TODAY! "I think I hear Jingle Bells."

...and we definately had our first Santa sighting.

We still don't really have any snow to speak of.....

...but nothing can hold back our need to see the man in the red suit.

During the (ever so humble, yet long) Santa Clause parade in downtown Montreal, Milana had to be held so she could see past the tall heads in front. Dahlia had prime real estate through a little opening between the crowd but Milana had to perch on top of the back of her stroller - but really she was dead weight in my arms. She even toppled over once but landed softly as the people were packed in so tight (Good thing!)

So, she was in one arm, my (heavy with zoom lens) camera held high in the other hand, trying to grab some kind of a shot. Result: blurry -at best - shots and one very tired set of arms.

Over all result: happy kids = happy mama.

And finally....the man in red himself. (Just as my arms were ready to give out.)

That's my little corner of the world.
Please share with us what your “Today” is like in your part of the world and link up with Communal Global!

Black and White Wednesday

So, Sweet Thing is officially three years old and we did not have a big shin-dig (for a change).

We'll be doing the princess/fairy thing a bit later.

We kept it simple.

And honestly?

I loved it!

I actually got to watch and take some pics and just chill and I could definately get used to that. (Feel free to remind me that I said that. A-hem.)

We had a tiny chocolate cake, so Sissy got to carry it in by herself. I love the concentration on her face.

Joining Lisa today for this photo challenge.




Making a wish!

Dig in kid!



And enjoy being 3

!

Black and White Wednesday - " Milana is 3 !!! "

...on Thursday, November 18th.

It seems I blinked and a year whizzed past me.

This little girl, who was so quiet and sad and clingy has morphed into this

(so, so pretty, if I do say so myself) larger than life, bundle of joy.

And she's just so happy!! Happy, happy, happy almost all the time!

When she sees food, she fairly shrieks with glee. As we leave the front door, she bounds out and down the steps with so much energy as if to say "Hey world...it's me. I'm here!!!" Whenever she sees any of us, even if she saw us 5 minutes before, she'll run up and give hugs. At her school when I pick her up - she shrieks and jumps like a monkey into my arms, sounds tumbling out trying to show me her new pigtails or a drawing - leaps out of my arms again and hugs every little kid left in the classroom and all, yes all the teachers and director before leaving, bouncing down the stairs shrieking with total euphoria.

(I should bottle and sell it.)

She's a whirlwind. (I'm hearing strains of "how do you solve a problem like Maria?".) And most days we are panting (Dahlia too) to keep up with her.

Milana - our 3 year old - is living up to her nickname - Miss Wild Thang - very well!

The only thing she's not really doing is talking much. And we're working on that.

Here is where she began.

I can hardly look at this picture (taken in our hotel room in China).
Those eyes - they say it all!




Then newly home.



Then it was Milana's 2nd birthday.

It is Wednesday too, so pop over to Lisa's and check out all the other captures today.

In the new year, Milana really started to blossom.

What a precious gift you are Milana. You brighten up even the dullest day, make our heads spin and yet your spirit is so soft.

Look out world - Milana is turning 3!!!

Happy Birthday sweet thing!

TODAY! "Snaps of my big Girl's day out with Mom"

Lunch - downtown Montreal with my Big Girl.

So.....I ordered a Caesar Salad and offered "a bite" to Dahlia. Never wanting to try something new she resisted....and then gave in.

I didn't get my salad back. She loved it.

Yes, I sacrificed my longing for those croutons and creamy dressing. I'm a Mother. I ate yesterday, right? (wink, wink)

This......

....was what she had ordered.

She shared a bit with me while diving into her fries. (Wha'...? You don't order fries with your tortellini in your corner of the world?)

Pity!

Then it was on to bigger and better things.

Oh my!

We'll take....ummm....one of everything please!

Oooooo.........it was a good day!

That's my little corner of the world.
Please share with us what your “Today” is like in your part of the world and link up with Communal Global!