When You LOVE Someone...

Camille loves Elmo. Loves him like he is the modern day Elvis...or maybe a year-round Santa Claus.

For weeks we have been meaning to, trying to, wanting to go see Elmo at the Discovery Science Center. They are having a Sesame Street body exhibit with a meet and greet featuring the red man himself. So yesterday after a burst of spontaneity hit us at 6:45 am, we suited Cam up in her Elmo t-shirt, grabbed all the snacks and sippy cups our dilapidated diaper bag could hold and headed out on our journey to Orange County...ooo, behind the Orange Curtain!

We were among the first of the early birds to arrive and after a couple of brief and uncomfortable androgyny incidences we were through the door and onto a toddler's paradise. Camille could hardly believe her eyes. Shrieks of delight and lots of frantic clapping ensued.

It was so awesome to see her so consumed and it would have been even more awesome if we had caught ANY of it on camera. We did get a few snaps in but the really cute moments happened when the cameras were down.

The Elmo meet and greet started at 11am. We finally made our way through the maze of unsupervised children going bug-nuts and got in line to see his holiness. Camille caught a glimpse of him and screamed and shouted "ELMO!!" and again...the cameras were down. Carley could hardly wrangle her as we waited our turn. We were next in line behind a family with grandparents in tow...come on Grandpa! Step on it! Finally it was our turn, Carley took her up to meet her idol and I positioned myself to get some really good shots. Suddenly, Cam was stricken with...what was it...stage fright? Was she star struck? Bottom line is she blew her chance to sweet talk the dude into letting her on the show. She didn't even get to ask him what Dorothy liked to do in her free time or if Big Bird really is gay. After an awkward high five and and even more awkward hug, our turn was over.

Luckily it was the bubble fest in dinoland so we turned our frowns upside down and headed out to the land of suburbanite parents hawking over their overachieving bubble makers. Everything is better with bubbles.

Dinosaurs aren't too bad either as long as there are snacks available to keep you going.

Picasso or Pollock?

FINGER PAINTING! Camille has grown fond of finger painting. I think she is quite good...hahah!

The weather last night was absolutely stunning so what better to do than strip her down to a onesie and let her have at it with the paints?!

 She could be an artist in the making...or maybe a TATTOO artist!

Auggie looks on, waiting for his turn with the paints. We decided against this... white fur + finger paint = no bueno.

Obbi painted a lovely space scene.

Here Comes The Sun

After days of rain, the sun is peeking through this morning and I am feeling quite sunny about myself too. Quelle surprise! I am sure I am not alone on this one but it has been hard to get out of the habit of feeling like a dragged out, steam-rolled new mom.

Dress - Easel via eBay, Cardigan - GAP (ancient!) Shoes - Fornarina (also very old)

I am addicted to watching What Not To Wear on TLC. If anyone wants to nominate me for the makeover, I WILL TAKE IT! It seems silly and shallow but how you look on the outside, can really affect how you feel on the inside. I am kind of realizing the importance of making the effort even though I work at home and no one sees me except for the UPS guy!

My hair is finally growing into a cuter pixie style too after I went all Britney Spears and shaved it off.

Thank you castor oil for making my hair grow!

The Day That Godfather Came To Town

There are many things I love about living in Southern California, not the least of which is the WARM weather.

I snapped these shots of our little mannequin-in-training on the warm spring day that Uncle Ed came to visit. We have to get gussied for company, of course!

I have been waiting for the day that she would fit into this lovely blouse...and now she does!

Nothing beats spending some quality time with the godfather and learning the ins and outs of the iPhone!

Dancin' The Night Away

As close friends and family can attest, I am a real dorky dancer...but I love it so I don't really care. Lord knows, I used to care a lot but now I just find flopping around like Elaine on Seinfeld to be a great stress reliever and a lot of fun. It makes Camille laugh her head off so that is a bonus.

Thankfully, I think she inherited rhythm from the other set of genes. She loves to twirl and bop up and down.

The other day she and Carl were dancing together and I almost got misty thinking of them dancing on her wedding day...I'm a sap, what can I say?!