Happy

We went to Capitol Hill and the Avenues to eat Gelato and dream of maybe living here some day soon.  Jake has just graduated and it is pretty nerve racking waiting for everything to fall in place.  Who knows where we will be in 30 days from now.  But as much as I would love my own home or maybe a grand adventure far away, even if I stay right here in my tiny rental on the 3rd floor next to the train, freeway and refinery...I am happy.  

Jake offered to take the camera for a second so I will not disappear from all our family memories.  I am so grateful he did.  This is so special to me.  Thanks Hun.  (PS, isn't he getting darn good at photography?)

The Living Planet Aquarium in B+W

I went on my first outing with the Photo Walking Utah group early this morning before opening hours at the aquarium.  I found that many of my subjects lent themselves well to black and white photography.  I love how when you view something in black and white it really makes you look at the picture completely different than when it's in color.  You really pay attention to emotion and story in people pictures and in ones like these to the form and texture.  I'm especially fond of the two abstract looking photos of the jellyfish close-up and the bubbles at the bottom.  

Summer Time

Summer time hasn't officially arrived, but it always seems to feel very summer near the end of May to me.  We've been playing at the park a whole lot and its starting to feel a bit uncomfortable.    Ethan loves swinging fast and high just like his big sister.  He's growing up at lightning speed!  I really think he'll be walking any day now.  That hair!  It sticks straight up.  I really love it that way actually. :o)  I make zero attempt to keep it down. 

Zoe apparently owns only dresses or long sleeved shirts...we may have to cut some sleeves off in the next couple days.  Look at this face.  This is a young girl!  This is no toddler, people.  It just happened overnight.  She doesn't hold still for a second.  

Matching Easter Dresses

 I love making dolls and I've made a few lately.  My favorite part is sewing the faces and hair, but I never get around to making clothing for them!  Smaller size does not make it much easier than real people clothing like you'd think it would.  At least not to me.

Well, Zoe claimed this doll as her "Dolly" and takes it everywhere.  She sleeps with it and takes it to the store.  It was feeling funny that she was in her unders all the time.  For Easter I made her a matching dress to go with Zoe's Eater dress.  Zoe's the girliest little ballerina princess, so this pink tulle number was perfect for her.  Problem is she wants to wear it daily.....eeeek.  I hide it for 6 days out of the week. :)

I will be listing some of the dolls in my shop soon (just after mothers day).  'Bout time, right?

Quote of the week: "Look Up"

I love inspiring quotes, and this one isn't complete if you haven't read or heard the talk from which it came.  Check out Carl B. Cook's talk "It Is Better to Look Up"

Another line from this talk:  "We must look up and step up. And as we do, I know we will cheer up, for God wants us to be happy."  Lets go be happy today!

Randomness: bald spots, golden bicycles, ants

• Whoever thought of making car horns into little buttons that you push with your thumbs instead of a big one in the center you hit, was not thinking the situation through.  
• I chopped it off.  My gorgeous full, silk locks are all gone.  JK, my hair is falling out and was so gross.  I even have a BALD SPOT!!!  Oh motherhood.  Luckily the bald spot is hidden, but the cut had to be done, what with the long strings of hair all over the house and all.  I was inspired by this movie, and this lovely lady.  Something that says the 20's in France.  I'm looooving it.  
• Is my daughter the only 2 year old that sleeps in her shoes, only wears a dress, and will not leave the house without a purse?  She obsessed with Disney princesses too and has never even seen any of the movies except Tangled.  What a girly girl.
• Ants.  On the kitchen counter.  Of third story apartment.  Whaaaat?
• I want a gold bike! (spray paint?)

"Time OUT, Mommy!"

I let Zoe pick out her own cereal and she chose the neon colored swirly Trix.  Well, she wanted to eat them morning, noon, and night; and nothing else.  So I made a rule that we could only have them for breakfast, and only one bowl.  After dinner she asked for a bowl and I shared with her the new rule about her cereal.  "No cereal until breakfast time."  She tried demanding it.  "Cereal.  NOW."  I held my ground.  "Mommy, time out! In one....two...three.  Time OUT!  I'm too heavy to carry you," as she points to the time-out chair on the verge of tears.  Jake and I on the other hand were on the verge of tears because of holding back our laughter.

It was so funny to watch her imitate me and try to put me in time out.  But like so many other times she has imitated me it has made me stop and think.  Is this what I sound like?  Is this the impression I want to make on my daughter?  Are the ways in which I react toward her the way I would like her to react toward others and myself?  While parents (and people who aren't parents) debate about parenting methods until they are blue in the face, I think everyone would probably agree that the best way to teach a child is through modeling.  If there was only one piece of advice I could give to any parent it would be to be, do, and say the things you want your child to emulate, and definitely do NOT be, do, or say those things you would not be proud of.  Having a toddler is like looking in a mirror that shows you the true self you never saw.  It's a bit funny, and a bit sobering all at the same time.

And because every post is better with a picture.  Here's my Zoe having (herbal) tea time with Mommy.