Nickie 55/365

My daughter has always been an excellent nighttime sleeper - as long as I'm
within 6 inches of her! Last night, the only way I was allowed to stay up
past her bedtime was to let her sleep in my lap. Face down! :)

Nickie 54/365

Autumn may finally be arriving here in the Deep South!

Nickie 53/365

New kitty update - she is a he (it's really fluffy back there!), and the
name "Smudge" seems to have stuck (he's all white except for a small black
patch on his forehead). Vet says he's 4-5 weeks old - too young for
vaccines and bloodwork. But no parasites, no sign of disease, except lots
and lots of fleas. I gave him a bath in Dawn per vet's instructions, and
they've been knocked back quite a bit.

He hides and sleeps a lot. A new home is scary enough, I guess, without two
not-so-gentle giants eager to manhandle you. He's a cutie, though, and I
hope we all adjust quickly!

Nickie 52/365

Anhingas at the park - they were all so fun I couldn't choose just one! The
top two pics show anhingas spreading their wings to dry (unlike other water
birds like ducks, they can't waterproof their feathers). The third shows
one fishing - he would disappear underwater for up to a minute, then come
back up with tasty little morsels.

Nickie 51/365

Introducing... yet to be named! DH came home with this little fluff ball
today, unannounced. Apparently, a co-worker's dogs took care of the rest of
her family, so she's an orphan stray. We currently have only one other pet
- an outdoor cat (I'll have to introduce him soon - he's a long story). She
(we think, anyway) will go to the vet first thing in the morning, and we'll
see how it goes from there. So far, she's been very good with some very
excited kids, though. And I'm a total sucker for kittens.

Nickie 50/365

Apparently, eating my garden wasn't enough; now they're trying to take over
indoors!

Nickie 49/365

We got to take home some balloons from the party last night. Even though I
understand the science behind it, the kid in me is still amazed by them!

Nickie 48/365

Went to Leapin' Lizards (an indoor bounce house playground) for a birthday
party. Mr. E has a new favorite place!

Nickie 47/365

Introducing... the toofie smile!

Nickie 46/365

Camillia. Through this project, I've been amazed just how many plants are
flowering in the autumn here!

Nickie 45/365

Another gray, rainy, messy living room day - good for playing with candles
and mirrors.

Nickie 44/365

What happens when an almost (and I'm going to hang on to that "almost" until
the last moment!) 3 year old is forced to spend an entire day indoors due to
rain.

Nickie 43/365

Another swing pic - it really is a big part of our life. Meet Baby Bird,
Mr. E's sometimes BFF. When I was in the hospital after having Miss N, Mr.
E decided he needed a baby, too. Therefore, Baby Bird. Today, BB
accompanied us to the park.

Nickie 42/365

Miss N, kicking back and enjoying some pumpkin pancakes.

Nickie 41/365

Battle simulation at an air show at the SC Air National Guard today. Hard
to get a good picture with a 3 year old in your arms! :)

Nickie 40/365

Boys and balls. LOL

The one in dark green with the ball is my 9 year old stepson, Mr. I. I'm
not exactly sure what happened here, but I do know 1. the soccer ball
rebounded to his foot AFTER it accidentally hit the boy who is down and 2.
boys on both teams, excluding perhaps the boy who is down, seem to find the
situation completely hilarious.

Nickie 39/365

Mr. E and his pal Mr. M feeding some well-fed ducks.

Nickie 38/365

The last of my geraniums, which managed to hold on through the entire brutal
SC summer.

Nickie 37/365

Confederate rose montage

Nickie 36/365

Lost 5.2 pounds my first week! Now, I just have to keep doing it...