Happy 4th Birthday, Ella!

I was bummed, at first, that Ella's birthday fell on a Sunday this year-- it

prevented us from doing anything (like a party or outing) on the actual day. However, Ella cleverly made her announcement about it being the "last day to be three" at Dave's Mission Trip Fundraising Dinner last night, so today about 500 people made a huge fuss over her. She got hugs, cards, candy, "Happy Birthdays!", a serenade in Children and Worship and even a few presents. All the attention has been one of many little special things about today.

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Following tradition, we opened the presents we've been collecting from the mail first thing in the morning. Thanks everyone!! What swelled my heart this year was Ella's huge hug and exclamation, "THANK you! I love it!" before even opening the present she was exclaiming over! Each gift was perfect for Ella and you demonstrated once again how well you know and love her with your birthday presents and cards.

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Ella said she wanted a Fancy Nancy cake after her favorite book character, who I suspect she thinks she is from time to time. I made this lavender purse cake and it was met with wide-eyed wonder. We sang and ate it after serving Ella's lunch of choice-- breakfast (cheesy omlets and waffles with strawberries).

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I post this video for the 10+ people who contributed to the singing and present she's talking about in it. What fun!

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Today has been good times trying out all the new presents. We've read the stories, tried on the necklace and dress-up clothes, watched Jana Alayra, put together the Fancy Nancy puzzle, stomped moles and jump-roped on Wii's Outdoor Challenge, made melty bead crafts and played Princess Yahtzee. Tonight I'll bring ice cream sandwiches to church and Ella can hand out a birthday treat to all her friends. PM church nursery is always like a giant party anyway, so it works out perfectly! Tomorrow we have a special family outing planned.

The Last Day of Being 3

Ella's been announcing to everyone that "today is my last day to be three!" On the eve of her 4th birthday, I thought I'd take you on a little scroll down memory lane...

. The day my first daughter was born-- May 31, 2005. Ella entered this world easily: a week early and with a pefect labor. She continues to bless us with ease and kindness, obedience, intelligence and independence.

Ella's first birthday. We threw a party at the park. The kids painted and potted plants that had "Thanks for helping me celebrate how much I've GROWN this year" labels on them. Ella dove into her first piece of chocolate cake and a wild circle of little buddies helped her dive into her presents.


Second birthday. Ella had a small bug-themed birthday party. The kids dotted spots on ladybug pictures, ate watermelon butterflies and played Elefun. For the first time Ella knew the song and completely delighted in a crowd singing it to her! Her favorite presents from the birthday continue to be the princess roller skates, dress-up gowns and pink lawn mower.

The big 0-3. Since Grandpa and Grandma were visiting, we decided (instead of a party) that would be the birthday treat. Ella chose a princess cake and opened all the presents in her jammies right upon waking. We went to Red Robin for dinner where the serenade and ice cream sundae put her right into birthday heaven.

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And what will the 4th birthday hold? Stay tuned tomorrow and Monday for details!

Feeling Special

Yesterday Ella's birthday was celebrated at preschool. And, boy, do they know how to do birthdays! Here's a list of the special extras Ella enjoyed because she was the birthday girl:

--The birthday flag flying for her.
--Sharing a birthday treat. She picked ice cream sandwiches.
--Handing out birthday party favors to her classmates (supposedly to learn that it's just as fun to give as to get presents on your birthday). Ella and I chose palm tree summer goodie bags with sunglasses and tropical fruit snacks.
--Being sung to.
--Wearing the birthday crown and badge.
--Receiving a present from her teachers.
--Bringing her baby book of pictures from when she was born so the "Story of Ella" could be told at carpet time.
--Being allowed to wear whatever she wanted. (This is HUGE.) Of course, she picked a dress.
--Walking to school as a whole family.
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10 Happy Years

Ten years ago tonight I was wearing white-- a gown that met every one of my "Wedding Dress Requirements." I was escorted down the aisle by my grandpa to Trumpet Voluntary. I was flanked by my periwinkle-dressed sisters and best friends and they witnessed me vow to love my perfect man forever. We listened to Pastor Bert give a meditation on Romans 12:9-13. Then everyone tossed rose petals at us and it was off to party. We ate roast beef and peach melba. We danced. We mingled with our 200 closest friends and family members. Then we scooted off in my flower-filled Saturn to a gorgeous hotel. The next day we opened gifts with our family then jetted to Jamaica for a sublime week of relaxation after the frenzy of Trinity Graduation, Calvin Graduation and Wedding in sequential weekends.

Here we are ten happy years and 200,000 miles on that old Saturn later. My perfect man has taken me on amazing ride already-- through a variety of different jobs, homes, ministries and friends. Seven years ago we were moving back to Grand Rapids after 3 homes in 3 states in 3 years. Six years ago we trusted God's call and moved to California when details came together and it became perfectly clear that was what we were supposed to do. We rejoiced over permission to lay down roots for the first time. Four years ago we started our family. These 10 years have certainly not been without change, yet through it all Dave has consistently and increasingly remained my best friend and other half. We've truly been partners-- making big decisions and somehow staying on the exact same page.

To celebrate all the exciting twists and turns of 10 years, we decided to take a big trip. Mom and Dad are flying out to watch the girls for the last week of August. For the first time ever, I'll leave them. Hopefully Maui and my husband will be enough to distract me! :) Since we anticipate lots of romantic dinners for two on this vacation, we chose to celebrate the actual date of this marital milestone as a family. We all got dressed up and went to a fancy (but family friendly) restaurant where we feasted on prime rib and crab and chocolate dipped strawberries. Ella captured this memory of the night and I think it is just the perfect reflection of where we are 10 years later!
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Delia's 6-Week Sleep Plan

Two times now I've found Delia done with her nap with a leg slung over the side of her crib. It is definitely time to get this little monkey out of a bed she, I have no doubt, will find a way to climb out of. So Dave and I developed the "Six Week Sleep Plan." (Because we parent in such an organized fashion! Ha!)

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Step One: Take advantage of Memorial Day mattress sales (why do mattresses go on sale on this particular holiday???) and buy the remaining piece for the bunk bed.

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Step Two: Set up the bunk bed for 3 weeks, so by the time Delia is ready to move into it, some of the novelty may be worn off.

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Step Three: Allow her to try and take occasional naps in it for 3 weeks. Ella will move her nap time, which is more like book-reading, quiet-activity rest time, to our bed.

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Step Four: Use the 3 straight weeks of schedule upheaval from Mt. Hermon followed by VM Family Vacation to our benefit. When we return in mid-July from all our vacations, Delia won't know where or what she's supposed to be sleeping in. It's the ideal time to introduce a new sleeping arrangement.

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Step Five: Reclaim our office and enjoy round-the-clock computer access. Then watch our girls love (almost) every moment of being roommates!

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This "reaching for the stars" actually won't be allowed (and we're hiding the ladder to the upper bed for the first 3 weeks), but since the girls will sleep in these beds until they move out, we thought a picture of them little enough to do this would be cute!

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For those who have seen the girls' room, here is the major change-- we flip-flopped the play side with the sleeping side. Even though a major piece of furniture has moved in, this arrangement actually opens the room up considerably!

A Memorable Memorial

A goose wing. Our shivering, but unswayed, little swimmers in an unheated pool. Big kid/little kid trampoline turn-taking. A smorgasbord of food from the fruit stand: cherries, strawberries, watermelon, corn on the cob, avocado salad, dried mangos and burgers from our cow. A dozen kiddos lined up to eat drippy popsicles. Laughing about cacti and rocks turned into dolls and the confusion Peter, Delia and Cora are going to cause in school. These are some of the memories of our super-fun Memorial Day pool party and BBQ at Phil and Jetta's.

It was everything the first day of summer should be!

Happiness Is...

Planting the Peach Tree

With his youth groups done, it's been bliss to have Dave home more-- especially at night. To celebrate the first free Wednesday night of the summer, we walked to the ice cream restaurant yesterday after dinner then rented a movie. Also, Dave's been able to cross some things off that honey-do list, play with the girls more and help me out at bedtime. Right now he's even making dinner! Aren't I spoiled?

A Day by the Bay

When good friend and now acclaimed children's book author, Dorina, invited us to her book signing in the Bay Area, we did what we do best and made a day trip out of it. Yesterday we spent the morning in San Francisco at Pier 39 and then the afternoon in Stanford to meet up with Dorina and her family.

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On Pier 39 your senses go into overload. There is loud, live music, street performers, protesters and, of course, the seals barking. There are the smells of salt and fish, hot dogs and fried things. People, random rides and attractions, a farmer's market and a myriad of tourist shops make a rainbow of colors. To just stroll down the pier is an experience. Ella really really loved it.

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(Ella is asking what the seals are singing. She came to the conclusion that it was "Jesus Loves Me" and proceeded to bark out the song with them-- didn't get that in the video, though.)

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Delia loved standing at the end of pier to watch the sailboats and motorboats cruising in the bay.

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At Books Inc., Dorina and her book were celebrated with a presentation and signing. We got to hear her read Cora Cooks Pancit and interact with her audience, showing us a real bag of Pancit noodles and even sampling some Pancit she made for the occasion. Delia was on a personal mission to collect every copy of the now-familiar book that the store had on display. Ella was delighted to have Dorina write a special message in her book. Ella and Meilani also enjoyed some story time with Ericlee.

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I was just happy to see my friend. Once the signing concluded, we got a little chance to chat as our families walked around the Stanford campus together.

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Pregnant!

Did I get your attention? :) It's not me who's expecting-- it's Ella! But don't worry, like all the other babies she grows in her tummy (which is about one every other day), she's planning on "giving this baby to be adopted."

Another Year of YPS in the Books

Dave's weekly commitment to youth group came to an end last night, though he still anticipates a season busy with graduations and graduation parties, then HiCamp and a week-long service trip to Mississippi this summer. The end of the year party was as fun as always-- and maybe even more so because a certain pastor's wife and her daughters crashed the party this year! Since Phil is a leader and Phil and Jetta opened their brand new pool this winter, they hosted the party. Some brave souls actually swam (while all our girls watched on the fence). Most played volleyball in the front yard or Frisbee golf in the pasture. The part of the party everyone looks forward to is the excellent DVD our expert photographer/videographer Jeremy edits together. This year the video helped us farewell the seniors and laugh over clips of people wiping out on the Winter Retreat tubing run.

In a Cleaning Mood

Today Ella caught a cleaning bug. On her own, she decided to wash her bike. When she was done she asked, "What can I wash now? My scooter?" I had another idea...

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Seven Reasons My Mother's Day was Marvelous

1. Ella asking me, "Is today Mother's Day? Yes? Oh, I need to tell you how much I love you then!" on the walk to church.

2. Ella then saying, "I do love you so much! And I love Jesus."

3. Pool party and BBQ with my surrogate family.

4. Tri-tip, watermelon and strawberry shortcake.

5. Watching Delia try to figure out how to get in the pen with the cows to hug, kiss and pet them.

6. Amazing Race Finale!

7. The opportunity to reflect on the host of moms, sisters and friends who have taught me countless things about mothering. If you're reading this, you're probably one of them, so thanks! Happy Mother's Day!

More Fun Without Daddy

Though I never played any sport on any team, a while ago I taught Ella and Delia how to stack our hands up and pump them shouting, "1-2-3 GO TEAM!" We do this cheer regularly for random reasons. Today as we sat by the lake munching strawberries Ella said, "Mommy can we make a hand sandwich and yell 'Girls Just Wanna Have Fun!'?" That is the best way to describe the wonderful day I had with my 2 best girl friends.

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Again, escaping a day with no Daddy, we took off to take advantage of a zoo membership perk-- free admission to almost all other zoos in the country. The little zoo we explored today is that super small one I feel funny even calling a "zoo." Under construction, the good animals-- seals, alligator and snow leopard-- weren't even on exhibit. Good thing we didn't have to pay the $5 to get in! :) The girls got a real kick out of the noisy monkeys and birds, though, and a highlight was definitely the new and interactive lorikeet habitat. Ella made it clear she did not want to feed the birds this time, but that didn't stop them from landing on us! Delia continues to talk about the "birdie head, birdie hat, me." Both girls laughed manically while we were in the bird enclosure (wonder and delight mixed with fear, I think.)

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The little zoo is actually one of many attractions at a large park. After an hour of monkeys, we put on the swim suits and hit the water play area. Each year Ella gets braver and braver in the fountains. I was surprised we had the whole place to ourselves on a Saturday.

A picnic by a quaint lake and some slides and swings at the playground completed the day. My girls are getting to an age where it's just fun to hang out with them. They bring me so much joy. Going on an adventure with them is truly like spending time with friends.

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Oh, and do you notice what Delia is not wearing in these pictures? Yesterday marked 3 weeks since her break and the brace came off!

What's Growin' On? (Part 2)

As mentioned, Dave is gone this week. He's in Chicago preparing to do his cousin's wedding on Saturday. I've said before that my best strategy for dealing with Dave-less-ness is distraction. We take road trips, we go on outings and, this time, we do big projects. The project we tackled was getting our vegetable garden ready for summer. Anyone who visited us this winter and had to stroll by the jungle of weeds to get to their guest house can testify what a big project this was. But, after a few days of weed-butt-kicking, we were ready for the fun stuff.

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Don't let this picture fool you. Ella and Delia were, unfortunately, not that helpful in the weed removal department. They were great at making dirt birthday cakes and adopting slugs as pets (ugh, my girls are SO tenderhearted!)

For the days of back-breaking work that weed-pulling and dirt hoeing is, we rewarded ourselves with a trip to the nursery to pick out this year's veggies.


And here's the fertilized, mulched, labeled and finished product-- our modest garden. On the menu for this summer are cherry and beefstake tomatoes, green peppers, zucchini, basil and cucumbers.