Yes, you read that right. I know. I can’t believe it, either.

She ran into our room yesterday morning, bright and early, completely naked. It seems fitting that the birthday girl make her first 5-year old debut in her birthday suit. Happily, she still allows herself to be wrapped up and cuddled like the baby she will always be to me.

She had a sweet, happy day, and we celebrated with family in the evening with one of our traditional birthday dinners.

Curious what we got her? I broke down and bought her the Baby Alive doll that she’s been talking about for months, despite the fact that it made me feel extremely stabby just thinking about it. Note to self: Bee doesn’t forget ANYTHING. Plus, don’t take her to Target. Whatever misgivings I had were alleviated by this:

Otis is pretty impressed too.  At one point, I think the words, “I love my Baby more than I love Baba” may have been uttered. And of course, the misgivings came right back when I found the first puddle of many puddles that this baby has made within the first 12 hours of life in our household.

But one thing that I love about this girl is the absolute joy with which she greeted each and every present, from the doll she’s been dreaming about for months to the wooden turtle that Otis got for her at a yard sale.

Happy birthday, little girl. I love you.

Especially when you can accessorize and keep the theme going:

The weather was so perfect this weekend that we worked in the garden all weekend long. Our garden looks much tidier though we are sneezing and rubbing our eyes like crazy. F is also working on a new project – he’s dismantled the old fort and is building an even more secret clubhouse. More details soon!

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dress: Sweet Potatoes
leggings: J. Crew
shoes: Native Kids

And guess who’s riding on four?

Exploring the tide pools close to Mendocino brought back all kinds of memories of grade school field trips. Although there is so much less diversity of sealife now than I remember.

Perfect tide pool gear, don’t you think?

And what vacation would be complete without a little child labor?

The weather is warming up here, and we are looking forward to Spring (though we are already hating the allergies). Hope you are seeing clues of Spring’s arrival too!

It looks like there is hope yet for the posture of at least one member of this family. And for this, it might be worth it to continue ballet class, a.k.a. “Scarf Flinging Class.”

Have you ever noticed how terrible your posture is? I’m just assuming, but between the driving and the computer work and everything, it’s quite possible that my assumption is not too far off. I’ve been trying to work on my posture with stretches and exercises and man, it’s hard work! But my body is feeling better, and the last time I went to the doctor, they actually told me that I was an inch taller than I’ve been all of my adult life! Can you believe that?

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shirt: Target
skirt: handmade
leggings: Gymboree
socks: from Grandma

Does it automatically make me old if my first thought was, “This kid’s on her way to Star Search…”? Do you guys even remember that show? I used to love it, though I now can’t watch any of those singing reality shows.

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t-shirt: American Apparel
skirt: J. Crew
leggings: Target