I chose wisely.

Lots of screaming and crying last night from the girls while I slept peacefully in the back house. There's no place like home.

Back Home

The drive home today was better than the drive down, but not by much. Eli was cranky for about the first 2 hours. She was tired (since she was awake all night last night) but wouldn't fall asleep. After our first stop, both her and Miranda fell asleep for about an hour and a half and then Eli dozed in and out for another 30minutes or so. Parker slept for about an hour, but not when the gals were sleeping. I was exhausted and even the starbucks and the coke didn't do it for me.

At home, everyone was happy to see Dad. After some unpacking, I left for some alone time and saw a movie. Dad handled dinner and baths and I got home in time for the end of the bedtime routine. For some reason, I thought it would be a good day to have Parker try sleeping in the girls room. So after books, I hung out with Parker in the toddler bed while Michael hung out with the girls. We both left at the same time and after a few seconds of protest by Miranda, they were all quiet. So far, not a peep out of them. I'm sure that will end soon when Parker realizes Mommy (who slept with him all week) is not right next to him in bed.

But, since I'm sleeping in the back house, that will be a problem for Michael to solve. Night. Night.

Joe's Os

Amy encourages Julia to help herself to the cereal. Miranda took that to heart. And Eli helped clean up.

The Three Musketeers

These three could really not be any cuter together.

Drums and Undies

This morning, Parker took off his jammies and put on Olivers (clean) underwear. Then he stayed that way for a good long time. Even during our morning jam session where he and Oliver played the drums.

Peter and the twins

Peter really likes the girls. He plays with them. Chases them. Tickles them. And generally hangs out with them. Here is an example which occurred during our six on the couch photo shoot. And yeah, they like him too.

Cousins

Before naps today, Parker asked if Oliver could read a Japanese book to him. Considering the day before he asked for NO Japanese books, I thought this was very sweet.

More cow bell!

Assume the position.

Apparently every time little Julia needs to poop, she assumes this position. She doesn't like pooping if that isn't clear.

Top of the couch, ma!

The girls love being on the top of the couch. They spent a good deal of time up their this morning after breakfast and before whatever else was about to happen.

The now famous six

Necklaces

Elizabeth discovered the dress up necklaces and has been wearing at least one ever since. She thinks she is pretty cute.

Adventure City

On Friday, Dana (a friend from home that moved to LA) and I took the boys (Parker, Peter, Callan and Aidan- Oliver was sick) to Adventure City. It's a tiny amusement park for tiny kids near Disneyland. Amy said it was good because the kids could go on all the rides and there were no lines.

She didn't factor in the spring break field trip component which resulted in long lines on all rides most of the day. I seemed to be the only one annoyed by the whole thing. The boys had a great time.

I was exceptionally pleased that Peter counted as a "responsible companion" to ensure Parker followed the rules which allowed me to sit on the bench and watch them rather than get sick and ride with them. Peter was a very kind older cousin and took good care of Parker.

At the very end, we all stopped to see the turtle.

Westfield

I took the girls to the local mall today to experience yet another play area. This was very similar to the Bay Fair mall back home, but a bit smaller and without a big slide. They were pretty happy until Elizabeth needed to get into the car that Miranda was playing on. This did not make Miranda happy.

I got stopped a lot today. "Ohhhh, are they twins?!?" "How old?!?" "I was a twin!" "Boy and a girl????" I suppose the Bay Area has more twins than down here.

Notice the outfits. I got them dressed after going through a bag of clothes Amy got from someone. She was showing me some of the ridiculous stuff, so I put it on the girls. Lovely mini skirt and cool hippy pants.

Grammy and Ginny

Parker spent the day with Grammy and Ginny. He was really excited about it. Mostly because of Ginny (sorry Grammy).

He told me about his day after we read books and turned out the light. He said he went on two bumpy slides and two slippy slides at the beach. He also said he had pancakes with syrup and butter that Grammy cooked (ie Norms) and then went to the play place where Ted was scared to go down the Green slide, but not the blue slide, but Coach Lion wasn't scared to go down the green slide or the blue slide. Then Grammy drove him to Amy's house where he said Bye Bye to Grammy and Ginny.

In any case, he had a good day.

EEES!

After naps today we hung out in the backyard. Everyone was playing nicely together until Miranda remembered the swing and Amy put her in it. Then Elizabeth lost her mind and Julia was none too happy about the whole thing either screaming "EEESS, EEEES!!!" while pointing at it. But Miranda persevered and Julia even helped push.



Elizabeth continues her scream-fest.


And then, when Miranda saw some fun jumping game happening on the ground, she was "All Da" Elizabeth saw her chance and ran for it beating Julia by a nose.


Julia was a good sport about it and hung with the rocking horse.

Snot

Need I say more?

During and after the bath...

After naps