A little more about what the girls are up to lately

Mari from next door still comes over often and we feel blessed that the girls have such a good role model and friend. Whenever Mari comes over both girls squeal with delight.

On Thursday she spent the day with my girls and Nana D and brought along her math homework. Since then Sophia has been pretending to do homework at her little table. She will tell me that Thalia is too young to do homework, "she doesn't understand", she will tell me.

My sister Sheila, and Harley just left this morning. It was such a treat to have them here. Sophia really took charge with Harley, having him do tricks and holding the leash when we took Harley out for walks. We are lucky that Harley has such a patient disposition with the girls. Both love Harley but Thalia showed a little more restraint.

Thalia shouts out "Look! T for Thalia" whenever she sees a "T" on a sign or in a book. And Sophia is learning to read some words and often asks us how to spell certain words. She can spell "Sophia" and "Mari" right now.

"I love you": these words I hear from Thalia often these days. I heard her say that to Sheila this week and to Mari today.

Earlier today to photographed Alexandra. My first photo shoot! Sophia was very helpful as my assistant, helping me to make Alexandra smile. Afterward I let Sophia pick out a lollipop and she brought that with her to the movies with Randall and Steve and Ruby.

They still love to perform for us. They will announce that it is showtime and wil sing and dance and play the harmonica. I hope this continues.

This morning I let Thalia hold my little Holly Hobby doll from my childhood and Thalia's eyes lit up and she held the doll like a baby and said "Oh I love my little baby" and sang "Rockabye Baby" over and over again.

Sheila and Harley

It was so nice to have my sister, Sheila in town for a few days. And I finally had the chance to meet Harley. He is such a sweet, patient dog. And adorable. Sophia had already been asking for a dog on a daily basis. Its just a matter of time now....

Dova and Thalia

Dova is already 11, she is growing up so fast. And she has started a babysitting business. She did a great job babysitting the girls on Friday night so that Steve and I could go out to dinner with Angela and John. These other two photos of Thalia are memorable because she asked me to take a photo of her. She was posing! If only I could get Sophia to pose for the camera...More about Sophia and Pablo soon.

Sightseeing in Seattle

We spent five days in Seattle and I enjoyed playing tourist for part of the time. Although I had already been to Pike's Place Market years ago, I wanted to go back with the girls. We took the light rail from Angela's neighborhood and walked through Pike's Place Market, had a little picnic at the park nearby overlooking the bay and then we took a ferry over to Bainbridge. It was a beautiful Day. On Friday morning Steve and I and the girls walked around the Seattle Center so the girls could see the fountain that Clare Kahn (Ira's sister) designed. Had it been warm that day we would have let the girls run through the fountain. We also let them run around the EMP area (Steve and I presented at a conference there years ago when we first started dating). Later that day we had lunch with Nirmala and Joseph in their new house.

Afternoon treat at the best bakery in town

A few more from the reception:

Nirmala and Joseph's Wedding Reception in Seattle

Yesterday evening we celebrated Nirmala and Joseph's wedding reception in the beautiful garden of his Joseph's parents, who live in Seattle. I had a chance to meet two of Nirmala's sisters and a few of her nieces and nephews, and Joseph's parents, as well as many friends. It was a lovely party.