Theme Day - 80's Day

Today is 80's Day at school for Anique. We had fun getting her all dressed up and ready. It's no surprise that my current makeup pallete doesn't quite lend itself to the full vibrancy of the eighties. We made her eyelids as blue as we could and the cheeks as pink as possible but passed on the bright pink lipstick. 

Couldn't find any bright neon plastic earrings before the bus arrived but despite the inclusion of some other decades I think the idea is right. What do you think? 

Do you have a favorite 80's memory? 

When the Cat Is Away

 

What happens when you leave a camera unattended on the tripod in the living room and head off to work? Well, you find some pretty random photos the next time you load the card to edit a session. My kids crack me up sometimes.

 

My father-in-law shares a love of photography and has spent a lot of time since he retired learning as much as he can about it. He takes beautiful landscape shots. He is always trying new techniques and makes a point of spending a few hours out shooting photos on any vacation. On our mountain trips in the winter, he'll drop us off in town to go shopping and head out to find a spot for photos.

 

I came home from work the other night to find a long, skinny box on the counter with a note written on it to call him. Which I did. He had bought me a tripod. Such an awesome surprise. Very grateful for not only the gift but for having awesome in-laws. I get along with both of them and that has been a true blessing in life!

 

Of course, I set up the tripod and tried a few shots just to see how it worked. Then I got caught up in household activities and left it up before heading to bed and work the next day.

 

Apparently, the kids decided to try a few test shots of their own with the self timer. Not sure how they managed to get their dad to look at the camera because he refuses when I ask him. I swear they don't usually look this goofy. Well, maybe they do but I love them anyway.

  

Little Author

She's writing a children's book. Too cute! So far she's on Chapter 3.  

Girls Just Want to Have Fun

What happens when my mom shows up to babysit on the wrong day? An impromptu photo shoot of course. 

Beyond Blessed

Grateful for the last day of work. Grateful for the fantastic friends I've made over the past 10 years. Great co-workers, great bosses! I felt very loved today. Going to miss everyone! 

Thankful for friends who offer to babysit with a seconds notice (even though I think she was joking). Recovering from surgery on Wednesday but still spent the day with a 9 year old. And it sounds like they both enjoyed it. 

Play-Doh Princess

Anique said she was so tired she needed to go lay down and sleep. So I went down to check on her after a bit and what do I find...

She found all her play doh and has whipped up a meal if noodles and dessert. 

I was just wondering last week if we should clean out and get rid of the play doh because no one uses it...I guess she's not too grown up yet. Thank goodness. 

Day 98

 

I'm grateful to have a child who loves to read. She's really into her Judy Moody books right now and reads and re-reads them whenever she is between other books.

 

I walked in to tuck her in for bed and she was sprawled on Peter (giant Costco moose).

Day 92

Yesterday was Anique's 9th birthday. I can't believe she is so big already. I'll be doing a full post over on my regular Whimsy and Life blog but wanted to put a little something here as well.

I am grateful I was able to take a day off and spend her birthday with her. I'm grateful my husband was able to be home with us too. I'm grateful for her kind, sweet and loving nature. I'm grateful we have her in our lives.

 

 

Day 86

This week the elementary school has been celebrating Spirit Week. They get out early everyday this week for Parent-Teacher conferences. Each day has a theme. Today was Twin Day. Anique and her best friend, Maddy, were so excited to dress up. They really, really wanted to make it inot the yearbook.

 

Maddy's mom picked them up matching t-shirts and they each wore their gray jeans and black boots. Maddy came over this morning before school and I put a waterfall braid in each of the girl's hair.

 

I'm grateful that the girls have each other and I'm grateful they can have fun together. Don't they look cute. I took a picture of the Maddy's hair but Anique just couldn't be left out. Hilarious!

 

 

 

 

 

Day 79

 

Little Miss Anique wasn't feeling well this week. She toughed it out through school on Monday because she didn't want to miss American Girl Club and because of our TV rule. (If you don't go to school, then there is no video games or Netflix/TV). Sleeping and reading or other non-electronic choices are it.

 

She stayed home with my mom on Tuesday and with me on Wednesday (Day 79). While I'm sorry she wasn't feeling well, I'm grateful we were able to get some one on one time. She finished up Holes and in the afternoon I decided to let her watch the movie. I decided it was educational since it was related to the book. Okay, maybe that was a stretch to console my guilty conscience.

Reading her Nook

 

 

 

Day 63

Anique is participating in her schools American Girl club this month. The club meets once a week and they learn about one of the girls. This includes learning about the time period, culture, food or whatever else might be relevant. There is generally a project or reading that goes along with the lesson.

Girls bring their dolls if they have them and introduce them on the first day. Anique's birthday isn't until April but my mom decided to take her shopping a little early. Anique was very excited to receive her very first American Girl doll and was so excited to take her to school on Monday. She picked out Saige.

I'm grateful for my mom (who spoils my daughter beyond belief) and for the fact that Anique is still in an age of play and not rushing to grow up too fast.

Days Behind

I've fallen behind listing my gratitude. It has been a chaotic and challenging couple of weeks. As I told Ken, I'm looking on the positive side, but it would be nice if I had less challenges to explore the good side of.

Sorry, some of these pictures aren't very good. I shot the ones of the fridge with my cell phone in the dark using only the flash to provide light because I didn't want to wake anyone up and I was on my way to the hospital to see my grandma.

I'm behind on days, so here goes a general summary:

Fridge: I'm grateful we had a mini fridge to use when ours went kaput. And grateful for a husband who lugged it upstairs from the garage so it was more convenient to use. I'm grateful that it was delivered successfully and hey now I have a super clean fridge!

Hot Water Heater: I'm grateful that I have a hubby and father-in-law who are experienced with pipe and who were able to replace the hot water heater without having to hire someone. I'm also grateful that hot water heaters are reasonably priced (never in the budget, but so much less than a fridge). Who knew!

Grandma: I'm grateful my grandma won't need any facial surgery following her fall a week and a half ago. I'm grateful my grandma made it through her unexpected surgery (different problem) successfully and while still facing some challenges is recovering. I'm so, so, so thankful to my mom who takes such good care of her (and all of us).

Kids: I'm grateful that Anique has a friend she can giggle with and hide out in her temporary fort (fridge box=over-sized fort). I'm grateful (and proud) that Bailey works so hard on his soccer and took the risk to tryout for his school team. Double practices on some days but he's doing a great job.

I'm grateful for the time I got to spend in Anique's classroom teaching an art lesson. It's fun to see the kids try out new things and see how their individual personalities come out in their pieces.

Car: I'm grateful that our mechanic didn't charge anything to run a diagnostic test on my car when the engine light came on and gave me some tips to try to resolve the problem. Unfortunately, the light is back on and I'll be visiting him again soon but I'm grateful to have a mechanic we can trust.

I'm grateful that the thief who got into my car only took the Sirius radio (which I hadn't activated in a couple of years) and left everything else mostly alone.

I have a sign down in my office that says, "I know God wouldn't give me more than I can handle, I just wish he didn't trust me so much." I'm definitely feeling that sentiment about now.

Despite the challenges of the past couple of weeks, I am so fortunate to have a strong support system around us and a mostly healthy family (colds don't count in February right?)

Day 49

Anique and Maddy have been wanting to start a book club for the past couple of weeks. They changed their mind about the book they originally chose. I arranged to take them both to the library on Monday. Of course, I forgot they would be closed for President's Day.

 

So, I took them to Flirt instead. Flirt is a frozen yogurt place tucked inside a local gas station. So it's not fancy but it's so, so good! They have several different flavors of frozen yogurt to choose from and lots and lots of toppings.

 

The girls were very excited and it was great to see them together and listen to all their stories.

 

I'm grateful for the time spent with them and their youthful openness.

Day 44

 

She's just so darn cute. This week she tried for a "love" theme several days in a row in observation of Valentine's Day. This was Wednesday's outfit. Pink leggings, denim ruffle skirt, and panda love shirt. And, of course, her purple monster bag.

 

I'm grateful that she is a mostly a good natured child and she still has excitement for the little things in life.

 

Day 34

 

 

 

This weekend was busy with lots to do but there was still plenty to be grateful for. I had the opportunity to have lunch with two good friends on Saturday with plenty of time for chatting and catching up.

 

Today, we headed south to Bailey's soccer game and then back to my in-laws for the Superbowl. I had a chance to edit lots of pictures while watching. I'm just in it for the commercials really. We had the chance to hang out with family only see every once in a while.

 

I finished up the rest of my Pike Place Market pictures and started on the pictures we took sledding while at Mount Baker this winter.

 

I'm grateful for family and friends.

Day 22 & 27

 

I'm really out of order here but I hadn't gotten around to photographing what I was grateful for on Tuesday.

 

Each month I have the opportunity of working in my daughter's classroom as an Art Docent. This month the lesson focused on Picasso. We discussed the life and styles of Picasso's art. We also touched on colors and what different colors can express about our feelings.

 

I decided to do a piece inspired by his Blue Period. Each child drew a self portrait with Sharpie and then chose the color they felt reflected their mood for the day. They could use white and black to make tints and shades of their color.

 

We discussed light and dark areas of the face and then they each made a beautiful portrait.

 

I'm grateful to have the opportunity to work with the kids and to have a job that allows me the flexibility to get into the classroom once a month.

 

The weather here has been gray and wet for the past week. The fog finally went away though so that's something. Sunday, Bailey was out with friends. We were looking for a family activity for Ken, Anique and I. Despite the wet weather we decided a trip to Pike Place Market would be fun.

I'm grateful for the chance to spend time with my family and to explore the city sights we so often take for granted.

Day 19 & 20



It has been incredibly foggy for the last few days. We get lots of rain, but this thick fog is unusual. It doesn't burn off and it's just at or below freezing. Brrr!

I don't drink coffee (shh! no one says that outloud in Seattle) but I love a good hot chocolate every once and awhile.

 

I was very grateful for a chance to indulge on a cold day!

 

 

It's always a blessing when they play nicely together. The miracle of the xbox is a spontaneous increase in the positive sibling relationship. No, I don't condone them playing for ever and ever, but Bailey and his friends are very good about letting her join in on their online games. Anique and Bailey played a little Rock Band first. Anique is a natural on the drums. They spent the remainder of their video game time playing Minecraft.

 

 I'm grateful not only for them getting along, but also for Bailey and his willingness to include his little sister.

 

 

Day 15

It's amazing how much cell phones can do these days. I rarely take pictures on my phone because my camera is always nearby but I took the quick snap above with it yesterday.

 

She just looked so cute with her sweater and monster bag after school. I couldn't resist. All personality that one. She cracks me up!

 

Then I decided to play with an app I had downloaded forever ago and tried some of the options. The app is called Photofunia and has lots of filters and normal options too. This the Polaroid and Painting option. Kind of funky right? Do you have any photo apps you use on your phone?

 

 

Day 12

Today I'm grateful for the father-daughter relationship.

 

Tonight was the 6th Annual Father & Daughter dance. It's held by the high school Journalism club. Ken and Anique put on their dress clothes and headed out to dance the evening away.

 

Anique was so excited, all day she kept asking if it was time to get ready yet. She picked out her favorite green dress but absolutely had to have some purple. She added a purple hair flower and then we found her purple cardigan to tie it in with her outfit.

 

Apparently she danced the Macarena and her daddy boogied on the dance floor too. She got her fill of punch and cupcakes and had their pictures taken. It was a fun couple of hours for her and I'm so glad they could share this special time together. 

 

Ken took this with his phone while they were at the dance. I wish I could figure out to upload his video. It's a great short clip of Anique showing off her Macarena moves.