Happy Birthday, America!

We went to New Mexico for the holiday weekend.



On Saturday, the girls baked and decorated cookies with Auntie Kim.



And Grandma taught Esther how to use the overlock machine to make us more fabric napkins.



After going in the pool and hot tub, I started on Esther's hair. I was only going to do twists, but saw Grandma had red, white and blue beads, including star-shaped ones, so I caved and beaded all of Esther's twists (and did a couple on Zoe). It took me three hours on Saturday night, and then four more on Sunday morning, to finish Esther's hair.


The girls wait for 4th of July festivities.











Making s'mores.


Time for sparklers


Grandma Eyberg helps Zoe and a neighbor with their sparklers.


Esther is impressed with her first sparkler.


Even Grandpa got in on the action.


So did Auntie Kim.

Watching neighborhood airborne fireworks.










The girls enjoy the few fireworks we bought (we mostly watched what neighbors were shooting).


More sparklers.



Happy 4th!

Tie-Dye Cake

Half-sheet of white velvet butter cake with vanilla. Vanilla buttercream.

Birthday at the Zoo

Thursday was Charis' birthday. We spent the morning at the house, and while I was on the phone trying to make some doctor's appointments, the girls were busy. While on the phone I heard them say, "Mom, the wood chips write on the ground!" I thought they were talking about the bark we have around the swing set. Nope.

They meant the charred wood from the firepit.






And it draws on more than just the ground ...



So then we got ready to go to the zoo. But first Charis had to model her new earrings.




And her new-to-her dress.




I love our zoo. I especially love the giraffe exhibit. So does Esther.

I don't think Esther is afraid of any animal. Oh wait, I take that back. Moths.

Did I mention that I LOVE the giraffe exhibit at our mountain zoo? And I love that they present the best poses just for me!

And the docents let the kids pet the wallaby joeys.

Charis and Zoe decided they wanted to feed the birds rather than the giraffes this time, so they each bought a stick with seed for the "Budgie Buddies."

Zoe gives her offering in the Budgie Buddies room in the Australia area of the zoo.

What a beaut!

Charis is excited she got a bird to eat the seed off her stick.

Then it was off to the carousel ...

The girls ...

think the carousel ...

is the best part of the day.

I personally love the "Rocky Mountain Wild" area.

And him ...

That doesn't look comfortable. But that's the first time I've seen the porcupine off his tree perch.

And them ...

The grizzlies put on quite a show.

One of the grizzlies smashed her face against the glass.

Just hangin' around.

Then it was off to the great apes area.

This male orangutan was giving kisses to certain girls. He really liked Esther.

Let's take a pretty picture of you three in the garden area.

Okay. Let's try it without the hats.


Uh, okay. Maybe not.

After the zoo we went to Red Robin for dinner (gotta love those birthday coupons!).

The ice cream cometh.

Ahhh. Free dessert. And they're sharing!

Charis' Birthday Week Continues

My parents bought a new bike for Charis for her birthday, which was a good thing since her other one was WAY too small.

We went to two Walmarts before we could fine one in stock (and it still had to be assembled). When we got home Mark and his dad were taking off the training wheels and noticed there was no kickstand. So Mark's mom and I took the bike back to Walmart the next day to have it put on. We were told that bikes under 18" do not come with kickstands. They have training wheels. So we had to buy a kickstand (actually two, because Zoë would need one, too).





Charis and her new Disney Princesses bike.


So now each of the girls has a two-wheeler bike.

We put the training wheels back on Zoë's even though she can ride without them. But she doesn't want to. And she can't stop. In fact, last week she cranked the handlebars to the side instead of stopping, which flipped her off her bike, injuring her hand and her face. Unfortunately, it also flipped Mark, who was trailing her, injuring his wrist. He didn't work a couple days last week (told not to if he wasn't at 100%), and had to go to the doctor Monday because it was still swollen and in a lot of pain. He has a severely sprained wrist, with possibly a hairline fracture, and will be off work the rest of this week.

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On Monday, we went to see Toy Story 3. It was Esther's and Zoë's first time at a movie theater, and they both did really well! Thanks to Grandpa and Grandma Eyberg for a wonderful day!


Everyone was loaded up with popcorn and soda.


Zoë and Charis both were a little scared during some parts of the movie, but there are some pretty dramatic scenes.

Then after the movie, I had the girls change into their swimsuits to play in the fountain outside the theater. It's so wonderful this is available!


Zoë totally got into it!

Charis tried to run through without getting wet. She finally did -- some.

All the girls having fun. I put a swim cap on Esther since she still has the flat-ironed hair (and I want to keep it that way as much longer as I can).

Taking a break and warming up.

Charis does not like getting her face wet.