Relaxing?....not quite

Today's Theme Thursday or at The Land of K.A. is about relaxing. Um, yeah, this post doesn't have much of that, unless you count the wonderful deep sleep Mia got that night! Izzy wanted to play jump rope. Mia 3 years old and has kind of got the hang of hopscotch, jumping rope is another matter. Izzy held one end of a super long jump rope, her mama was at the other end, and while Mia was timid at first, she gave it a try...and she did pretty good! Well, they didn't actually 'turn' the rope...they just wiggled it a bit on the ground...so Mia played jump OVER the rope...and she LOVED it! Then Izzy gave it a go...all was heard for a while were squeals of delight.

They moved onto a more relaxing activity...painting. Not your ordinary painting...this was watercolors with GLITTER!!! Mia gave herself a mani-pedi. :) They had such a fun and messy time...so, yeah...the relaxing came later :)

for some greater chances of seeing some relaxing shots, visit Stacy and her commenters over at The Land of K.A.

F-R-E-E...with a catch

To the first 5 people to respond to this post will get something made by me!

Lucky you!

My choice. For you.

This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:

• I make no guarantees that you will like what I make!
• What I create will be just for you.
• It'll be done this year.
• You have no clue what it's going to be. It may be a story. It may be poetry or an article on properly cleaning your face before a mask. I may sew or paint something. I may bake you something and mail it to you. Who knows? Not you, that's for sure!
• I reserve the right to do something extremely strange.

The catch? Oh, the catch is that you must re-post this on your blog and offer the same to the first 5 people who do the same on your blog. Yes, YOU become included in this giving circle!

Oh, and be sure to post a picture of what you win when you get it!

(I'll be contacting the first 5 via email...so make sure you have an email link on your blog/profile or contact me via my email link on my profile with your email address....I'll be needing your mailing address!) :)

The Watermelon

for more Wordles Wednesday shots, go Here and Here :)

Outta Mama's Bag

Last week, I joined some O'Mamas & their kiddos for No Tour Tuesday at the Austin Children's Museum...what? no tours? Not PACKED with kids and teachers? It was AWESOME! Our kids got to explore everything and we mamas got to relax a little...even when a tot went out of our sight for a bit :)

Then a short walk for lunch on the patio at Jo's...Mmmmm the BEST cheeseburger & fries. Next time you're in downtown Austin, you MUST try them out. Ok, so we waited a bit.. it always seems longer when you have hungry kids. What do seasoned mamas do in this type of situation?...dig deep into their bags, and pull out objects of desire. In my case, I made two dreidels appear...from our learning about Hanukkah playdate last December :) Lora delivered a sleek blue car. I soon want to blog about all the things that can be found in my mama bag of wonders, but until then, I'll leave you with my Best Shot....a cup of watered down pink lemonade, two dreidels and a car...all that helped make our wait for some tasty cheeseburgers bearable.

For more Best SHots, head on over to Tracey's

Mother's Blessing Ceremony

Last week, I ...along with four other pregnant O'Mamas, were celebrated with a Blessingway in our honor. We were surrounded by beautiful strong women and made to feel like goddesses. We picked out designs that spoke to us, and the talented Nisha drew the designs on our big pregnant bellies with henna. I chose a lily on the right side of my tummy, b/c, well, my baby's name is Lily, and she's been primarily on my right side...or that's where I can feel her most...and then three hearts symbolizing Mia, myself and Daryl...our family all together on my belly :)

Then our own individual birthing bracelets were created for us. Each O'mama had a bead for every pregnant mama...they told us what it symbolized and their well wishes for our laboring. It's something that touched me deeply and I'm sure will bring me much comfort and strength when it's time for Lily to come.

Here's a little piece of an email I sent to a very dear friend about my experience...

'Sorry so long to get back with you. I've not been feeling quite like myself this past week...not into blogging either. After the Blessingway, I think I fell into something good, but deep and introspective. I wasn't ready to even think about giving birth. I just loved having her in my tummy ...moving, sleeping, kicking stretching. Something about that night changed me into thinking about Lily & my birthing experience. I'm not frightened, but aware and thinking a lot. KWIM? Even Daryl said I've been quiet :) I'm not depressed b/c I'm still doing things that I wouldn't do when depressed. Just introspective :)'

Our blessingway was also blogged about by Andrea and Sara. I love their perspective of it. I blogged a little about the henna last week. I feel like I have something profound to say, but all I have are feelings...not many words. So, all those O'Mamas close to my heart probably know how much I appreciate them, all they are and how much love and support they've given and continue to give me. I can't say enough about Heather, Andrea, Gale and Sharon...my fellow pregnant mamas....I love that we've pretty much been through all of this together...my first time, I was so alone...you give me strength, make me laugh and I love you.

My Birthing Bracelet

Sharon being decorated by Nisha

my finished belly

Andrea's belly
Gale's belly

Heather, Andrea, Nisha (with a scarf tucked under to be her own little pregnant belly!) me, Gale and Sharon

The pregnant goddesses: Heather, Andrea, Me, Gale & Sharon

Henna Belly Love

I'm still trying to gather my thoughts and process shots for a proper post of the Blessingway held in my and four fellow pregnant O'Mama's honor...in the mean time, here are some sweet shots of Mia adoring her mama's glittered (pre-wash off) henna baby belly...now the design is a beautiful amber color...I promise to post more about it all :)

Lil Miss Fix-it

Mia was playing with some of my jewelry, and while doing so, a hook came off an earring. This super cool earring was made for our Cinco de Mayo party last year by a super creative and crafty friend Jasmine. It was so not a big deal, I could fix it in a flash...but Mia wanted to 'do it'. She sat there and very painstakingly tried and tried...I felt so bad for her. Those little fingers working so hard, but the hook just wouldn't get back on. I hated to say this, but out came, 'hey Mia, let mama have a try'....just then she exclaimed with GLEE....'I GOT IIIIITTTTT!'. And she did, beaming with pride. Just one more example of why I should just sit back and let her 'do it'.

I just LOVE her concentrating so hard (below)...it's gotta be my Best Shot




hop over to Tracey's for more Best Shots