Busy little bee

It's been so hot lately, and with the mulch at a playscape in Dallas spontaneously combusting this week, we've been hanging out inside when it's hot, hot, hot!

I'm so glad we moved over here, because we are sooooo close to Ready, Set, Play! We've already been three times this week. Evenings are best since there are hardly any children there.

While tackling the 'big' slide, hangin out in the toddler area, she's also been loving the baby block area. Here's a clip of her getting stuff done. Building them up and knocking them down, passing the blocks through the hole are a couple of her fav activities. Kinda long...meant for the Gma's ;)

Happy 'bird'day to me! (on the 14th)

I'm now officially 37 years old, and feel pretty good about it.

I had a wonderful day. My husband is the sweetest, most thoughtful husband ever, and Mia was a joy to be around. With a little prompting by Daryl, 'she said Happy Bird Day, Mama'. Yay me!!

lunch at Chuck E Cheese

She's got game

Mmmmmm crab pasta at Mama's birthday dinner!!

Daddy helping Mia say 'bye' to the rocks that she wanted to take home :)

a little clip of Mia trying to get the Skee-balls up the lane without throwing them...just hoping they'll go up.

Party time!

Last Thursday, Mae and Mike flew in from Denver to visit, see our new house, and attend my birthday bash. Mia fell for them...hard. They left yesterday, and she's still asking for her Mae and Mi (short for Mike). Mae hadn't been here since Mia's birthday in January, and this was the first time we met Mike. Wonderful news is that they are pregnant and expecting their first baby in March!!! Yay! I'm going to be a Tia!!!

Saturday night Daryl and Mia hosted a birthday party in my honor. It was so much fun. I had a great time visiting with all our friends. We hadn't seen so many, again...since Mia's birthday party in January, but now that we're a lot more central, we're hoping to see everyone more often. Daryl made the most wonderful cake. Chocolate with chocolate frosting mmmmmmmmmmm.... I'm so glad we got to keep 1/2...well I think it's ok to have it for breakfast, lunch and dinner, it IS my birthday after all :) Mia loved hanging out and playing with her friends Livie (Suzy's) and Isabel. Lori's Livie stayed at home to help her daddy out who had his wisdom teeth pulled the previous day.

We all polished off a good amount of beer and tasty burgers (veggie ones for our veggie friends) & brats that Daryl grilled up. By request, I made my jalapeno poppers, but was at a loss when asked for Daryl's famous 7 layer dip. Next party, we promise :) Mia went to bed right after cutting the cake, and I think Daryl and I rolled into bed close to 2am.

The next day, we all headed over to Tom & Dee's for Laura's birthday celebration. Laura's friends Betty & Buddy, and Lester & Eileen came up from San Antonio, and Betty & Buddy's daughter, who lives in Austin, was also there. We were able to spend some wonderful quality time with Janice (Tom's sister) who was down from Lubbock. Oh, and her son, Greg stopped by. It really was a packed house. It was sweet to see everyone fawn all over Mia and Gwen. Gwen mostly stayed in the living room practicing pulling up and getting ready to start running around. Mia, however, was EVERYWHERE!!!, but mostly in her Papa's lap, playing with her Nana and dancing with Janice who learned the Eebee song (Mia's favorite) just to make Mia feel more comfortable. She really is the sweetest. Oh, Janice recently went to an art exhibit in Lubbock and the artist, who is also an author of children's books, was there. Janice thought of the girls and bought them each a copy of her book. It was a first edition, sign to Mia and everything. Daryl and I were so touched that Janice thought of Mia. We read the book on the drive home, and Mia just LOVED the cute illustrations.

One of the highlights of the day...for me, was chatting with Janice and Betty on the porch. Betty sure is a firecracker talking about how she's known Laura since before they were in kindergarten (they are both 81 now)and how she's so surprised that they are still friends since she loves to fight and Laura just doesn't! Betty told how when they were little she was so angry with Laura while they were swimming in the San Pedro pool, that she tried to drown her, but Laura kept coming up for air!!! Then later while sitting around the table, Laura said not to believe a word that Betty said because she was a cheat! Apparently, when they were around 8 yrs old, Laura accused Betty of cheating at jacks and they had a brawl and poor Betty went home with her sleeves torn off her dress!!!! Stories like that are just priceless.

Laura's house has been sold, now that she's living with Tom and Dee, so everyone went down to SA to help clean out the house. Mia was given a tea cup and saucer that are just ancient. They came from a set that belonged to Laura's great grandmother. So I think that makes them from Mia's great-great-great grandmother! Also, set of small hand blown cobalt bud vases and a sweet little hat/dish that matches. Those will be kept for Mia with my china, but the little porcelain poodle dog and bunny will be on display in her room. Family heirlooms are so special, and I just can't wait to pass them along to Mia when she's older.

So much happened this weekend, and I know I'm forgetting so many wonderful details, but I'm tired and still have to post pics :)

the birthday girl with her wonderful cake baking husband

Diane, Loren, Suzy and Mia playing with Livie

Gayani & Nick

Mia and her pal, Krista

Mia helping Mama blow out her birthday candle

(no wish made...I've got it all!)

Lori, Tanya, Sarah & the Bell (what a smile on that one!)

Krista, Tanya and Amanda...loveliness

Janice teaching Mia the theme to the Pink Panther

Have we got a great family or what?

Mia playing the upside down game with her Nana while Mae takes notes (for her own baby)

Mia kept taking Mike's hat....Mia and her hats :)

Mia...Posh Baby in her Tia Mae's shades

improv with a ball

Here's way too short of a clip of Janice singing th Eebee song and playing the piano with Mia. The camera battery died, so it's wayyy to short of a video for all the fun they had.

Shopping, play time and a big MOUSE!!!!

Yesterday, after a busy morning of just getting stuff done, I was able to babysit Suzy's Livie while Suzy went to a job interview (She got it!!!!!!). Mia slept while I hung out with Livie. She brought some great snacks that she so sweetly shared. When Suzy got back, we went shopping for a couple of things. The best thing was that Suzy put the girls in a shopping cart with a working radio in it. They had a blast and I actually got to hem and haw over some choices...something I'd never be able to do with Mia. She likes to be on the move and doesn't like to pause for anything. So, Suzy tooled around with the girls, and plied them with snacks. We're a great shopping team!

Then we freed the girls for better things....Chuck E Cheese!!! The play area was been re-done, so the climby tube things were not there, but there were so many other attractions. Mia LOVES Skee-ball and the spider squisher game. Ohhhh!! Chuck was there, and Mia was NOT frightened at all. I think with having the mouse puppet from her lapsit days, and seeing mice at the pet stores really prepared her for him. She was great and gave him a high five and a big kiss! We'll be back!

lil shoppers (not happy until they got a snack)

puckering up for a kiss

Mia had such a fun time, she was actually 'flying' around...check out the video:

Mia took 'row your boat' to a new level

We spend this past weekend at Tom and Dee's beach house at the coast...Port O' Connor, with Tom, Dee and Memaw. We had an eventful ride down. Mia needed a new video for the trip, so we stopped at the Walmart in Lulling for a DVD with Elmo and Friends!!!! Mia's seen Elmo on Sesame Street before, but hasn't really shown any real interest. Well, that's all changed! He's her new fav...she calls him Melmo. Tooooo cute. She also digs Big Bird, who she calls Big Bird :) We didn't get there till after midnight, and guess what? Mia didn't nap on the way, so she was beyond tired. After playing with Nana and showing off her new baby doll and tetas, checking out a lizard we found...she was not impressed...she hit the sack.

Apparently the Gleinser clan all hit Walmart the day before and Mia scored BIG! She got a new life jacket, a swimming pool with toys, and Memaw got her a very cool bubble blowing machine! It needed batteries, but sweet Memaw was a good sport and blew them the old fashioned way until she was flat out of air.

Tom, Daryl and I went out fishing Saturday morning. I caught a pretty decent black tipped shark, and the guys caught some whiting and some gafftop. We didn't keep anything, though. All the rain lately has caused the bay and Gulf area water to drop in salinity, so the fish tend to take off toward saltier water....deep in the Gulf. We had a fine time, regardless...even if you're not catching, fishing's always fun! While we were out, Mia got some quality time with her Nana and Memaw.

That night we hit Clark's Restaurant for dinner. MMMMMMmmmmmm goooooood! To bad Mia's teething got the best of her, and I had to take her home early :( I secretly think she just wanted back in her swimming pool.

It really was a nice visit, but we had to head home Sunday.....only AFTER Mia got her first boat ride!!!! We've all been waiting for this moment. She was all sun blocked, had her hat on, and her life vest. She really did like it. Actually she LOVED it, but only when Papa drove as fast as he could go! We've got a speed demon on our hands, and we love it. Mia checked out all the birds and liked the pelicans a lot. We drove out to where Tom and Dee are thinking about being some land for another beach house. It's gorgeous out there. We can't wait to take Mia out fishing.....maybe next year ;)

Daddy & daughter loving the ride

The Channel

The fam

Mia & her Mama

Bubble fun with Memaw

With her Papa

driving the boat with her Papa

Happiness

pelican

Nana and Mia having fun @ Clark's

Video of Mia's first boat ride

Fun Fun Fun

Yesterday Mia had a great time at Little Gym. I think there are only 3 classes left in this session, and she's making the most out of them. She really loves to roll. Then we met up with Suzy and Livie. Livie is amazing and can keep up with the best of them through the playscape. Mia sticks to the small slide, but loves watching all the action. We left once 6 bigger kids stormed the area. They were just crazy!

After nap, we hit Ready Set Play so we could tire Mia out for Daddy. We was going to babysit, and I wanted to make sure she was ready to go to bed early. Suzy and Livie came by RSP and we had a great time. Mia still loves the big slide and the big square jumper, but can also find a lot to do in the area for kids under 3 years old. Livie and Mia hung out in the ball pit and then Mia ran around, climbed up and slid down the little slide...over and over and over. Success in wearing the Snapper out. We had to say by to our friends so mama could get ready for girls night out.

Mia playing B-ball

when was the last time you had this much fun?

gnawing her way out

Daryl came home, watched Mia and cooked dinner while I was upstairs digging through boxes for something to wear. Then I was off to The Main Event for bowling and drinks with the girls. It was so nice to hang out with Krista, Amanda, Christina and Elise again. Amanda broke 100 and was the top scorer, then I think it was Krista, Elise, Christina and then Me...Yes, I was the looser with a grand total of 52 points :) Then we hit the pool tables for a game and just decided to sit, eat and chat. Elise had to leave a little early, so she wasn't in the group photo :( We've decided to have girls night out once a month. Daryl said he'd be more than happy to babysit if it means I come home with such a big smile on my face.

Christina strikes a pose after a strike

Girls Night Out!

This morning started out with swimming lessons. Mia went under and swam to me for 7 seconds. That's not 1,2,3... it's 1 one thousand, 2 one thousand... a VERY long time for a wee snapper, but she did it and from the look on her face, was very proud of herself. After class we went over to Melissa and Gwen's for a playdate with a mom's group we belong to. Ann (Melissa's mom) was there. I haven't seen her in sooooooo long. She told her chased by bees story. I hadn't heard about it, but it did sound horrible. Mia got to play with her cousin Gwen and pals Livie (a whole different Livie...yes, Mia knows 3), Noa, Blake and little Gwyneth...a cute little chub of a baby (8 months old), but very mobile and very happy. Gwyneth grabbed my fingers, pulled up and started walking to me. It was sweet until Mia saw what was happening, and started to cry and couldn't get into my lap quick enough. She knows that I'm HER mama.

After a nice grilled cheese and some milk, Mia was ready for a nap.

a girl & her grilled cheese

Mia the Explorer on the day of the big move

We're in!!!

How is it already Tuesday?!?!

Last week we had to finish packing, which was VERY difficult with the Snapper under foot. The girls really helped a lot. Lori and Sarah came over their little ones to keep Mia occupied and happy while the Mamas helped me pack. Suzy and Livie came over a few times. Livie and Mia get on so well and Suzy is a fabulous packer. She packed up Mia's whole room. Well, not the breakables. That's my job...for every one's safety, I pack all the breakables, so if anything gets damaged, I only have myself to blame. Suzy wants to move up to the packer of breakables...I just have to think about that one :)

My mom and her housekeeper, Raquel came up on Thursday. Mom played with Mia while Raquel helped me. Yea for help! Our big move was on Friday, and everything went very well. I highly recommend Blue Ribbon Movers. We've used them a few times, and they are always the best. They actually finished 2 hrs earlier than the estimated time. Yea for saving $$!!!

Joe had his birthdaypalooza Saturday afternoon. What a welcome break from unpacking. We were a little late...will never wake up a toddler before her time. Dee & Tom brought some delicious BBQ from Rudy's, and there were some of Ann's (Melissa's mom) lemon bars. They are indeed a little square of heaven. I hadn't seen Carl (Melissa's Dad) in so long. He really is one of the nicest/funniest/loving guys around. We 'waltzed across Texas' with Gwen, and she was so happy about it. I pretty much hung outon the floor with my head on Gwen's bunny chair/pillow while everyone played with Mia. I LOVE family, they know when you need a break. I just didn't have much energy from the move. Everyone played pool and with the wii (even Tom, Dee and Carl)for a while. It really was a good time. Oh, and they were so generous to send us a huge tin of leftovers.

Since then, we've been unpacking and trying to get the other house straightened up. Raquel cleaned the whole thing!!, but Daryl still had to get a bunch of stuff out, and repaint Mia's room back to white. Joe helped...he sure does tape well. No paint on the floor. Not even a drop!

Mom and Raquel left Sunday, already missing Mia, and Mia missing them. Mia still asks for her 'Ta' and wants to sing the Spanish songs Raquel had taught her.

I don't even know what happened yesterday.

Today, Sarah & Lori came over with the girls for a playdate. It was so nice watching the girls explore the house...especially the stairs. I do believe that we'll be keeping the slide indoors now. The new house is smack in the middle of Sarah's and Lori's. I love that we're all so close. Suzy came over and let me watch Livie while she went to an appt. We had house full of laughing children.

Pictures to come once I find the accessories to the computer. They're safe in some box yet to be unpacked.