April Snapshots

Clara had a week where she wanted to go to school in disguise. She spent all morning putting just the right ensemble together. It involved sunglasses and a sweatshirt tied around her shoulders. She thought she looked super spy cool, little did she realize she looked like an OC housewife heading to tennis. 

Ben is now a yellow belt and we are proud of his hard work and focus. Clara started taking karate as well and loves it. Let’s just say it is going over much better than ballet!

We house and doggy sat at our old stomping grounds for a week. It was wonderful to have some space to spread out a little and once again enjoy the incredible view from David and Judy’s deck.

Lauren and Jules came up from LA for a visit. We took advantage of the gorgeous weather with an afternoon at Butterfly Beach. 

We said good-bye to Clara’s fish Goldie after what felt like the longest, most dramatic fish death, ever. Goldie held on, floating on her back but still breathing and swishing her tail, oh so slowly for two days. We held a little service for her and Mark officiated  “From ocean to ashes” rest in peace little Goldie.

The school carnival is a highlight of spring for the kids. This year they even got to try out surfing. Leah worked a shift in the lemonade stand (alongside a dear Westmont friend, Ann Tro) and Mark did what any good carnival dad does, lugged around all the stuff.

And just like that, it’s May!

Shark Attack

The big decision was between a dinosaur party or a shark party- shark won out. More specifically, Clara requested a shark party, “With lots of turquoise and a splash of orange.” We kept it small, partly due to the space constraints of our house, but also we are realizing it makes for a party where you can really play and interact with the kids instead of being in adult hosting mode.

Our little cottage is on a big property which we took full advantage for games like sharks versus dolphins and shark egg (water balloons) relays—do sharks even lay eggs?? After lunch we sang to the birthday girl over cupcakes with turquoise frosting and thanked God for another year watching Clara find her way in the world.

She loved celebrating with her buddies and her party wish came true when she sat in between Duke and AJ at lunch (we are starting to wonder if she is a tomboy or boy crazy!). Even with the small guest list of Clara’s favorites, at the end of the party we found the birthday girl in the playroom alone with the Lego bins. When we asked if she was okay her reply, “I’m fine. I just needed some time alone.”

This party snapshot gives a glimpse of our contradiction of a girl. Tomboy tough with an eye for design, requesting pink lemonade with her shark gummies, devoted friend who needs solo time, cool, cute and cuddly all rolled into one amazing five year old. We are honored to watch you take a bite out of life, baby girl.