Lazy Beach Days!

We've been doing a lot of catching up on stuff from vacation, but somehow we always end up at the beach. We get some sandwiches, go down and walk on the path...hang out in the sand, build sandcastles and just enjoy the sounds of the waves.

Paprika is still Butterfly Girl wherever we go. I think it's safe to say that she gets her inspiration from Ladybug Girl...her new favorite book series.



Needless to say, she's become quite the beach babe! I can remember when she wouldn't set foot on the sand...but all that has really changed!



Ginger loves the beach, too. I am starting to see so much of her personality emerge. She is quite inquisitive, and super sweet...and really daring. Paprika loves to say about her, "Here comes the troublemaker!"



Thankfully, she still likes to cuddle.



But even so, she's always hatching her next plan. We're going to have to keep an eye on this one ;-)

The Purple Dress

Paprika is still on her purple kick! She made this "dress" out of wrapping material from Mother's Day. As you can tell, it's the right color, so she ran with it. It helps that we have purple roses in our yard - not that they stand much of a chance with Paprika picking them all the time! ;-)



Yesterday we hung out around the house and in the backyard for the first part of the day. I am on a mission to grow some lush green grass in our backyard...and it's proving to be one of my most daunting tasks to date! Haha. Not really (oh, if life's most challenging task were growing green grass)...but it is hard.

So, Mr. Mustard and I were in the backyard digging and raking, and planting...and the girls were having fun in the sun with their toys.



Half-way through the day, we packed it up and went to a playdate at a little park near us (with the same people who came to the house last week). Turns out there are TWO parks named the same thing (what?!)- so we ended up at the wrong park for awhile, and I ended up calling Devon so she could check my email on her Iphone to find out if we were in the wrong place. What would I do without Devon and her trusty Iphone?! ;-)



We ended up figuring it all out, and Paprika had a few hours to play before we had to go home...since I had a girl's night out planned! Yup, that's right! Now that Mr. Mustard is home in the evenings, I am getting out. Last night was dinner in Burbank with some old friends, and it was really so good.

I almost ran out of gas on the way to dinner (on the 5 North, in rush hour traffic, on the Friday of Memorial Day Weekend), but thankfully, I lurched and sputtered all the way to the restaurant and made it there just in time! Ginger did great with Mr. Mustard at home and she was asleep by the time I got back. As I said, I could really get used to having Mr. Mustard around! Haha!

The Big Juggling Act!

One of my biggest challenges is how to give both Paprika and Ginger quality one-on-one attention. Ginger demands a good portion of my time (obviously!) and it's one of those bittersweet things- so happy for Paprika to have a living sibling and for the immeasurable joy that Ginger brings to our lives...but also I miss out on my one on one times with Paprika, since for almost three years she got every single second of my time most days. I obviously wouldn't trade what I have now for the world, it's just different than it used to be!



When Ginger goes down for her nap (which isn't happening too often lately, ahem!), that's my Paprika time. Love these moments...like we had today! I can't tell you how much she refreshes me, and being with her helps me see the beauty and joy in the small things.



Here are a few more pics taken today during Ginger's naptime- Paprika and I made the most of it!!! ;-)

Happy Birthday, PopPop!

Happy Birthday, Grandpa!



I love you so much!



Thank you for being such a wonderful Grandpa all these years and such a wonderful PopPop to Paprika and Ginger!



You have known me since I was hours old,



and have always been by my side for me to lean on.



I hope you have a wonderful birthday, Grandpa! You deserve all the happiness in the world!

Happy Birthday, Mimi!

Happy Birthday, Grandma! Do you remember this birthday card I sent you 24 years ago? How did you ever put up with me?!



You have always been beautiful,



and kind.



You have become more beautiful



with each passing year.



I love you so much,



and am so blessed you are my grandma. My girls are so blessed to call you their Mimi!



I hope you have a WONDERFUL birthday! Love you so!

Malibu!

Yesterday was the perfect Malibu beach day. We built sandcastles. Ran up and down the beach. Played in the water and tide pools.



Went searching for wildlife. Met some new friends!



Grrrrr!



Paprika held some hermit crabs and petted some sea stars, and almost picked up a big crab...but we stopped her just in time!



Ginger loved the sound of the ocean waves crashing on the beach. And watching the birds...cranes, sandpipers, seagulls and bald eagles. Well, not really bald eagles but Paprika kept saying she saw them flying overhead, so we pretended we did, too.



Ginger is asleep in this photo of Mr. Mustard and me...she's hiding under the hood around my neck. She slept for about two hours there, so snug!



Then she woke up, all smiles!



Perfect beach day. We stayed til the sun set. Got in the car and didn't notice how low we were on gas, and yup, we ran out of gas on the way home. Paprika slept through the whole ordeal, and Ginger didn't seem to mind. All's well that ends well, and it just added a little flavor to our day! What's a beach memory without a little drama thrown in? Now we really won't forget it! (Not that we would anyway.)