Only a Hippopotamus Will Do...

I Heart Faces - Black and White Scenic Landscapes

This week's I Heart Faces challenge reminded me to start capturing more landscapes. You should check out some of the amazing ones that were summited this week. Wow!

This is What FOUR Looks Like!

Happy Birthday to my baby big boy!!

Our Cheer is Sincere - Getting Ready!

Hey! Did you hear? We got snow flurries in Florida today! Some people call them snow "Flakes!" But, the only real "Flake" in this photo, of course, is Nicholas.

Seriously, Nicholas worked very hard to prepare our yard for the holiday season.

He worked up quite a sweat--literally!

What? You don't believe that our weather is cold enough for snow? Tell that to Escar ho ho ho, who needs a hat to keep him warm.

Don't worry. It wasn't all work and no play. Jenny stopped to smell the flowers.

Did she know they weren't real? It's hard to say, and I never asked her. She was too busy helping Nicholas build our snowman.

Christmas is coming, ready or not. When you live in Florida, it's hard to tell for sure. Sometimes, you have to help it along. Although it may seem less than genuine, we want you all to know, our cheer is sincere!

I Heart Faces - Paper

It's all about the Popcorn!

A chipmonk-cheeked, contented Nicholas sits with his paper-bag-filled, movie theater popcorn as he watches his afternoon shows on what he refers to as the "rectangle" TV. Yep! It's almost like the actual movie theater.

"No fair!" claims Nicholas as he states his case for his need to view the latest Harry Potter movie in lieu of staying home with his very favorite babysitter. Has Nicholas read the books? Nope. Does he even know who Harry Potter is? Not a bit. But, what Nicholas DOES know, is that movies=popcorn.

So, what is a mom to do? I'll let you in on my secret. I simply buy the large popcorn for hubby, Jenny, and me, and when the movie ends, we grab a refill on the way out the door. It's a total win-win!!

This week's I Heart Faces theme, Paper, was quite a challenge. I am in awe of the many wonderful photos posted. You will be too! Check them out here.

His Word Wednesday - More Sunset Silhouettes

I Heart Faces - Silhouettes

There is no holding Meme back from showing off her sexy silhouette after a day of pampering at the local grooming salon! I Heart Faces' Silhouette theme gives her just the opportunity to strut her stuff right into the sunset!

You really need to check some of the other silhouette photos this week. Some of them are truly spectacular!

Photostory Friday - The "Thing"

We always wondered if Nicholas would have a “thing.” We would make a purchase of some blanket, stuffed toy, or other object and think, “Could this be it? Do we want this to be ‘the thing’?” We tried to encourage some of our favorite selections, keeping in mind that Linus has been carrying his blanket around for more than 50 years. Of course, it would never be our decision. It would be entirely up to Nicholas.

In the last few months, a certain someone has become an important member of our family. “Whiskers” has joined us on many an outing. Nicholas, the consummate puppy wannabe, has recently grown very fond of several of his puppy friends including, Big Ears, Red Bow, Red Dog, and Red Nose, but Whiskers reigns supreme because he was made with love, by Nicholas.

Meet Whiskers.

A single string dangling from his face gives Whiskers his name.

Sometimes, Whiskers forgets that we should "stick together." Then, we have to go back for him.

Whiskers smiles for Mommy's camera.

Nicholas's sister, Jenny, bought Whiskers a new sweatshirt to keep warm during our nighttime walks on the golf course.

Whiskers loves the trolly--almost as much as Nicholas.

Whiskers cracks Nicholas up when he yells, "Go Faster! I love the wind in my ears!"

For Jamie

"It's for a good cause. It's for a good cause. It's for a good cause."

This was Jamie's mantra last weekend at 6:30 AM, as she stood in the freezing cold, waiting to begin the Alzheimer's Memory Walk. She had come into town specificially to walk with others to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer care, support and research.

While she was in town, Jamie thought it would be fun to do a mini photo session. I like those who support important causes, so how could I refuse? She deserved it!

Wishful Wednesday

My next wish is one for you, my friend. You are here, so I already have everything I need.
What if every wish we made (on pennies, on candles, on stars) had to be for someone else? It would be such a comfort knowing that while we were wishing for others, someone, somewhere was wishing for us.

I Heart Faces - Orange

I was on the baseball field that night to watch their brother play, but the loving gestures of these two sisters captured my attention (and my camera's direction) instead. Who knew that the orange clay of the field would make such a lovely backdrop for this week's I Heart Faces theme--Orange?

You can check out other orange-themed photos here.

This Was the Noblest Roman of them All!

My Mapa and Papa went to Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas and brought me back a Halloween Costume. To be honest, I was a little unsure about the "Halloween" thing, but Mommy said I could "play pretend and get candy," and I wanted to be a puppy. Who was this Julius Caesar guy anyway?

"No one is so brave that he is not disturbed by something unexpected." ~ Julius Caesar

Well, alright, he did have this really cool sword. I liked the sword.

And, I really liked the hat too. That surprised Mommy, who thought I wouldn't wear it. But, at the end of the night, when she asked me if I wanted to take it off, I told her, "No. It keeps my head warm."

Like I said, I really wanted to be a puppy. Then, Mommy found a costume for Meme. Meme is my puppy. Meme was going to be a Roman Soldier too! I guess if Meme wasn't going to be a puppy, then I didn't have to be one either.

Meme needed a little bit of persuasion.

I promised her that I would always have her back.

And that, together, we would be a force to be reckoned with. That made her proud.

Mommy said I was an awesome Julius Caesar. So did all the people who gave me candy! Thank you Mapa and Papa!

"Experience is the teacher of all things." ~Julius Caesar