Girl Of An Age

We were in Asheville, NC last weekend to attend Mark's cousin's wedding.

It was amazingly beautiful!

The trees were brilliant and the weather was mild enough for us Floridians to enjoy the cool breezes without shivering to death.

The ceremony was in a field by a river.

There were fairies scattered here and there among the guests.

The fairies carried baskets filled with wings, wands, 

and glow sticks for the children.

Rio was in heaven.

Despite a rocky start where she kept yelling, 

"Nook! A horsey! A big, big horsey!"

as the bride arrived in a horse-drawn carriage.

And then she met Harrison.

He came over and asked if Rio would play with him

and then proceeded to make himself at home with our family.

He was terribly cute

and I wouldn't mind if Rio wanted to marry him

in a similar outdoor setting

when she turns 30.

People Are Strange

Especially 2 year olds.

Every Day Is Halloween

Rio and I just finished decorating for Halloween.

This is my favorite holiday.

I've spent the last couple of months desensitizing Rio to all things scary.

Witches are now super cool

ghosts are radical 

and pumpkins are where it's at!

I routinely hear, "Nook, Mom! A Piser! {Spider}"

My neighbor said our display was "a little dark, don't cha think?"

Last time I checked, it wasn't called Rainbows and Puppy Dogs Day.

Wait...that might actually be a fun holiday.

I'll write to my state representative...

see if we can get that baby on the books.

There's my baby girl playing with a snake.

It makes a mother proud {sniff, sniff}

Now we'll see if she'll sit on Santa's lap this year without screaming.

If he was a gargoyle, she might not have a problem.

And Your Bird Can Sing

My little chickadee can sing.

I thought I had a tiny dancer on my hands

but it turns out she's the cutest little singing diva

this side of the Caloosahatchee.

(I had to look that up real quick to see if that river is anywhere near me and it is! wow!) 

So I am spending my days singing Itsy Bitsy Spider

or Eensy Weensy Spider...which is it?

and of course The Alphabet

and Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

and Wonder Pets...how did she learn this song??

and the list of nursery songs goes on.

So how do I get her to learn some Mamas and Papas?

We could be belting out some awesome duets if she would just stop dancing 

whenever I play my music

and start learning the lyrics.

Longtime

We don't have many date nights.

And we certainly don't have many getaways.

None, in fact.

We keep Rio close.

Just in case.

We can't stand to be too far away.

And 10 minutes is really far in an emergency.

So when we were invited to a company banquet

on the other coast -

a 3 hour drive across the state -

we didn't know what to do.

Luckily, my mother is an angel

and always up for an adventure.

She traveled with us and explored the beaches and scenery

with Rio

while we had a night out.

The banquet was lovely 

the company casino was fun

(they gave us each $1000 in play money.)

I told Mark,

"You're here and you're mine

I haven't seen you in a long time."

--EMF

Date night

and keeping our baby girl close by =

sweet perfection.

Just The Way You Are

"When I see your face
There's not a thing that I would change
Cause you're amazing
Just the way you are
And when you smile,
The whole world stops and stares for awhile
Cause girl you're amazing
Just the way you are"

--Bruno Mars

Mambo Craze

Dondo the Magiclown

Our friend, the clown, and his gal are down for a visit.

Our days are filled with jokes, one liners, goofing off, showing off, 

a little dancing, and a lot of laughter.

You can take the clown out of the circus, 

but you can't take the circus out of the clown.

He is performing wherever we go.

Balancing any object he can find on his nose.

And for some reason, he's been into 60's lounge music lately. 

I can always get behind that.

Cheers, Dondo! 

Thanks for the laughs.

You always come at just the right time!

"A little weak, a little pale today

Looks like it's time for that certain holiday."

                                                            --De-Phazz

Dog Days Are Over

Is the weather finally shifting?

Did I actually feel a breeze tickle my cheeks?

Could we emerge from our air-conditioned den?

 Sunny with a touch of bearable.

That's right, child, go towards the shade.

Take a little rest.

Okay, Okay, Okay

You can go on the swings

for-EVER

That's more like it.

Sunshine and smiles.

"Happiness hit her like a train on a track

Coming towards her - stuck still - no turning back

She hid around corners and she hid under beds

She killed it with kisses and from it she fled...

The dog days are over

The dog days are gone

The horses are comin' so you better run.

Run fast for your mother; run fast for your father

Run for your children all your sisters and brothers

Leave all your love and your longing behind

You can't carry it with you if you want to survive."

--Florence and The Machine