A five-star day

Do you ever have one of those days that is at the same time ordinary and extraordinary?  Today was one of those five-star days, all for simple sweet reasons, like lunch with friends followed by a fun play date, chuck-it  in the rain for the puppy with a reappearance from the sun in time for an early evening run, and a family outing to Froyo Yogurt for dessert.

Mommy's view in the bathroom mirror this morning--sibling revelry in the bedroom.  Standing on Timmy's favorite book.  Shedding the new Mary Jane's to put on big brother's tennis shoes instead.

Timmy was excited to be going to Nana and Pop's house while Mommy went to the Olive Garden for lunch with friends.

Emily and Amelie playing on the stairs.

Amelie is an excellent little Mommy to her dollies.  I think she thought Emily was one of them!

 Nicole and Emily go way back.  Minnie, on the other hand, is a new friend.

Fun with Grady!

A gorgeous drive home through the orchards.  By the way, this image is mine but the idea for the in-the-rear-view-mirror scenery shot was shamelessly stolen from Mary Collier of MKC Photography.

  This is the sign of a successful play date!  Another stolen photo idea--the sleepy kiddo taken from the front seat (NOT while driving, by the way)--thanks Kristi Brons Ahrens of Be Fruitful Photography for this one!  No credit for originality, but I should get a few points for practicing what inspires me :o)

Nothing beats chuck-it in the rain, except watching from inside and at a safe distance!  The view of the hills from our backyard and the puddle on the lid of our (broken for over two years why do we even still have it?) hot tub.

Then the sun came out long enough for Isabel and I to enjoy a lovely late afternoon run.

Froyo yo yo!  It's frozen yogurt, so it must be good for you, right?  Never mind the copious quantities of chocolate syrup and peanut butter cups adorning it.  Baby made a break for it, but was lured back by temptation!  Like I said, nothing out of the ordinary, yet everything just perfect to make it a five-star day!