A Wink and a Smile

Quinn has been trying to wink for quite a while now. She thinks she's winking but really she's just scrunching up both her eyes. It is so cute. Here her friend Reece also shows off her "skills." This video makes me laugh so hard every time I watch it.

Michelle Turns 50 (Different Michelle)

Recently our friend Michelle turned 50 and had a super fun party at her house with delicious Southern food and a Zydeco band. Quinn had fun dancing and Dillon managed to jam with the band--let's call it her first gig.

Craig found a super cute dance partner.

Playing the washboard.

Quinn found a super cute dance partner.

A short video of Dillon's first jam session:

Salad Hands

A few months ago we decided to try a new seafood place in town. Each of the girls got a side dish with their meals and because I felt compelled to be a "good" mom Quinn got broccoli salad, although I was sure they would only eat Dillon's side of fries. Mid-meal I noticed Quinn shoveling fistfuls of broccoli slaw into her mouth...

Ballet Basics (2)

Here are some pix of her port de bras (carriage of the arms), which were very nicely done!

Second.

Third.

Fourth.

Fifth. (She's getting tired.)

And a short video of her performance. If you want to see how far she's come, re-watch this video from a few summers ago.

And finally a few post-performance pix with friends and some older ballet dancers as well.

With Nutcracker Snowflakes.

With Clara and Swan Lake's Odile.

Brithday Pinata and Tacos

Mila's 4th birthday was such a bash she gets her own post! Belle was there doing face paint; there was a bounce house; a pinata; and best of all fresh, yummy tacos.

Valeria and Dillon show off their face paint.

This might have been Quinn's first face paint.

This is definitely the first time Quinn ever took a photo.

Pinata booty--double lollipop hapinesss.

Group photo with Belle.

I know what you're thinking: not another pinata video. But this one is different because it's the first time Quinn ever participated! [Song is "Lucky Star" by Madonna.]

Birthday Party Round-up: Sasha and Westley

Two of Dillon's school chums had birthday parties. Sasha had an Angry Birds gymnastic party (I guess that's a thing) and Westley had an Earth Day celebration birthday that involved beating the crap out of an Earth pinata.

First, Sasha:

Gang's all here.

With the birthday girl.

Bubble magic.

Next, Westley:

With pals Clara and Luna. There were ring pops.

A little pinata action to the tune of "What a Wonderful World" by Israel Kamakawiwoʻole. Another parent joked about how funny it would be if the pinata was filled with bees instead of candy. Still makes me laugh!

Mind Melt at Morley Field

Do you remember when I used to post pictures of the babies crying because I thought that was a big part of parenting? Well the crying hasn't really stopped. We recently went for a walk around Morley Field and Dillon had a full-on meltdown...about what? No one remembers. It was epic though.

Quinn pretending she's blind???

Started off okay...

...ended poorly.

Oh you want to see an video of the tantrum? Sure thing! [Song is "I Don't Want to Cry" by Abra Moore]

Go Fly a Kite!

Over a recent three-day weekend, we headed to Mission Beach for a very chilly day in the sand. Quinn and Dillon both flew a kite for the first time ever!

Four eyes.

Quinny wearing another of Craig's old sweaters.

Sometimes this is what kite-flying looks like.

Quinn + Dillon = team work!

And a video of the kite flying in action (kind of). [Song is "Straighten Up and Fly Right" by Natalie Cole.]

MLK Play Day

On a recent day off from school, we met up with Quinn's BFFs, Lulu and Reece. Park, sand, juice boxes...all that fun stuff!

These trees were hard to climb.

Juice in style.

Dillon burial.

Dillon was "in charge" of the littles.

Sister play time.

Also here's a video of Dillon successfully traversing the monkey bars. It took her many tries over many months, but she finally succeeded! [Song is "Shake Me Like a Monkey" by Dave Matthews Band]

You're My Popsicle

There is a local popsicle shop that Dillon is crazy about--and with good reason. All the pops (or paletas if you prefer) are so tasty and there are lots of unique flavors. Quinn recently enjoyed her first taste and I swear she didn't have it for more than two seconds before it seems to have melted all over her face. Yup, I think she loved it.

Do I have something on my face?

Here's a super quick video to go along. [Song is "Popsicle" by New Kids on the Block. YES! I finally incorporated an NKOTB song into the blog! #BucketList]

Crates for Kiwis

Aunt Julie got Dillon an awesome subscription to Kiwi Crate, a fun box that combines engineering and science in easy experiments. Here's a box that focuses on light and color.

I read her directions and she assembles.

Setting up the lightbox.

Making a light carousel.

 And some video...

December is the Time (for Ho Ho Ho) Part 3

As you can see by now, I am dressing the family in our matching PJs at every opportunity! Christmas morning was no exception. Here are some pix of the present-opening extravaganza!

A kiss for daddy.

Quinn got some new shades.

And a new orange chair.

Dillon's happy place.

The tree.

Playing with Craig's childhood dogs,
renamed Ava and Aunt Julie.

Cozy with the gifts.

Aaaand...a little Christmas morning "Jingle Bells." Dillon is on lead vocals, while Quinn provides some back-up, plus interpretive dance.

December is the Time (for Ho Ho Ho) Part 1

I know it's springtime and I'm just getting around to the holiday posts...but here we go! Dillon joined choir in the fall which means there was a singing bonanza come holiday time! Here's a video mash-up of some of her performances. She's easy enough to spot in the first and last clips. For "Frosty the Snowman" where she's on stage with a hundred other kids, she's the short one in the first row!

Dillon met the big guy after her show.

We also drove deep into the forest (El Cajon) to pick out a tree. Craig found a beauty and I think it's my favorite so far!

Family tree farm selfie.

Dillon and Craig shoulder the tree.

Finally, we spent a lovely evening with our friends, Tom and Curt, at their annual holiday party.

There is a lot of plaid in this picture.

Craig won a crate o' wine.

Quinn ate a lot o' bread.

They loved this bright green tree.

Moonlight Beach Construction Project

Going to Moonlight Beach on my birthday didn't quite work out as planned. But I got a chance for a re-do over winter break when Dillon was off of school for a few weeks. We had a great time digging a water tunnel with Sydney, a girl we met who was visiting from Tahoe. And we stopped by Handel's afterwards for a tasty scoop of ice cream.

Big shovel. Big hole.

With her construction partner, Sydney.

As usual, every inch of skin is covered in sand.

Leap!

A close up of the tunnel.

My view.

Ice cream to celebrate the tunnel!

A quick vid of the tunnel's grand opening. [Song is "Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels)" by Arcade Fire.]