C Bear's Hula Party

I'm still not sure what possesses us parents to throw birthday parties for our kids. We invite small children over to our homes and practically beg them to make a mess with the frosting and punch. We see the birthday child feel special and loved, and the other parents are thrilled that their kids are running around like little maniacs in someone else's house. In the end, it's worth it because we all end up having a blast- even with food ground into the carpets.

This year for Claire's second birthday we had a Hawaiian themed party. The menu consisted of sweet chicken tacos, saffron rice, chips & salsa, pineapple punch and brownie cupcakes for dessert. To use the words of a certain TV food chef who drives us bonkers- YUM O! We dressed up for the occasion and had every guest take a picture under the fake palm tree wearing the big straw hat and a lei... lots of fun!

she loves the fact that it's all about her!

everybody hula!

Birthday Girl

shy

that cupcake didn't last 30 seconds!

of course, by the next morning, baby had no clothes on...

gimme the candy and no one gets hurt!

even Deacon wore a Hawaiian romper

Claire Elizabeth Garcia

On Thursday, April 16, our baby Claire turned two years old. She has grown from a sweet, happy baby to a beautiful little girl who loves to laugh and play and sing and dance. We all adore her....

April 16, 2007- just born

April 2007

August 2007- 4 months old

February 2008- 10 months old

March 2009

March 2009

Baby Dedication

We had forgotten just how difficult it is to keep up with life when one has 1 preschooler, 1 toddler and 1 newborn and 0 hours of sleep, so we have been in survival mode for 3 months. Deacon is starting to sleep through the night now, so we're beginning to come out of our sleep deprived stupor. In the three months that have passed, Gigi has become little lady (and such a little mommy!), Claire has passed from a toddler to a little girl and Deacon is a smiling, laid-back baby.

In March our church had Baby Dedications, and we were able to have our entire family stand up and dedicate Deacon. What a sweet moment... well, it would have been if Gigi hadn't decided to tee-tee in her pants in front of the congregation right before the dedications started. Ahh, the joys of parenthood.

right after the tee-tee episode (it even got all over her shoes!)

Deacon being given his first Bible