The Clapping Song (Clap Pat Clap Slap)

Somebody is slightly obsessed with my
I-don't-use-Palmolive-but-wash-a-lot-of-dishes gloves.
But who can blame her?
They are yellow, after all.
(I actually blame Dr. Seuss and those Snuvs with gloves.)

So we put on The Clapping Song and have ourselves a little dance.
Watching a 2 year old dance around with
exaggeratedly large yellow hands
makes my day.
And hers too, I think.

Uh-oh. Rio just saw me writing this and now she is in the kitchen
pointing and saying, "glubs? glubs? peeaassee?!"
Better get to dancing!

The Girl In The Dirty Shirt

The cork flooring for our new house.

We tried having the terrazzo floors refinished but it did not turn out.
The "pros" did not come through for us this time.
We had to then go back and sand down what they had done. Fun!

And so we dove in and started laying the cork tiles. Of course we decided to start at the front door -
the perfect place to teach yourself how to do something.
So every mistake will be visible to all who enter!

But we're a do-it-yourself family and we figured it out quickly enough (and through enough arguing back and forth.)

What we did not figure out until it was too late
was that the glue does not come off. At all.
Until you spend a week using everything from mineral spirits to WD-40, scrubbing a layer or two of skin off, then you can start to see your hands and feet again. You can venture out in public without looking like you are covered in dirt.

They failed to mention that little tidbit on the DIY site!

Edge Of The Ocean

We took a little trip to the other coast.
To the Atlantic Ocean.

A whole other world exists on this side.

Rio was entranced.

Waves! Big waves!

Come me, Mommy...into the ocean. Peeeaasssee?

"There's a place I dream about
Where the sun never goes out
And the sky is deep and blue
Won't you take me there with you?

Ooh, we can begin again
Shed our skin, let the sun shine in
By the edge of the ocean
We can start over again."

--Ivy

Love Is The Seventh Wave

There are two things I know for sure:
1. Summers in Florida are h-o-t.
You can survive by staying indoors or
in a pool that is close to the indoors.
2. Rio loves her great-grandmother. LOVES.
They have always had a special bond and it's terribly cute to witness.

So I give you both:

Up The Hill Backwards

I'm okay, you're so-so.
The vacuum created by the arrival of freedom
And the possibilities it seems to offer.
--David Bowie

I keep Rio in a world of limited exploration unless we are thoroughly armed with antibacterial wipes. And I'm always thoroughly armed.
When bacteria=illness=seizure, it's all I can do.
All those possibilities that come with her freedom, come with my fears.
So we're kind of going up the hill backwards...
But at least we'll have a different view of everything.

Summertime Rolls

"Fell into a sea of grass
And disappeared among the shady blades

Children all ran over me

Screaming
Tag! You are the one!

Me and my {baby}
Don't wear no shoes

Her nose is painted
Pepper Sunlight

Well, she sings a song
And I listen to what is says:
If you want a friend to feed any animal...

There's so much space
I cut me a piece with some fine wine

It brought peace to my mind
In the summertime
And it rolled...

Summertime Rolls"
--Jane's Addiction

Fireflies

Anyone else addicted to So You Think You Can Dance?
I'm always so inspired.
But this takes the cake...I mean...wow.
Bryan Gaynor has scoliosis but has adapted a style of dancing that is both expressive and suited to his body. He's amazing.

Born At The Right Time

I'm thirty-five.
I'm not really sure how I feel about this.
Someone once told me that your thirties are the best years and I agree.
You are finally finished with school, have some money in the bank, perhaps kids, probably a home...life is good.
But then part of me feels like I just stepped onto a slippery slope to 40. ugh.
Not that there's anything wrong with 40; after all, it's the new 30!
But I thought I'd have a bunch of kids by now.
I never thought it'd take such a large portion of my adult life
to have one.
In every other area of my life I'm settled. I'm happy.
I can check items off my list.
But that one section entitled "Gaggle of Kids" continues to haunt me.
Unless I win the lottery tomorrow.
We'll be able to pull off another adoption but after that?
Sometimes it's upsetting.
So I think that's my biggest hang-up with turning 35.
However,
I was definitely born at the right time.
I was destined to mother at least one beautiful child.

Hairdresser On Fire

It happens twice a year.
Our little darling husky turns into a woolly mammoth.

Her brother doesn't have this problem.

Shimi loves to play.
And Daddy with a shedding blade in hand
is the perfect opportunity for fun.

I'm right heeerrreee...come and brush me!

Not so fast, Daddy! Mwaahhh haaa haaa haaa!

When all is said and done you'd think it snowed in Florida.

{FL} Is Red Hot

"Butterfly searchin' for a relax
Pullin' from the jazz stacks
Cause it's Sunday

Who me I'm coolin' in {fl}
I'm chillin' in {fl}

Dig it

Sunday's to relax"
--Digable Planets