She is fancy

This evening, as  I was folding clothes, Mia pulled her little pink blazer out of the laundry basket. She said something about and called it a jacket. I told her it was a blazer, which was kind of like a jacket that you wear for special occasions. She asked what kind of special occasions I meant. It's for when you want to be fancy, she said. She pulled on the blazer and buttoned it up. I asked her why she was putting it on.

"Because I FANCY. I so, so, fancy."

True.

Formal in pink

When you go to the symphony, you should wear your formal pink blazer. Obviously.

Grey Snow Eagle House

We had the amazing opportunity to somewhere pretty incredible today. We visited the Iowa Tribe's Grey Snow Eagle House, a refuge for injured and helpless eagles from across the country. It's just amazing. We went as a surprise for our friend Kelli's birthday. We hauled the kids out to Perkins and had a big ol' time.

It's a small place that gives free tours to anybody who wants to come check it out. They even brought out one of the education birds and let us see it up close. Incredible!

Crashing the deli

We crashed a supper with our pals the Kelleys and the Dupuys. I'm pretty sure Mia and Noah and Izzy (Michelle's children) are in love with each other. I mean seriously. Look at the cuteness.


Mia had so much fun, she confiscated our camera and took pictures herself.

Mocksmas!

This year we celebrated yet another Christmas, even in January. We celebrated Mocksmas - a term invited by Kelli Dupuy and her family. We celebrated with them and Michelle Kelley and their kiddos. It even included a visit from Santa Claus! We traded presents and had the best time. Everyone teamed up to buy Mia a wagon. I might or might not have cried. When they rolled it out into the living room, it was game on for Mia, Noah and Izzy. Kids were climbing in and out of that wagon every which way. It was hilarious. And you better believe Mia was pulling those two bigger kids around.

Surprise!

So, I turn 30 on the 16th, and a few friends surprised me with a party! It was fabulous. And I'll be darn if Leigh didn't do a wonderful job pulling off the surprise.

Our friends Andy and Stacy Rine gave me the most hilarious presents ever. She gave me a sack full of half-finished booze bottles, and Andy gave me a cross-stitch picture of Kelli Dupuy's face. I told Kelli she couldn't have it and that I was going to attach it to a pillow. Here I am demonstrating that I'm going to sleep on the Kelli pillow. Mia appears confused.

But I eventually relented and told her she could borrow the cross-stitched artwork. Until I run out of pillows.

Pumpkin time

Fall pumpkins and a cozy sweater coat. So cuddly.

The Miakat

Leigh and I realized that this is probably the last year (or second-to-last year) that we can choose Mia's Halloween costume for her. Therefore, this is our last year (or second-to-last year) to pick something super hilarious. What was she? Meerkat. Oh yes.

She went to school in a Halloween outfit, but we had to save the meerkat for trick-or-treating.

We went to Jill's house, Haunt the Zoo and the to the Dupuys' house. Here's a montage:

It only took a few stops at the trick-or-treat stations before Mia got the hang of things. She held her little bag up every time.

After we finished Haunt the Zoo, we headed over to see the Dupuys. When we got in the car, Mia was gripping a Twizzler, which I thought wasn't a good piece of candy for someone who doesn't have all her teeth. I told her we'd have candy later and took the Twizzler. She cried out: "My tandy! My tandy!" We had no idea she even knew what candy was.

Family day at the zoo

We went with our friends to go see the new tiger cubs at the zoo. And we had a big fun time.