“Let’s do it again, she said.”
— Lucy acting as her own narrator

Birthday Party from Mike C on Vimeo.

Last month we brought Lucy to a really fun birthday party. There were lots of kids, a bouncy house, balloons, toys, a piñata, and cupcakes. Needless to say, the whole experience got a hearty thumbs up from the kid. This is a video from the party.

Madame also enjoyed playing with the birthday girl’s toys….

But kept going back to the bouncy house….she even convinced her daddy to bounce!

They were crafts…a pinata…loads of balloons…cupcakes…phew!

It was a great party, and we stayed til the very end. Just as we were about to leave, she got in one last bounce!

Notable happenings from the past month:

• Celebrating Jill’s birthday in SF (too bad John couldn’t make it!)
• Easter Egg Hunt at Gma Vita’s place
• BJ Penn Book Signing
• Getting together with old friends, including Kelly

Stuff I’ve watched/read this month:

Movies & Books

Last weekend we celebrated Lucy’s third birthday. Can ya believe the kid is three already? Check out the cool “cake village” her mom made for her in the above pic.

The kid had a great time. Some of her favorite people (and Wubert), lots of food and presents, and lots of fun. What better way to spend a birthday for our growing girl? (Did I tell ya she’s three now?!)

She was pretty tuckered by the end of her big day. However, she still made sure to read a bedtime story to some of her “friends” before heading off to bed for the first time as a 3 year old.

Happy birthday, kid.

Additional links:

• More pics of Lucy Turning Three
• Lucy Turns Two
• Lucy Turns One

Once we all converged there were aunties, uncle, cousins and grandma, and Lucy loved having a full house to entertain…she regaled them with songs over and over. I think she already misses the attention!

Here are some pics from our trip…thanks so much for having us!

p.s. this may end up being part one of a two-parter, stay tuned.

Our hosts…and the birthday boy.

relaxing on the patio

playing in the fountain along the river in downtown Corvallis

dandelion hunting in the park

three generations explore a new store…and local wildlife in a yard

One downside to the lush greenery…it’s a rich habitat for spiders. Eww.

Gma Vita Birthday Party from Mike C on Vimeo.

Here’s some video shot during Gma Vita’s birthday celebration in late July. For more info, please check out Jill’s post (and pics) right here.

Camera Used: Creative Vado HD. Soundtrack:

• “I Want to Talk About You” from Soultrane by John Coltrane

Auntie’s birthday was this week, and Lucy and I had a little party with her on the day (bigger party to come.)

We painted plates, had cake, and played in the garden. It was a lovely day.

Oh, and Lucy sang her the birthday song. Happy Birthday Auntie!

A Birthday Party from Mike C on Vimeo.

Gpa Tom came to visit yesterday. We then all went to a birthday party for some friends in Morgan Hill. It was their son’s very first birthday, a very notable occasion.

Lucy was very excited, especially when she saw the park, grass, balloons, and all the people. She even got a lady bug (her favorite kind!) painted on her arm. The bug looked great (until Lucy rubbed her eye, smearing her ladybug and making herself look like an extra from A Clockwork Orange in the same motion).

Camera Used: Creative Vado HD. Soundtrack:

• “Corrine Corrina’” from Country Music’s Two Guitar Greats and “Free Little Bird” from Country Guitar Thunder by Merle Travis and Joe Maphis

In addition to her aunts and uncles and the birthday Gma, Lucy got to see a big chunk of her cousins. She loves to hang out with the big kids!

She was very happy to be included in their hide-and-seek game, and hid very well (without her usual “I’m in here!” shouts to give her away).

When we got home (and after a sufficiently refreshing nap) she proudly told us her cousins were all big girls, and that she was a big girl too.

p.s. Good luck in your new home, Nina and Larry! We’ll miss you!