Noah's big 0-3

Noah had a fabulous, fun-filled birthday that somehow lasted all weekend. He had a few cakes, several visitors, chocolate pancakes for breakfast at his request, a sushi dinner at his request, 2 dozen balloons awaiting him in the living room birthday morning, and a big party on Sunday with lots and lots of friends.

Here he is trying to hold up 3 fingers. This was as soon as he woke up on his birthday morning, he loved the ballons, which were "rainbow stripes" colored according to him.

Sushi dinner that Noah requested on his birthday evening.

Small party with family and cake

Anna & Michael at the big party on Sunday

Anna loved cupcakes! I think she thought it was her birthday.

Noah & cousin Benn at his big party

Noah loves tools/diggers/construction right now, so I made him a digger cake and cupcakes complete with Oreo dirt and tool pics in them.

Our caterers for the big party-. They were fantastic!!

Noah has recently mastered cracking an egg into a bowl without (many) shells going in too. He was so pleased with himself, it was very cute!

This baby!! She is certainly pushing us to the edge of insanity. Most days she cries from sunup to sundown. Not exaggerating. Im nearly to the point of getting her a full medical physical to see if there is actually something wrong with her. But of course, we love her dearly nonetheless. This is the face she wears 99% of the time (I usually only post the (rare) happy photos of her:)

Costume Birthday Party

Noah had his first "dress-up" birthday party for his friend Camille, who turned 3 this weekend.  I partially barrowed, and partially made his costume - Woody, from Toy Story.  He's not particularly into Toy Story (I don't think he's even ever seen the movie), but the costume was handy and he thought it was fun to have the hat, cow vest and sheriff's badge.  He really seemed grown up and like a real little boy- he was so proud of his outfit and happily posed for the camera- a first!  The party was held at a popular local shop which specializes in little girls fairy parties so there was lots of music, dancing, games, party food and all of Noah's close friends.

Malibu Tribute

My alma mater has made me proud once again - they put on a spectacular tribute this year to honor all the victims of 9/11, which stopped traffic and celebrities (a typical day in the 'bu, but still...this was pretty amazing). It was even featured in a blurb the Los Angeles Times, you can read it here. 

New House

Here are a few quick pics of the new house. Its still quite a mess and disorganized, so Ill put more photos up later when we're settled, but you get the general idea from these.  Its a very comfortable 1930s brick house that kind of has a California Bungalow-esque style about it, architecturally speaking.  Its very comfortable with large living spaces, lots of natural sunlight and very easy to live in. We definitely plan to completely renovate and add on to it in the next few years, but we'll let the monsters destroy it first. And we finally have a yard. With grass! I know by American standards its a pretty small yard, but for living close to the city here, its not too shabby.  Our neighbourhood occupies the land of a former historical estate, and it is regarded as one of our citys oldest, most established and traditional suburbs. Its so lovely, with beautiful houses, and a huge park at the end of our street. All of the neighbours we've met so far are lovely people, and we look forward to the neighbourly feel to the area.  I'll have to take my camera outside one of these days and put some photos on here of our street, etc. For now, enjoy these happy snaps! 

Entrance hall

Anna's room- its huge- I couldnt photograph the whole thing

Sunrise from our back deck

Grass!