Ruby switched from one "classroom" to another for the second session summer camp. We never quite got to the bottom of why but it had something to do with the pirate ship play structure. She liked her first session and LOVED her second session. She was still dirty every day too =)
One of Ella's favorite things to do is to sit at our kitchen table and play. She plays with stickers, crayons, markers, blocks, characters, play doh. It doesn't matter. She entertains herself and I know where she is. It's a nice time in our house =)
Birthday party season! C turned 5. It was a great party at Safari Run (notice the cheetah leggings). These girls were in a playgroup together when they were only weeks old. Different work and school schedules mean they don't see each other often but they still have fun when they do.
There's a little room you can reserve after the party. We've been there with characters, fairies, balloon makers, etc. This was the first time with live animals! Ruby loved it!
The birthday boy took some time to warm up to the animals but L was all over it. Happy birthday C!
Bad parenting time. Ruby had a routine dentist appointment. She goes to our adult dentist who sees children as well. She's been going for a few years but this time he told us she had four cavities and that they needed fillings. Since they were in between her back teeth, she would need gas and it would take a while. I was really surprised and sad. I held it together until Ruby was buckled in the car and I called Adam from the parking lot. I cried. He stayed calm. I cried. He suggested we get a second opinion from a children's dentist. Thank goodness we did. Our girls now go to an awesome dentist. They both love going and he clearly knows kids. The best part? Only two of the cavities needed fillings. He's been watching the other two spots and isn't worried. Phew.
Ruby has always been tough. She never cried for shots. She doesn't like to stop playing when she gets hurt. She didn't shed a tear during her emergency room visit. She's tough (I think she gets it from me =) The trip to the awesome dentist was no different. She was so happy to play with the blue and purple unicorn that she didn't skip a beat. In no time, they fixed her up and we were on our way. Phew again. It makes being a mom so much easier.
After her appointment, Grandma O'Brien offered to stay with Ella so Ruby and I could have a special day. Her request? Mac 'n cheese and a movie. Done!
Sometimes I wish we had a backyard. Sometimes Adam wishes our house wasn't off a busy road. But, then Ruby plays with the 18+ kids in our neighborhood and we both realize how good we have it. It feels like my neighborhood growing up. Everyone opens their garage door and plays with whoever is outside. They share toys. They ride bikes and scooters. They make up games. They put on plays. They chalk. They have picnic lunches. All the grown ups watch all the kids. When Ruby turned five, we set some ground rules and she plays outside alone at times. She enjoys the freedom. Like I said, we feel lucky and know our neighbors feel the same way.
Ruby turned five! Five! Crazy! We started with our usual cupcake breakfast and presents.
The day was actually pretty normal. The girls had swimming lessons. We went to breakfast. We stopped at the car wash. And, Ruby played with a neighbor.
Later in the day, the fun started. We told Ruby she could pick what she wanted to do. She wanted to see Monsters University. We think she got the idea from her BFF. I was torn about the movie. Ella was pretty young to sit through a real movie but I didn't want to split up on her special day. So, we gave it a try. Ella was really into it at first but when they started the roaring competition, she was done. It was loud. The two of us went window shopping around the block for about an hour. When we got back to the theater, we went in for the end of the movie.
We ended the night with a family pizza party and more presents. Can you tell Sophia the First was a common theme?
Ruby's birthday is at the end of a couple months of birthday madness. We did family parties the first two years, baby friends the next year (while I was pregnant with Ella) and neighbors the following year. Several of our baby friends moved away and she had a whole new gang at her pre school. I was chatting with a mom one day and learned that our girls were born three days apart. Aside from a few siblings and family friends, we would be inviting the same group of people to a party. I decided to be brave and ask what she thought of a joint birthday party. She loved the idea. Score!
The girls decided on a princess tea party at Pump It Up. They were smart and worked in all the themes. Pump It Up provides the pizza and drinks. Auntie made cupcakes. I made tutus. It was the easiest birthday party ever. It actually wasn't cheap but it was easy.
Thanks to a few horror stories, I am paranoid about Ella being in jumpy houses with bigger kids. It's probably no big deal but I can't do it. Grandma O'Brien offered to wait at our place while she napped and then bring her to the end of the party. She had her own tutu for the occasion.
We go downtown every Saturday after swimming. One weekend we encountered the Connoisseurs' Market so we had lunch and did a little exploring.
I might be rewriting history but I don't think I was allowed to go to parking lot amusement rides. I remember something about them not being safe because they get set up over and over. If you asked me years ago, I would have told you my kids would never go on them either. Fast forward five years and one persistent kid and my kid went on the parking lot amusement rides.
Ruby is a daredevil. She always has been. She was the youngest kid on the big-rocking-ride and waited patiently to jump on the rubber-band-thingy. I hope she's always so brave!
In addition to all the crazy kids activities, Adam and I are lucky enough to have an occasional date night thanks to Grandma O'Brien and Grandpa Gary. It takes us a few minutes (and a few drinks) to wind down and stop thinking about the kids but it eventually happens. We need to figure out how to make it weekly.
It's a boy! Auntie and Uncle Kevin found out Gummy is a boy. We're so excited for them. I guess that means I have to go through my bins of girl clothes. Or not =)
Grandpa O'Brien comes to visit us every summer. We usually plan a few adventures and spend the rest of the time walking, parking, eating and playing.
This trip we went to Gilroy Gardens for the first time. The heat has always scared me away. I still thought it was hot but there are some water features that cool things down. I kept talking about the heat. My dad kept laughing. He's used to Ohio in the summer. I left so long ago I don't remember. Anyway, it was actually good fun for both girls. I'm just glad we don't live there.
When Grandpa O'Brien comes to town he buys Ruby a birthday present. This year it was trains. For whatever reason we've never had trains. The girls love them at the store and at friends houses. I like the idea of adding to them over the years. It was a hit. Thanks Grandpa!
Like many places, the mall has a jazz series during the summer. I took Ruby one summer. She could not have cared less. We happened upon it again. She loved it...because she met a boy who loved to dance as much as she does. She still refers to it as her "first date" and wonders if he'll be there again this summer.
Ella loved it too. There was a little brother but Ella wasn't interested. I'm glad. His parents weren't paying attention to him so he was knocking down bikes, walking along the parking lot, sitting in random people's chairs, etc. Bad influence. Haha!
July was a busy month with birthdays and activities but the highlight had to be Aunty Amy, Uncle Jeff and Grace (the dog) moving to California. I started out in California in 1992. I spent a long time on my own. I was tickled when my sister moved here too. You can imagine how happy I was when my mom and step dad came later. One morning my mom knocked on my door and said something about being so happy she could cry. It turns out Aunt Amy (who already worked from home) asked her company if it mattered where she worked. They said no. The execution took a little time but they finally arrived in July. We are so excited to have them. Ruby and Ella are pretty tickled about Grace too.
