Floating...literally!

Early Monday morning, at about 3 a.m., I woke up experiencing a lot of pain and pressure. As I walked the house and began counting contractions, I realized the time had come to wake up Samuel and get ready for our trip to the hospital. By 6 a.m., after settling the kids with their aunt and uncle, we arrived.

Everything was looking great, my contractions were steady, close together, and fairly strong, and then came the news:

Our son had decided to float!

Which means there was no longer any pressure helping things along!

We've since been released and lo' and behold the contractions are far and few between!
Talk about a false alarm and some serious disappointment!

I think Ava took it the hardest though. When the kids came home from their much anticipated 2-day sleepover with their cousins, she howled and howled.

I'm happy to say my reaction wasn't quite so dramatic.

The Year of Six

Taylor and Ava, cousins.

Growing up.

The same afternoon that we celebrated Julia's birthday, I also took some shots of Ava and her cousin Taylor. These two couldn't be more different: Taylor the perpetual princess; Ava the rowdy tomboy. But on this casual afternoon, after years of avoiding each other, they came together and developed imaginary games that suited both their tastes.

Happy 12th Birthday Sis!

Julia & Isabella

My mom and Julia serving up the yummy chocolate cupcakes with sprinkles.

Julia, officially a pre-teen.
Augghh!!!

Guess Where?

It feels like we're walking all over Northern California trying to, as the kids say, "Walk that baby out!". On Saturday, we decided to take the kids to IKEA to do some laps there.

Did it do the trick?
No.

But we sure had fun!

A Tasty New Blog

My sister-in-law Jessica started a group cooking blog for the Elmer women! It has been so much fun submitting recipes each of our families love best. My favorite part? The recipes for all those must-have dishes that appear at every family gathering are now at our fingertips!

I hope you take the time to check it out!

In the Kitchen with the Elmer Girls

End-of-the-Year Luau

All week the girls have been anxiously awaiting their schools End-of-the-Year Luau! I can't tell you how many times Isabella asked me if she thought the baby would come then. Of course I couldn't give her a firm answer, but luckily her new brother behaved well and dutifully stayed snug in my tummy so we could attend the event as planned!

Everyone was be-decked in their island best!

We enjoyed a picnic of delicious chicken teriyaki!

When they called for volunteers to participate in the Hoola hoop contest, Isabella jumped up! Then they announced that every child must hoola with a parent, and she looked at me with desperate eyes! I said "no way", but luckily she has the best dad in the world and he hopped up to take her hand.

In addition, we also enjoyed some great performances from the lower grades. Ava and the rest of the kindergartners performed the "Huki Lau".

And later, when Isabella and the 2nd graders performed to the Beach Boys "Surfin' USA", even Iris got into it!

Later, the whole school got into the action by climbing on-stage to sing, "Bazooka Bubble Gum"! It was hilarious!

A special treat came later when a member of the 5th grade class, a professional Hawaiian dancer, performed. You should have heard the support he received from his fellow students-they went crazy with applause!

Owen loved all the music...

...and Iris couldn't get enough of her sno-cone!

The finale was a beautiful performance by two professional Hawaiian dancers who danced to the theme song of "Lilo & Stitch". Later, they taught the crowd some simple hula moves!

We had a wonderful time, and we are so grateful for the events our school hosts for the students and their families. It has been an opportunity to make memories, establish friendships, and draw closer together as a community.

June Lightening Storm?

First of all, it's unheard of to have 70 degree weather here in June, but then you toss in a monstrous lightening storm followed by sheets of pouring rain, and then your just talking crazy!

But that was exactly the type of weather we experienced on June 3rd, and it was something none of us will forget!

Owen's Pillow

He won't have it for much longer!

Thank goodness!

The Breakfast of Champions!

Digging in!

Thanks for showing me your feet Owen!

At our house, there is no other comfort food like the Elmer Classic:

Eggies & Toast with a side of Cold Chocolate Milk

It never fails to bring cheers and an eager rush to the table.

I love that we Elmers are pretty simple to please.

Stuff, Stuff, and more Stuff!

It's that special time of year when teachers clean out classrooms, student empty out their desks, and mom's dining room table overflows with an abundance of the school years projects!

Do I love their beautiful work?
Yes!

Do I want it to take over my house?
No!

Hence the photos we take for posterity, while the recycle bin grows mysteriously more full...