Wordless Wednesday - Food Stacker

She calls it a "castle".

Is my kid the only one who does this? Ah, mealtimes with 3 year olds. :)

(semi) Wordless Wednesday - Cereal Sorter

Saw my sweet 2 year old doing this the other morning.

Can't blame her, I used to do the same thing.  Ah marshmallows!  ;)

(that's Mom's Best Mallow Oats cereal)

(semi) Wordless Wednesday - How Much is That Doggie In the Window?

"How much is that doggie in the window?" ($6K!!!)

"The one with the waggley tail?" (it had better do something magical for that price)

"How much is that doggie in the window?  I sure hope that doggie's for sale". 

Not gonna happen honey, no matter how cute he is.

(It's a Blue English Bulldog)

(semi) wordless wednesday - Full Time Play

Play

Play

Play some more

Play

It's a tough job but someone has to do it.

(semi) Wordless-Wednesday - Guess the Candy

Can you guess what this candy is?  Or should I say was?  I discovered these bags in the back of my pantry the other day since I'd ahem...forgotten them there.  I had a valuable lesson on what happens to spun sugar when left for a few weeks.

They used to look like these lovely bags of cotton candy, favors at my niece's wedding.

Sigh.  Next time hopefully they'll get eaten before turning into a sugar rock.

(semi) Wordless Wednesday - Elmo

My child loves Elmo.  Whenever she sees a photo or video of him she says Elmo.  So when Elmo and his friends visited the AZ Science Center (Sesame Street the Body exhibit) we made a point to go, twice.  We went on Monday, the final day of the exhibit and were able to see the real Elmo in person.  The kids were thrilled!

We decided that it was time to get her her own huggable Elmo but since it was the last day of the exhibit they were all out at the store.  Side note: we got the most adorable Snuffleupagus though!

Later that afternoon we did some treasure hunting (antique and thrift store shopping as a family) and we found him!  $3.99 and a cycle through the washer/dryer later (just put him in a big pillowcase to wash) and she has a new friend.

Hooray!

Wordless Wednesday - Summer Desert Beauty

It may be hotter than you-know-where here but it is beautiful in the desert!

*all photos were taken within a 1/2 mile of my house in the last 2 weeks

Wordless Wednesday - She's 2!

My sweet little baby is turning 2 today.  I really should stop calling her a baby but I probably won't. :)  She is a treasure and every day with her is a blessing.

It's hard to believe she was ever that small!

Here's to another year of growing!

Happy Birthday little bug!

(semi) Wordless Wednesday - Berry Picking

We did a little berry picking at my Aunt's house this week.

Let's just say we are clearly NOT in hot-hot-Phoenix.  

There is something delicious about wearing sweatshirts and picking berries on a July morning.

We'll enjoy these chilly mornings now because once we return to Phoenix we won't wear sweatshirts again until October!

(semi)wordless wednesday - Grandma's Buttons

I've been spending hours sorting old vintage family buttons.

They were my mother's, grandmother's and great-grandmother's.  Made of things like mother of pearl, glass, wood, metal, early plastic and rhinestones.  

I can only imagine the many sewing projects to come that these buttons will adorn!

Wordless Wednesday - Missing Socks

Where toys and socks go to hide.

This is what I saw when I pulled my daughter's crib away from the wall.  I had to take a photo because someday in the future I'll want to remember that she used to do this. 

She's also taken to removing her pajamas and diaper, then putting her pajama pants back on.  I don't have a photo of that but let's just say it doesn't end well. ;)

(semi)Wordless Wednesday - A-Tisket A-Tasket a toddler in a basket

We came upon the baby last week just hanging out.

In a little basket.

A really tiny basket.  Good thing she's small.

That's my girl.

(semi) Wordless Wednesday - Sew Excited

Look what the UPS man brought me today.  I am SEW excited to get started on this new hobby/adventure.

I'm very much a beginner.  You can read about my first time using a sewing machine (last month!) here.  Fortunately I have a very talented friend who is a seamstress and she's teaching sewing classes (to friends) every month.  My next class just happens to be this week, can't wait to try this baby out!

(semi) wordless wednesday - Anne Dreams of Sushi

One of my favorite parts about visiting Hawaii is the great food, especially fresh sushi.  

Although I have to admit that I ate my favorite sushi before I even arrived in Hawaii.  I had this lovely lunch in the San Francisco Airport on a layover.  It was so fresh! 

Here he is making the sushi, right in front of me.  In the airport.  Have you ever heard of such a thing?  I was quite impressed. :)

On my last day I had the most wonderful local plate lunch of Hawaiian food.  It included kalua pork, chicken long rice, lomi lomi salmon, haupia pudding and even some poi.  Not sushi but onolicious!

Are you hungry yet? ;)

(semi)Wordless Wednesday - Enchanted Island

Remember Enchanted Island Amusement Park?  Our favorite practically empty (off season) local amusement park with perfect little kid rides and friendly staff?  Yes?  Well we went back last week and had a wonderful time once again.

Love this place!  Especially since we used a Groupon this time so for only $10 (total) both our big kids rode all the rides they wanted for almost 5 hrs!

Have you been?  You really should. :)

Enchanted Island 
1202 W. Encanto Blvd.
Phoenix, AZ 85007
Phone: 602-254-1200

(semi)Wordless Wednesday - Bean Bag Babies

These two drive me crazy with their cuteness.  Not so much babies anymore, they are full fledged toddlers and the sweetest little friends.

Doesn't seem like that long ago they were itty bitty bean bag babies (2 months old).  

Love those faces! 

ETA: Go here for another bean bag update from 8/2015 :)

Wordless Wednesday - Little Helpers

This little one wanted to help me with dinner.

And I found this funny photo when my big girl helped herself to my iPad.

Love my helpers!

(semi) wordless wednesday - hot air balloons made us tardy

We left for preschool on time (for once) last week but still ended up being late.  Can you guess why?

Why that's right, we were distracted by hot air balloons over our neighborhood.  I couldn't help but pull over and take a few photos and watch for a bit. As we went back on the road I realized these two balloons were headed right over the road.

So we drove under them!  This is the view through my sunroof.

Looking back, such a pretty sight.  Well worth being a little late. :)