Gold (April 26-May 2)

Remember that old girl scout song that goes:  Make new friends, but keep the old.  Some are silver and the others gold.  We'll, Liam had some time with old friends this week.  It is amazing how 4 and 5 year olds who haven't seen each other in months can pick right back up where they left off.  Seeing Liam play with his "old" friends reminded me of how many wonderful but distant friends I have in my life.

April 26:  Liam got invited to a pirate birthday party with the best pirate bounce house.  It was his friend Michael's birthday.  They went to school together last year and don't see each other often.  We got to spend time with his family and others we haven't seen - some in nearly a year.

Brenna really loved the bounce house, too.

We got to the party pretty early, so Brenna and Liam had the bounce house virtually to themselves at first.

And then Liam's best friend from last year, Victoria, showed up.  These two are such good friends.  When Liam came over to ask me to put on his shoes, she immediately volunteered to help.  It was so cute to watch them try to do it without adult help.

The party had a pinata.  Brenna had never really seen one before, but she did not hesitate to give it a try.

Liam got a couple good swings in, too.

Liam and Victoria.  Despite his expression, he was so happy.

Brenna watched the birthday cake part from up high.

Victoria shared her blackberries and cake with Liam.

Liam, Victoria and Michael.  These three are such good buddies, despite their time apart.

April 27:  Liam wanted Dadda to hide in the covers.  Brenna wanted to hide, too.

Liam did not approve.

So, Brenna and Liam pouted together in solidarity.

April 28:  Clipping fingernails with Dadda.

Liam wore mismatched socks all day.  And didn't notice.

April 29:  Liam and Brenna wrestling and making gorilla noises.

They had so much fun, despite looking like they were hurting each other.

Ravioli was hugging Liam's transformers at bedtime.

April 30:  Brenna was happy playing around before bedtime.

Liam was happy to get into the shower.

Brenna refused.  So she had to go straight to bed.  She didn't approve.  And neither did Ravioli who wanted to know why we made Brenna so sad.  (She ended up getting in the shower and having a blast, of course).

May 1:  I got Liam and Brenna a couple counting and sorting games, to help with fine motor skills.  They both really liked them.  More early morning collaborative play.

We had Friday night dinner and play with more "old" friends, Lucas and Elizabeth.

These two played pretty much on their own.  I loved when I came to check on them and they were "reading".

Brenna and Elizabeth had a couple costume changes.

More "reading" in Liam's bed.

May 2:  While Dadda cleaned out the garage (fun!), I took Liam and Brenna to Dolores Park.  They love when I chase them around as the "tickle monster".

Liam and Brenna spent a lot of time playing on these slides, figuring out how to ride them forwards and backwards, on their backs and their tummies.  Liam demonstrated how much strength and body awareness he has and Brenna was able to slide too.  Just a couple months ago, neither of them could really master these.

It was cold, but beautiful out.