I'm 4, says the birthday girl!

 Happy Birthday to me, I'm FOUR!

 Lots of things for my babies, a crib, bouncer, potty, play mat, everything a new mommy needs.. As you an see, Molly is already a mommy, complete with lipstick, pearls and many babies that she cares for very lovingly and attentively.

 Lalaloopsy doll!!  Yay!!!  You know what Molly like's Nini!

 Reading cards and opening gifts from family at home.  Thank you everyone!

Even though we are far away, Nana has never missed one of my children's birthdays.   This year was no exception.  Molly got a violin from Nana/Grandpa this year!!  Hard to believe I also started violin lessons at 5 years old, like mommy like daughter :)

 It's birthday party day!  Ready to head to my party!  More pictures from her party to come.

 Molly's Belle birthday cake.  Too pretty to eat!

 Our bunnies saying "Happy Birthday" to their mommy, Molly.

 Opening gifts at home after the party.  It is customary in the UK to open presents at home after the party, so that none of the guests feel pressured to buy a gift or feel that their gift isn't as 'good' as anyone else's. 

 Lollipop lollipop, oh la la la la la la, Lollipop, duh duh dum dum

 Party is over!  What a great birthday.  Now let's watch a movie with my best buddy, Daniel

 Cake pops I made for Molly to take to AWANAS on her birthday.  

 So happy with Nana here.  We love you Nana!

Goodnight.  Story time with Nana and off to bed.  

Last night she was 3, tonight she is 4.  

They grow up too fast.

Bouncy Castle madness!

 This little gem also came to live with us this summer.  The kids adore bouncy castles so you can imagine how excited they were when I found this one, used and well loved, but hours of fun nevertheless! 

 

Boys will be boys

Daniel announced he was going upstairs to play cars.  It got really quiet for way too long, so I creeped upstairs to see what was going on and this is what I found.

Diaper cream allll in his hair!  It took quite awhile to get it all out, let me tell you.  Guess he sees me doing my hair and Molly doing her hair and wanted in on the fun!  Who can blame him :)

Welcome Ginger!

 Welcome to our newest family member Ginger!  

 

 We adopted Ginger this summer from a friend who wasn't able to take care of her any more.   We already have two bunnies, Sam and Allie, and had no intention of getting any others but Ginger was special.  She is a lot bigger than the other two and Molly bonded with her immediately.  She is really like a little dog, loves having you pet her and doesn't mind being handled a bit roughly by the kids.  For the first few months that we had Ginger, Molly hand fed her every dinner pellet 1 at a time, and spent hours each day snuggling with her.  

Ginger came to us very soon after Molly left her special stuffed puppy Woof Woof at the airport, so Ginger will always be well loved for helping our baby girl make the grief transition.

Initially, the other two bunnies did not care much for Ginger, so we had to get her a separate hutch to stay in until they got used to each other.  After several months of my husband diligently introducing them, they now all 3 stay in the big hutch together and snuggle like they have always been together. 

Welcome to the family Ginger!!!

Look! Sun in England!

 

A typical summer day in the Mushrush household this summer 2012.  Living in a country where it is sunny in the summer from around 3am-11pm, you have lots of time take advantage of the sun and all the exciting things going on around Cambridge!  

  This is my kids favorite playground.  The one at the school on base.  We can't use it during the school year but it's open for everyone during the summer and we take full advantage of that! 

Dad, this hat picture is for you . He loves this hat, even though it doesn't even fit him at all.  

I love how close Molly and Daniel are.  They are best friends and really take care of each other.  It's going to be rough next year when Molly goes to school.  

Big man does everything at the parks and playgrounds by himself now.  No more needing mommy's help.  Where has the time gone?

Our library has lots of great summer reading programs.  Molly can read 3 letter words now and memorizes books constantly but next year, maybe she will be ready to do the reading programs.  

We still come frequently to the library and she does books and activities on the computer while I read to Daniel.

We read pretty much every Cars or Thomas the Train book in the library every time we go.  Or if it is something related to cars or trains. If we could find Veggie Tales he would be totally set!