Leila's first kiss:


Popsicles and bubbles:


I spent Saturday here while Rob was on duty.

The benefits of having a white shirt turn slightly bluish in the wash means you now have a shirt that you can just about pull off as blue and also one that you can just about pull off as being white; both in the same shirt. Two shirts in one I say.

Happy Birthday

Angie, if you were here I'd bake you a cake exactly like this one.

Do you ever notice, that with those younger than you, they seem to get stuck at a much younger age in your mind, and you never perceive them as growing older? Angie remains forever 25 in my mind, even though I continue to age.

Here we are with Fred:

She has been my companion all my life, and I'm fortunate to call her a good friend.
She's honest, hilarious and kind.
I learn from her whenever we talk.


Happy Birthday Angie. I hope Paul spoils you rotten.

• Two conversations are making me realize again how truly blessed I am: with my biological sister, Angie, on Saturday and with my sister in law/adopted sister Julie today. Love you Ang. Love you Jules.

• I really like the work of Sarah Hanson who is a mixed media artist from London. Check more out here:
• The bestest neighbor in the world gave me these little goodies just for picking up their mail for a week. Love the lavender touch. Stealing that idea.
• Of course I have to blog about Leila's first pedicure. (Taken over a week after the actual event but captured forever in the annuals nonetheless. At 21 months. I do hereby vow not to be one of those obnoxious girly girl salon-loitering-makeover-your-toddler moms. Just to prove it: 3 months until we try out the karate.
• As I was picking up aforementioned neighbors mail I was able to take a really good look at her unbelievably manicured and scrumptiously colorful garden and noticed she had these cute little solar powered lights. Not to "keep up with the Joneses" but really have been thinking of ways to incorporate some lighting in the garden. I came up with these (nothing like hers trust me so she has no idea I don't think that I totally stole this idea too).

Mystery doggie behind the door...

What Kind of World do You Want?

I put this together as a charity project for autism speaks via Five for Fighting.

There are thousands of worthy causes. I think I'll start here for now...

Click To Play

Cravings

• A touch of shallow prompted by this: The gentle art of selling yourself.
  
• Craving: wearing more dresses, green open spaces, baking something delicious and gooey, overcoming my selfishness and being there for someone who really needs me, knowing how to take better photos, a really good comedy, time to read, a visit to Italy.
  

She's been saying: "Hello baby doll. How ya doin baby doll? Feelin okay, baby doll." (baby doll is interchangeable with duckie, mommy's necklace and rooster).

Staining of the table was humming along beautifully. Was opening mouth to eat words and then...
the protective coating entered the scene. Not pretty. "Looks milky but dries crystal clear." Not exactly crystal clear. Try crusty and bubbly clear. So now were definately exploring other options.

Love this guy...

Not just because he gave me these:




Happy Monday.

That's why they call it stain

So these are the chairs purchased for the grand plans I had...
My grand plans to purchase a new dining table to go with those chairs evaporated instantaneously with my dear husband's utterance: "I like the one we have now."
"The one," I'm thinking, "that same dining table which we bought seven years ago at an 'antique' store/thrift shop where laughter and 'sucker' was heard as we walked out the door?"
The very same.
Enter black stain.
So yesterday afternoon I was staining our antique/thrift shop table when Leila decides to let her fingers explore the top. At the same time she was donning the white sweater we had made a special trip to the mall that very morning to pick up.
What was Leila doing in a brand new white sweater hanging out around her table stainning mama?

Live and learn.

Just a couple from today.

With our "esser baseks"

Did you cry the first time your child lifted his hands to you and said, "Up?".
You do if he's four.

Easter Happy

Top 100 Albums of All Time (Thank you Stomper Girl)

Luke's school Easter (oh, opps, can't say that) I mean, "hat" parade.



And, of course, Leila getting in on the action (Luke's speech teacher holding her hand).

Going the retro silky headband route:


At the zoo

Hey Mommies: Have you discovered tupler?? It works.

Top 100 April Fool Hoaxes of All Time

Leila, as the bouncy house was being inflated: "Wow, look at this."
And as we let the air out: "Bye, bye bouncy house."
As it lay there deflated: "I miss it."

Fun belt buckles.



Ten best summer wardrobe staples.