In each moment

That's what Ita and Mia were in...they were in the moment...each and every moment they were together....like when they were listening to Lily. When my mom visits, the world stops...and that's a very good thing. They spent time outside picking flowers and blowing on dandelions....in and out of the sandbox, talking...not talking. They were happy.

Then out came the Cooties! I LOVED that game growing up. So I picked it up a few weeks ago. Daryl, Mia and I have played once. Out came the Cooties...and with total disregard for the rules or object of the game...Mia and Ita built their Cooties....they had fun!

Well, mama received a package...full of packing peanuts. I was about the throw the box and peanuts into the garage when I heard...'Mama, can we play with those?'....sure, why not? Knock yourselves out...and they did...for a very looooong time. Joy. No...Bliss. They were Blissed Out!

That night, we hooked up wii and wii fit. Ita was determined to conquer some skill or other...and she had her little cheerleader by her side :)

The next day...after we all got mani-pedi's...Mia wanted to break out the water colors. They painted and painted and talked and were very much in the moment....each and every moment.

Waterloo...I think I love you

Sunday found us once again at Waterloo. Same yummy food, same fabulous friends...besides being a little chilly, it was damn near perfect. Daryl and Josh supplied many quarters to the tots so they could play pinball, Ms. Pacman and some driving game...Ben is actually super at! After breakfast, Mia joined Josh and Ben in her first official game of hide n go seek. She likes to be the one who counts to ten....a kid who doesn't mind being 'it'...I imagine she'll be popular in school :)

Bonnie and I took advantage of the overcast day and pretty much stalked the kids with our cameras...I know, I know...what's new? If you're wondering were Daryl is in all these shots...well, he likes to duck out of the frame..a LOT!

how the magic happens...check this out

i fondue

mama pal, Kiwe hosted a rocking fondue and bingo night last week. it was awesome...how could it not be with pots of melted yummy cheese and decadent chocolate?!?! i made a salad inspired by the salad i usually ate back in the days of the o'mama ladies nights at the Melting Pot. i must admit that it was fabulously tasty. it was an awesome night of fun chat, silliness and serious bingo playing. Kiwe won twice....there was talk of her rigging the bingo ball basket ;p

happy birthday, Leah Ann

last week we got together and celebrated dear Leah Ann's birthday. we had such a freakin BLAST! She's such a great sport that she sang karaoke (thanks to Jennifer, who brought her machine over) and wore a party hat (Mia saw the pic and was very delighted)! everyone ate drank and was merry. divided into teams, we battled it out with Catch Phrase and the losers (Courtney, Melissa, Andrea and Anja) were forced to karaoke! Anja was soooo into it...she was the cutest thing. then there were Courtney and Melissa with their rockin air guitars! the whole night, Leah Ann either had a huge smile on her face or was laughing hysterically. good times. happy birthday, my friend!