Strategic Thinking

Today Lola was having hot chocolate with us, and Josh broached a controversial topic.
"Lola, soon you're going to wrap up your pacifiers and give them to the babies," he said.
Lola has been sleeping with a pacifier at night, which is okay until they reach three years of age. She looked uneasy. I jumped in to facilitate the plan.
"You don't have to give up the paci now, we'll do it in about a week. You'll wrap it up and give it as a present to babies," I volunteered.
Josh added for emphasis, "Babies need pacifiers."
Lola looked down for a second, obviously trying to think of a way out of the situation. Then she hit on it.
"Baby Tommy already has a paci." Baby Tommy is our friends' child.
Josh wasn't going to admit defeat.
"Tommy is very fortunate. Other babies don't have pacifiers."
Lola, still looking down, let loose a huge grin, acknowledging strategic loss, but doubtless still planning to escape her coming fate.

Bryan's Birthday and Other Pictures

These pictures of Lola in ballet gear show how much she has grown--she's starting to look gangly, and I imagine that won't change for about ten years! She also is recovering from a terrible rash under her lip, which you can still see in these pictures.






Here are several pictures from Bryan's birthday. The two children in the second picture below are probably Lola's closest friends right now--Mikayla and Matthew. Both are a year older than she.

Lola's Birthday: Volume 2

Lola had a fabulous bowling birthday party.



We arrived in plenty of time to set it up! Those of you familiar with our habits know that we actually arrived early and just cooled our heels watching people.



Lola's friend Matthew was on the "big kid" lane, bowling away happily.


Big girl Megan was our senior child partier.


Kyle, pictured with Lola below, was our "party hero." I prefer to call him our "party butler."


Sawyer bowls with his dad.



Here's little Charlotte with her dad.




Here's Leo with his dad.


Bryan bowls with his dad: a determined duo!


The star of the party steps out with her mom.



The big cake-and-candle moment arrives.




The party continues.

Lola's Birthday Party: Volume 1

I really didn't expect this turn of events, but Lola has suddenly developed a Disney princess obsession. Luckily, Ariel is by far her favorite. We are indulging her in Ariel paraphernalia, not only because she likes it, but also to drive away the spectre of the passive blondie princesses. Ariel saves her prince from drowning! This morning, Lola is enjoying her gigantic birthday balloon.



Here's the Little Mermaid cake from the bakery.



Lola is modeling the ultra-cool Nike tracksuit, a birthday present from Aunt Cindy.


Here are the pictures of Lola in her Catholic schoolgirl outfit, which is what we call this adorable dress, a Christmas present from Grandma and Grandpa P.