Birthday party action

Today we went to a first birthday party for Sophie, who is the daughter of Jeff's friend Josh from high school. Lucy loves birthday parties (cake, balloons...) and she had a great time. They had a trampoline in the yard and she had a blast bouncing on it. I am really happy that she liked it because it seems that I can never really predict what she will love and what she will be scared of. She is pretty bold but can also be scared of her own shadow. We've figured out that it is a control issue -- so she is totally unafraid of anything within her control, but anything that is not, something as small as a tiny ant crawling in the car, can be enough to send her over the edge. Anyway the trampoline was clearly "in her control" and boy did she love it. I was just wondering the other day whether she would love the trampolines on the Cape that I grew up bouncing on -- next time we are down there, we will have to go!

The only bad part of the day was Phoebe in the car. She cried almost the entire way home, and it was a long drive. She cries in the car all the time and it is a real issue. Nothing seems to help -- not singing, not a mirror, not toys. Sometimes it helps if I go back there with her (if Jeff is driving) and make googy sounds and smile at her, but lately even that doesn't help all the time. It is heartbreaking to hear her cry and, of course, not pleasant for us to listen to. Could she be carsick? I just don't know what to do. If anyone has any suggestions, PLEASE let me know!

{matchies...thanks, nonni & nonno!}

{why won't they just pose nicely for me?}

{check out the gams on phoebe}

{the phoebster's first boyfriend}

{the cake. yes, she tried to boop it before it was served.}

{jumping...many more below...}