Morning Hugs

Apparently we've just added two new members to our family. These things are sturdier than I thought.

I never expected them to survive the birthday party.

Ruby really does enjoy having them here.

Summer Day

Summer vacation is exhausting! Ruby's daycare is on summer break. Today, since its finally sunny here, we went to Little Farm in Tilden park to feed some animals. Then we had a picnic lunch, and then played in the water at Lake Anza (also in Tilden park).

Ruby learned a lot about bees. They really appear to like chicken.

She also learned how far cows and goats can wag their tongues out trying to reach the celery we were holding. We saw all their flat molars for chewing plants. It was very impressive and educational.

Ruby surprised me by climbing up the life guard tower (unattended today) at the lake. We had a lovely time sitting up there together looking at the trees and ducks.

Ruby and Papa Marvin Discuss Ladybugs

Video.

Ruby's Third Birthday Party at Grandma Linda and Papa Marvin's House!

Grandma Linda and Papa Marvin had a huge surprise for Ruby's party. It was a jumpyhouse!

Ruby was very tentative at first but she worked her way in there and soon was jumping like crazy with family and friends. What a great birthday game!

Ruby's 3rd Birthday Party at Lauren's House!

Kids at Lauren's house really look forward to birthdays. And Lauren makes them very special. This time it was Ruby's turn! At 4:30 they gathered to sing songs and then eagerly awaited the cake. Lauren gave Ruby a set of books. Ruby really enjoys sets.

Ladybug Farm

Papa Marvin made a ladybug farm in his backyard as a surprise just for Ruby. Ruby looked at them through a magnifying glass and caught and played with them. She carried and placed them on vases and flowers and things. Ruby and the ladybugs made great friends.

My Fairy Princess

My friend Janet took this picture at Ruby's 3rd birthay party and made this for me.

More birthday pictures to come...

Ruby Has Guests for Dinner

We had cousin Arlene, Aunt Harriet and Uncle Larry over for dinner. Ruby hasn't seen Harriet and Larry since last year. So they were quite impressed with how outgoing and playful Ruby is now.

Ruby led all of us in some great bedtime stretches. You can see in the video, she is a very good group exercise leader.

Berkeley Kite Festival 2011

We met Ruby's good friend Aurora at the Berkeley kite festival. After we all shared a picnic lunch they took out their kites to share. Ruby got to fly one by herself!

Ruby's favorite parts were seeing the giant cat kite and flying the dolphin kite by herself.

At one point Aurora decided to tie her legs up in the kite strings so she could go up in the air too. Her mommy Alex had to untie her. But then they did some very impressive upside down kite flying! They are real experts!

Ruby was so brave, going up the windy hill a little at a time until she reached the windiest part at the top to fly the kites.

Ruby also had underpants on the whole time, no diapers! She held her peepee until we reached the bathrooms! Hooray! (That was mommy's favorite part.) This was only about day 2 or 3 of wearing underpants all day. She is doing so great!