We all had Presidents’ Day off, and for the long weekend we hit the beach (as mentioned below), the park, and the zoo…

-M

Though we live minutes from the beach, I never really think to go there: It’s usually too chilly and windy for my taste. But the weather was so nice and toasty over the long weekend that it felt like almost a requirement to stop there – and so we went Sunday evening and all played until the sun slipped into the water…

-M

Per post-holiday tradition, we walked over to Walgreens today to check out the half-off Valentine’s Day candy and treats. And look what Zoe spotted and loved so much that she bought with her allowance money…

-M

…from the girls.

-M

Avery slept with me last night (since Q is out of town), and she woke me up this morning with a tap on the shoulder and a whisper in my ear. “Mama, mama,” she said. “I’m so excited for Friday. We’re making necklaces out of Fruit Loops and out of beads. It’s going to be a double-awesome day – I can’t wait for Friday.” Friday is her 100th day of school, and I’m glad she’s looking forward to the celebration – I just wish I would have heard about it a bit later than 6:10 AM.

(yawn)

-M

Someone got a hair cut…

-M

I told my mom I wanted to start blogging, and she said, ‘Why don’t you work on our blog?’ So I said okay, and this is my first post.

I have been shopping for American Girl doll clothes lately. I think Penelope looks great in her lounging outfit (see below) and her spring outfit. I’ve also been shopping lately for Valentine’s Day presents for my friend Zachary.

In school, we’ve been starting our Japanese unit – and my name is Akira. It means “bright and clear.”

It’s raining today, and it’s sunny right now. But there’s no rainbow!

How do you like my first blog?

-Zoe

Here’s one of the songs that Zoe and her classmates sang recently. It’s one of my favorites…

-M

There’s been a lot going on at the girls’ school lately – with field trips (Zoe’s class went to the symphony a few weeks back, and I got to chaperone), holiday celebrations, Avery’s recent show and, late last month, a prayer service led by the second graders. Here are two photos from the latter event.

-M

Like last year, Avery has been learning – and getting all excited about “the birthday of the trees.” Here is she is talking about the importance of trees and singing (or attempting to sing) a few songs about today’s holiday of Tu B’Shvat.

-M

A few photos from the big performance…

-M

On Friday, Avery’s class gave a performance on the solar system. Avery played the role of Earth, and we were so proud of how she remembered and spoke her lines (which she practiced for weeks). The song at the end was pretty fun, too…

-M

Before we left Tahoe, we took Zoe and Avery on a bungee trampoline. They both had fun, but guess which girl got a little more into it?

-M

We weren’t alone during last weekend’s trip: good friends of ours joined us. Here are some of my favorite photos of the five kids (ages 4, 5, 6 and 8).

-M

Some more pictures of our time in Tahoe, including visits to the beach and a lakeside playground. (At 55 degrees, it was warm enough to play around there!)

-M