Santa Monica Santa

This year the girls asked Santa for new Teddy Bears - Harper requested pink. Not sure where the new interest in Teddy Bears has come from...well, except that Karl has eaten Lila's first Teddy AND is well on his way to scarfing another.

While this has been a year of change, the girls are handling it all in stride. They have been loving Chalk Preschool and getting used to life in SoCal. We miss SF most of the time, but feel lucky to live in the sun.

Merry Christmas.

Happy Halloween Santa Monica

Lila was "Ruby Gloom" and Harper was a "Nice Witch" this Halloween. Angela was especially proud to watch her girls embrace the ghoulish spirit of the holiday while most other girls were dressed as fairies, princesses or kittens. After the preschool parade the girls had a day of treats and fun followed by an evening of tummy aches and trick or treating...pretty awesome. Fun was had by all. xo

Jelly Bellies

Imaginations are plentiful in the Jones household. And it all starts with Dad. B watched 'Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory' with the girls and then took them to the Jelly Belly factory. It was a magical day for all.

It's lovely to live in San Francisco

scenes from our beautiful bay area.

Zoo times are fun times

zoo girls love giraffes.

Bed Bugs

Yes, we have more obvious signs of fatigue than once upon a time...but we also have some sweet bed bugs that know just how to turn on the cute in the morning.

Over the river and through the woods...

I am way behind with the blog....so sorry for slacking on this. The last couple of months have been hectic AND wonderful. Here are some pics from our girl's trip to Oregon. Lila and Harper are natural born hot tubbers - just like Baba. We also got to check out real, live snow at Timberline Lodge (complete with the requisite hot chocolate) and have an early Easter egg hunt. xo

pedicures for all, the muppets and other adventures

Last weekend 'the big girls' Audrey and Ava were in SF. Our 'little girls' had a great time hanging out with them. It was especially see how Audrey and Lila bonded while Ava and Harper shared a younger sister connection. We spent a lot of time inside during the rain but were able to make it out for pedicures (Harper's toes are blue as per her request) and a ride on the bus (this is exciting when you don't do it every day.)

Happy Birthday Harpie!

The perfect end to a magical day with Maria - Chuck E Cheese and lots of fun. Here's to Harper's second year. xo

Two: get ready

Here it comes. Year two. Looking forward to it.

Two is a magic number

Our little Harpie is two tomorrow.

We have loved watching her little personality shine a little bit more every day. She's soft and sweet with a definite edge when she wants to display it. The world will not mess with Harper. If it does, she will headbutt it into place, thank you very much. She loves to watch her sister and follow in her footsteps. They share a passion for all things 'My Little Pony' and Dora related. They also love to dance with their dad. When he chases, Harper feigns a bit of fear and says, "mon-stah." But it's clear she's not really afraid.

Her favorite book these days is "10 apples up on top." She is also a pretty big fan of food and does a little squirm while proclaiming, "YUM."

Happy Birthday little lady. We love you more and more.

fairies in fairyland

watching a play + loving it.

first haircut

what is it about girls and salons? Harper loved her first haircut while all the boys in the place were screaming their faces off.

beach combing on dad's bday

celebrating a day early

Today we celebrated Lila with a pony ride and a Princess Celestia (that's the big star from My Little Pony) cake. Lila declared that today was her best birthday ever. Let's hope next year is even better. xo

harper the gamer

Harper enjoys a quiet game on the iPad. Her father's daughter. Games and all.

reaching four

How can our Lila possibly be four? February 13 marks this milestone, which in many ways seems impossible. Our girl has brought so much to this world. And while she is definitely responsible for a few wrinkles, lost sleep and grey hair she has mostly made things a whole lot more fun. I for one hope she never loses her spark and the belief that she can truly do anything. From insisting she doesn't need swimming lessons ("when I get in the water I will just kick") to contemplating rides on unicorns, Lila believes that anything is possible. Actually, forget possible. With Lila it's probable.

This birthday she asked for her own office so "she could get work done and have privacy." Her parents are asking for her to slow down a tiny bit so they don't miss a moment of this audacious little person becoming something remarkable. xo

winter saturday

after lila's ballet class and before harper's nap there's a magical part of the day.

to sydney, with love

The girls had their first summer christmas in sydney this year - three weeks filled with cousins, sun/rain, aunts, santa, uncles, sausages, old and new friends,sand, prawns, grandparents, fish n chips, and most especially NONNIE! It was lovely to see everyone. Lila and Mackenzie were quite the pair. He taught her a little more about sharing and yoga. She showed all the cousins the power of just the right handbag (thanks grandpa Barry and Susan). Harper was happiest getting her toes painted by Francesca and playing with Lucy. Alexandra made Lila's trip by giving her a loved, little, yellow horse.

Christmas was a big highlight - a swim at Clovelly and a scrumptious lunch prepared by Sarah and Matt. Our last full day was another highlight - the whole family gathered at Bilgola Beach for lunch and a swim.

It was really hard to come back. Nonnie took amazing care of all of us. We're looking forward to our next big trip to Australia and many more visits from everyone down there.

xo