Time in The Ranch

A Thursday morning outing, we left the house half past nine, and arrived in Rancho Santa Fe before 10.

We met the Duncan's at The Pancake House.  It was nice catching up with each others lives, I really missed them.  They couldn't get enough of the belly, it was sweet.  After breakfast we headed to their home in Rancho Santa Fe.   Squeals of excitement is what you heard in my car, the girls were so excited they were going to ride Freaky the pony, they kept asking "Are we almost there?", I couldn't help being excited for them.

Estella and Freaky getting reacquainted

Estella showing proper Equitation

she said "ok, I'm ready"

Happy girls at the end of their ride

Freaky ready for some lunch... hay that is, not the Corgi

Savannah

 I fell in love with her

sitting pretty

Here I am, sitting pretty at 33 days to go

Can we speed it up, please?  

Things I'm whining about lately: Swollen feet, lower back pain, constant visits to the bathroom (especially in the middle of the night), shortness of breath, and the unbearable heartburn... Are there really 33 days to go?  

Thankful for: My neighbor Bonnie, for having Tums late last night, for My darling Jacob for picking up the Tums, and Estellita who will out of the blue lift my shirt (anywhere) to kiss & talk to the belly and say "Hiii baby, I love you baby", chocolate, chocolate and some more chocolate, and to God, for giving me patience when I most need it.

Apples!

We took a little road trip to the country, were we picked apples in Julian.  It made me want to move to the country.  We got a little car sick along the way, but that was Ok, we'd do it again.  

I loved watching Estella race up & down rows of apple trees, shouting "Apples!", giggling, and picking apples along the way to have a taste.  

We came home with a 5 lb. bag of various apples, and prepared them in many ways.  Estella enjoyed them the most al natural, and Jake and I as apple crisp, with a scoop of vanilla ice-cream, please.

We hope your day is as sweet as Apple pie

or better yet,

 as sweet as her :)

Trick-or-Treat song... then REVISED!

JUST FOR KICKS & GIGGLES

A SILLY LITTLE SONG, FROM US TO YOU

I WAS ASKED TO REVISE SONG BY DADDY-O,  

WE OBLIGED

rated G version

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Loving on Estella

Wondering, "Where did the time go?"

Our little girl is now 3 years old, full of questions, determination, and just living one day at a time.  

I question whether we have done a good job raising her so far, and come to the conclusion that we have certainly tried, and that we are learning each day, as she is, and know she's a happy, bright, healthy, and kind little girl, with such a sense of humor.

We were reminiscing over her baby-thru-recent pictures, and these are some of the pictures, and short clips we always get a crack-up, among some of her favorites.   

It's especially sweet to see Estella taking such interest in certain pictures; she gets a big smile on her face and a twinkle in her eye, and confirms "That's me".

From the beginning she has known what she likes and doesn't like--

Yes, she's giving me the bird, not liking the fact that I put her in that cute little dress, when she was so comfortable in her onesie.

We're so proud she loves her vegetables, she loves yellow beans or green.

but not to sure about dried apricots, although loves fresh ones

She always has a great time with cousin Isabella a.k.a "My friend" as she would say.  

Doesn't she laugh like Ernie from Sesame Street?

this post is to be continued... 

As I have a request to play hide-n-seek with Estella, Daddy-O and Wally

Birthday Girl

Dear Estella,

Three sweet years ago, today, you came into this world, your Daddy-O and I were the happiest parents alive, and still are.  I want to Thank you for being the best daughter any parent could ever have.  I love you to the moon & back!

Love,

Mommy-O

By Martina McBride

In my daughter's eyes I am a hero

I am strong and wise and I know no fear

But the truth is plain to see

She was sent to rescue me

I see who I wanna be

In my daughter's eyes

In my daughter's eyes everyone is equal

Darkness turns to light and the

world is at peace

This miracle God gave to me gives me

strength when I am weak

I find reason to believe 

In my daughter's eyes

And when she wraps her hand

around my finger

Oh, it puts a smile in my heart

Everything becomes a little clearer

I realize what life is all about

It's hangin' on when your heart

has had enough

It's giving more when you feel like giving up

I've seen the light

It's in my daughter's eyes

In my daughter's eyes I can see the future

A reflection of who I am and what will be

Though she'll grow and someday leave

Maybe raise a family

When I'm gone I hope you see how happy

she made me

For I'll be there

In my daughter's eyes

Combo Dance

It was her first day of dance, and I had butterflies in my tummy. 

 

Estella practiced ballet with her little ballerina until it was time to go.  

My heart melted when My little ballerina lined up with all the other Ballerina's to warm up.

They started off with tap

tap, heel, toe

tap, heel, toe

After tap, they prepared for ballet---

But of course, that's when my camera died!!!  I was bummed... no worries, our next dance session is on Saturday, and my camera will be fully charged.