I just had to share this one of Mia icing cupcakes on Saturday.  It was taken with my iphone.  She has been asking for weeks to make cupcakes.  She did about 1/2 herself and actually did a pretty good job.  She licked the knife several times so if you come over this week I wouldn’t suggest asking for a cupcake unless it doesn’t bother you that each one has a little bit of Mia in them.

We have been SO busy this month that it seems like VBS was just one more thing on the long list of things to get done. After looking through the photos of Mia I can see it was a very different experience for her than it was for me. She woke up each morning asking “is it time for CVS?” She loved it! This was her first year to participate in a group instead of being in the little kids nursery for VBS volunteers.

She had lots of “firsts.” First time to use a public restroom was the big one! Thanks to her teachers (my friends Ronna and Jill) she dealt with her fear of public potties. Another big first was climbing the rock climbing wall. She didn’t really climb far, just a couple of feet, but it was a major accomplishment for her to even give it a try. I was so proud of Mia for putting on the harness and actually going through with the attempt to climb. She has been a little bit of a chicken in the past when it comes to things requiring a bit of bravery. She was VERY brave in this case and I’m so proud.

Another first was jumping in the bounce house. I know that seems silly, but she has always been scared of the blower that keeps it inflated. This time she took her shoes off and was one of the first ones in. No Fear…..finally.

She even sang on stage at the closing program in front of a church FULL of people. She sang and did all the hand movements!

So now that VBS is checked off on the list we are on to a full summer of hanging out at the pool and fun with friends.

Mia=growing up……Check.

I haven’t posted in awhile and it is because we have been so busy around here. We are in full fledged summer mode. Mia has been taking swim lessons. Every morning at 9:00. It’s not as easy as you think to get both Mia AND myself ready and out the door by 8:40am. NOT as easy as you think!

Hi Mom!!!

We also had company this weekend. If you are a long time reader you may remember Ginger and sweet Joshua…..well Josh has a new little brother, Benjamin, and Ginger brought him to meet us. They are on their way to California. Her husband is in the Coast Guard. Let me tell you how impressed I am with Ginger’s ability to care for two kids on her own while her husband is on ship. She is amazing! Not only does she take care of them by herself for months at a time she TRAVELS with them. I was honored that she took a special trip to come visit us. It was great to visit and reconnect with a dear friend. Mia and Joshua had a great time also. Well, Mia wasn’t exactly a gracious hostess, but she tried her best.

We also had the time to do a quick mini-session with Ginger and her boys.

My favorite!

Today in our backyard……..

And Mia doing her favorite thing……..FLYING:

Snow in March in Texas is NOT normal.  It has happened before.  As a matter of fact I actually got stranded in a snow storm in APRIL when I was in college.  However, that was a long time ago.  Much longer than I would like to admit!

Mia was so excited to see the snow on the ground this morning and couldn’t wait to get outside and make a snowcar (I have no idea either).  By the time she finally got around to getting her clothes gathered together most of the snow had melted.  She was easily distracted by the TV (just like her daddy) so it took her about 2 hours to get dressed.  We headed out and spent about 15 mins. outside.  I got a few pictures of Mia in the “snow.”  Not exactly what I had envisioned for pictures of her in the snow, but you’ve got to work with what you’ve got!

I took some photos for our church today and this is one I snapped of Mia while I was setting up the lights.  It’s a little different for me and something about it is a little eerie, but I think I LIKE it!  What do you think?

But she will think it is funny when she has a child of her own to potty train.  At least I HOPE Mia forgives me for this.

So that is what we have been doing at the Mills house lately.  Every 5 minutes is potty time!  I am seriously OVER it!  Mia has been making good progress, but she is still in diapers at night and when we leave the house.  Also, every morning it is like WWII to get her to put the panties on.  I know it is something that HAS to be done, but why do I have to do it? I am sick of buying, and for that matter, CHANGING diapers so every morning I am prepared for battle!

Please pray that it is over soon and the casualties are few.  Amen.

This I am SURE she will not forgive me for, but I’m going to share it anyway:

Said this morning while going TT in the potty:

“mommy, listen…….it’s raining!”

So finally here are some pictures from princess Mia’s 3rd birthday party.  It was fun!  She was so excited that she could barely sit still for the 2 days before the party.  We had 13 knights and princesses from neighboring kingdoms attend the royal ball.  That’s a lot of kids and adults in my tiny living room.  We made royal crowns and magic wands and dined on cake with royal icing (hee hee just kidding it was buttercream).

The kids working on their crowns.

And magic wands……because everyone needs a little magic!

Little princess Lila from the neighboring kingdom of McKinney. 

Mia and her Nana making a magic wand.

A sword fight broke out.

Her royal highness Michaela from the nearby kingdom of Allen.

It was a fun day and Mia received lots of great presents!  I’m excited to see what surprises year 4 of Mia’s life will bring us.

Yesterday my friend Jill and I took the girls (aka Mia and Michaela) to the mall to see Santa. Mia has been PATIENTLY waiting to see him. She has been asking for a pet shop and I told her that she wouldn’t get it unless we went and told Santa what she wants for Christmas. She did so great. Last year she just cried and cried when we saw Santa at our church Christmas party.

Mia didn’t smile for the camera, but I bought a picture anyway. I always try to support other photographers. ;)  They are so nice at this particular mall that they allow you to take pictures with your own camera too! Here is what I got:

By the way I think that this may be the REAL Santa. Doesn’t he look great!

Notice how tightly Mia is clutching her puppy. She won’t go anywhere without ruff-ruff! She won’t even let me wash him……GROSS!

After see the big guy we headed to the food court where I stood in line for no less than 30 minutes to purchase a $6 tortilla wrap that tasted really good, but was so small that there is no way it would fill ANYONE up. Let’s just say that I don’t recommend RollerZ as a place to get lunch when your stomach has been grumbling for the last hour. It’s kind of the place you want to go when you are not hungry at all, but it’s time to eat so you just have to get SOMETHING. Who knew the mall would be so busy on a Tues. It was CROWDED. So we ate lunch and then the girls got to ride on the carousel. I told you it was a perfect day for a little girl.

I just have to share this next one because it shows the emotion I would feel if I was three years and riding a carousel after having seen Santa and having Chick-fil-A for lunch.

Anyway after the carousel we went to the indoor playground which was about to be closed for cleaning so we took the girls to K.B. Toys to look around while we waited and then back to the playground. It was a fun day!!! I’m so glad that Mia and I have such great friends to hang out with. We are very blessed!

Mia: Mommy, how are we going to get to Christmas?

Mommy:  What do you mean?

Mia: Because Christmas is a long, long way away.