Library

February 9th, 2011,

Julia has to read a non-fiction book this semester and she wanted to get a book about dancer or a famous dancer.  We made a trip to the library tonight as a family to look for some books.  Trevor and I searched for dance books but could only find childrens books and they would not work for Julia.  I did find Three Cups of Tea and a book on the Holocost.  Julia thought there were both interesting and wanted to read the.  The Three Cups of Tea is about Pakistan.  She is doesn't know which one she wants to read and torn between the two.  She thinks she is going to read about the Holacost.

Ariana picked up two disney fairy books this evening.  She was so excited to read them to me.  I told her to start reading without me and that I would be in the room in a few minutes.  She kept reminding that I wasn't in there yet.  I was out in the living room talking to Trevor.  After 30 minutes she came out and asked if I would please go in the room now.  I did and she read to me for 40 minutes.  It has been a long time since read the Disney Fairy books to me.  She started reading them in 1st grade when she had Mrs.  Heinke.  Mrs. Heinke brought them to school just for Ariana to read.  Those were our special moments together.  Now she has Mrs. Heinke again and she is reading the Disney Fairy books to me again.  Awwwww.  What sweet memories we'll have.

Ice Cream

February 8th, 2011

Julia got a letter in the mail from her school congratulating her on achieving all A's during the first marking period.  As a reward they are having the students who received all A's, miss part of 6th hour and get ice cream!  She was soooooo excited.  Trevor and I are both very proud of her.  She worked really hard to get those grades.

Ariana was feeling very loving today.  She kept coming up to me and giving me kisses and cuddling with me.  She is very affectionate and like hugs.  I hope she never grows out of it.

Mommy and Daughter time

February 6th, 2011, 

Ariana and I went to Dodge Park this afternoon.  When I asked her if she wanted to go she said no at first.  She wanted to just stay at home, watch television, and have a tea party with her webkinz.  I asked her if she was sure and told her she would probably be disappointed if she didn't go.  I also told her that we wouldn't be gone that long and that I had a really cool place in mind that we should go to.  She then decided to go so we gathered up all the camera gear and put on our winter garb.  

When we got to the park I noticed the entry wasn't plowed.  I didn't want to try and drive the car through the snow so I went to the other opening on the north side of the park to see if that entrance was plowed.  It wasn't plowed either.  I then drove back to west entrance and parked across the street.  We were going to have to walk in.   Ariana was a trooper and trudged threw snow to the park.  It wasn't a far walk but walking in the snow made it a little tough.

When we got into the park we saw a van that was there and it was stuck in the snow.  Good thing I didn't try and drive in.  I did not want to deal with getting suck.  After I looked around and found a good spot for us to take pictures, I set up the tripod and taught Ariana a little about aperture and shutter speed.   I put the D60 in the tripod first and had her take some pictures.  After she was done I put the D700 on the tripod and I took my pictures.  Ariana continued to take pictures without the tripod.  We got some really good shots.  After awhile Ariana started to get cold and was ready to leave.  I made sure to snap a few shots of her before we left.  


We both took some outstanding pictures.  I am really enjoying this photo challenge we have going on.  Wonder what next week will bring.

To see more pictures and to read about the photo challenge
click here.

Movie Night

February 4th, 2011

It was movie night tonight and Julia and I watched Harry Potter 3.  She had finished the book awhile ago and I promised she could see the movie.  Ariana hasn't finished the book yet so she could watch the movie.
Ariana and Trevor had a daddy daughter night while Julia and I had a mommy daughter night.  Ariana played Epic Disney on the Wii and Trevor organized the DVDs and Wii games.  She ask him to play the game when she got stuck.  Julia liked the movie but said the book was much better.  The movie left out a lot of stuff.  She was glad I made her read the book first.

Ballet Tea Party

Feb 4, 2011

It was the Ballet Tea Party this afternoon and we had two sick ballerinas.  Ariana had stayed home from school the day before and Julia had come home early from school not felling well.  As the day progressed and the medicine kicked in Ariana felt great and Julia felt a little better.   They put on their best smiles and dance at the Tea Party Show.  You couldn't even tell they were under-the-weather.  They looked so adorable with their hair in perfect buns doing plies and jumps and turns.  It was a beautiful show and we all enjoyed it.

Breakfast for Dinner

February 2011,

It was getting late in the afternoon and I noticed I didn't take anything out for dinner.  I didn't know what to cook.  I started looking around in the freezer and fridge.  Then I spotted bacon.  I decided to make breakfast for dinner.  The kids LOVE when I do this.  I started cooking the bacon and got the egg mix ready for the french toast.  Mmmmmmmm.  After a little while I heard Ariana come running up the stairs yelling, "It is that bacon I smell!?"

Yep, bacon, scrambled eggs, and french toast for dinner.   All our tummies were very happy.

Report Cards

January 2011,

Julia started a new semester at school and now has gym and art.  She finished the second semester on a high note, all A's and one B+.   For the semester grades she received all A's!  Woo Hoo!  Way to go Julia.  We are so very proud of her.  :)

Julia is also tying to earn herself a phone.  We told her she needs to keep her grades up and do her responsibilities around the house.  She needs to be more responsible at home.  Having a phone is about responsibility.  It is also expensive.  It's like paying for another dance class each month.  We told we are not going to bring up the subject of the cell phone again.  She will need to come to us and tell us why it will be beneficial to us for her to have a phone.  After we told her that, she looked confused.  lol  I am curious to see what she will come with.  She did start trying to be more responsible.  She shoveled some snow and brought in the garbage cans, once.  Now if she will start doing the dishes like she is suppose to.  :)

Also when I picked her up from dance she told me that a boy walked out with her because she asked him to.  Oh man, we are in trouble!!!