Just cause they're so cute.

Here is Holly in her 12th birthday dress! Holly is very interested in all things space (thanks Lunar Chronicles!) and so this fabric is a home run! I used the Olive Dress pattern and it all came together nicely. I still need to trim threads and pull out the gathering stitches, but alas, I'm one busy momma! No matter, Holly's thrilled! The 12th birthday was my arbitrary end date to this tradition... but I think it's likely it may not end. And I guess if Holly wants me to make her dresses, I will make her dresses!

This weekend was for little trips and nap times for the babies. We went to Corbin park just across the border in Idaho and swam in the warm river water and jumped off cliffs. And then we went to a local burger joint for lunch! It was a delightful adventure that was just right.

This was a really sweet scene to happen upon! Maeve then went on to read Ira more books! Sibling bonds are something special to witness.

It's funny how my parenting style has changed... back when Holly and Greta were little, I was committed to a birthday party schedule of every other year with friends. I'm not sure when I threw that one out the window... but that idea has been dissolved and now my approach is embracing the parties! But also making them easy on myself. Fun memories with friends are especially important following a covid year. I suggested to Holly that we do tie dye for her birthday... she loved that idea and we ran with it! It was pretty easy. I asked her friends to bring a t-shirt to dye instead of a gift and I provided bandanas and scrunchies. This age group is pretty independent. I had told Holly ahead of time that I would do tie dye and cake and then step back and let her decide what she wants to do with her friends. They played hide and seek and other variations and had fun! And I caught my breath :)

Holly wanted Texas Sheet Cake. I had to laugh to myself, I didn't even know Texas Sheet Cake existed until I had lived in the states for a little while. Just raising my little Americans south of Canada.