Four years and still going strong

DogDog was four years old yesterday. Well, that's anniversary of the day we first got him and the day we celebrate his birthday. He got lemon cookies and orange tea along with his birthday song. Happy Birthday little DogDog. Happy birthday to you. And many more.

http://ericandjamie.blogspot.com/2008/03/last-day-in-ny.html

Double birthday Saturday

Saturday morning we had Elijah's birthday party at Pump It Up and in the afternoon we had Rohan's at the Jungle Island. It's hard to decide which is more fun, but to go to both in one day and play with all of her school friends was double fun. Somehow we found ourselves eating pizza and cake at 11 and at 4:45, but it was a great plan for a rainy weekend.

Dog Dog and Dog Dog

The two Dog Dogs get homemade coats.

Playing hookey

Last week we played hookey. Well, Casey had the day off from school but Laura and I played hookey. I gave Casey the choice of calling three of her school friends or Laura and she chose Laura. So the three of us went out for lunch and then hung out for a bit, reading, coloring, and trying to touch the ceiling. Casey's catching on to reading and she reads with a lot of expression. It's amazing to watch.

Happy pi day!

To celebrate pi day (3.14) we're having pie for breakfast and hopefully for dinner. The three of us whipped up a pumpkin pie (sans crust) last night so we would be able to celebrate our favorite holiday that we always forget to celebrate.

* We had berry pie for dinner (and tortellini for dessert). I think I gained 3.14 pounds.

** Casey is wearing a bike light on her pajamas. She wore it all night. The girl loves flashlights.

Baby's first leprechaun trap

Today Casey had a lot of things to bring to school: leprechaun trap, potato, list of all the books we've read to her this week (or books she's read - she can read a few of the Elephant and Piggie ones now!), her library book, her lunch, and her raincoat.

The leprechaun trap has a little bottle of gold shavings, in a little bottle in the middle of the playground, to lure in the little guy. There are people playing on the playground so he'll think it's fun, and there is a sign that says "No Leprechauns" because leprechauns are naughty and do things they aren't supposed to do. There is a night sky with stars on the wall, so he won't suspect he's in a trap, and a string to pull when he gets in there. Most important are the binoculars on top, which you use so that you can stand far away with the string in your hand. She has to explain it to the class. I wish I could hear it. Maybe I'll get to if they do it on Friday.

Sunday bike ride

Cutest face

Ohio

Casey didn't want to wear her sweater to the brunch in the morning so she could show off her tattoos. I guess if you have them you might as well show them off. After brunch we had lunch at a nearby restaurant with Grandpa Larry, Grandma Kathy, and Uncle Andrew. Knowing that she was going to see them again in 2 weeks made it easier to leave them in San Diego, but it wasn't easy leaving Ohio.

At least on the way home we had Eric with us. I flew out with Casey by myself and we met Eric at the hotel because he was on the way back from his trip. Casey and I had two aisle seats on the way out, and I figured anyone in a middle seat would be thrilled to trade with one of us, but both rows had two people that wanted to sit together! Someone across the aisle from Casey traded with me, so we took off across the aisle from each other. I was worried because I had a backpack full of art projects and books to read, and it wasn't going to work across the aisle. Luckily the two people in my new row were willing to switch with Casey, even though they were also together. I hadn't counted on that! On the next flight, the middle seat guy saw me sitting in his seat and had an ear to ear grin when he found out he got the aisle, thank goodness!

Partying like a rock star, tattoos and all

We went to Ohio for my cousin's son Sammy's bar mitzvah. It was a wild and crazy time. Casey got to see Sammy's little sister Allison (she's a year older than Casey) and even though they only see each other once a year on the Fourth of July they just pick up right where they left off. Those girls love to party. They had the run of the hotel and just went around visiting aunts, uncles, grandparents, cousins, and Great Grandma Fagel. We got out in time before she got any real tattoos. Her six temporary air brush tattoos lasted through two days of school. She got Elmo, Hello Kitty, USA, a peace sign, a dog paw print, and a flower.

Since we were on west coast time, Casey was pretty much the last one dancing. She made it until 11:30, spinning, tap dancing, and having fun for hours and hours. When she could see it was winding down, she asked if we could go dance in the lobby when the party was over. It was a great party and a fantastic weekend.

Grandparents!

Eric had to leave town twice in February, so I had to call in reinforcements for one of the weeks. Grandma Micki and Grandpa Ron came in from Santa Fe to watch Casey while I was lazy mom and didn't have to worry about anything. Except working, of course. And getting ready to go to Ohio!

Recess

Workin' at the car wash

On the last day it was just us and Uncle Andrew so we went to the San Diego Children's Museum. I had read great and terrible reviews last time we were in town and I hadn't wanted to bring two other families in case it was bad. I know a lot of people love it, but I wasn't too impressed. Everything was very sparse and spread out and most of it was making things out of trash. The best part was outside the kids could paint a car. They bring out a new color every day and so Casey got to paint the car blue. She soon gave up her paintbrush and just used her hands. She stayed on the other side of the car from us so that we wouldn't tell her to stop. Otherwise, it was just something to kill time until we could go to the pancake restaurant next door.

More Legoland pictures

Casey sure likes to ride in the double stroller with her cousins. I think we could have saved a lot of money on Legoland by just letting Uncle Andrew push the kids around somewhere in the double stroller.

A day at the beach in San Diego

Casey and Aubry managed to find a few good hideouts in the house where they could get away from it all. Not sure what you need to get away from when you have the beach and a hot tub though! The girls all had a great time playing together and talking their grandparents and Uncle Andrew into joining all of their games.

Grandpa Larry made a Starbucks run every morning, so it was a great vacation for the moms and dads. We needed warm coffee and tea to keep us warm outside and at the beach.

Legoland!

We went to San Diego to meet the Ohio grandparents, Uncle Andrew, Uncle Jon, Aunt Kendra, and cousins Aubry and Hannah. We got a giant house in Carlsbad less than a mile from the beach. But most importantly, we went to LEGOLAND! The kids had a blast riding on the rides, playing on the playground, and riding in the double stroller, and just hanging out. The adults were all impressed with the apple fries. Mmmm I can still taste them. It wasn't as crowded in February as it was in August, so we got right on a lot of the rides.

Casey brought her jump rope and managed to master it by the end of the trip. Now she's a jump rope and hula hoop fiend.