Ritzy Wrangler

Bella announced on the way home from school today, "Mommy, I want to be a Cowgirl." "Really? Why do you want to be a Cowgirl?" I replied. "Because I have a hat." I asked, "Why else would you like to be a Cowgirl?" and she said, "Because they wear a scarf."

I guess it's true what they say....It's all about accessorizing.

Dr Feelgood, DDS

Bella had a dentist appointment today. This was only the second time she had been, the first being 6 months ago and she wasn't too thrilled about it that time. But today, she seemed more than happy to be there. When they called her name, she immediately opened up her mouth wide and kept it opened wide all the way back into the office. She gladly showed the dentist how she brushed her teeth, she laid back in the chair and let them examine her mouth, smiled and said "Cheese" to show how they all lined up straight. When we were all finished, she took off right out of the office and straight to the "Treasure Chest" to pick out a prize. So that's the reason she was being so cooperative. The Treasure Chest! I didn't really even remember that part, but she obviously did. Maybe I should suggest that to my dentist. A little Treasure Chest by the door for his patients that were well behaved. Stock it with adult treats....maybe some expensive chocolates or little mini bottles of wine. It sure would make my visit to the dentist more pleasurable if I knew I was getting a reward at the end. I think I'll bring it up on my next visit.....

Genial Greens

My kid loves broccoli. If you ask her what her favorite thing to eat is, she says "broccoli and carrots'. Every mothers' dream. So tonight I made her chicken, noodles, carrots and broccoli for dinner. As she ate her dinner happily, she stopped to study the broccoli and remarked, "It looks like little trees. And they're all hugging."

I think she's destined for greatness.

True Love

Tonight I asked Bella to pick out a book to read before going to bed. She picked out one of her favorites "Olivia" and I picked out the new book she got from Grandmommy for Christmas, "On the Night You Were Born"... a beautiful book that is about how special my daughter is to me (and her Grandmommy, I'm sure). As I got closer to the end, my eyes started to get teary, a lump formed in my throat and I could feel my heart swelling. After I read the last line, I just looked at Bella and without saying a word, gave her a soft kiss on the cheek. She looked me straight in the eye and said, "I love you too Mommy" and gave me a hug.

Words cannot explain how I felt. My beautiful daughter FELT what I was feeling. She KNEW at that moment that she was loved. I can't think of anything that I have done in my whole life that was more satisfying than that one moment. WOW! I will hold on to this feeling for the rest of my life.

Bella Hilton

This morning we were getting ready to head off to school and I put some shiny 'lipstick' on Miss Bella (really lip balm to help heal her terribly chapped winter lips). We were just heading out the door when Daddy came over to give his little girl a kiss goodbye. She turned her head and then gave him the Heisman hand and said, "No Daddy! My lipstick!"
Look out Paris! There's a new girl in town.

A Hard Days Night

Hard day at the office? Sweet dreams Busy Bee.

Pessimist or Smarty Pants?

Well, we survived the holidays. We had a houseful of people here on Christmas Eve, lots of food and wine, gifts for the kids, even a little Christmas Carol Karaoke. At one point in the evening, our friend Keely gathered the kids around and told them that she could go online and track where Santa is on the NORAD website (see article http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22388259/).
So they all gathered around the computer to see where Santa had been and when he might make it to Colorado. Keely read aloud the places around the world where Santa had already delivered gifts. Then she said, "The good news is, he made it out of Iraq." To which my daughter replied without skipping a beat, "What's the bad news?" We all broke out in laughter. It always amazes me just how grown up that little 3-year old voice can sound. Wise beyond her years for sure.

Happy Holidays

The holiday season is here and once again people are talking about how to be politically correct. This is just my opinion, but I think people should stop talking and start acting!

I think in the spirit of Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza, Bodhi Day, Edi al-adha, whatever holiday you are celebrating, you should take a look outside yourself and celebrate the world around you. It is a beautiful place and there is so much to learn from it.

This year and in years to follow, I will try to teach my beautiful, open-minded child that it is OK to ask questions. It is OK to find faith in the people and things around you, whether they are Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist. It is OK to be inspired by the mountains, the oceans, the animals and the earth. It is OK to wonder what else is out there. It is OK to celebrate life and OK to celebrate death. I will teach her to be kind to others and to always try to do the right thing. I will teach her to be kind to the earth, it is the only place we have to live. I will teach her to respect other peoples beliefs and cultures, to visit far away places, to meet people and to embrace our differences. I will teach her to be vocal and to be heard. I will teach her to be caring, tolerant and understanding. And I will teach her to love.

Happy Holidays.

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

I was unloading the groceries today when Bella came up to me with a very concerned look on her face and said, "Mommy, can we build a chimney?". I knew right away what the worry was about. I told her that sometimes...when people don't have chimneys...Santa comes through the window instead. With a sigh of relief, she went back to what she was doing.

I'll Be Back

Can't write now. Too busy living.

Stay tuned......