Princess Eva reigns in Norcal

We traveled north in the middle of our winter California journey to visit Cat's family in Redwood City, Pleasanton and Santa Cruz, while catching up with a few old friends along the way.

Eva also indirectly helped to keep the Disney Store in the black this year after being coronated with an abundance of royal clothing and accessories, all of which she continues to be absolutely delighted by. Even now, days later, the common greeting "Hello, Eva!" can reliably prompt the matter-of-fact response "I not Eva, I princess." Us commoners can hopefully be forgiven for making such an error.

After a fabulous party with the entire K. family, we traveled northeast to visit the P-M house, then southwest to tour the Santa Cruz Boardwalk (or, what's open at the Boardwalk on a rainy evening in December) and to spend some time getting to know her Great-Grandpa BZ. We were then able to enjoy a little more quality hanging-out time with Grandma, Grandmama and Grandpapa before heading back south again.

Our little holiday elf, entertaining Grandmama and Grandpapa K.



Caught here admiring her royal ensemble, though the look does get a little complicated when one refuses to remove one's long-sleeved fairy shirt before putting on the dress.



All the ladies, including our littlest lady with a large piece of popcorn in her open mouth. Classy!



Casually trimming the tree, as a mermaid. Predictably, the "tail" did get in the way a bit.



As every modern princess knows, connectivity is key. Thankfully, her new phone seems to connect only to other princesses, which should hopefully cut down on calls from telemarketers.



Cuddles with Grandma K.



Enjoying the ducks, chickens and other assorted wild animals (Jon and Shayn included) with Aunt Sofia.



Always a lady, showing off her belly while out to dinner with the P-Ms.



Quality time with Grandpa P-M, unimpeded by a little pesky rain.

Christmas sunshine in La Mirada

We escaped what would have been a very white Christmas by flying out to LAX on the 24th, where Eva was treated the next morning with a visit from Santa Claus! (Poppy unfortunately missed the visit, as he'd left for an early morning run to the store. Such bad timing!) We then proceeded to have a wonderful day, including a delicious dinner with the Ouelettes and dessert with Rick, Mimi and AJ.

We returned later in our journey to celebrate New Year's before flying back to Boston, our trip punctuated by several trips in glorious weather to the local playground, one critical visit to In-n-Out, and lots of quality time spent together with Grammy, Poppy and Tio Loco.

Eva meets St. Nick.



Apparently taking her balmy surroundings as a cue, Eva insisted upon a swimsuit as proper Christmas morning attire (after demanding the red velvet dress in the first picture be removed).



Delighted by her first gift of jewelry - from Daddy, of course.




Climbing trees in the park with Daddy and Tio Tod (good thing there were responsible adults around!)


Hard at work sorting tanbark with Poppy at the playground.




Touring the La Mirada playground with her new BFF, Tiana the frog (sorry, Trudie!)



Delighted by her new swing buddy (and her long-time swing pusher)



A rare sighting of the legendary Dancing Toddler before a stunning California sunset.

Yummy.

Eva's been preparing for the holidays in proper fashion - entering the season with plenty of practice chowing down. We were delighted to join Eva's BFF Trudie (and her parents Beth and Tom, of course) for Thanksgiving dinner, where Eva both played and ate til she dropped.

We then spent the next weekend in Martha's Vineyard, our first-ever trip to "the island" (though no Obamas to be found in December during a nasty storm, alas) and had a lovely time. We've also found time here and there to fit in some early-winter hiking (during a few last unseasonably warm days) and serious playing at our local indoor playground.

Mugging for the camera with mommy in her new "tutu".



Eva at Thanksgiving, already anxious for the meal to start...and wearing the pearls she somehow conned off Trudie's grandma like a trophy.



Enjoying a little indoor pony ride on an otherwise-stormy November afternoon.



Is it possible to avoid the carnival food at a carnival? Eva would vote no. Besides, who doesn't love pizza??



Besides, look! She eats real food, too!



Look out!!! Braving the waters at Sharky's on MV.



Clearly rethinking a plan that seemed more appealing from inside our hotel room, where the wailing wind and freezing temp were less appreciable.



Enjoying a nice warm bath at the end of a long cold day.

Terrific Twos: Party #2, or Bounce House Attack!

Eva was fully recovered and ready to par-tay well in time for her rescheduled birthday party on the 8th. And even more important, the bouncy house was still free as well! Worth every penny. The look on her face when she saw that giant inflatable room of fun was absolutely priceless.

Happily, most of Eva's best friends from daycare and otherwise were free for the 2nd party as well, making it a truly kid-tastic affair. Much sugar was consumed that day... sorry, other parents! We're guessing bedtimes might have been a bit tough that night.

The big party happened to fall as well at the beginning of a fabulous week+ with Grandma Kibbe and Bob, which saw us out on the town taking in the sights, in fall Boston weather both unseasonably lovely, and, alas, very seasonably not-so-lovely...the latter of which found us enjoying a tour of the North Shore from inside our car. Sure, it's no Freedom Trail, but at least we could all feel our toes by the end!

A dangerous quantity of sugar and spice all in one enclosed location.



Balloon!



My balloon.



Bounce house: round one.



Monster cake time! Note Eva looking dubiously at slices of HER cake going to all her friends...and maybe reassessing whether this big-party-thing might not be such a good idea.



Thankfully, we then moved on to present-opening time (where she of course needed the help of all her friends), when she settled upon being quite happy with having a big party after all.



Bounce house: round two. Watch out.



No, seriously! Watch out!



Feeling ferocious on a chilly afternoon in the North End.



Feeling less ferocious and more sassy after warming up at the Omni Parker House with Bob and Grandma K.



Happiness is a warm, cuddly toddler.

Terrific Twos: Party # 1

Due to an unfortunate fever-producing bug going through the household, Eva's birthday party had to be postponed a week...but the upside of this was, of course, two parties! Our first party was a bit more little-person-free, but don't cry for Eva: she didn't hesitate to cover herself in cake and frosting, enjoy Poppy's face painting skills, and squeal repeatedly over her first way-fun toys and presents at Party #1.

Mmm...delicious. A whole lotta frosting; hold the cake.



Modeling the next big thing in foot creams: frosting. Her feet remain silky smooth.



Party time!



Giving three cheers for her new kitchen set from Grandpa P-M (opened post-bath, if the exposed belly and wet hair didn't tip you off).



Modeling a pair of 3-D glasses from Auntie Lauren.



Peekaboo!! from beneath her new quilt, courtesy of Great-Grandma Kibbe.

Ribbit

For Halloween this year, Eva decided she would most like to be one of her very favorite animals: a froggie! She very dutifully greeted all our trick-or-treat houses with a polite "ribbit". Everyone knows polite froggies get more candy.

We were all so happy to have the chance to celebrate the above with Grammy and Poppy I., who visited Boston during the most beautiful leaf-peeping week of the fall.

Festive!


Enjoying a close-up view of the Green Monstah.



A sleepy but happy little frog.



Which is a brighter orange: Mr. Punkin, or mommy's hair?

Fall-tastic

As followers of All About Eva may or may not have noticed, we've fallen a little behind in our blog-related activities...we could give a litany of excuses involving unfortunate viral illnesses, most fortunate visits from loved ones, and a few awesome parties, but we know all that really matters is that we make up for it PDQ. Therefore, onward!

We launched October with a visit to Drumlin Farm in Lincoln, where (very patient) sheep were poked in the nose and pumpkins were carefully selected, and embarked as well on a few outings dedicated only to high quality playing. Eva takes her job in this regard very seriously.

Making friends, influencing livestock.



Less enthusiastic than predicted at the HONK! festival in Somerville. (It really was fun, we swear! An inadequately-napped toddler is a harsh critic.)



Hard at "work" on Cambridge Common.



Yee-ha!