Sneak Peek...

Halloween is almost here and I can't believe it, but this queen of procrastination has completed Miah Jane's costume!!  Now the true test is will she wear it!!  I had a couple fun ideas, but it dawned on me that Miah is no longer in that phase of "anything goes" when I dress her.  All of her cute hats, bows, flowers, and headbands are ripped off her head and tossed aside before I even have a moment to protest.  I've gotten sneaky, wait until she dozes off and like a ninja I clasp anything within reach on her curly locks.  As stealthy as I like to think I am, I'm pretty sure my ninja skills won't pull the wool over my girl's eyes when it comes to a Halloween costume.  What to do, what to do when for the most part this is her favorite outfit these days........

Well, one afternoon it came to me....we were in New York earlier this month to attend my best friend Trisha's baby shower.  While we were at the shower I had to take Miah Jane to the ladies room to change her diaper.  As I swapped a dirty diaper for a fresh one the bathroom attendant and I exchanged a few words about the weather.  I stood Miah Jane up in front of a full length mirror and pulled up her tights.  She began to smile at herself in the mirror and dance around.  I picked her up and smiled politely at the bathroom attendant and wished her a good afternoon.  As I walked passed this woman, she said to me, "You know, only real love makes a baby as beautiful as that."  She knocked the wind right out of me.  Tears welled up instantly as I turned around to her and thanked her.  These words from a complete stranger could not be more poetic and true.  I think of this woman and her words almost everyday. I don't know her name and she doesn't know mine, but she knew exactly what my heart needed to hear.

There you have it.......the story and inspiration for this year's Halloween costume and not to mention so much more.  The smallest things can leave a lasting impression IF you are paying attention and contribute to something so much bigger.  All you need is love.  It bears all things you know?

Have a safe and happy Halloween!! 

Sea Legs and The Color Orange

There is something special about the sunsets this time of year that leave such an impression on me.  It's rust and gold hues are a little bolder almost to make up for the fact that our leaves don't change to reflect the fall season.  Mother Nature never lets me down.  She pulled out all the the stops last Friday night.  This Naples version of a fall evening was quite the spectacle. 

Before we got to that point, however, we enjoyed Miah Jane's opening act......another spectacle all of her own!  She effortlessly walked all over the boat like she owned it as we idled along Naples Bay.  Once she woke up anyway.......

Heavy breathing sack of potatoes.

REM Sleep.

Wait a minute.....where am I?

You are Cousin Mikey!

You are Uncle Jordie!

That's my Uncle Jordie!

We're on the Triple Net!!

YAAAAAY!!

And now we do the dance of joy!  Da da da da......

Your Daddy would be so proud of your sea legs munchkin!

What's that?

Got to get closer.......

She's even impressing herself!

Birdies!

Gordon's Pass

Bye Bye Sun........

......see you tomorrow at the pumpkin patch!!

From one beautiful Mother Nature nurtured orange ball to another, we woke up Saturday morning and headed to a local, makeshift pumpkin patch.  As usual it was a family and friend afair.  Just the way we like it......Uncle Jordie, Auntie Tanya, Gma, Great Gma (Baba), and the Schaps Gang!!  While we were there we ran into our friends the Ritchey's and the Michetti's for a extra bonus to our morning!!

First, for a little perspective here are three pictures from the same pumpkin patch last year........

Ok let's get to business here......

Believe it or not we bought this one.  Too cool to pass up.

One of the first pictures that I can maybe see a little bit of me on her.

She climbed over one pallet after another.....

Lexi Lynn graciously sharing a water break.

Cutie pie Devin just couldn't decide on one.

So small, but so mighty!

Such a cute moment.....

..... it was like this scarecrow was a long lost friend.  My sweet girl.

Ok everybody I think that about does it!

Auntie Tanya, you got all the pumpkins?  Good.  Let's roll.

Another weekend of experiences to add to our memory treasure box.

Kindermusik

Tuesday mornings for the last eight weeks have been spent in a magical classroom at the Philharmonic Center for the Arts full of special people big and small.  Kindermusik is an awesome program offered by the Phil that has several different levels of activities based on your child's age.  Each class integrates sounds, music, dance, and props to engage your child's imagination and developmental skills.  Unlike swim lessons Miah Jane looooves this experience.  She completed her first "semester" Zoom Buggy and is signed up for the next called "Dream Pillow".  Not only is this class an interaction with the curriculum, but it also is a chance to meet some really cool Mamas and new little friends.  Our instructor, Ms. Susie Rodriguez, brings so much energy and ethusiasm to each class there's no excuse to not reap the benefits.  Witness it for yourself....it's written all over Miah Jane's face!

There are a couple videos, so you might want to pause the music below......

Class hasn't even started and she's already smiling!

Miah looooves the shakers!  She shakes from head to toe!

This hammock exercise gets everybody working together and helps the kids learn to wait their turn! 

Oh yeah I could get used to this Mama!

There is no time to be bashful in this class. 

The first class I was sweating and out of breath!  Definitely could count as a workout!

So many creative ways to engage each other and most of them you can do at home too!

Watch out she's got shakers again!

Hm his sounds different?

I'm gonna change it up a bit......

Our Awesome Class!

YAAAY!!  Mama is so proud of you my little mover and shaker!

Can't wait for Dream Pillow class!

Thank you Uncle Jordie for taking pictures for us!