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?

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). 

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

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And then eat them!

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



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.

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!

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?

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!

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. 

Day 250 Seven

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

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

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!

Day 247 (Day 363) Me and My Baby Girl

No theme for this one.  Just us girls!  Taken by hubby

Day 246 (Day 362) Three

My wonderful in-laws and one of their dogs, Buddy.

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!

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.