Easter Party

I mentioned earlier that last weekend was a busy one for us with a cheerleading competition and an Easter Party. We've already seen the cheerleading competition - go Berkeley Bear Cubs! - so now let's see the Easter party...

Little Easter cuties

Berkeley Bear Cubs

This last weekend was a busy one for us. On Saturday we went to an Easter party, which I'll be sharing soon, and on Sunday Ava had her second cheerleading competition.

Ava has been taking cheerleading lessons with Young Champions since September last year. At the end of each 10 week (or so) session a competition is held between groups from the Bay Area and beyond. You may remember Ava's first cheerleading competition with her team Berkeley Stars which was held back in January. You can see it here.

This time around Ava's team was called Berkeley Bear Cubs. If you're not familiar with Berkeley then let me just point out that the sporting teams at the university here are all called Cal Bears, hence our little ones choosing the name Bear Cubs.

Ava's team of eight competed against a large team from Oakland and an absolutely massive team from San Leandro. They came in third and were pretty excited about their medals. All of the kids did a fantastic job and we were very proud of them.

Ava shows off her bronze medal and trophy

Shamrocks for St Patrick's Day

This one's a little late. I had planned to write a post about the shamrock hair accessories I was making for the girls for St Patrick's Day. But I got distracted! In fact, I got so distracted that I didn't even end up making the girls' shamrock hair accessories until a few hours before the St Patrick's Day parade! With the rush to make the girls' hair accessories there was no time to write a post in time for St Patrick's Day. Maybe this will serve as crafty inspiration for someone for next year's St Patrick's day instead!

Ava wears her shamrock headband to the St Patrick's Day parade in San Francisco

Happy St Patrick's Day

This weekend we celebrated St Patrick's Day by attending the St Patrick's Day parade in San Francisco. We joined thousands of other green clad people and watched as the floats, fire trucks, horses, marching bands, Irish dancers and local workers' unions marched down Market Street toward Civic Center.

Irish for the day!

Our wheatgrass is growing!

Remember that wheat grass we planted last week? You can see the original post here. Well, it certainly has grown!

It's amazing just how fast this stuff grows. I planted the seeds last Thursday and by the time we came back from Lake Tahoe on Sunday evening we had green sprouts popping up everywhere!

Here's a look at just how much it has grown so far.

Growing nicely

Lake Tahoe Snow Weekend

The weather here in the Bay Area is so beautifully warm and sunny at the moment that it feels a little surreal to think that we were in the snow just a few days ago. But sure enough, we were.

This past weekend we finally made it to Lake Tahoe. I can't believe that it's taken us almost a year and a half to get there. The north shore of Lake Tahoe is only a three hour (and a bit) drive from the Bay Area and during the cooler months it truly is a beautiful snow filled Winter wonderland. Apparently in Summer it's just as beautiful. I can't wait to go back in the warmer months and see for myself, but for now let's have a look at our weekend in the snow...

Looking over Lake Donner

Off to the snow!

This weekend we're heading off to the snow! And this time it's not just man made snow in a parking lot in Berkeley. No, this time it's REAL snow!

The girls are really excited about going to the snow and all afternoon they've been preparing; packing a suitcase, trying on snow gear, working out what they'd like to do when they get there... They've also been getting into "snow mood" by looking at pictures from our last adventure in a cold and white wonderland.

Back in 2010 we took Ava to the snowfields in Victoria, Australia. We spent a few days tobogganing, building snowmen, making snow angels and having snowball fights. Ava absolutely loved it and has been eager to go back. Lola hasn't been to the snow yet but is eager to find out what all of the fuss is about. I guess, technically she did go to the snow with us last time as I was 6 months pregnant with her, but it doesn't really count!

Our last trip to the snow required at least 10 hours of driving just to get within reach of the snowfields. Here in the Bay Area we're only a 3 hour drive away from the snowfields of Lake Tahoe. A much nicer drive! We're so lucky to have snow so close and I can't believe that we're yet to make use of its close proximity.

While I prepare for our weekend away I thought I'd share some photos from our last trip to the snow.

Day 1...

Ava's first day in the snow

Ava loved tobogganing

Growing Wheatgrass for Easter

Today Ava and I planted wheatgrass for Easter.

Planting wheatgrass for Easter

Chalkboard Speech Bubble DIY

Last month we celebrated Ava's 6th birthday with a rainbow coloured party. One of my favourite things from the party was the spotty photo booth back drop that I made.

While the photo booth on it's own was pretty great I figured it would be more fun if the kids had props to use in the photos and maybe even something to say. Chalkboard speech bubbles were the perfect fit. Simple and not too distracting in the photos, but still fun and completely customisable.

Chalkboard speech bubble photo booth props

Career Day

Today was Career and College Day at Ava's school.

Students were encouraged to come to school dressed either as their dream profession or in the colours of the college they'd like to attend.

Ava decided that she'd like to dress as a veterinarian. She told me "I'd like to be a vet when I grow up because I like animals and I like doctors". Fair enough.

Here's Ava the vet with her patient, Joel who has injured his leg and needs to wear a bucket around his neck to keep from chewing at the bandage!

Vet Ava on her way home from school