Turning 3

I cannot believe that Liora is 3! We decided to host a birthday party for her friends this year (we had been doing family-type bbq's up until now). I asked her if she would rather have a dance party or a tea party. She wanted both and said she wanted a bunny cake, so we decided to narrow it down to the Bunny Boogie Down Dance Party! Themes always help with these things, don't you know.

 

We had Miss Elizabeth along for the ride, taking some beautiful photos and documenting the crazy time that comes from a house full of three year olds! It is a good form of birth control, according to Elizabeth. 

 

The beautiful birthday girl, ready to party!

The bunny cupcakes mommy and daddy stayed up until 11 pm the night before creating. Be in awe of us.

Elle was the first guest!

So happy!

We had a dance party cd mix (also from Elizabeth and Jason) that kept the girls on their toes. Check out these dance moves.

No THESE dance moves! What! She's a natural, unlike mommy or daddy.

Taking a snack rest with Kira.

The blond three--Liora, Lexie, and Elle.

I have no comment on this face.

Already tuckered out.

Kaya was psyched to have a party at the house.

The ears got eaten first.

Happy icing face. Elizabeth and I are planning a booklet gift to Liora of all the cupcake/icing face covered photos taken in her lifetime when she turns 10. She has many for the book already!

Most of the girls, minus Kira who was taking photos of the group herself.

 

A few days later, on her real birthday, Liora got her big pressie from mommy and daddy, a leap pad! It is basically an ipad type thing for kids, with no internet connection. It was love at first button press.

We did another song and candle blowout that night. Kaya was in bed, but joined us via satellite video connection.

 

Here is where I'll get all sappy. It's hard to believe that our baby is three! It's been the best experience of my life, to be a mom. Liora makes it so rewarding (and now Kaya does too of course). Liora is a bright light in our lives: beautiful, creative, social, sweet, so smart, and hilarious. She loves to dance, and sing. She can keep herself busy taking care of her babies; she helps mommy bake in the kitchen; she is a wonderful big sister, always trying to make Kaya smile and take care of her for us. She is very athletic and pushes herself to try new things. We're so very proud of her!

Halloween 2013!

The end of October is a big time for the Grasheims! We've got Halloween and Liora's birthday. And this year, Liora dressed up THREE different times: for school Halloween, for Boo at the Zoo (trick or treating at the zoo), and for the traditional evening of 10/31. 

Kaya also turned 6 months at the end of October! She is growing up so fast.

Liora really wanted to be a cat this year. We perused that Pottery Barn Kids catalog for costumes, and she kept coming back to the $70 kitty tutu outfit. What do you do when you don't want to spend $70 on a costume for your 3-year-old? You turn to your bff who is able to create anything she sets her mind to. With a tutu, black leotard, and a tail and ears combo, Auntie Elizabeth created this awesome costume that looks BETTER than PBK. Just look at that peter pan collar!

The sisters before heading to school. Mommy felt like Kaya was too young for a costume this year, so we opted for the traditional skull shirt instead. Don't all 6-month-old girls own skull shirts? Skulls wearing bows, of course.

With Elle at the school party. This was the craft.  Elle was Dora.

Getting ready for Boo at the Zoo. Mommy wanted the entire family to go so bad, but had to bow out because Kaya wasn't feeling well and it was raining.

Kaya was sad to miss it too.

Daddy dressed up too! Doesn't every pirate have his black cat sidekick?

October Hike

Aunt Gabi told us about a cool outdoors event planned by the National Wildlife Federation, Hike and Seek. And so in mid-October, we were lucky enough to have the opportunity to attend this "get kids outdoors" themed event. We invited Elle and her parents once again. The event was at a nearby park, and included a long hike (a little too long for three-year-olds) with stations for learning and discovering.

Liora near the lake.

Her sun art project.

Identifying leaves.

At the end of the hike, there were wildlife rehabbers there with some birds of prey and reptiles they had rescued, including this owl.

Liora was very brave touching the snake! Mommy and Kaya were resting off camera! :)

family portraits

In mid-October, photog friends the Putche's came to take our annual family portraits. Once again, they did an amazing job. We loved how they turned out.

 

Family walking down our street.

 

There's our girl!

 

Love this shot.

Holiday card-worthy!

 

Our beautiful ladies

 

 

Would you like some leaves with that?

Loving daddy

Goofing off

Goofing off some more

We also tried a new setting, the family in bed. We're going to work on this theme again for next year's portaits when the girls can jump on the bed together and mommy can work a bit more on coordinating pajamas!

 

Even though she couldn't jump herself, Kaya loved holding Liora's hand and getting help from mommy.

 

Almost our holiday card, but mommy opted for one of the outdoors.

 

We are so thankful to Elizabeth and Jason for capturing our family's energy and love. We are sooo lucky to have them in our lives!