This is what I'm talking about

Maybe I'm the last to see this video. I don't know. Regardless, there are too many things that I love about this interaction to mention. According to the info, they are a couple of 62 years, and he was 90 last year when this was shot. They spotted a piano in Mayo Clinic while they were there for something else and decided to use it. Enjoy.

She says

Because of the bedroom change, I've been busy for the last few days getting toys rearranged and furniture resettled. As a result, Sophia has been playing a lot by herself and working on her own projects. Today as she was wetting a cloth and "cleaning" the kitchen - getting everything wet. As I picked up one of her babies, it said Mama! Without missing a beat, Sophia said, "Sorry, Baby Jesus (the baby's name), Mommy's really busy just now!"

I thought I'd have to wait many more years for her to understand the nuances of motherhood...

Big News about a Big Girl

Ever since we got home from vacation, Sophia has had trouble sleeping. While in California, Erick would stay with her in bed for 20 minutes or so till she got to sleep. We weren't surprised when she expected the same thing at home, but we were surprised at how long she maintained the demand. We had just gotten her straightened out about a week ago when she came down with a cold. Nothing can mean the end of good sleep like an irritating cold. So setback #2. The last few nights there hasn't been a reason, but she has required multiple visits and insistence on our part that we DON'T sleep in her room with her. As I listened while she rolled around last night, I realized that she kept knocking into the sides of her crib, waking herself up.

Yep, she was in a crib. We've had a toddler bed for a year or more, but Sophia would have nothing to do sleeping anywhere but her crib. I think sleeping in a bed on vacation helped her see the benefits of having room to stretch. After all, she's a long girl for her age anyway.

So this morning, after an early morning, I asked if she was ready for a big bed. "Yes! I don't like my crib any more!" When sleep is the "carrot" I'm chasing, I'll do a lot of things. Sophia and I went shopping this morning, chose a bed and it will be here next week. Tonight, we went out and bought a twin mattress. She's sleeping on it right now. I'm knocking on wood as I type. I'll take pictures once the bed gets here.

I'm not even a little sad to say goodbye to the crib. I'm happy for the poor kid to have some room to stretch!

Old News

 

 

This appeared in the Columbia Missourian while we were on vacation. I got a copy over a week ago, and I'm just now getting around to posting the pictures.

Sophia's dance class of 3- to 5-year-olds was featured here in a couple of photos. I love the look on her face in the one where she's in the center. She's so happy! She was very pleased to be in the newspaper.

Feminine and Understated

 

I am drawn by the simplicity of the colors of the female cardinal. She isn't anyone's mascot. She doesn't immediately draw attention, but the soft colors and hues of her feathers are, in my opinion, more lovely than the garish reds of her counterpart. You have to look at her more carefully to see where the reds come into play. I imagine her subtlety drives the boys wild.

Nature is an intriguing thing, and sometimes it's waiting right out the front window to be noticed.

Much Love

Happy Valentine's Day!

Moulin Rouge is one of my favorite love stories. What's yours - either in cinema or literature or maybe real life?

Poll Results

Twelve votes total. All in favor of keeping the jeans... So that will be my defense as I strut around town in my new jeans. Thanks for caring.

Fashion Advice

I bought a pair of jeans last night at American Eagle. They're comfy beyond belief. They're distressed and all that. But there is one question. They have a buckle in the back. http://www.ae.com/web/browse/product.jsp?catId=cat90098&productId=0431_7625

Go to the link and give me your opinion. Should I take them back? Or am I going to be cutting edge? I assume that you all understand my problem. They feel a little too reminiscent of circa 1992 with Guess jeans, buckle in back, tapered leg. True. There is no tapered leg, but it makes me a little nervous regardless.

So give me your honest opinion. Vote in the poll on the right. I may or may not listen. But now at least you'll know, when you see me out and about with my questionable jeans, that I know they're on the line.

Just as more info, they were clearance, so an additional 30% off. I had a $25 gift card, so they were free to me. That shouldn't mean too much, though, because all their jeans are on sale, so if they're bad, I can get another pair that is safer...

Need more evidence?

Just in case you need to see more pictures of us having fun in California - and who wouldn't, really?

Here's a link to the album. Remember. This album is still only 10% of all my pictures.

10February - CA Vacation

I won't be offended if you don't even glance. No guarantees that I would look at your vacation pictures if you weren't checking over my shoulder and waiting for appropriate excitement...

It's a Miracle

I have decided to cram the post about vacation into one because anything I say won't be enough. And too many pictures (I took over a thousand) will numb your minds.

Our vacation was fantastic in every way.

 

We had a great visit with Erick's grandma.

 

My favorite view is from her kitchen window.

 

We played.

 

and truly didn't tire of one another.

 

We ate good food.

 

 

The ocean was there.

 

 

We made new friends.

 

and enemies...

 

Sophia had her daddy.

 

 

And her books.

 

 

The sun set.

 

Perfection.

This isn't gonna be easy.

We're on our last night of vacation unless we decide to extend it by staying another night...in Kansas City. I'm looking forward to getting to my own bed and getting Sophia back to her crib and routine. But I can't really express how much I'm going to miss this place.

Vacation has been fantastic. I expected to have fun. This was way more than fun. Anyway, I'll have to decide how I'm going to tell you about this trip and how to share the pictures with you. They're currently on Casey's computer.

Anyway, I'll be seeing you. For now I'm getting back to soaking up these last few moments of relaxation and ocean breeze.