RIP Raspberry

Just a little over two months after Kate's fish died, today Audrey's betta fish Raspberry also died. Audrey, Kate, cousin Lily, and their friend Olivia held a little backyard burial service for her this evening.

Beanie Boo Rescue Team

Audrey and Kate and their cousins Lily and Cora are really into Beanie Boos. So when Lily reported that she had seen three Beanie Boos abandoned in the rain at the playground at the Archbishop Howard School a few days ago, the girls became concerned and wanted to rescue them. They decided to form the "Beanie Boo Rescue Team" to save them. While Kate stayed at the home base (recuperating from an illness), Audrey and Lily went to the playground and found one of the three Beanie Boos ("Peanut"). They took her home and cleaned her up and "fed" her. The plan is to take her back for her rightful owner to retrieve her, although they don't seem to be in a big rush to do so . . .

Trip to Cannon Beach

The girls and their cousins took a day trip to Cannon Beach today. It had rained earlier in the day, but when they got their the clouds were breaking up and it proved to be a relatively pleasant -- albeit wind -- day at the beach. The girls played in the sand, climbed some sand hills, checked out the tide pools at Haystack Rock, warmed themselves by a fire in a sand shelter some nice beach-goers let them use while they were away, and had dinner at Mo's before driving home.

Westmoreland Nature Play Park visit

Audrey, Kate, Lily, and Cora played in the new nature-based playground at Westmoreland Park today. They climbed on rocks and logs, had a picnic, climbed on the low-hanging limbs of some cedar trees, and fished sticks out of the casting pond.

Honey's birthday

Audrey and Kate helped Honey celebrate her birthday today.

Nighty-night

Audrey and Kate helped put their cousins to bed this evening. 

Visit to the Enchanted Forest

Audrey and Kate and their cousins and friend Hannah took a trip to the Enchanted Forest today. The adults in the group who had gone as kids noted it hadn't changed too much over the years. The roller coasters were a big hit, as was the gold panning for "jewels" (agates, crystals, and fool's gold), and the big slide. On the way home, the girls stopped at Costco for an early dinner and some shopping.

Happy Birthday, Josefina

According to her biography, today is the birthday of Josefina, Audrey's American Girl Doll. Audrey prepared a special breakfast for Josefina, and in the afternoon Honey took Audrey and Kate to the neighborhood frozen yogurt shop to celebrate. That evening, Lily and Cora joined Audrey and Kate to share some birthday cupcakes.

Leprechaun visit

Audrey and Kate made leprechaun houses last night in preparation for St. Patrick's Day. They were rewarded with a couple of visits from leprechauns today: once in the morning, when the leprechauns left chocolate coins, and once in the afternoon, when they left "Irish potatoes" and geodes. The leprechauns also visited cousins Lily and Cora next door, and visited Kate and her kindergarten classmates at school.

First bonified slumber party

Audrey got back this morning from her first real slumber party. It was a sleepover birthday party for her friend Kamea. The girls watched a movie, had their hair done, and stayed up until 3 in the morning(!). Audrey seemed to get through the rest of the day with minimal grumpiness or tiredness, but tomorrow will be the true test.