5.17.2011

Black & White Wednesday: Backyard Starlet

BW Side Whisper




You have the power to bring the world to you.

I've been watching you, Little Miss.



Sunglasses


Just with a glance;

your sly little smile and the twinkling in your eye

renders mere mortals helpless beneath your gaze.
Details


You are sheer perfection from the tip of your nose to the bottom of your toes.



Vanilla Side Glance


Where did you come from, my love?


Even I, with the grandest of imaginations, could never have dreamed you.



Head Down Hat


I am in a state of constant amazement when I hear the things that come out of you mouth.


At three years old you ask me what I'm thinking...and you actually wait for an answer.


Tonight when I told you that one day I'll be the Nana to your daughter, you cried and told me that I just couldn't do that because you always need me to be the Mommy.



Miss Personality


That feisty personality of yours just cracks me up.


It is the perfect foil to your truly compassionate, comforting and oh, so loving side.


I will remember these mornings for the rest of my life when you wake to find me up already


and beg me with sheer urgency to come back with you to bed to snuggle "in the nest"


...my sweet baby bird.

Princess Pout Arms Crossed


Three with Bella



I honestly don't know how we trudged along in life without you.


Not a day goes by when your father, your brother and I don't look at you and


beam as we fall deeper in love with our little treasure.
(And don't think we don't see the glee in that gorgeous little face when you realize that all eyes are on you!)
Elegant Lady Looking Down


You are, by far, the icing on the cake of life!

*Thank you for sitting still for the 5 minutes before our guests arrived on Easter to let me capture the beauty that is you!


It's Black and White Wednesday!
To see some great images from some fantastic photographers,




click on over to The Long Road to China




the long road












5.16.2011

Happy 12th Birthday, WonderBoy!

A few weeks ago, the Boy Wonder turned 12.

We celebrated his birthday with family on Easter and again several times that week with those who weren't able to join us on Easter.

We discovered an amazing bakery right in our neighborhood; actually, its the baker who's amazing. She's so creative that we can't pass by without picking up one of her sweet treats on a regular basis. Let's just say we've stopped trying to look for reasons to have cake because we're powerless under her spell.

WonderBoy decided he wanted to have a camouflage chocolate on chocolate cake (big surprise, right?!)
The baker was excited about creating something special and one of a kind for him so she requested his favorite toys for the top of the cake.
WonderBoy rummaged through the ridiculous amount of army men, tanks and aircraft he's amassed these last dozen years and came up with a few of his favorites. Although they're indoor toys, I had to wrestle with him to soak them overnight and then he and his father delivered them to the baker the following day. He couldn't understand why I insisted on washing them and he wasn't happy with me at all....

Until he saw his cake, that is....
and then he was oh, so happy!

Camo Cake Collage

Sweetie was uber excited for her brother's birthday that she'd wrapped up a present for him weeks before. She's big on wrapping and loves to help me wrap anything, including leftovers. In fact, she now asks why her good girl treats aren't wrapped when she earns one for doing something special at home or at school.
She's become somewhat of a wrapping snob, actually.

So when she heard his birthday was coming up and I saw her wrapping this present for "brother" I wasn't surprised. I did have to contain my laughter when she chose one of her favorite coloring books (all good'n used up, colored in and tattered) and wrapped it all by herself; even putting a recycled card on top that I had stashed for our arts and crafts. I was cracking up wondering how he was going to recieve this, uh, unique gift as I watched her hide it in her closet.

Gift 1 Collage

Then she told Nana as the birthday neared, that she wanted to wrap something else for him. My mother tells me that the contents of the second gift and all the wrapping with lots of "sticky tape" as she calls it....was again done all on her own.


I was so intrigued when I saw her stashing it with the other one but she refused to tell me what was inside and each day she checked on them in her hiding place waiting for the celebration day.

Sweetie Bday Gift to Brother Collage

I have to hand it to WonderBoy...he feigned complete and utter excitement when she handed him her special treasures (the used coloring book and a dollar bill). It just melted my heart. She was so proud.


Unbeknownst to him he was soon to be rewarded for his efforts when he finally opened the last gift...a special one from JR and me.


There was no need for him to feign excitement at all when he read what his gift was...because there's one place in the world that the Boy Wonder loves more than any other......and it was his wish to go there again this year.

DR Gift Collage

Bet you know how this story ends...our young Prince got his wish!


We're headed out of the country in a few weeks to celebrate his 12th birthday (along with another special occasion) on our favorite little paradise where sand, surf, sun and scrumptous food and drinks await!

He's been walking on air since!
We all have.

5.11.2011

Black & White Wednesday: Charmer

Blog Portrait Smiling BW





This is just ONE shot of so many really fabulous ones that capture the essence of my WonderBoy.




He agreed to be my muse a few weeks ago in honor of his 12th birthday.




It seems futile for me to try to explain how quickly he is growing so I'll just have to show you.I hope to have the rest of the photos up here later in the week.




It's Black and White Wednesday!





To see some inspiring images from some fantastic photographers, click on over to The Long Road to China




the long road












5.10.2011

Dream

Dream, My Darling......and I will be right here when you awaken.



Don't mind me if I get nothing done and just sit here and stare
because my whole life I wished for you and from the moment you joined me here in my life, I have found it impossible to leave your side.

Sweetie Sleeping Back WM

You are today and always...my precious baby girl.

5.05.2011

Thankful Thursday: Papa's Got His Groove Back

And the Boy Wonder can't even contain himself...
he's giddy like a schoolgirl that his favorite playmate is back in action!


Play Ball Storyboard WM

I have to admit, so is Mama!

Thank each and every one of you for your prayers and heartfelt wishes for JR's recovery.

He's on the mend bigtime now, and we are so grateful!


*************