So we've started this tradition of taking a photo of Matt and the kids every year on Zoe's birthday. Our midwife took the first one (I was in the shower and had given birth an hour before, so I hope it's understandable that I did not participate). Zoe looks like a little pink raisin covered with sunscreen (and a hat). Sascha is 2.5 years old in this photo. She kind of looks like she's wondering when Zoe will go away. :)




Here's the next one, when Zoe was 1 year old. She's not incredibly happy about the whole photo thing. Sascha is sporting the I-don't-let-my-parents-brush-my-hair funkiness that was all the rage in 2006. We dressed Matt up in the same shirt, for continuity I guess...it's not like he's not recognizable.






Here's this year's photo, taken a few days after her birthday, but who's counting, really. Sascha no longer believes in smiling for photos. Matt says he got rid of the red shirt (possibly because he knew I'd be forcing him into it for the next 20-odd years).




Is it my imagination or is Matt starting to look tired?

Look who's two! Zoe had not one, but TWO chocolate birthday cakes, and parties in two different countries. I hope she doesn't think she's getting three cakes and parties next year. ;)

First we celebrated on the actual day, with friends in Bay Beach, Ontario. Zoe blew out the candle twice (to make sure we had it on video) and then plowed through four pieces of cake (eating only the frosting).

Then we celebrated again at home, but took only video and no photos. Zoe loved all her gifts...the purple fuzzy purse and the pink kitty are her favorites so far.

I got Zoe a Dora motorized ride-on car (I say "I" because there's no way Matt would have suggested such a thing...in fact, I wish I'd had a picture of the look he gave me when he saw the box) because she's too small for Sascha's old tricycle and scooter. Zoe has ridden it a couple of times but mostly is scared of it. Sascha loves it...but it's almost too small for her and her knees are up under the handlebars. Ah well. At least we know who likes motorized vehicles and who doesn't. (And I have Sascha on my side when I want to angle for a New Beetle the next time we need a car.)

Here is Zoe at celebration #1, loving her cake:






On our way to and from Bay Beach, we spent a day and a couple of nights in my hometown, right next to my old house. Watching Sascha play with Nicky, my childhood friend's son, was sort of surreal (they are both 4). In a really good way.


Here they are keeping their Frisbees away from Nicholas, the 17-month-old son of Sandy (whom I've known since kindergarten).



Sascha and Zoe on the swing with Mr. Gorski (aka "Grampa Gee")


The new 2-year-old in the house!


Other than birthday celebrations, we've been enjoying the weather, except for that freak storm that came through. We just got rain and high winds, but when we visited friends on the other side of town that day to have dinner with them, we discovered they had been hailed on and lost power. We saw many trees that had been ripped up by the roots - pretty amazing. It reminded us of the tornado that came through Lake Itasca in 1995 and deposited a big tree on the windshield of my car. (It also moved the house we were in off its foundation - very Wizard of Oz-ish.)

okay, one more photo of the birthday girl, and one of her wonderful sister!



A clean face is totally overrated.





Sascha in Canada, where she had a grand time!

Last night we were talking about names, and I asked Sascha what name she would choose if she could choose any name in the world. Of course she wanted THREE names (first, middle, last).

This is what she came up with:


Jose Carolyn Rex

(She wasn't sure about Rex because "that's really a boy's name." Apparently in her eyes, Jose is unisex.)

She hasn't asked us to start calling her "Jose" yet, though.



And here is some cuteness that'll bring a tear to your eye. (Well, it did mine.) Sascha came up with this all on her own (Matt helped with the spelling):



(In case you can't read the writing, it says: Dear Zoe, I love you. I like playing with you and giving you hugs")

Aghh...it's late and I should be in bed. But I wanted to post some pix of my board of advisors. They keep me honest at work every day. At times, they question my motives in suggesting such strategies as a bath with hairwashing or more zucchini instead of more curly fries. (and really, is there anyone who prefers zucchini to curly fries? I mean, we make some pretty good grilled zucchini, but still....)

In short (erm, no pun intended, since they are both under 4 feet tall), my advisors are all about having fun, seizing the day, and eating dessert first. And really, isn't that what life's about? Shower the people, indeed.




(Can't you just hear them now? "Do you think she's conflicted about her decision to give us pseudo-healthy cereal as a snack?" "She thinks she's doing the right thing, of course, but she'll revisit that decision in 11 years, when we're both teenagers and taller than she is.")



("It's not wise to smile for the camera, Sascha. Then she'll think you'll do anything she asks you to. Don't you remember how I picked up the cat by his head? That's the kind of rebellion that parents need to experience.")




(really, this photo does not need a caption except to say that after her bath, this is the girl who will ONLY allow herself to be dried with a PINK towel. yet she is definitely related to me...there was no mix-up in the hospital, seeing that she was born in the bedroom...genetics are so funky, aren't they?)