It was a good day!

Ever had one of those days where everything was.............as it should be? I woke up this morning to the fragrance of jasmine. We have an indoor tree that can flood the whole house with such an intoxicating perfume when only a few flowers are blooming. This tree is almost covered in flowers so it's..........heaven!

After church today we had brunch at our favourite spot and then stopped at our local mall where the Easter flower display was spectacular and (I had prepared everything ahead so it was all in the car - my camera bag, walking shoes, Dahlia's hat......) we were off. Here's the result.

A dear friend of mine is in China, right now, meeting her new son for the first time, probably right this minute. I'm thrilled for her.

It's a good day!

I shot everything on auto with my new Nikon D300, as there was no time to fool around - a small crowd was gathering - oohing and aahing over quess who, and quess who was getting a little self - consious.
Now, for those who don't believe my little "angel" could growl (confused? see previous post) I share this next photo as exibit A. Daddy suggested she walk over and stand in front of an ad with Penelope Cruz and my little princess didn't want to. No reason (do they have to have one?) - just didn't feel like it. Voila - the result.
...says it all, doesn't it.

I thought I would share one of Dahlia's favorite books (just a little segway/segue....how do you spell that word anyway?). She LOVES this little book and insists we read at least 3 (little)pages everynight. It's such a light and friendly way to talk about God in terms a 5 or 6 year old can really understand. We've opened up so many issues as each little prayer touches on a theme that is personal and profound. Really good little book.

click to enlarge

Ok, back to our day - Dahlia got happy again..........

It was a beautiful sunny, not too warm day with a light cool breeze and I had been talking about garden and yard cleaning all week (preparing the stage) so when we got home, we three dove into just that. (Wow, no arguments, no excuses, no but I'm tired - bet ya'll think I'm talking about Dahlia don't you? Nope, Daddy..........with narry a complaint. Have I mentioned, it was a good day!

We cleaned the front gardens, swept the driveway, put junk away - ha, is it ever away? Let Dahlia chalk up the driveway for hopscotch, cleaned out the back garden and racked copious amounts of leaves. There are 11 bags of garbage in our driveway.

It was a good day!

So.......how was your day?

FASHION CHALLENGE FRIDAY

Ta Da!

It's Friday and the Salsa challenge is on again.

So, here's how it went down. We came home from school, had a snack and we were about to head off for the park when I said "hey sweetie, wanna try on some clothes - I'll take your picture and then we can go" and she was off. I said she could pick anything and this is what she came up with. Dahlia is SUCH a girlie girl. At first I cringed a little when she whipped out a new skirt I had just bought (at Walmart), still in the bag. It was frilly so it worked for her. I was pretty impressed that she put matching pink tights under to "finish" off the look. And, of course, the hat. Had to have the hat! But notice - no shoes again. If I didn't remind her to put shoes on she would walk out the door everyday barefoot.

And then, all I did was turn on my camera and she began this parade of poses. I said absolutely nothing (and if you know me well, that must be hard to believe because I have had to work VERY hard for pictures from my little sweetie - most times I got growled at!) and each time I would click she would change her pose and wait for the next click. (I almost said "who are you, and what have you done with my daughter?")

Ok, I know i'm duplicating this photo, I tried to delete it and my computer froze so I'm leaving it right there 'cause I don't know what to do and I'm not starting this whole post over again...........'k?

and let's add some props....

can't you almost hear her crying "Iiiyyya!"

...almost losing the skirt!

Now, this is when I said "Ok honey, I think we've got enough". She feigned exhaustion like she had spent a lot of energy and the show was finally over.

So when my little darlin' asked for a piece of chocolate - how could I refuse?

Check out the look on her face! She ain't growling now.

....and...um........don't be shy. Talk to me.

Dress up time

Finally getting to practice with my new camera. I have no idea (yet) what I'm doing but I love the fact I can see every little teeny weeny eyebrow hair ('cause I love every one of them).

I needed a model for my photography course assignment this week so I asked Dahlia to be my "model". I explained she needed to follow my instructions and be very still. She seemed into it so I went farther and asked if I could hire her and she said "sure - 2 dollars" . It's a deal! After I took the shots I needed (and no I won't be showing them!) I suggested some dress-up time and she obliged readily. (For some background perspective - this is a kid who did anything but oblige any camera coming toward her - so we've come a long way baby!)

So, here's my darling, gorgeous, can't get enough of that face, daughter. I think Double Happiness and the Tongginator inspired me today. They recently posted some gorgeous shots of their darlings all dolled up.

...and lovin on Zizi.

Some Easter shots. This is the last time Dahlia will have to hunt for eggs by herself. Next year she can show her little mei mei all her tricks. Sigh...........

Happy Easter!!

FASHION CHALLENGE FRIDAY

Dahlia got this adorable outfit from her BF (Angel) for her birthday recently and has asked me if she could wear it........oh....a million times so when I said "go crazy kid, pick anything you want to wear" she grabbed this outfit and began to hug it and dance around. (She does love her BF.) Incidentally, when Dahlia opened this prezzie I quickly added "where's mine?"

Had to add this one too. Even though it was cold and rainy all week, she can't wait for little skirts and bare legs.
That's my girl!

PS. I should have added - this is a challenge begun by Salsa in China. What fun!