After the Party

After Maia's birthday party... she walked into a little surprise.   We graduated her from a toddler bed to a twin bed. Grandma and Papa set it up while we were at the party, added on new bedding.



One thing I learned after I stopped rolling: Maia does not like surprises. At least not big ones like this.  But at least she's a good faker for a few minutes, the tears happened later. By bedtime, she loved it again.

We also re-arranged a little after this.

She rather liked the idea of the neatly made bed, all tucked in.

And please pardon her wedgie removal.

She really, REALLY loved the rug.

A Big Hairy Deal

Mom?
Yes Maia?
Why does the Lorax and the um, what's the other guy?
The Once-ler
Yeah. Why do they have such big moustaches?
I don't know. I guess they're just really good at growing them.
Uh huh.
.
.
I hope I never grow a moustache like that.
Me too, kid. Me too.

Java Gym

Or as Parker calls it: "Daba Dym."   

We were delighted to find this little place not far from home.  A nice (although not free) alternative to the park on Hot Days. A huge climbing play structure inside a strip mall, with a little cafe and wi-fi for the parents. 

It's a little challenging for Parker. 

Actually, it's a little challenging for Maia, it's a LOT challenging for Parker. 

And he needed some help. So Maia helped. And when she couldn't help, I would climb in and help.

And this has become one of their favorite places!

It was so cool to watch them figure things out, and problem solve. 

Problem solving and physical activity all in one.

And me? The next day? I was feeling muscles I hadn't felt for a while!

Turning Four!

On her actual birthday (her friend birthday was a few days prior), Maia wore this to school. She handed out mini-cupcakes to her classmates.

 She got to pick out her own favorite dinner (she requested spaghetti) and we had a birthday cookie.

Aunt Tara and Nana had facilitated this gift (from Aunt Tara, Uncle Dave, Aaron, Rachael, Nana and Grandpa) and it sat in the box for an agonizingly long time for Maia... until Ray and I finally managed to put it together.

Later we had a tea party with Doc McStuffins and Aunt Kathleen

Look Ma, no training wheels!

 I love balance bikes. Have I mentioned that? I think they're such a cool idea. Here she is, just weeks from being four, and Papa has presented Maia with Adrian's old bike. No training wheels.

The bike was a little big for her yet. But she was pretty determined to do it.  Unfortunately, one of her favorite parts of riding her balance bike includes doing small circles, turns and figure 8s.  Easy peasy with the balance bike, but learning on a standard bike takes some time and practice.

But here's her third attempt on the big kid bike, with a little help from Papa. On a balmy, 94º evening.

And while Maia was busy, Parker thought he needed to check this thing out.

Massena (part 3)

Maia had made huge improvements with her balance bike at Interlochen... and with the little hills and bigger open spaces, Maia's confidence grew. She started to really, really enjoy going down hills.  She rode her balance bike just about everywhere she could.