Anna is starting to write words now, without any help from us. Of course, the spelling isn't perfect. She's using letter sounds to make the words, and I'm am busting up with pride on how cool it is to see her try all this. Her letter sounds are a mix of english sounds and spanish sounds, so it can lead to some interesting spellings. This morning, she came to me and showed me her drawing and the sentence that she wrote to go with it. I'll help translate "Who likes to go in the snow? Love, Anna" and in the drawing, that's a polar bear and Anna all dressed in a big coat holding a snowball. Update: Holly was exceedingly jealous that Anna's drawing made it "into the computer" and had to be a part of the action. She drew a king, queen, and castle for you all to enjoy. AND, she drew her version of words which say "I love the king and queen very much."

 

This weekend we took a road trip up to Monterey Bay as a last minute thing. This was the first trip to the Monterey Bay Aquarium for the girls, and pretty much the first trip for both Jason and I since the last time was over 10 years ago for each of us. In planning our next trip though, I must remember though that WEEKEND+MONTEREY+SUMMER=CROWDS. It was a sea of people (pun intended). Through the end of the month, the aquarium has a fantastic exhibit of jellyfish. Big ones, small ones...but all amazing to see. My last experience with jellyfish was on a budget snorkeling trip in Puerta Vallarta...and let's just say that was a little TOO up close and personal. I took a couple stings to the face and neck within 10 feet of the boat's edge, after the guide warned us there "might" be jellyfish. I am still highly suspicious that if I'd have paid a little more they might have found water that wasn't teeming with "agua viva" or "agua mala". Such appropriate names for jellyfish, huh? and then we saw the sardines opps, sorry...here's the actual sardines. we just all felt like sardines there. Then we were off to see the otters, a big hit with the kids. I, of course, followed the directions on this sign...before reading what "spraint" means. Go ahead...look up SPRAINT. What was going on with the aquarium staff when this got the thumbs up for display??? Sick people....I am still laughing about it. My favorite part was a tunnel that has a tidal wave pour over you. The kids loved it, too.

Here's some of the faces I love... aka Dis (pronounced Dee-ss) aka Snuggle Bunny aka Fart Girl (will she forgive us?)

I was writing an email to my friends and family telling them about Holly's upcoming birthday this weekend, when I realized I was about to say she was turning 4 years old. It didn't seem right. So, I thought back to what year she was born (2004), did the math (2008-2004=4), counted on my fingers to double-check (2005, 2006, 2007, 2008), called Jason over to verify...and yup...she is turning 4 years old. Can someone tell me how this is possible? Where did 4 years go so fast? We had a low-key birthday party with our good friends at the local Children's Museum. Everyone got to wonder around playing, and the mess stayed at the museum instead of our house! YEAH! What does a 4 year old wear to her birthday party? A ballerina leotard and snow white shoes, duh! (and, where did she learn to point her toe for a photo? what's with that cheesy grin? who's been posing my kid? LOL) Holly was thrilled to chose her cake. Princess Cleavage Giselle from the movie Enchanted. And, Barbie took a backseat to Mary Poppins this year. Mary could stand up, so Barbie was feeling lonely. and could my heart swell any more? Look at the sweet thing Anna made me...

I gave Holly control of the camera tonight for a few minutes. She took these photos of Anna and I. LOVE, LOVE IT!