Merry Merry Little Fairies

We got a fake tree this year for the first time and Lola and her buddy Emilia helped decorate it. They stayed in character, as Tinker Bell and Periwinkle. Naturally.. 

Lola had school on her actual birthday, so naturally there were cupcakes! (And special seating with the birthday girl at a table with her specially selected friends.)

Thanksgiving, L.A. style

Lola's Papa visited for Thanksgiving this year and together, they made some homemade bread for the occasion. It was unseasonably, record-breaking hot for the holiday, so when we weren't basking in the air conditioning, we ventured outside to Huntington Gardens for an afternoon among the lush flora..

The Birthday of Birthdays

Lola turned seven in a fairy wonderland this year, in a place called "Fairies and Dragons," tucked demurely inside an Encino strip mall. Hordes of little girls swarmed the place, got their pick of floofy costumes, crafted interesting little fairy houses, sipped from a pink lemonade fountain, watched a puppet show and left Lola with a bounty of gifts. When I asked Lola what she wished for, she said, "That this party never ends."  

Lola's Falcon Study

Lola's class spent weeks studying falcons and other birds over the fall. As part of their lesson, they ventured out on a couple field trips. Here, she looks out from the top of Mulholland Drive into a canyon, keeping an eye out for the red-tailed hawks that swoop and dive in the area.

Here, Lola poses -- for two separate trick or tricking events -- with her good friends Emilia (top) and Emma.

Halloween-A Family Affair

This year, we decided to dress-up en familia. And since Lola chose to be a gypsy, Michael (not pictured, though dutifully dressed as a pirate) went along with the theme. Mercifully, this was the only photo that survived of Mom. Though, Lola sure was cute!

The Baby Front Teeth = History

Just three weeks ago, after weeks of working her teeth back and forth as vigorously as her little fingers could, Lola finally lost both her front teeth. She likes the fact that she can make "fangs" out of the remaining teeth. Just in time for Halloween!

Another tooth -- gone!

Belated First Day of First Grade Photos

Lola started first grade this year, an occasion that turned out to be more notable a transition than any of us anticipated. She has a "firm" teacher, that is, firm by progressive school standards. And is expected to do much more than kindergarten. After a few touch-and-go weeks, and many mini-dramas with girlfriends, Lola has settled into first grade life with great aplomb!

The Piercing of the Ears

After months of petitioning her mother, Lola finally got her ears pierced at her doctor's office. There was much hand wringing before hand. And not a few tears during. But the minute Lola got a look at herself in the mirror, the crying ceased. She is now an official girly girl.

The Year of the Flower Girl

For the second time since December, Lola proved to be an exemplary flower girl. This time, it was at her Aunt Elizabeth's wedding in Los Angeles. Not only did she scatter rose petals right on cue, but at the night-time reception, Lola never left the dance floor. Even when that meant she was cutting the rug by herself. At the end of the night, after she had danced non-stop for hours, Lola declared, "Mom, I'm ready to go." She was asleep the minute her head hit the pillow. 

Lola goes to (Day) Camp

This summer, Lola spent most days at her old nursery school where she got to learn how to make friendship bracelets, do something called "finger weaving," and also spend lots of time playing in sprinklers and on water slides. There was also a campout with nightly S'mores and side-by-side tents..And (drum roll please) a sleepover at the school -- Lola's first away from home! 

Another Daisy Day

Lola just completed her second year as a Daisy and though she could have advanced to Brownie, she has opted to stay in Daisies one more year to be with her friends. Here she is at the "Bridging Ceremony" for the girls from her troop going into Brownies.

The Disney World Adventure

Lola and Talia spent one unforgettable night at DisneyWorld. They rode ten rides, watched giraffes and zebras mosey past their hotel room at the Animal Kingdom Lodge and stayed up extra late to see the fireworks.

Lola and Talia become great friends

In late May, Lola traveled to Florida to spend a few days with her cousin Talia. They became fast friends. Her Papa made the girls a fort in Nana's dining room. They wore matching suits and side ponytails to swim..

Kindergarten, Part II

Lola spent the second half of her school year at Children's Community School. She made new friends and reunited with lots of old ones. She learned the fine art of studying and documenting her community (as she is shown doing here at the Van Nuys Civic Center), hammering a nail, making countless crafts and she developed a great love of books.

Easter in Style

The Easter Bunny was good to Lola this year. She got a lovely red dress and a new Lollaloopsy doll. And then she was off to hunt for eggs in a friend's lovely backyard garden.

The First Baby Tooth - Gone

It was an average evening in May. Lola was sitting on Blanca's lap watching TV while her parents got ready for an evening out. And just like that, her wiggly bottom tooth wiggled its last and came right out. The Tooth Fairy came on schedule and left her two shiny gold coins.

A Spring Skate

In late April, Lola's school celebrated its "Spring Sing," by (what else?) going ice skating. (The Stanley Cup winning L.A. Kings were practicing just one rink over.)

Lola didn't leave the ice for two solid hours, thanks to these handy little helpers she could lean on..

Lola as Cow

Yesterday, Lola's "Imagine and Play" class performed the stage version of the children's book The Trial of Cardigan Jones, the story of a missing apple pie and the out-of-town moose who goes on trial as a result. As you can see, she played the "Milk Lady, a Cow." Her big moment comes (at 2:56 in the recording) when Milk Lady testifies against the moose. Lola embellished her character by exaggerating the "oo" sounds in all of her lines. She also chose a stylish blue cap. Here's the seven-minute play. During the meet-and-greet afterward, we all enjoyed apple pie.

Soccer Champ

Lola, pictured here in all the soccer gear she could find in pink, recently finished her first soccer clinic. She proved an enthusiastic teammate, cheering everyone on with "You can do it!!" and "Get 'em! Get em!" At times, she took a loss a bit hard. Overall, she learned to hustle for the ball and to love the camaraderie of a team sport.

Happiest Place on Earth (Or close to it, anyway)