra's birthday Saturday. Marley's turn is Monday, and then Liana hits 2 on May 9.

 This little one did so well at her party. She was up past her normal naptime, and she did get sleepy, but I don't think she cried once.

 When looking through the cake book at Ralphs, Violet chose the Thomas cake. But since the cake was actually a grouping of cupcakes frosted to look like one "cake," I figured I could do that and save $20. I added chopped strawberries and chocolate chips for that personal touch, with red strawberry frosting and blue sprinkles to complement the Thomas candle. 

  How many 2-year-olds know to blow out the candles? I guess Violet has been very observant when we've been to birthday parties!

I think she likes it!

Since it was Ezra's actual birthday, we sang to him, too.

Then it was time to hurry over to the nature center for the animal show. Here is Blossom the Opossum...

...and a friendly great horned owl.

Violet's birthday

Here's how Violet spent her 2nd birthday...

Following our new tradition, Violet enjoyed her chocolatey "birthday cereal" (mixed with oats so it had some nutritional value!).

After taking Cora to school, we met up with Jaimie and Luke for a walk. They brought Violet these adorable Minnie sunglasses (and adorable flip-flops), which were a bit more girly than the funny shirt we're borrowing from the Roberts for the next year.

Before picking Cora up, we made a quick trip into Ralphs, and Violet kept asking to look at the cake book.

After Daddy got home, we gave Violet her gift - a little acoustic guitar so she can strum along with Daddy.

With a little "help" from Cora, Violet settled on Burger King for her birthday dinner. (Cora had been coaching her earlier in the day to ask for Chuck E. Cheese, and Violet did so, but Stace really can't stand that place. So we convinced Cora to help Violet change her mind.)

After dinner, we went to the coffeehouse to see a couple of lady singer-songwriters perform. One, Jess Penner, we saw last year and really enjoyed. We were excited to see her again; alas, as you can see from Violet's face, it was a bit late for our girls to be out listening to music. We caught a few songs and bought a CD and called it a night.

Time without Daddy!

 This week, Stace went to Illinois for a few days for work - two nights and three full days, to be exact.

It was the first time he's traveled for work since Violet was born, and therefore the first time I've been on my very own with the girls for three full days.

To have a little fun, on our first night, we went out to dinner.

 You probably have already guessed that I had a coupon! Chilis offered up to two free kids meals with the purchase of one adult meal. Bingo.

Between a meal out and my church Life Group, we were busy from naptime until bedtime Tuesday.

 Wednesday was full too - Violet and I got Cora off to school and then went to her My Gym class. After school, we had lunch at the church coffeehouse, and then it was home for nap. After nap, we had dinner and then headed to Pioneer Club. It was Stacey's turn to work in the classroom, so I filled in and Violet played on the floor (and enjoyed her snack).

 On Thursday, we went back to the coffeehouse for storytime, with Auntie Mel's friend Mariana doing the reading. She's very engaging and makes it fun for the little ones. Plus, there's free snacks and drinks and a craft!

After nap on Thursday, we went to Cora's soccer class with the Roberts, and Genia provided dinner after. Then, on to bed for the girls, while I waited for Stace to return. He had a very good trip, and it was great to see him again.

Violet's birthday class

Violet has been enjoying her birthday gift from Nan and Pop already! They paid for her to do a session at My Gym, and of course, she loves it!

Climbing up...

And over! "I did it!"

Violet says, "Thanks for my class, Nan and Pop!"

Cowboy Festival 2012

This weekend, the 19th annual Cowboy Festival galloped into town, and Stace and I were lucky enough to go both days. On Saturday, we were up and out early with the girls, and met Genia and her kids for a fun day out.

It was Genia's first time, and since John got called away to work, going together made a lot of sense. Our five kids had a great day together.

Here, we're talking to a representative of the "New Buffalo Soldiers" about his horse. This organization honors the first black U.S. Army regiment, formed just after the Civil War.

He reckons he roped hisself a coupla beauties! 

This street performer turned his fiddle to Violet to play "Twinkle Twinkle."











Someone had a little too much fun at the Festival.
Just kidding, of course. Many of old-looking buildings, part of the Melody Ranch movie set, were used for artisans selling their wares. Others are false fronts.
Actually, Stace didn't look too much different than this when we got home. Saturday reached 93 degrees, so it was pretty warm to be walking around an outdoor event. My poor Englishman doesn't always take well to being out in the heat.

In the children's tent were old-fashioned games, clothes-washing, biscuit-rolling, and other learning stations. Our kids enjoyed the coloring the most.

Here, Owen bragged to Violet, "I can color the fastest," before scribbling impressively quickly.

I hope those pioneers had shaving implements sharper than these butter knives. Geesh.

Violet didn't quite get the concept of getting the ball into the cup, but she struck it rich with the gold-panning.









Cora roped a cow, at the same display Stace helped out a few years ago when we were festival volunteers. By this point, we were hot, dusty and tired, full of yummy cowboy food, and ready to head home for a rest.

 But, because we had a two-day pass, Stace and I went back Sunday for a couple of hours to listen to some of the great live music.







Grandma came over to play with the girls - all three of them. We took Ave with us to church to help participate in the Santa Clarita Million Meals extravaganza with us, and she stayed to play all day! Cora was in heaven, as were we, since they play so well together.

This year, Real Life Church spearheaded the packing of 500,000 meals to send to orphans overseas, and the collection of 500,000 cans to stock our local Santa Clarita Valley Food Pantry. More than a dozen SClarita churches took part, working together to bless others by acting as the hands and feet of Jesus.

The Cats: An Update

Spencer and Sebastian turned 1 on Feb. 26, and I had ideas of doing a blog to commemorate the day. Heck, I had ideas of celebrating with a little family party for them. Thankfully, they haven't given me too much guilt about the lack of attention.

 Still, we've had the boys 10 months, and since they've long passed the kitten stage and settled nicely into our family, they deserve an update post. They are fantastic companions to each other and to us, and we are very grateful they have joined us. You often find them together, and when they are apart for a while - say, Spencer's sneaked into the garage to chase crickets - they greet each other with lots of kisses. Both are generally very quiet, talking to each other softly, though they also purr loudly and often.

 Since they're young, they are still playful, chasing toys and beads, racing up and down the halls and walls, climbing into things... They also are quite clumsy. Graceful? NO. They knock things down, often on purpose. Nighttimes can be a bit ropey - twice we've awoken to great (and messy) crashes. Once, it was Stace's model Triumph Spitfire he's had for years and years, and last week, it was a picture frame on a shelf.

Sebastian, above, especially like to tip up cups of liquid, and attempt to eat plastic grocery bags.
Another of Sebastian's odd habits involves standing up and boxing, or pawing, panes of glass like windows, sliding doors and mirrors. It's most fun when he has wet paws from climbing around the shower, so he can leave streaky vertical marks all over. Here, he is boxing the box. He also likes to stand behind a person sitting on a chair or couch, and give them bear hugs. He is super affectionate and loving. Actually, both cats are, though Sebastian is quicker to jump into any open lap.

Spencer's worst habit is his desire to be free, chasing the lizards, squirrels and birds. We always have to watch the doors, and he gets out too often. So far, we've always chased him down, but it does get annoying.

If that's his worst behavior, of course, we won't complain too much. Both cats are good about scratching in the right places, and neither has ever sprayed or otherwise used the toilet outside the box.

Sebastian, on the left, is huge. He is over 15 pounds, while Spencer is no lightweight at 12 1/2 pounds. Carrying the two of them together is no small workout!

Both cats are great friends to Violet and Cora. Cora is partial to Spencer, and Violet is more likely to say Sebastian's name, and squeeze his neck in love. 

 While Cora wouldn't let them share her bed for many months, saying they kept her awake, she has for the last number of months happily slept with them. They are good boys in bed, not waking us (or Cora) up too often. In this photo, Cora had the stomach flu overnight (the start of the family's adventure in flu), and in the early morning Stace settled her back to sleep before he went on to work.

They're affectionate, loving, purr-happy, and absolutely fantastic with children, both ours and all of our little friends who come over to visit.

So, happy belated birthday, Spencer and Sebastian! We love you!