She Turned 5

Here's a little of that back-tracking I warned you about . . . Snook turned 5 in late February. 5!!! Doesn't 5 seem like a big birthday? I know that's about the age when I started forming some very vivid and lasting childhood memories.I'm pretty confident she will at least have happy memories of her birthday. Think ice-skating, loved ones, and the most delicious chocolate cake. It will be so crazy to hear her version of events someday. I love my girl.

African Elephant Hair Bracelet

Have you heard of these bracelets? Snook's grandma just gave her one and it's remarkably beautiful. They are crafted to resemble the originals (now illegal) that were woven from African elephant hair. The bracelet's legend dates back more than 1,200 years: It was believed wearing one would bring strength and good fortune. The four knots symbolize sun, wind, fire and water, and the four strands running through them represent the seasons. Thinking I could use a whole (legal) armload!

American Girl Meets Teddy Bear Tea

We have hit a major American Girl phase. That brand is amazing. The dolls. The accessories. The clothing. The Place. It's enough to make your head spin. And as if playing with her posse at home wasn't enough, Snook took her little twin to a Teddy Bear Tea at a nearby hotel a couple of Sundays ago and turned quite a few heads.It was so darling and all quite grand. Next weekend: The Nutcracker!

Ruby Slippers

Ever since I stumbled upon a little store that was selling three pairs of these fantastic shoes for the price of one, One Ruby Lane has become my new shoe obsession for Snook. Check out the optional, interchangeable sweater collars on the boots. Have you ever? Make that six pairs for the price of one!

She's Baaaaack

To school that is. After four long, lazy summer months. That went by in a flash. We had a really wonderful time, but toward the end she started to sound like a broken record, "Mommy, is it my first day of school yet???" Here she is on that long-awaited day, looking the teensiest bit excited. While little brother (and Mom) tried to keep a stiff upper lip.

Kids Who Lunch

A long time ago, like as soon as I found out I was a having a girl, I picked up an impossible-to-resist Baby Cie Ballerina lunchbox. So Snook is good to go for preschool this year, the first year she's packing her lunch. But if I hadn't had such incredible foresight (read complete lack of self-restraint), I might be picking up one of these reusable lunch sacks that are in all of the shops this year.Aren't they cute? And word is teachers love them because they collapse right into kids' backpacks at the end of the day. Happy back-to-school!

Sweet Child of Mine

To be on the receiving end of these sweet little crayon drawings. Wouldn't you agree this is one of those things that makes being a mom so gut-swellingly/heart-bustingly/tear duct-overflowingly beautiful. Guess which one is my favorite. MOOM? Come on now! That's not even fair!

Four and Two

My bundles turned four and two earlier this year! Which was huge for me because I cannot tell you how many people, back when I was struggling with a terrible two and an infant, told me, "It's hard now, but just wait until they turn four and two. Life will get so much easier." So as much as I tried to live in the moment/savor each day/carpe diem (blah blah blah), 2010 was always kind of looming out there like the light at the end of a long, dark tunnel. Of course, as soon as we closed in on four and two, the new mantra I started hearing was, "Five and three. Those are the real golden ages." Figures. But this year still called for a celebration. So we did some Disneyland . . .. . . some Corvette Diner . . . . . . some Chuck E. Cheese . . . . . . some Wild Animal Park . . . . . . and some good old-fashioned family parties.

And I'm glad we did because so far, four and two have been pretty darn golden compared to those rockier early years. The best parts being that both kids can communicate and be reasoned with, for the most part. And they play together and love each other up like never before. So I think I can safely say, half a year in, that four and two was every bit worth the wait.

Party Power

A few months back, Snook got to go to her friend Ellie's most fun, super-powered, 4th birthday party ever. Where the kids got to make their own masks and personalized capes, . . .. . . and then run around like super heroes. All in a very organized fashion.It was super duper fun.

Snook Imitating Art

Hamming it up with this lovely sculpture in front of her ballet studio!

Basket Case

Folding laundry really ranks up there (down there?) on my list of least favorite domestic tasks.But this little love fest that my kiddies had in the laundry basket after I was done put a much-needed smile on my face.