Thursday, September 15, 2011

Day 258 What is That?


If you don't have a young boy in your life, you may not know what these are.  They are called Bakugans.  These are toys based on the cartoon that originated in Japan.  "Baku" means "to explode" and "gan" means "sphere."  Kids throw these, and when they hit the floor, they pop open and reveal different battle characters.  Michael originally liked them because they were just cool toys.  But he is now starting to understand how to "battle" with them from watching the cartoons and from classmates.

He had them all out (this is only about a third of them) and temporarily placed them on the patio table while he played outside.  Something drew me in to take this picture.

It has been fun watching Michael teach his sister how to play with them.  She loves to throw them and yell whatever battle cry Micahel yells.  I am sure she doesn't understand, but what kid doesn't like to throw toys, especially when they transform on impact?

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Day 257 At the Doctor

When MJ was only 15 months old, we chose to have plastic surgery done on his left eyelid.  It had a severe droop, and was blocking his vision.  We decided to fix it right away, so as to not strain his vision in that eye as he was growing.  You may have noticed it in his pictures.  It is still not perfect, but his vision is! And that was all that mattered to us!

As he gets older, if it bothers him, we will let him decide whether to have any more work done on it.  But so far, he doesn't even know it's different. 

He still visits the plastic surgeon once a year, to check to make sure the correction is not changing, and that his lid is not blocking his vision at all.   They take a photo at each visit, and I told him we needed to practice.  This is what I got (cell phone pic). 


Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Day 256 1-2-3

Michael's kindergarten class had a field trip to an apple orchard, and parents were able to tag along!  I never miss a chance for some fun with my kids!  I also love the photo opportunity!

The kids were allowed to pick three apples.  2 Cortlands, and 1 Jonathon.

1

2


3


And then eat them!

And just one more, from the end of the trip!


Monday, September 12, 2011

Day 255 Unique camera angle


Not a very interesting shot, but I was trying to do something for this theme.  This is a shot of our bookshelves.  That green blob near the top is a fern-type plant spilling over the edge.

Sunday, September 11, 2011

Day 254 Something about you

When I was in my early teens, my dad lived near a set of railroad tracks (my parents are divorced and re-married).  If you crossed the tracks. you ended up in a field, and beyond the field was a stream and a few small ponds.  Sometimes, when I just need to get away, and spend some time alone (I had a sister and 3 step-sisters), I would wander back there, collect my thoughts, and enjoy nature.  Technically, I was trespassing, since the property was owned by the city, and the public waters works.  But I would walk around there anyway, and I loved the peaceful feeling I would get from my strolls.  Sometimes more than one of us would venture back there, and sometimes the whole family would go for a dip in the stream on hot days.

Anyway, today the property is still owned by the city, but it has now been transformed into a beautiful public botanical garden and park.  I absolutely love it!  They wanted to preserve as much of the natural beauty, but add some more to it.  I think they did an amazing job!  On this day, I suggested we go there and walk around (or ride our big wheel!).


It wasn't until I got home and looked at my pictures did I realize I didn't capture most of the beauty of this park has to offer.  I tend to be focused on other subjects!  But I know I will be here many times, so maybe I will share more at another visit!

The whole time I was there it brought back wonderful memories!  I am so glad my children can enjoy it now too!

Saturday, September 10, 2011

Day 253 Still Life


More like "Stop Action"  but anywho...

My hubby took the kids to the "man store" a.k.a. Menards.  Evidently, the kids loved the Halloween aisles, and MJ talked Daddy into some silly string.  He was a good sport, don't ya think?

Friday, September 9, 2011

Day 252 From My Past


I used to have a toy like this when I was a baby/toddler.  I love that the toy companies are making these for my kids' generation!

Thursday, September 8, 2011

Day 251 Strong


He thinks he is pretty strong!  He can try to look tough, but he is still my baby boy!  We just signed him up for Black Belt Club.  So here he is, sporting his new patch!  This is also the picture we submitted to have printed in the program for his upcoming tournament. 

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Day 250 Seven

Say Hello to my (new) little friend!  Happy Birthday to me!  Thanks, Hubby!  You're the best!


Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Day 249 (Day 365) Costume


September means time to decide on Halloween costumes!  Michael is waaaaay into Star Wars these days, so it made sense to make him a Jedi.  He said next year he wants to be a bad guy though.  I can't imagine my sweet boy on the dark side!

His sister will also be a character from Star Wars.  Any ideas?

Last day of being 40!

First of all, I want to thank everyone for bearing with me, and tolerating my picture dump over the past week!  I knew my first project 365 was coming to an end - FAST - and I needed to get caught up.  Now today is the day - Day 365 for The Year of Being 40, and I hope to end it with a nice photo.  That will be coming later.  Tomorrow I will officially be in my forties, and turn 41!  Thanks for tagging along in my journey!

Never fear!  I will complete my second Project 365 that was over-lapping with the first one.  Thank goodness I don't have to put those two separate tracker days in the titles anymore!  I can't promise I will stay on top of posting daily from now until the end of the year.  But rest assured, I will still be snapping away!

Now to think of a different title for this blog...

Dawn

Monday, September 5, 2011

Day 248 (Day 364) Five


A garden for your five senses.  This is at one of our local county parks.  It was just completed and is beautiful!  The kids loved smelling and tasting the best!  Well, I guess they liked seeing the fish pond too, located at the end of a relaxing, gentle waterfall, nestled between the Sight and the Sound Garden.  Shoot, they liked the fuzzy lamb's ear in the Touch Graden too.  So I guess they liked it all!

Sunday, September 4, 2011

Saturday, September 3, 2011

Friday, September 2, 2011

Day 245 (Day 361) Laundry


She loves to help me take the laundry out of the dryer.  She brings me pieces, one by one, and says "Here, Mama!" as she holds it up to me.  It is hilarious to watch her when there are clothes she can't reach way in the back.  But she doesn't stop until all the clothes are out!

Thursday, September 1, 2011

Day 244 (Day 360) Sandy


I was really hoping for a nice beach picture to post for this theme, but it doesn't look like we will get to the beach this year.  It's a darn shame!  So, instead, we played at a sandy playground.  It grossed me out that she was getting so dirty, but she was having so much fun.   I didn't have the heart to make her stop playing.

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Day 243 (Day 359) Stripes


Michael earned his yellow headband!  We are so proud of him, and we are thrilled that he has an interest in taekwondo.  See the stripes on his belt?  He has to earn the 4 black stripes in order to test for each level.

Saturday, August 27, 2011

Day 239 (Day 355) The Weekend


Usually on the weekends, or "Stay Home Days" as my son likes to call them, we lounge around in our jammies until mid-morning, with remnants of breakfast on our face.  Baby girl insists on having her shoes on even in her pajamas!  We have a special pair that are a size too big for her, just so she can slip them on over her footed pajamas.  She is so funny!

Friday, August 26, 2011

Day 238 (Day 354) Groceries


Who needs to go get groceries, when they keep sending me free stuff in the mail???

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Day 237 (Day 353) Contemporary


I talked about these Elk in a past post.  Here is our company's elk - a little bit of comtemporary art.

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Day 236 (Day 352) Recreation


We had a small company picnic at our local fairgrounds.  Part of the entertainment was a little recreational harness race between employees.  That's my boss in the darker shirt, and he won!

Sunday, August 21, 2011

Day 233 (Day 349) Interaction


They were all taking turns pouring water on each other.  I think the youngest did most of the dumping though!  Michael was such a good sport!

Friday, August 19, 2011

Day 231 (Day 347) High Contrast Shot

Another attempt by me to get a spiderweb picture. I boosted the contrast up 100% to make the web stand out a little more.

Thursday, August 18, 2011

Day 230 (Day 346) Flat


Michael's folder for kindergarten.  It goes back and forth to school each day.  The teacher will place things in it for the parents to see, and vice versa

Saturday, August 13, 2011

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Day 221 (Day 337) Sports

My husband has introduced many different sports to Michael, in hopes that he will be interested in playing one of more in school.

Monday, August 8, 2011

Day 220 (Day 336) Portrait

Just one of the many bazillion portraits I try to take of my ever-moving kids!