Smiles and Accessories

I have never been the super girly accessory type, but a family gave this outfit to Maggie with the matching socks and headband and I just think it is too cute.  Not to mention the fact that she has been so smiley and photogenic lately!

Lifeguard Clara Take 2

So Clara was at it again today, except we actually set up the pool today.  It has been beautiful here lately and we are trying to soak up every last ray of sunshine before the rain hits.  Clara is making sure all the swimmers in the pool stay safe & that they can properly turn their kayaks around!

After a while she actually got in the pool and "swam" around.  She was competing in a swim race here, (something that Matt started in the bath tub, where he announces her name and event and then starts the race).  It is pretty funny.

Lifeguard Clara

This morning Clara put on her backpack and whistle and was pretending to be a lifeguard.  She was outside and heard her blow her whistle and yell, "Turn your kayak around! (pause) There you go!  You got it!"

I guess she picked up on a few things while observing at the beach in California.  Funny girl.

I think the camera may have been a stand in for a bullhorn.

4 Months Old

At 4 months Maggie is doing great! She is super smiley and a pretty mellow baby. She has started rolling over, and reaches for anything in sight and, like all good babies, proceeds to stick it in her mouth.  She is greatly loved by Clara who requests to hold her and snuggle with her!

No Agenda Vacation

Well, maybe "no agenda vacation" is not totally accurate!  Here was our main agenda for our week in Carpinteria:
1. Walk to Coffee Bean or Crushcakes for coffee and/or breakfast
2. Ride bikes through the campground
3. Eat yummy food throughout the day
4. Read
5. Beverages at Island Brewing Company
6. Play at the park
7. Enjoy family
8. Beach time
9. Celebrate my mom's 60th birthday!

 Each day it was a mystery as to what Clara would want, or more likely, not want to do at the beach.  She continues to have a dislike for sand and depending on the day, would want to be carried across the sand or ride in the jogger.  Above, Tio Rojo has asked her to go boogie boarding and to my amazement, she headed out into the water!  Below you'll see her idea of "boogie boarding"!

Uncle Joe was victorious in getting her in the water and sand this day!  Having her cousins there was a helpful motivation, too!

Maggie really caught onto this whole relaxation/vacation thing pretty quickly! =)
 

Matt with another major sand victory! She watched him dig this whole and was hesitant to get in, but she did it!

 Clara spent hours at this park throughout the week.  One of the highlights was when Grandpa drove over for a quick overnight visit and they played there together.

It is amazing to me how agile and brave she has become over the past couple months.  She is climbing ladders, pumping on the swing, and speeding her tricycle.  It is really neat to see her coordination and confidence grow!

Good times were had by all!