Party Animals

Themes of this weekend...decluttering, gymnastics and birthday partying. We're starting to spend a fair amount of time decluttering the house. Really, really decluttering. Purging closets and drawers, making plans for storing furniture and so on as we prepare the house to test the market. A lousy time to sell but with our hands tied by the less than stellar (downright pitiful) schools we are forced to seriously consider parting with the house we love. Frankly, I think we need to stage a coup and take over the schools and just start over. From the amount of applicants to the one good Charter School here, I don't think we'd be alone win our takeover.

Alas, onto the rest of the weekend. Saturday morning Arden had gymnastics. They are starting to learn bits and pieces of their routine for their show and the cuteness is off the charts. After gymnastics we headed straight for Alina's 6th birthday party. SIX YEARS OLD. Hard to believe that the first of our friends to embark on the (blissful, chaotic, hairpulling, wonderful) journey of parenthood now have a six year old. Does this mean we are old? Nah, I didn't think so.

The party was at Jump On In, bounce house heaven for the under 6 crowd. Although the parents were having a grand old time too.

Today we celebrated Annette's birthday. Bobby and Mandy hosted a barbecue and a good time was had by all. They are fabulous, natural hosts. Bobby's a whiz on the grill and Mandy even put out a centerpiece. And made her famous bruschetta. Thank you, Annette, for being born, and giving us an excuse to get together. The weather was perfect and we spent all but about 30 minutes in their backyard. Summer is on its way. Thank God.

Don't worry grandparents, here are the pictures.

Heading up the stairs of the bounce house. Two years ago she needed help, this year? Self-sufficiency at its best.


Think she had fun?

Scaling a wall in the obstacle course

Stanford recruiters, she's available.

Down the big slide with Mama.

With Mama and Anya and Alina

Racing each other to the bottom

Talking to Grandma Mary on Sunday morning. Yes, those are Christmas pjs.

Hanging with Annette

Smile Arden. She's just incredibly cooperative, isn't she?

Sassy McSasserson

Oh how she wanted to explore the inside of the shed

With Nettie, who had the pleasure of being dragged all over the yard.

Jumpin while Uncle Bobby grilled

Attempting a 360 off the deck. Naturally.

She did this about 412 times and each time checked the photo to see how high she got before doing it again. Apparently, she was in competition with herself.

Demonstrating her gymnastic talent with a back bridge

And somersaults

They made her a 'caramel latte' -- otherwise known as hot chocolate. Cuz all we needed was her on caffeine. Isn't this how we all feel about our coffee most days?

Deep thoughts with Critter

Fast forward 15 years, Arden in a coffee house, wearing all black, waiting for her turn to perform her latest free verse poem. You can see it too, can't you?

Showing off one of her gifts for Nettie. It was actually very involved and done entirely by herself. Genius. (Hear that, Stanford? Athletic and a genius.

Creative genius, at that, 'you wear the candles on your head, and I'll wear the phone'

Self portrait.