Hello There

Well I hope everyone is surviving the perpetual winter. I keep threatening to go into hibernation if this cold, wet weather lasts much longer. Thankfully, I have my little sunshines to brighten my days. It's been a period of what I can only describe as beautiful crazy chaos since I last updated this page. I went back to work full-time, rather unexpected at the time which forced us to try to find a nanny in less than two weeks. (Not scary at all) Fortunately, through the network of good friends we found a good match and it's helped the girls with the transition. Isabelle started pre-school and loves it, much like her big sister who would gladly go seven days a week if they offered it. 

Isla turned 5. FIVE! For some reason this has weighed heavy on me. I can't think about her upcoming graduation from pre-school without tears burning my eyes. I know it is only pre-school, but she has been there since she was 18mo and it's such a warm and loving environment and I feel like when we send her to kindergarten it will be such a big and unmagical place. Isla's teacher put it best today as we were laughing about her joyful personality, "she lives in a musical". It's true. I just hope her wild imagination and gentle spirit will continue to be kindled wherever she ends up going. 

I say "wherever she ends up going" because it's a bit of mess here with public schools so everyone is trying to get into the charter schools. Everyone, which makes the waitlists long and the anxiety high. But I have faith that she will be accepted at one of them. Either that or James has offered to homeschool. Actually no, no he didn't :)

Through these changes, working full-time, nanny, pre-school 5 days a week, learning new routines, our little family has done well and developed new bonds and for that I am grateful. Now for the part you really want to see - the photos!

My Tiny Dancer

Isla had her first dance recital at the end of May. She was so confident and happy and she made us very proud. 

Here's the video - you can hear Isla's biggest fan in the background :)

flowers from Grampy

And here's a photo of our littlest one - she fancies herself a comedian.

Isla's Drawing for one of her Best Friends

Ordinary Life

"Time stands still best in moments that look suspiciously like ordinary life." -brian andreas

Drawing together.

Couch cushion fort.

Isabelle's 1st Birthday!

One! Already. As I write this I am sitting here watching Isabelle paint with water on the chalkboard easel. She has been an adventure, so determined, so fiery, so sweet. She definitely has a passionate personality. And she seems to be a bit of a comedian.

She wasn't incredibly thrilled at first...

but calmed down after that first taste of sweetness.

Isla's 4th Birthday

December - March around here is full of birthdays! My children and all of Isla's playmates were born during these months and I'm pretty sure we've averaged one birthday party every other weekend these past few months. (sidenote: this is a great and hilarious blog to read regarding bday party expectations these days - http://deadspin.com/down-with-big-birthday-1502731122) 

The most important of all these celebrations though were my sweet girl's of course ;)


So, Isla turned 4 on February 6th and I can scarcely see a hint of baby left in her.  It's as bittersweet as it is fun to watch her growing up. She is precocious and funny and imaginative and so sweet. 

We have a birthday breakfast tradition. She started her 4th birthday with pancakes & sprinkles.

She loves pirates and princesses and fairies, so we went with a pirate birthday party, treasure hunt included.

Treasure hunt in action. James did a great job leading the charge.

Opening presents with her cousins, Emmory, Riley & Helen.

For her birthday we bought her a "big girl bike" which she rides like a champ.

More Fun in the Snow