To say I am excited about the weather would be an understatement.  I am such a summer girl…everything about summer makes me smile.  Light meals, late nights, fruity drinks, beach bum kids, a bit of sunbathing…you name it.  The list is long…

Here are a few things making me smile on this beautiful Friday morning.

The Flip.  If you dont have one, get one.  Michele picked one up when we were in Victoria and seriously…best little thing ever.  I could plug it all day long.  Mine should be here any day now. Check it out!

Sink babies.  Something about freshly sunned little ones (yes gam + nan they wear sunscreen + hats!) washing the day away in the kitchen sink.  Love…

the new GAP Amalfi line for girls.  Um, MUST haves galore.  This is just a sample of one I love.  I want this line for me too!  The Embroidered Dolman top…sigh.

Perfect accidents.  Trying to climb over the baby gate while carrying what is set to be a super yummy ice cream cone…only to bail and have your forehead eat it first.  hehe.

enjoy today.

Thanks to my baby girl for showing me its okay to let go.  Even if letting go means being covered in marker…and coloring on mama’s table and chairs  Pfffft.  Its all washable so really…who cares right?!  ha.  Okay, maybe I care a little…but her current fascination with markers does give me a few free minutes!  Look at this face.  How can I say no?  hehe.

Oh and I think she might be a lefty…she would be the only one in the fam that I know of!?  Although my Ma always says she forced me to change to the right.  We shall see…

Happy Friday all.

Although I feel like she is still the tiny baby I brought home snuggled up, all warm with that new baby smell…I know she is growing.  Changing and becoming her own little person.  A little tiny piece of me aches knowing that she is my last.  My youngest, the family baby…and I will never have another two year old.  Sniff.  I wish I could bottle it all up and save her baby-ness.  But I know she is changing fast.

Isla, you are all sorts of sweetness mixed with a hint of diva.  We have yet to really figure out just what you want…but I am sure that as you begin to chat more…you will be more than happy to let us know!  This morning you sang along to Happy Birthday in your own little way and giggled at our smiles.  You are that final little bit to our family puzzle and we wouldnt have it any other way.  Okay, I might ask you to keep a few of the tantrums to yourself…but hey, we will cope.

Here are some photos from her big celebration.  Bring it on TWO!

enjoy.  (prepare for Isla overload below)

*thanks Michele for many of the photos below and of course others that I didnt post.  consider yourself redeemed…hahaha…kidding!*

two year old + balloons = major hit!  Getting this girl to look at me, would be priceless.thank you Mish.  Love it.  (Nice claw hand mama…sheesh)DIVA.  Yup.  She said “ISLA” for the first time on this morning.LOVE.  This one is all thanks to Michele.  She looks so grown up!  Family joke.  Seriously though…what are you supposed to say when you open something so spectacular??  I couldnt help but try it on the girl!Cake time.  You would think she was thrilled?  Instead, she tried to smack me one.  Ha.  Shortly after, she was at the other end of the table, pulled the table cloth…causing a dish to fly…break and cut my foot.  Hahaha.  Oh the joys of motherhood.

Lastly…thank you Mom for the fabulous cake.  It means so much to be able to have my daughter share in a family cake tradition.  Too bad I had to use a tea light…best laid plans right!?

I feel beyond fortunate to do what I do.  I learn a little more every time I pick up my camera and then I remember that I sometimes need to forget.  Forget about taking photographs and just get pictures.  Just because.

I adore these…the light was insane, they were dressed in well…hardly anything…and I could not get my girl to put down her gabba’s or take off her medal no matter how I tried!  So here’s a look into my less than perfect “photography” day and I would say with all that aside…for me, these are perfect.

enjoy.

this one cracks me up.  its so him.love it.**I think my little bubble machine might just be making a trip to my engagement session this week…who knows…could be fun!**

Since the conclusion of his third birthday he has been talking about turning four.  Yup, he is a planner.  ha.  He had decided he would have a batman birthday, which morphed into a hulk birthday and soon (per some mommy prompting) became a superhero party!  Phew.  It was a blast.  I cannot think of a better excuse to have the wee ones all dressed up and running around my house like maniacs!  The Hulk was beyond thrilled!  Of course, whats a superhero party without super friends?  Wondergirl, Rainbow Rose, Super Sailor Baby…A Super Princess….and of course the more traditional Ironman and Spiderman showed up as well.  All in all…it was “Super”.

I was able to grab some before things got crazy…then my photographer took over…hehe.  Michele, thank you so much for capturing Si’s big day.  I will forever cherish these…soooo happy!

ah yes. this is four.how many ways can you spell trouble?i so love this costume.  is it wrong that i wish she would wear it 24/7?  The right one is Wondergirl in action.  hehe.love these.  love.he very much played the roll.  my little hulk.thanks mom for sharing the icing recipe.  it is so loved!happy fourth birthday my little hulkster.  kisses.