Mia's First Day of School...EVER!

With a little prep (mostly for me), Mia went to school today! She'll be going once a week, on Wednesdays. Today was just a short trial period. She spent her morning with her buddies Sophia and Austin and stayed till after lunch. What helps a great deal is that Andrea and I are pretty good friends, and in the same mama's group. Mia's already spent a lot of time at Casa T and with Andrea and the other kiddos. That made the transition today smooth as silk.

This morning, she was ready. Her new lunch box in her new back pack, and it strapped on to her back for the 15 steps to the car....then she took it off and held it in her lap all the way there. It's pretty much bigger than she is. She picked it out, and it's perfect. A funny thing when we were talking about going to school, she said, 'I'm going to school in a school bus.'. I guess I always point them out, and she was a smidge disappointed when I said I'd be driving her. You're 2 1/2...let's go a little slower, huh?

I knew she'd have a super time, and she did. She walked into Casa T saying buenos dias...and Andrea and the kids chimed back...buenos dias....all smiles. There isn't any other place in the world where I'd rather Mia to be.

ohhhh this entry is getting wayyyy toooo long. She had fun. Sand box, water play, paint, she calls the Waldorf dolls mama and daddy...and they kiss. a lot. :) Daryl and I are quite affectionate with each other. I love that there's so much love around her. Next week, she's there all day, and she even has her own little nap mat. I'll be sewing the cover tomorrow with the help of an AWESOME seamstress (and Mama to Austin), Allison. Wish me luck :)

the snapper heading out to her first day of school

(notice she's not looking back)

all of the following LOVELY shots were taken by Ms. Andrea at Casa T

We LOVE Casa T !

love is good

We were driving along. I was quiet, mellow, thinking....Mia was in her car seat, exhausted from swimming (there was a glorious break in the rain) also quiet, in her own world. Then she softly said something that I thought I heard, but wanted to make sure...so I asked what she had said. 'Mama, I love you so much.' Ahhhhhh I had heard right. 'I love you, too, honey.' Mia ended our short but oh, so sweet conversation by answering, 'love is good.'

Yes, it is, mija. Yes, it is.

for more lovely goodness, visit Shutter Sisters and for some wonderment visit Stacey at Land of K.A.

My Old Lady

More Special Exposures and the need to be Wordless

August 17th, 1948

On Sunday, Tom, the best father in law in the world, turned 60! I'm sooooo glad this man was born...not just because he's super wonderful, but without him, I wouldn't have Daryl or Mia :) Turning 60 has been a tad hard for him, but just LOOK at him! He's so handsome! Do you know he takes a 30 min nap EVERY day....Dee can't even remember him not doing it. I think it keeps him young and spry. He's also the bestest Pawpaw in the world...ask Mia.

Mia painting and gluing a bunch of eyes to a pet rock for Pawpaw

Nana will do ANYTHING to make Gwen smile

Mia and Gwen investigating the Elmo car

Hmmmm Now. Where did I put that cue chalk?

my hot honey

Joe and Gwen say hi to Bubba

of course they have a pair of mallards, don't you?

helping Nana mash the potatoes

Pawpaw is great! He gives me chocolate cake!

See, Pawpaw? There's an eye here and here and here....

Mia is SO excited her Pawpaw got a new reel

Pawpaw, Mia and Daddy check it out

Happy Birthday Pawpaw!

We LOVE you!

One little Monkey

It was my birthday last week, so Mia had her birthday dress on...she insisted :) After her nap, we hung out on my bed. She wanted to jump a little....please mama, puh-leeeease.

I love these first two shots.

She was still trying to wake up from her nap.

Then the happiness when I told her she could jump on my bed.

I think she was surprised on how high she went...doing her patented Butt Bounce.

Because she's so contemplative mid bounce and you can see the portraits of Daryl and I in the background, this has to be my Best Shot Monday

For more for wonderfulness, hit Tracey's

Show the LOVE

One of my dear friends, Andrea (she's also going to be Mia's teacher in the Fall!) entered the Summer Fun photo contest and out of 466 enteries she's one of 20 finalists! How cool is THAT?!?! It's such a fabulously fun shot!!!

Please show her some love.

Go HERE and vote for #19 Om Mami!

(you don't need to sign in or anything, just hit #19 and enter)

Happy Birthday recap...part 1

Oh my what a wonderful day(s)!! Some of my fab mama friends treated me to a birthday brunch. Thank you to Jenni for putting it all together and to Sara, Bonnie and Anja (and their lovely children) for the loving celebration. What a wonderful reason to have 2 mimosas before 12:30pm! I LOVED my huge blueberry pancake and migas taco, as well. More appreciation for Ankia and Mia for helping me with my MASSIVE slice of chocolate birthday cake! Below are some of my favorite shots.

My dear friend, Bonnie offered to watch Mia while Daryl took me out to a birthday dinner last night. Mia was super excited to hang with Bonnie, Dosh (Josh), Ben, Sammy and their two corgis, Tallulah and Tucker. I captured some video of Mia singing happy birthday to me then the conversation on the way to Bonnie's. It hilarious! Thanks for feeding, changing, reading to and all around caring for my baby while Daryl and I hit Fonda San Miguel's for a fabulous dinner and more importantly some dress up in a sexy dress and heels time with my husband :)

Stay tuned for more birthday escapades....

taken by Anjalika

taken by Anjalika