Jumping with Safia

Gigi's turn...
Safia's turn...
Gigi's turn...

Hug for Bryon...

Elmo's Portrait by Mama

Happy Birthday, Baby Gracie!

Today, we went to Baby Gracie's birthday party at the Santa Monica Pier Carousel. You all know by now that I love horsies, so I couldn't wait for the party. I fell asleep 10 minutes before arriving (we were 45 minutes early), but I woke when Mommy transferred me to my stroller. The hope by Mama was that I would sleep and then wake up refreshed and ready to party. Once I saw the carousel, there was no sleeping for me!

(from Mommy....Leigh -- I have read your many birthday party travails and let's just say, this party definitely intimidated me regarding my plans for Gigi's party in 3 weeks. There were games (Lion Toss/Ring Toss), Decorating Polaroid Picture behind a Clown Peekaboo thing (see below), a clown making balloon flowers and dogs, as many carousel rides as you like, NAME TAGS....who does name tags for a kids party, goodie bags with a picture of the birthday girl and the goodie bag recipient on it, beading necklaces, the lemonade was put in carousel sippy cups with straws....and more. I am not so much intimidated that I couldn't do this party either if I didn't work or if I wanted to throw over $1,000 at a 2 year old birthday, but I guess I was just thinking this is nice, but just over the top. She is 2....Hmm. Do I need to rethink? I was planning to go themeless, invite her friends and our friends (all 4 of her grandparents will be here), cook some good food (okay, Allen was going to cook the food), let them play with her many toys and call it a birthday party....no goodie bags, no special this or special that. Just a regular party.)

The theme was Carnival/Carousel....Here is the Lion Toss....or Lion Drop for me and Gracie.

Here's the pretzel and lemonade stand....oh, and hotdogs, too.

Gracie and her Mama

Decorating a Polaroid picture taken of me...

Here's the finished product

Using the ring from the ring toss as a hula hoop

Bye and thank you, Gracie.

Hanging at the Park

A-B-C-D-E-F-G

Tonight while in bed and on our way to sleep, Mama and I were singing our ABCs. It might be hard to hear and there is no video, so don't look for it! Dada snuck his I-phone in to record my voice. I sing the ABCs two times, but the second time didn't record as well.

Mas?

Who needs the beach or a sandbox?

Last night, Zoe came over and we played dress up....well, she pretended I was a doll and put some of my clothes on. She put my bathing suit top on my bottom, until Mommy told her to put it on my top. Anyway, here we are reading after my last wardrobe change to my birthday suit.

Today, I played with my sand toys in the front yard (aka dirt pit). Look how dirty I am!

Good news is that I now LOVE/Heart my bath!

After my bath, I called Mema to thank her for the "paints" that I am almost done with already. I probably use more "paint" in one bath session than I am supposed to. Here I am mixing all the colors.

Earlier this week, I was catching bubbles with Nanny G.

And, swimming a little.

Jenny and Mia are FINALLY together!

at least virtually....very soon, they will be together forever. Congratulations, Jenny and Rich! All of Pennsylvania must have heard your scream of joy when you saw Mia's precious face. She is just beautiful.

Please go congratulate the new parents who had the interminable wait for their daughter.....3 years, 5 months. Too long for anyone...especially too long to wait for your first child, let alone any child.....and yet Jenny waited with incredible grace and patience. She is going to be an awesome Mom.

http://afarawaychild.blogspot.com/

23 months today!

Here are some pictures from this week. We had our neighbors over on Sunday who are moving to Ohio :( Here is a picture of me and my boyfriend, Sam. I guess we are going to have a long distance relationship.
Melese, if you are reading this, don't worry. I actually prefer younger boys.

Here I am yesterday. I had a 102.4 fever and this is what Nanny G and I did while at home all day. Not bad for a sick day!

Skateboarder

Happy Birthday, Nyla!

Look at our reflection in the mirror....can you tell we are buds?

Nyla's Daddy (NY) and Mommy (LA)

Ring around the rosie with Mama

Rollercoaster...remember the last time I rode this? I was crying!

Mommy Caught Me Here This Morning

Daniel's Birthday and Going Away Party

Of course, at a boy's birthday party, there is a lot of tree climbing and tractor driving...

Sophia's mad face