Bowl Me Over!

We took Jemma to her first concert at the Hollywood Bowl last night. She was so excited and kept saying the word "orchestra" over and over. It was really wonderful to hear Dvorák and the Beethoven Violin Concerto with Gil Shaham. And it didn't hurt that we had free box seats. Jemma listened quite well and hardly whispered any questions.

Beach Bums!

We had a great day at the beach with Jemma's best buddy, Zoela. The girls spent the majority of the time down at the water running from the waves. But the photos we have show the kite flying and sand playing fun. The dogs were loving it, too!

Hat's Off!

Our little bug is a hat girl - and to think, we almost named her, Hattie! Back in 2006 we took pictures of her in the same hat - my, how she's changed!

Go Dodgers!

Jemma finally went to her first baseball game last night. Unfortunately, the Dodgers lost to the Rockies, but all the way up until the bottom of the ninth, Jemma kept saying, "But they could win, right?" Gotta love the positive thinking. We were impressed with her attention to the game which lasted the full nine innings. When I had to go to the bathroom she was quite concerned, "Hurry, Mom, or you'll miss the game!" She asked questions like, "Why can't the ball go past that line?" and "Why are they combing the dirt?" and "Can I have more peanuts?" I think we have a budding fan on our hands! At the end of the night we walked down to the field and sat on the plush grass to watch the wonderful fireworks display. These photos were captured on my iPhone - not bad!

Bicycle! Bicycle!

Jemma has graduated to a two-wheeler with training wheels and she loves it! Her best trick - honking the horn while riding in traffic - another typical driver in Los Angeles. And don't tell her she shouldn't ride in a dress with flip flops either or she'll do more than just honk the horn!

The Spring Dance Recital

Each of us is a flower - did you know that? Here's Jemma at her Spring Recital to sing and dance it for you!

The Warm Up

Here are the girls doing a warm up before the Spring Dance Recital. Alongside Jemma are her two buddies, Zoela and Maddie - the chatterboxes!

Fetch!

Couldn't resist sharing a silly morning ritual at the Lawler home... Notice Jemma is already in her bathing suit - she likes to wear them any time of year, whether she is going swimming or not!

Grecian Formula

Here we are celebrating John's __th birthday at one of our favorite Greek restaurants, Estatorio Milos. Yum!

Wet and Wild!

The rain was not a deterrent for our little water bug. She walked ten blocks with it drizzling on her face trying to catch as many drops in her mouth as she could.

Flutter byes!

Our dear friends, Floyd, Nancy (aka "Ponce"), Aiden and Cassidy came down from the rural part of Connecticutt to spend the better part of a rainy day with us in New York. We went to the Museum of Natural History, or as Aiden liked to call it, the Museum of National Treasury! We enjoyed the dino bones of course, and the Butterfly collection was a special treat. It was hard to get Jemma out of the butterfly room even though it was super warm and overly moist!

Cheesepuff!

Here is Chispa - or, Cheesepuff if you prefer, and Jemma does prefer. Chispa is the adorable little pup who rules the Leyva apartment - our home away from home when we visit NYC. Sadly, this trip we did not take any photos of the Leyva's, only the pooch who stole Jemma's heart (and socks!)

Girl Time

At Oak Glen Nursery school, there's nothing like a good book with your gal pals.

Juggling Act

The Things She Says!

We've been trying to write down some of the things Jemma has been saying lately because they are so wonderful and unexpected. Here is a smattering:

Upon seeing a staircase made of Mexican tiles she said, "Those steps make a rhythm sound, like when you tap your toes!"

"I know you're disappointed mom, but you still love me. Even when you're mad you still love me."

In response to sleep being the most important thing for growing, Jemma without missing a beat said, "Well actually food is the most important thing for growing."

On talent:
Mom, you have a real talent.
I do? For what, for being your mom?
No, for just being you!

"Talent comes in a little ball from your arm and then it moves up into your shoulder and down into your tummy and then you have talent. You already have yours, mom, my talent is coming tomorrow.
I see, and what will you have a talent for?
Dancing! I will have a talent for dancing!"

"Do you know how to say hyacinth in Spanish? Cincinitta."

"I'm super contagious - I love you so much and that's contagious!"

After her Dad kissed her on the cheek:
"Ow', your beard! My beard is deep inside and it will never come out!"

Baking Buddies

Jemma loves to help mommy bake, especially sweet potato muffins - a regular staple in our house. She licks batter at all stages and usually ends up covered in it, at which point, the dogs lick it off of her!

Portrait of a Dad

Jemma has been taking a lot of photos lately - with her own camera and with ours. This photo she took of John is one of the best pictures anyone has taken of him ever! We thought it looked especially sharp in black and white.

BFF!

Jemma and her best friend forever, Zoela, are really too friggin cute together. They love each other so much and it's such a delight to watch them play.

Cozy Cabin

We were quite the cozy crew in our cabin overlooking Arrowhead Lake. We joined Dave, Sophie, Frankie and their cute little doggie, Roxy. Jemma and Frankie had a blast even though they have a seven year age difference - hey, a tickling contest is good at any age! And the dogs were happier than heck - except of course, when we left them behind to go skiing... woof.

Ski Wee!

We had an exhilarating weekend in Lake Arrowhead with skiing in Big Bear. Jemma got on skis, went to Little Bear camp and learned how to make a pizza with her skiis to stop. We spied on her lesson and almost fainted watching her go down the slope by herself - but she did great! And on day two she rode "the flying chairs" as she like to call them, and skied down a few times without falling once. Then, Dad took Jemma and Frankie tubing - which turned out to be even more fun.