Happy Birthday, Ellen and Rosi

 A big family dinner to celebrate...

...and two tired girls on the ride home.

Our birthday present to Mom was a trip to The Mystery Room. In our allotted 45 minutes, we successfully solved all the puzzles in the Black Ops room, rescued the scientist captured by terrorists, diffused the bomb, and generally saved the day. Go Team Awesome!

Springtime stroll at McDaniel Farm Park

Girl Scout Festival of Nations

Apparently the official name these days is "World Thinking Day" but I insist on using the name from my own Girl Scout childhood, because "Festival of Nations" is clearly better. At the Festival of Nations, Girl Scout troops each sign up to learn and present information about a country. Juniper's troop did Brazil.

The ICS troop's "honorary girl scout" stamps passports for the girls visiting the Brazil table.

Rest time

Hazel is in the transition stage between napping and not napping.Some days she does, some days she doesn't. Some days she does, but insists that she didn't.

In short, heart-smile-exclamation point

Sometimes appreciation comes from children, completely unexpected and unasked for, and it is so very sweet. I think we should all end more of our notes with heart-smile-exclamation points and the summary that, in short, we love all of you.

Happy Birthday, Juniper!

Juniper is 8!

My mother showed up to Juniper's first birthday with this 8 candle (don't ask). We stuck the candle in our kitchen drawer, moved it from one house to another, and were delighted to finally use it. (The photo above was from breakfast, not her birthday party with the cake and special candle. Apparently, after holding on to it for 7 years, we failed to record photographic evidence of its use. Typical.)

It is a good thing to have a sister who knows how much you will love a plastic pegasus with purple sparkle wings.

Notice Tiglenda the tiger also enjoying the festivities.

Apparently 8 is not quite big enough to pick up your older cousin, but it's still fun to try.

Happy birthday, Junebug!