Fun in St. Louis

 A picnic at the Jewel Box.

The zoo with Aunt Mindy and Gigi.

 And fun at Gigi and Roger's house.

Recap

Treadmill desk!  Excited about walking at work while charting.

Sandy patio fun.

 Dance, girls!

 Big shoes to fill.

One tired birthday girl.

Lake Tahoe

It's sunny and warm here in Dublin...

But snowy and warm in Lake Tahoe!  A first for the girls.

All about Violet

 While the big girls were off to Tahoe for the day, Mommy and Violet spent a lot of time alone together.  Getting into trouble here...

First stop: Trader Joe's!

 Out to eat...

 ...and showing me her nose in the tub.

 Yogurt, strawberries, and Kashi.  Yum!

 Cheeeeese!

Happy birthday Haley!!!

 We celebrated a day early due to a Lake Tahoe ski trip today.  Haley chose the menu.  Yummy and healthy!

Cutest photobomber ever!

 Violet liked it too.

 Yay for presents!  Violet is clean-up crew.

 Lots of sweet cards.

 Saved the best for last!  Chocolate on chocolate, of course.

Piggies

Sweet little Violet!  Finally getting interested in books.  This one is called "Good Night, San Francisco."

 Cute little piggy!

 I love how she still tucks her head under my chin.

Haley at Six (by Grandma Julie)

Special Talents

Haley’s observational skills are something to admire.
The way that she asks questions is what scientists require.
She asks about a concept; then she asks for more and more.
She asks how things are made and what they do and what they’re for.
It’s a pleasure just to teach her and endeavor to explain,
And marvel at her learning and at her amazing brain.

If something’s wrong inside your house like if a light bulb’s out,
As soon as Haley comes inside she’ll tell you there’s no doubt.
When Poppie replaced the railing that was going down their stairs,
He didn’t tell our Haley that it needed some repairs.
But though it looked the very same in color, shape, and size,
Haley sensed that it was different with her touch and not her eyes.

Her Irish dancing’s amazing, her technique is fun to see,
As she rises on her toes and kicks high up to her knee.
Miss Valerie is quite impressed and can’t believe her age,
And we were all so proud of her when she danced up on the stage.
Haley’s piano playing is a treat for us to hear,
And because she practices daily she has come so far this year!

Her music and her dancing are for Haley just a start,
Because Haley’s quite a reader and she’s talented in art.
When Haley sends a birthday card made especially for you;
You’ll marvel at her drawing and her perfect printing too.
With math and science, reading, and the arts she’s learned much about the world,
So at the age of six years old she is truly a Renaissance girl.