Friday, March 30, 2012

Photo Project 2012 - Days 68 to 89

Just when I get caught up with posting, I get behind. Here's a big catch-up. Again.

Day 68


Two of Zelda's friends had birthdays at the same time. Zelda wrapped the gifts and decorated the boxes. She also wrote on the envelopes, which contained cards that she made herself. Like mother, like daughter.

Day 69


Each spring and fall, I go away with some friends for what has become a crafting weekend. Our food stuff has gotten healthier over time. We started our weekend with mango, watermelon and cucumber sprinkled with a Mexican fruit seasoning, Tajin. Delicious!

Day 70



Although we spent most of our time indoors crafting - in my case it was working on my photo project blog and on Shutterfly albums - I did get outside for a short while to enjoy the beautiful, sunny day.

Day 71


Claudia spent her time on our weekend sewing a twirling top for her daughter. It was inspirational. Maybe next time I'll bring my sewing machine.

Day 72
 

Yes, I was desperate and bored, so I took a picture of the craft glue sitting on the counter one evening.

Day 73
 

The next morning, I found early inspiration in the sunrise.

Day 74
 


We enjoyed such summer-like weather in early March that I took the girls to the park after school to fly kites. When she realized that it worked better when you stood still instead of running with it, Annalee lost interest quickly and headed to the playground.

Day 75
 

Zelda never tires of playing in the sink.

Day 76
 

My mom has been trying new things as she approaches her 70th birthday. Here, on March 16, she tried her hand at dancing with the Wii.

Day 77
 

I thought it was funny when I spotted the silhouette of the snowflake on the patio door, even though it was a very mild 68-degree morning. We had already been running the air conditioning for a few days. I guess it's time to change the decor.

Day 78
 

Yes, this is how warm it's been...

Day 79
 

Annalee has such a special quietness about her in the mornings.


Zelda made her first batch of bran cereal muffins. Nearly all by herself!

Day 80
 

Tubby is never out of reach at night-time.

Day 81
 

Annalee reads a new book to Zelda. On the floor of the bathroom. Go figure.

Day 82

 
As if we don't have access to a computer (or a few) at home, Annalee and Zelda gravitate to the computers at our public library. I think they look so sweet together.

Day 83
 

Zelda bought herself the bunny ears. She's ready for Easter.


We celebrated mom's birthday with a sundae bar. Melted wax included.

Day 84
 

Annalee, my mom and I went to a local cat show. We're set on Tonkinese, but it's always fun to look and see the different breeds. And, it was another first for my mom - going to a cat show. Dad's lucky she didn't come home with a cat. She was thisclose. She settled for buying Annalee a new cat toy for the kittens we'll get later this summer.

Day 85
 

We celebrated mom's birthday with the whole family at a local restaurant two days after her actual birthday.

Day 86
 

For our first day of spring break, Ada-lin joined us as we visited Brookfield Zoo. It was a cool day, so we spent time at the Hamill Family Play Area. Here are my two cats and a butterfly.


Day 87


Annalee dressed up in a very special Chinese dress of hers and then played with make-up. She looked far more striking (in a good way!) than it looks in this picture.

Day 88
 

On our third day of spring break, we headed to Chicago and the Field Museum, where we met our friends Charlotte and Sam. Here are all the kids in front of Annalee's favorite dinosaur, the parasaurolophus.


Day 89


The next day, we went to the Chicago Children's Museum at Navy Pier. Zelda found the water, of course.


Annalee 'caught' a waterfall in the Big Backyard exhibit.

Friday, March 9, 2012

Photo Project 2012 - Days 61 to 67

Day 61


When we met Joyce and Bo at the zoo, she gave me the lime juicer she had bought for me a couple weeks earlier. The girls were quick to use it to make limeade. It took a couple tries to get it as perfect as it tastes in Mexico.

Day 62


We've had our beta fish for one year. He's still going strong.

Day 63


The four of us participated in a fashion show fundraiser for our adoption agency. While we have many pictures of us in the actual show, this is one of the only that I took myself. Annalee's hair was done in a loose ponytail and tons of curls.

Day 64


Zelda is a super helper with the collection plate at church.


Day 65 and 66


Two pathetic days without taking a picture.

Day 67


What a happy day in the clouds at the park.

Photo Project 2012 - Days 52 to 60

Day 52


Our Shrove Tuesday tradition is to go to the pancake supper at church. These are/were very tasty gluten- and dairy-free pancakes.

  
Annalee and Ada-Lin tried to see who could wear the most Mardi Gras beads.

Day 53


Zelda sat near the living room window one morning. I ran for the camera to capture the light on her face.

Day 54
Shame, shame...another day without a picture...

Day 55


Annalee's school had turnaround day when the kids could dress as their favorite teachers and the teachers could dress as students. Annalee dressed like her kindergarten teacher, who now teaches third grade. The make-up made her look so much older and glamorous.


SNOW! Woo hoo! It was only the third time this winter! I took this photo near my parents' house with my phone not realizing that the capture was set to black and white. I think it came out just perfectly.

Day 56


We've decided it's time to have a family pet. Or two. So, we went to a cat show. These Tonkinese kittens stole our hearts. We hope to have a pair as beautiful as these home before the end of the summer.

Day 57


My neck hurts just looking at the way Annalee is curled into the end of the couch playing on Zelda's tablet.

Day 58



Zelda and our friend Bo got to play in the mud at Brookfield Zoo.

Day 59


Zelda, Tubby and I enjoy a tea party one morning.

Day 60


Zelda looked pretty in the natural light of the family room. When I asked her to smile for me, Tubby and the hobby horse had to be included in the photo.

Photo Project 2012 - Days 37 to 51

Day 37


As usual, I overpacked.. And, all that got me was some large piles of dirty laundry when we returned from vacation.

Day 38


While on vacation, I fell in love with our fruit plate breakfasts. I was able to pick up all the ingredients at our local market so we could start our day in Chicago just as wonderfully.

Day 39

Oops. I totally forgot to take a picture!


Day 40


The early morning winter sun comes through the French doors in the family room as Annalee looks out.


How awesome to watch Zelda practice her letters - all on her own!

Day 41

Another day went by without the camera grasped in my hands...shame on me!


Day 42



The Chinese new year decoration on the patio door hangs in silhouette against the clear blue sky.

Day 43


Ron and Zelda pose for my daily picture.

Day 44


I took some time over the weekend to create Valentine's Day cards for the girls. Zelda's is on the left; Annalee's is on the right.


And, here's the card I made for Ron.

Day 45
 

Before leaving for preschool, Zelda set up Tubby at the back door to wait for her.


Little Z had some busy day. So much so, she fell asleep with her Winnie the Pooh book in hand.

Day 46


These pictures aren't the clearest, but I thought Annalee looked so beautiful that morning.


Then, she did her Caucasian eyes look that just cracks me up. Holding her eyes open top and bottom makes her look SO different.


Day 47

 
Zelda posed for me over her morning snack so I'd get my picture of the day taken early.

Day 48




I'm always amazed at how running water can occupy children for so long. I should remember it more often.

Day 49



I was struck by the girls intertwined feet as they played with Zelda's computer game.

Day 50


Ron and I have instilled in Annalee and Zelda a strong love of reading.

Day 51



The Fleeners and Crowleys came over on President's Day for a lunch buffet and lots of play (ooh, I rhymed!). Check out Annalee in her glasses, which she now needs to wear all the time. She's so cute!