It appears there are TWO artists in the family

The Day After

At 5:29 a.m., there was a little body next to my bed whispering "Are my toys waiting for me downstairs????" See, the only way we got her away from the toys and to bed last night is by letting her sleep holding her new (big, hardcover) book and by saying "your toys will be waiting for you in the morning." Good memory Beatrice! yawn........

We had to have her new CD playing background music, and then she charged right back where she left off at 7:30 last night.

Sula thought it was a bit early to play dress-up the magnetic dolls,

or karaoke.

B. didn't get within an inch of this tiara/crown yesterday, but this morning she decided she "needed it" and it was on her head for hours.

She insisted her new bunnies be photographed.

Her explanation of this pose: The mama is kissing her baby.

Even princesses and queens have to stop and eat once in a while.

She is always so sad that Sula can't attend the grand events of our life.

She realized some of the fish from the fish game still had goodies attached to them!

Leaving for church...B: "Bye Sula Goose! I will miss you so much!"

Sula: Oh Thank God she's leaving, I can finally get some rest!

After NOT taking a nap, she spent the afternoon back at 'em!

Then it was Skyping with Rachel, which she was so excited about, and all but falling asleep in her dinner, which I should have photographed but it would have been just too cruel. Tomorrow is a big dose of back to reality with her 3-year old physical, which I think will include not only shots but a blood draw since they have to do all the pre-preschool stuff. Then Lolo & Lola arrive for the week for more celebrating!

3!

Started the day off at 5:40 with a little TV. Mama enjoyed the time to fully wake up, although the Thomas the Train theme song has been looping around my head all day!

Now she realizes the camera is on her..

Annual Birthday Ao Dai photo

Our beautiful peony is in bloom just in time!

The pied piper entertains us as we pack up for the party at Roseland Park.

Fishing for goodies!

Blowing out the candle on the petit fours cake

Ice cream in one hand, petit four in the other. As B. said shortly after this was taken...This a good day mama, a good party....

The Brodeur clan

Anthony wanted a kids photo, and this is a classic. A 6-day old boy, 4-month old boy, and 9-year old girl are missing from the photo.

Beatrice was perplexed all day by this blue balloon that popped the minute we got it in the car from the store.

The ladies hanging out near the end of the day....

I realize now I didn't take nearly enough photos, but I was too busy soaking it all in. Happy Birthday Joyful Girl!

Just Me & The Kids

Feeling French

Beatrice wore this headscarf that we bought in Paris today, which made me "France-sick" and inspired me to bring home The Red Balloon book and movie. Both were big hits. I don't think I'd seen that movie since second grade, but it's amazing how vivid it was in my memory. An awesome thing to share with my daughter.