My mom is in town. It's a great way to start summer. Coral adores her. I adore her.

We've kept very busy with parks and pools and eating. I only wish she lived closer. Maybe someday.

introducing

This is fake baby. That's her name. You know. . . because Coral is the real baby. We've called her that since always and Coral knows her as the same. She has a constant glaze of dirt over her embroidered, tiny smile. When we go on walks she's run over at least a half dozen times. Some days she's covered in tomato sauce and bananas. My mom bought her. Coral isn't horribly attached to where she gets upset if we don't have faux baby (sometimes we are fancy and call her that), but she goes most places with us. We thought it would be a good thing if she had something to cuddle in bed. A "transfer object" they call it. THEY. The baby experts. Anyway, we love her even if she never pulls her own weight (she could try cleaning up her jumper a bit and GET A JOB), and hides from us a lot. Coral likes to squish her while we are reading, which is pretty darling. She's a good doll.

We'll keep her.

happy flowers

Hydrangeas are one of the first signs of summer around these parts.
There are so many vibrant colors and they are always in huge, happy bunches.
I love them so.
So much that I HAVE to take a photo if I see them.
I try to get all the colors.

Happy hydrangeas.
Try not to smile when you see them.

true love.

The Original Pancake House equals true love.
Dutch babies are my favorite.
Last time I had an apple pancake instead.
I'm pretty sure it weighed 2 lbs.


I want to be buried underneath the machine that squeezes the juice out of the oranges.

you capture: your best shot

I took Coral took a local park that has a fantastic water fountain. This kid has no fear. She didn't care that she was the youngest person in the fountain. She charged right in and let the water spray all over her. She looks like such a big girl in this photo; it makes me a little sad. I'm looking forward to this summer so very much since she's walking and exploring. Big things are in store for her.

Manual settings: ISO 200, f3.5, 1/640
See more awesome shots at Beth's!