Quote of the week

The benefits of the accomplished journey cannot be weighed in terms of perfect moments, but in terms of how this journey affects and changes our character.
-Ella Maillart

Annual zoo trip

It was an emotionally draining Friday, physically draining Saturday (yard work) and a memorable Sunday.
It was our annual family trip to the zoo, it's amazing how much things change in one year, since our last visit.
D was much more observant, although his interest in animals is still pretty low, he commented on the fury creatures and their smell with "We go back, this is stinky". I think we heard "One more animal and then I get a zoo truck" about a million times. It was nice to get out of the house and not focus on any cleaning or incomplete projects.
Ready to explore. I got him this hat on our second trip to the zoo. This is his first time wearing it to the zoo, looks like his last. :(
I hardly remember this picture:
And our annual photo shoot.
2008
2009
2010
2011
This year they blocked off the lion but the picture still counts. Another year in the books.

My baby

He did it, we did it...Daniel started preschool today.
He cried, we cried...He will do great.
He was scared, we are still nervous...It will be good for him.

Too many emotions today to even begin to write about. I'm proud, happy, nervous, scared and every other feeling that is possible.
My stomach has been in knots all day. I've watched the clock all day looking forward to stepping on that gas pedal and driving like a mad woman to pick up my baby.
A few pics from this morning.

The dreaded walk. I was ready to throw up on that side walk.
The teacher approached him but the eye rubbing started already. A familiar face, our friends' daughter, Jessica, confidently came to school with a smile that broke the tension. It was good for him to see her. They will be in the same class.
The glasses hid the tears.
and then it was time
and he was gone.
We called, he did good, was made a "line leader", my big boy, my baby.
TO BE CONTINUED.....
Happy Birthday to my dear hubby who was away on a business trip for his birthday and came home after 4 days of missing on his cubby, only to have to take him to school the next day. Happy Birthday to the best daddy around!

A new challenge

So, after taking my photography class I was still rusty with how to set up my settings.
It was meant to be that during the week that I was getting more frustrated with keeping my camera in manual that I read another blog. In that blog was a link to this blog http://my3boybarians.com/31-days-series/ , this is even better than the class off of Groupon. It has great examples and let's me practice in the comfort of my own home. I can handle one concept per night. I'm not done yet but would highly recommend it to anyone wanting to learn how to use their fancy camera without having it set on Auto.
Good Luck!

Quote of the week

Value work. But not any kind of work. Ask yourself "is the work vital, strengthening my own character, or inspiring others, or helping the world?"
-Anna Robertson Brown

4 times a charm

It took me 4 trips to 3 separate stores to find the right markers that were on Daniel's school list.

The item on the list said, "16 count Pip Squeak markers (skinnies)"

First I bought:

Wacky tips? Not good, then I got these:

Then I saw this, so I thought well the little ones may be the skinnies he needs:

I was set until I went to a store for something completely different and saw these:

I mean seriously! I refuse to return the other two. I figure he will need them. What makes some of these teachers to get that specific?!

I felt like a champion at the store. I just wonder if all the other moms found these bad boys. I found them at Babies R Us. Who would have thought? I may be the mom that all other moms come to and ask where I got them. I will smile and say "Oh I just picked them up at Babies R Us" like it was no big deal and I didn't spend a total of $20 for markers, excuse me, marker skinnies, pip squeak markers (skinnies).

I've been feeling a little overwhelmed with the little one going off to school. He doesn't seem excited even though I've been trying to seem very excited so he can pick up on my happiness.

If this is any sign of what kindergarten will be like, I will be one hot mess.

How bad is it that I'm already prepared to pull him out?! Sad, I know.

It's fun to be a kid