Sledding!

Today, T-Daddy and I took CiBaby on her first sledding adventure.

To say she loved it is a little mild. She was so excited she had to do it by herself (of course). What we didn't get a picture of was her alone, riding that little purple sled like she was on a luge.

Watch out Olympics!

Inauguration day

What an exciting day. A ceiling has been broken.

CiBaby and I went to hang out with some friends for an intimate Inauguration Day party. While the kids screamed and ran about, we tried to listen to what was being said. The pictures were priceless and helped to cement an image of growth within our country...regardless of your color, you could be President!

Next ceiling to shatter...a woman President!*

*Under the current guidelines, CiBaby is not eligible to become President of the U.S. as she was foreign born. Who knows, maybe the rules will change. But at this point, she could ascend all the way up to Speaker of the House. Very cool. (And boy, does she have a lot to say!)

Princess for a Day

Years ago, I made a killer Snow White costume for a girlfriend's daughter's birthday party. Well, it has been sprung from its closet to make a special appearance at my goddaughter's 5th birthday party! (E is front and center)

CiBaby even got into the act.

Prince Charming* (of the day) even showed...

but here is my permanent Prince Charming

It was a very fun day.

*Yes, I made this costume as well. Just a little "fun" fact...there is almost 10 years between that bottom pic and when all of the rest were taken. yikes. And my PC for the day, yeah, well he decided he wanted to be something "scary" for that Halloween ('99). Boy did he pull that off. He came as one of the scariest looking women I've ever laid eyes on!

You've gotta love naptime

And where am I? Taking the darn pictures...that's where! No snoozing for CzaMama.

The key?

I definitely do not have a girly girl. CiBaby is not a tomboy, but is not super girly either, which is totally fine by me.

My biggest gripe is her hair. Her hair is beautiful...smooth and silky, but also tangles easily and goes in her face all the time, which she promptly wipes out of her face with sticky, food covered hands no less. And of course she again HATES having her hair washed.

So today I tried again. We have a ton of really cute Giddy Giddy hairclips and hair bands, but she never leaves them in. This morning I suggested putting in a "pony" in her hair to keep it out of her food, thus not having to wash her hair as often. So far she's left it in, and even picked out a clip herself!

Comfy

I've always heard a firm mattress is good for

your back, but this is ridiculous!

The perfect shade

The application may need a bit of work.

I drink a flower!

For Christmas, G-Mama got me a glass teapot and a box of blooming teas. Today, CiBaby and I shared a pot of Jasmine & Calendula tea. She LOVED watching the tea bloom and having a some tea with Mama...while telling me over and over "I drink a flower!"

Cold enough to freeze damp clothes, in the dryer.

Yes, that's how cold it is.

Last night* I moved damp clothes into the dryer, but didn't start it, in order to get the vomit covered comforter cover started washing. Oh, did I mention that CiBaby vomited in our bed last night? Yeah, lovely. No worries, she's fine.

This afternoon I wanted to dry something so I thought I would throw it in with the damp clothes that had not been dried yet...save energy. (I always examined CiBaby's clothes before putting them through the dryer in hopes not to permanently set stains.) The clothes that were in the dryer over night, with the door closed (but I could feel the draft), were crunchy. Nice, very nice.

Moral of the story...keep the dryer door closed to keep the basement warmer!

*Technically it was 2AM, but who's keeping track???

Diamonds - really, a girl's best friend?

We finally saw Blood Diamond* and I have to say I am forever changed. While I know it's a movie, that doesn't diminish the fact that a beautiful sparkling stone that has been ingrained in us to "love" since small children has lost it's luster for me.

To say I'm disgusted doesn't even hit the tip of the iceberg. I sat there saying "I don't get it." "I just don't get it." There is a lot of senseless killing that has taken place in history, but I think this might be the worst. I can't even begin to wrap my brain around it. I'd heard of "conflict diamonds" before, but never really understood the impact of it...shame on me.

The Kimberley Process sounds like a step in the right direction...but it's also just suggestion, and not a code.** It's self-enforced. Do the people that buy your diamonds really have the best interest of the people living in that area, or are they in it for the mark-up value, the profit? It does make one wonder, and it would weigh heavily on me.

Never again do I want another diamond.*** If you see a diamond on me, you will know it's one of two things...it's either 1. old OR 2. CZ, you don't need to ask.

*I had been on the very long waiting list at the library, and when it finally came up we just had gotten back from China with CiBaby...aaaah, I think not.
**As stated in the Pirates of the Caribbean.
***This is not to say that I won't wear the few that I have, but I will always wonder how my diamond made it to my body. T-Daddy was happy to hear it.

Budding artist

She sings, she dances*

She plays, she paints.

Boy, she reminds me of someone...but who???

*This video took 3 tries so she didn't see me. How many 2.5 year olds do you know that get all shy when caught performing? She closed the pocket doors on me to continue her performance in private! And yes, she took all of the pillows off of the couches and chair...it's an almost daily occurance.

Happy 2009!

What a way to swing into a new year...a rockin' tire swing, snow and a warm fire.

The last moments of 2008

Last night we spent the evening with friends at a very kid-friendly NYE party. What a great time. The guys watched the game (a.k.a. hockey), the ladies gabbed and the kids played...hard!

Girlfriends and laughter

A little work...

and a lot of play!

May 2009 be happy, warm and bright.