Clara's Build a Bear Birthday

Ruby's best friend Clara turned 4! Her party was Ruby's first time at Build a Bear. Guess what animal she picked? Of course, a cat! She was thrilled they had one. She asked, "Mommy, will I have to give this cat back when we're done with the party or can I take it home?" And she danced when I told her she could keep it.

She chose a purple t-shirt and ear bows for her cat to wear. 

They also give their new animals a bath and they get a cardboard animal carrier and name card for it. 

Ruby named her cat "Frisco". Two different adults said "Oh, like San Francisco." and Ruby replied to each of them, "No, what are you talking about?"

The video is of kids wiggling while the stuffing goes into the animals.

Heidi's Birthday Party

We had a lovely BBQ party with several of Ruby's friends (and Paul and Heidi's friends). Ruby picked out 6 candles and let each friend put one on the cakes. Then she asked us to tie balloons around her while she and her friend Auggie discussed how many it would take to make them float. Ruby was a great hostess, sharing all her toys and inviting people out back to see daddy cooking all the food on the grill. At Auggie's request, everyone sang happy birthday in English and in Hebrew.

Chloe's Hula Mermaid Birthday Party!

Chloe always has huge birthday parties. At this one she had a mermaid teach hula lessons and do magic tricks. Ruby showed up all ready in her hula stuff, but preferred to keep her distance from the mermaid. So Ruby and mommy played patty-cake in the shade and then joined everyone else for the little swimming pools and cake. It was a very hot day, so the pools were a great idea. (No pool photos posted because for guests under 4 it was bathing suits optional.)

Chloe had two very fancy mermaid cakes! And her living room is always full of toys. It even has a climbing thing with a slide right in the middle of the room! Ruby was here many times for mommy group playdates when she was very small, pretty regularly until she was about 18 months. She remembers it pretty well.

Ruby saw one of Chloe's presents (a barbie cinderella coach pulled by a horse) and asked to put it on her wish list. She also put her shoes on and off by herself, went down the slide in the living room, and had orange popsicles with her friends Holly and Chloe. 

Crazy play date at Auggie and Clara's house

Ruby tells me every day that Clara is her best friend. They give each other best friend kisses and best friend hugs. Ruby has been asking for a play date with Clara  and today it finally happened. Ruby was ecstatic, as you can see. They climbed up Auggie's bunk bed and they did crazy dances in the kitchen after lunch. (Clara and Auggie have butterfly face paint on from a neighborhood garage sale party.) (Ruby and Clara are standing on what looks like a crib, but its a stool that adjusts height so kids can stand at the counter.)

Ruby can pump her legs on the swing!

Today when I picked Ruby up from Lauren's daycare she showed me how she can swing all by herself without a starting push! She even lifted herself onto the swing! Ruby was great at pumping her legs to get the swing going. We are all so proud of her!