End of Summer

That's right, these kids know it, and they wear it on their shirts...they are ADORABLE!  And I can't get enough.  

Lydia is working her way through her first year of life.  Newest on her list of completed milestones is her first bite of real food.  Well...OK, whether it is really food is questionable.  I'm actually not sure what rice cereal is...it isn't rice, and it certainly isn't cereal...but she tried it.  Well...OK, whether or not she actually tried it is also questionable.  I mean, I haven't seen her react to something so quickly before!  It was instant.  And she gave me the look...WHAT WAS THAT?  I could just see her mind churning, thinking "Rice Cereal, Mom, REALLY, where are the bananas, apples, peas even?"

There's the look.  But we keep making it...and she keeps spitting it out...I think we are all counting down the days until the bananas make an appearance.

Ella is also checking things off her completed milestones list.  She is a graduate from diapers!  That's right...potty trained, check!  There was a celebration with cupcakes, goodies, games and treats.  She's a big girl now, and proud of it!

We have also been exploring our County and Town, finding what fun there is to have near home.  And, seriously, we moved to the best place ever.  Elanor and Lydia are so lucky to be able to grow up in a place like San Anselmo.  Here is what we have found so far...

McNear's Beach.  In San Rafael.  BEAUTIFUL!  We hung out on the beach this day, but next time we go back we are bringing our suits.  Not only can you swim in the bay, but they have a public pool too!

Our local San Anselmo parks.  Really, we knew about these before we moved here.  Still love them!  Plus watching Ella try to fly her new kite at the park when there was absolutely no wind, priceless.  She just couldn't wait for a windy day...

Hearts Desire Beach on Tomales Bay.  BEAUTIFUL.  I wasn't expecting to be able to swim in the water here also, so we forgot our suits again.  But that didn't stop Elanor!  Next time, we will bring our bathing suits and maybe some snorkeling gear, and there will definitely be a next time.

Our Block Party!  So much fun.  Not only do we live in a great town, we live on the best street in this town.  Our block party was a full day of swimming, slides, mingling with neighbors, riding our bikes and wagons down he middle of the street, and dancing.  Oh, the dancing.  Ella was moving so fast my camera couldn't keep up!

Now, I didn't think it was actually possible to do.  But Elanor figured it out.  How to fall asleep, while dancing.  One minute Ella was dancing in the street, holding hands with some of our neighbors.  The next minute, I look at her, still standing up holding hands with the neighbors, band still playing, ASLEEP!  So much fun.

And concerts on the lawn in front of Town Hall.  Of Course, It doesn't hurt when it's our favorite Johnny Cash cover band.  It was a blast, and Liddy was moving to the music too!  

Adorable girls.