The best smile in the whole world

Each night, after we read our books, Mia falls asleep with a smile on her face. Sometimes she has her arms wrapped around my neck. Sometimes she rests her head against my shoulder. Sometimes I'm snuggled up behind her with my arms wrapped around her. Regardless, right before she falls asleep, she opens her eyes, looks at me, and smiles. Each night, I'm overwhelmed by my love for her and overcome with joy at the love she obviously feels for me.

I realize her smile comes from comfort and security of having her mommy snuggling with her, but that smile also means something much more significant to me. Each night I'm reminded how fortunate I am to be able to provide my daughter a life where she's happy every night. It often makes me think of the millions of children around the world who don't smile as they drift off to sleep each night. I think of the children who are ill or dying. I think of those who are abused or neglected. I think of those who are homeless or hungry, or those who live amidst war or terror. I think of how their mothers must feel as their babies drift off to sleep at night. How scared they must be for their children and how they must pray desperately that their children find a way to safety, security and happiness in their lifetimes.

So each night I thank God with all my heart that my daughter knows no illness, abuse, hunger or terror, and I pray that no matter where she is each night for the rest of her life, she will always fall asleep with that sweet, happy smile on her face.

Happy Birthday Grumpy!

For Bruce's birthday we had family photos made, then we went to brunch and the zoo. We had a great time and the girls were absolutely worn out afterward. So were the grown-ups, for that matter!

Gymnastics

Mia started gymnastics class two weeks ago. She absolutely loves it! She goes to the same place as Cara but they go on different days. I think it's great for her to interact with new kids that she doesn't know from school or that are family/friends. She has adapted very quickly and loves jumping on the trampoline, swinging from the trapeze and walking on the balance beam. I can't wait to see what she learns next!

Mommy/Daughter Tea Party

Mia and I went to a princess tea party with Margo and Macee and Stacy and Emmerson. The girls got to select princess gowns; get their nails, makeup and hair done; learn how to drink tea like princesses; do a fashion show; and play games. Mia was in heaven!

At the zoo with Macee

Mia went to the zoo with Macee. The girls loved the animals but had an especially great time at the water park. They also went on the 4D Sponge Bob ride with their daddies, but the seats moved and it freaked Mia out. She cried and they had to stop the ride so she could get off. Afterward we hung out at Macee's house where the girls snuggled up together to watch The Grinch. It was a fun day!

Mia with her cousins and grandparents

More Mia-isms and updates

Here are some of my more recent facebook posts and updates regarding my girl:

• Snuggling in bed with my girl, watching E.T. (she loves how his finger lights up and mimics him, giggling while she says, "phone home".)
• Mia had ear tubes reinserted and her adenoids removed. She did great, and was much more concerned about receiving a blue slushy than anything.
• M said to me, "Mommy, my purse has a flower on it! It's like a dream come true!"
• M just said, "Look at this make-up! We can play beauty shop. One nation, under God, indivisible. Oh, look how pretty the lipstick! Mommy, where are my tap shoes?" How will I ever keep up?!
• Taking M to a Mommy/Daughter tea party with princesses, who, she informed me, eat only "popcakes" and candy. In the meantime she wanted to watch The Hulk, her other fascination. Well-rounded, my girl!
• M just said, "Let me put a little lipstick on you so everyone will see you sparkle."
• Granny and Grumpy took the girls fishing this morning. M's recap revealed our girl has already learned to exaggerate the size of the fish she caught.
• M: Daddy, I can drive now, cause my feet are bigger!
• M just said, "You need to take me Easter again so I can get some candy." I told her Easter is already past us but Halloween would be here before we know it. She squealed with excitement. I asked what is her favorite candy and she said, "A lot of candy is my favorite."
• M just told me we need to go to the grocery, and gave me the list: gum, bread, spaghetti and meatballs, peanut butter and bananas, chocolate cake, chocolate milk, and cookies, "'cause if we eat all our dinner we get cookies".
• Put M in her short and t-shirt pjs tonight and she looked at me with her hands on her hips and said, "Mom, this is not a nightgown. Princesses do not sleep like this!" I replied, "Well, your highness, since you don't have any nightgowns clean, I guess you'll just have to get over it." So she put on her "high heels" and crawled into bed.
• M has decided to walk like animals today. First, she was a penguin, with her little arms held straight down and waddling everywhere. Then she was a bear, on all fours. Finally she was a frog. She can start every morning off with a good belly laugh!
• Mia and I got out of the car and Mike went to get the mail and bring in the garbage cans. Mia said, "Mommy, let's wait for Daddy so we can walk in together like a family."
• Mia now has computer lessons at school. She was already doing well just playing on our Mac at home, but I think she may be programming before too long.
• She can match up pictures of things that start with the same sound.
• She kept telling us she didn't like soccer so we didn't sign her up this time. On Thursday she said to Mike, "Daddy, how come I don't get to play soccer with my friends anymore?"
• She continues to LOVE to swim, and has had a great time this summer honing her skills. 
• She still loves her books and sleeps with them at night instead of dolls or stuffed animals.
• Ever since she moved to her "big girl" bed, she has slept wonderfully. She is asleep at night by 8:30, and gets up at 7:30. Hallelujah!
• She still loves to eat well, and if we offer her fruit, veggies or anything healthy, she will happily eat it. Of course if something "bad" is offered first, she'll only want that, just like the rest of us! 
• She has her alphabet, colors, shapes and numbers down pat. She can easily spell her name and is trying to write it now. She also knows many words and numbers in Spanish and sign language. I LOVE our daycare/preschool!!!