Little Lu Turns THREE!

We had Lucy's 3rd birthday this weekend at Mayor's Discovery Park in La Canada.

What a day!
We served breakfast of bagels and cream cheese, fruit, a cereal "bar," and Krispy Kreme donuts for "cake." Families were invited to come and play!

And play we did . . .

Everybody got a boat to float in the "river. . . "

The birthday girl enjoys her first course of sesame bagel with strawberry cream cheese!

"Nana Kreditor" Papa, and Lucy show Henry how to float his boat.

Rosie, Maddie, Fallon, and Riley run in the "river."

Sarah, Erin, and Jenny. . . we've been posing EXACTLY like this since we were 18 years old.

Miss Rosie girl. . .splashin' away!
She's wearing a dress because she sacrificed her t-shirt to Lucy, who fell in the water and had a melt down. Thanks for takin' one for the team, Ro Ro!

Ava, Drew, and Mya build a sand metropolis. . .

Simon serves the cake, uh, donuts. . . .
gotta love a breakfast birthday-

My Heather and the gang

Mimi makes every occasion special.

Happy birthday precious one.
Lucy, you are everything we could have hoped and dreamed for in a little girl.
We can't believe you are 3 and are praying for your next year!
We love you more each day!

Goodbye, Old Friend

We lost our Marcie girl today.
She had liver failure and hadn't eaten for many days.

I will always love and miss her.

A night away!

A friend had asked us, "Have you guys been able to have a night away since Henry was born?"

We thought about it and realized, not only had we not had a night away together since Henry had been born, we hadn't had a night away since Lucy had been born!

So Simon surprised me for my birthday with a night in Santa Barbara, complete with a lingering dinner, a no-kid shopping spree, and a long walk along the beach.

Ahhh. . .what a guy!

Thanks to Mom, Dad, and Heather, who took care of the kiddos back at the home front! We couldn't have done it without you!

Lake Arrowhead afternoon

We popped over to the Malt Shop in Lake Arrowhead.

Malts and burgers.
Sunday afternoon.
Ahhhhh. . . .

Santa?

Bubbles in the bath are such an amazing childhood delicacy.

Inevitably at some point, Lucy will pile some of the fluffy stuff on her chin and say,
"Look at me! I'm Santa!"

Santa indeed.
Even Henry is getting in on the act.

Early birthday present

Lucy's birthday is not until September 19th, but we caved and gave her her present a little early.
It was partly because Simon and I were so excited to give it to her, and partly because it's so dang big it's kinda hard to conceal in our yard. . . like hiding an elephant in a portapotty.

She was kinda on to us from the get go.

But we needed a little land for the playhouse, so yes, don't tell the Sierra Club, but we "removed" a tree. Don't worry we're planting TWO to replace it in another part of our yard. I was a little. . . well, squeamish about it. My carbon footprint is a little shaky right now.

BEFORE

AFTER

Peeking through the side door

Peering through the shutters. . .SUPRISE!

We hope this is a gift that creates fun for years to come!
Happy ALMOST birthday Lucy!