Winter Solstice

Even though the Winter Solstice this year was on Sunday morning, there was a Solstice party out on the lake Friday night. The Djembabes played (including a talented and soulful sax player), there was an amazingly beautiful and fluid fire dancer, food, dancing & cavorting, friends and a wonder full presence around. Sherry, my drumming instructor, has such a beautiful way with words, and one of my highlights of the evening was when she paid homage to the Earth, Seasons and Winter Solstice. The neighbors had a slight issue with the noice, but the Westlake police officers were incredibly understanding and kinda wanted to join the party :)

Here's one of my favorite links to explain what Winter Solstice is all about. Now, I need to talk with those Djembabes about back lighting on a dark night! The only decent shots are from when the fire dancers' flames got close :) As usual, there are more shots here.

Music & Movement

We hosted an O'Mama Music & Movement playdate this morning. It was scheduled to be at Lora's home, but her husband is sick. So, after looking around and assessing how much I'd have to straighten up, Mia and I volunteered to host. I'm soooo glad we did, because we haven't had friends over in a while, and it was soooo much FUN! Leah Ann, as usual, was a perfect song and dance leader for the kids. I just sat back, enjoyed and took pictures.

Another little peek

Mia can't get enough of Casa T...and neither can I. She always looks forward to seeing 'my friends' ...she'll name them all...and 'my Miss Andrea'. This week, their focus is on corn and they made little dolls from corn husks. Mia LOVES hers and wouldn't even let Niles (our dog) sniff it. I think he would like to get used to the little pet treats they made at Casa T last week. Now he thinks everything is for him. I had to post the shot of Mia with her binoculars she made at Casa T (last week was all about birds)...dirty face and all. Another favorite shot was of the kids enjoying the music of Ella Jenkins. Seeing Mia sitting on that drum makes me smile.

all of the photos are by the lovely Andrea

Life of the Party

Was it only last Friday that my latest drumming class ended? What a loooooong week! At the end of each session, Mae throws a big party and jam session. This time, Daryl and I thought Mia would enjoy it. Once she heard she was going to a party....out came her party dress and ballerina slippers. Don't try to call them ballet slippers...she will correct you. I had a wonderful time just playing, and so did Mia. She actually stole the show. I wasn't aware of the ham she most definitely is. She pulled out and played with all the instruments and then picked TWO djembes to play at the SAME time. Everyone was either smiling hard or outright giggling and enjoying her. I just realized that all the video is still in my camera that Daryl took to the coast. Well, I'll post some shots and then the video will come later. Yay! I don't have to edit :)

Muffin Tin Monday

A couple of weeks ago, I stumbled on to a site that featured Muffin Tin Monday's. The premise behind it is to make food fun for kids and to get them to try new things. I totally missed last weeks MTM, but I was all over it yesterday. We had some friends over, so I made enough for all of them. The two sweet brothers had to share...not enough space.

I labeled each of their rows with their initials.

This week I served up: yellow carrots, kiwi, colby jack cheese, avocado, cottage cheese, and peas.

before her friends even got here, Mia was into her tin cups :)

I separated hers from the rest b/c she had her eye on some more cheese

Layla wasn't too sure about it all, but thought it was a great idea

her first choice was the cottage cheese

very proudly 'all gone'

Sadly, no one else got to participate in MTM....except Niles! *I almost forgot to add that lil Townsend was a lil disappointed he didn't get his avocado cupcake...how sweet is that?!?!*

some other fun shots of the day

Layla was feeling quite musical with the guitar

and the djembe Cole expresses his love for Elmo

Rattletree Trance ~ BSM

This evening, we had the pleasure of hanging with friends out at the Central Market patio. Rattletree Marimba played their high-energy dance and trance music ...that's why we were there. Mia had her dancin dress on but preferred to play on the playscape or sit in my lap tapping her foot and swaying to the music. I did get a sweet little shot of her pal, Ava. Many were up and dancing, but I was captivated by this beautiful woman...who had such a joy for the music and dancing...she went around asking the little kids to dance with her... a couple did, but in the end, she was blissed out and in the Rattletree trance.

my best shot

for more joy head on over to Mother May I