My favorite Christmas present, made by Amma.

Flora’s final birthday celebration was a “Pumpjama” party at Pump It Up. The kids wore cute jammies and crazy hairstyles and cooky socks, jumped and bounced ’til their hearts content, and chowed down on pizza and owl-shaped birthday cake.

View Flora’s “Pumpjama Party” photos

Charley’s best girlfriends, Elsie and Madison, came over for a weekend playdate. All four kids had a great time playing dress-up, veterinarian, dentist, and doctor!

View Flora and Charley’s “Playdate” photos

…but not in potty training. Charley is officially wearing big boy underwear and has been for several weeks with no accidents. Yay, Charley! Since it is his last thing left from babyhood, we haven’t asked him to give up the binky, though he’s more than ready. I’m such a sucker for his binky face — I’m the one that can’t give it up!

Saturday morning Flora went for out for donuts with Daddy for breakfast, Saturday afternoon we all went to Peacuddy’s for lunch (now closed, sniff sniff), and Saturday evening we all went to Rang Indian Bistro (her pick) for dinner followed by a Peacuddy cupcake for dessert back at home.

The birthday girl in her birthday chair — my how she has grown! At 6, Flora’s reading and writing have taken off since the start of kindergarten — she loves to read to us at bedtime to show off her skills and works hard to sound out new words. Flora is still an avid fan of art and all art and craft projects. She loves to draw the most and add details to her pictures to make them more interesting. Definitely a girlie girl, she’s a sucker for anything cute (like kittens) and anything prissy (like dresses). She’s very tall at nearly 50 inches, and packs a punch at nearly 50 pounds. She enjoys her days at kindergarten with her friends and has settled into her new routine. She loves her family, near and far, and sometimes you can catch her being very sweet to her little brother, but you have to be quick. Her favorite “people” in the house are Finn (the cat) and Rusty (her stuffed dog) — usually where there is one there is the other. Flora has grown into a creative, imaginative, and funny kid who still loves to snuggle.

View Flora’s “Flora’s 6th Birthday” photos

It’s a Batchip, Batman.

Enjoying lemon popsicles from the new Zoku popsicle maker. Homemade popsicles in just 10 minutes!

Strong National Museum of Play

Opening presents on New Year’s Eve with cousin Josh.

Flora and Rusty’s namesake, the “real” Rusty.

View Flora and Charley’s “Christmas 2011″ photos