Sunday, June 24, 2012

Sunday Snapshot

PhSho Adrian Family 021 wm
Another school year....gone!
Dahlia jpg wm

PhSho Adrian Family 013 wm
Here is where I can really see how her face is maturing.


PhSho Adrian Family 028 wm
......but her silliness cuteness remains the same.
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Anybody notice that Milana has gone from standing beside her big sis and just looking cute to................the honorable role of "pack mule"! I sometimes try and change the course of this division of power but this morning it just made me giggle. That backpack is hanging so low that if I attached clippers to it she could mow the grass as she walks. (Not that I would do that or anything....)

Talking photography for a minute - the above collage is a good example of the challenges of grabbing pictures of your kiddos as they move and run. We had about 2 minutes to grab some last day of school pictures or we woud have been late. The light conditions changed with each shot so it's a constant scramble to change the settings. ISO, shutterspeed and aperature changed here 3 times in about 5 seconds. You can really see the changes here in these 3 shots.

For a look back at previous years of first and last days of school for Dahlia, click on the link below. 

http://atlastmilanascominhome.blogspot.ca/2010/09/black-and-white-wednesday-woo-hoograde.html

Oh, how they change and grow!

PhSho Christine Chan (June 2011) 094PhSho Christine Chan (June 2011) 112
(Same time last year, above)

Dahlia 1st day, grade 3 008Dahlia 1st day, grade 3 030
(And the beginning of this school year, above)

Back to now....June 2012 and last day of Grade 3. 
And school is OUT!!

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And as the school bell rang for the last time this year, we could hear squeals of delight as the kids came pouring out. Dahlia is so overjoyed, instead of walking or running....she's doing the happy dance.
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PhSho Adrian Family 293 wm


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This has really been a watershed year for all of us. Dahlia became a "reader" this year. She loves to read her chapter books, visit the library and read everyday this year. Her marks continue to improve and the things she is learning surprise (and shock) me. I know we didn't know half the stuff she knows at her age. She's interested in history, geography and how things work as well as art and music.

Dahlia and Milana have become inseparable - playing together constantly which has helped Milana so much with her language development. Milana has being a little chatterbox now of course, which confirms that old adage - "be careful what you wish for". (Kidding of course, we're delighted with her advancing language skills.)

Ni Hao Yall


My camera: Nikon D300
Lens: 28-75 mm 2:8
ISO,shutterspeed,f/stop: all over the place.
PhSho Adrian Family 297 wm
Yes, it's been a great Grade 3 for our big girl. 
We are so proud of you sweetheart!

Now.....let the summer begin!!!

Happy Summer everyone!
xoxo




4 comments:

Half Gaelic, Half Garlic! said...

Wanda,

I was sitting here looking at your beautiful girls and getting a bit sentimental because they have really grown and changed so much....... and then I saw the picture of Dahlia with the back pack and could not stop laughing as I read what you wrote. OMG Wanda, you totally crack me up. I miss you and your sense of humor!! SO bummed my boss canceled the trip to Canada. Let's get that girls weekend booked once and for all. We have all been so busy..... but let's make time to pick a weekend.

Happy Sunday to you and the family~

xoxo,

Lisa

Nancy @ Ordinary Miracles & The Crazy 10 said...

Is it bad that my very favorite part is the band-aide on her knee? So precious. And the days pass all too quickly.
Thx for sharing!
nancy-of the crazy 9

Gail said...

Time is just flying by way too fast isn't it Wanda? It's very bittersweet. Congrats on your reader, to have the love of reading is truly a gift. I so agree our children learn so many things in school that we didn't.

Love all of these!!

hugs,
Gail

Stefanie said...

Dahlia has grown up so much! And I just adore her shadow - so sweet that they are so close :)
Enjoy your summer!!

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Hi, I'm Wanda. I am a happy woman, wife to Danny for...oh....lots a years and finally Mom to THE most adorable little girl from Hunan, China - Dahlia. And now we have been blessed again with another daughter, Milana, from Zhejiang, China. (The 2 best things I've ever done!) We live in the Montreal area. After a loooonnngg wait for Dahlia's little sister Milana (pronounced - Mee-lana, like banana), we finally brought her home in August 2009. Dahlia came to us in Nov 2004 (at 20 months of age)and a year later we began the application for another baby - at the time the waiting period was around 8 months. Almost 4 years later (say what!?!)we, at last, brought Milana home. This began as the story of our journey to bring Milana home and life with her big sister, Dahlia. It now continues as we live as a family of four!
God. My (growing) family. Hangin' out with my girlies. My wonderful friends (you know who you are!). To laugh (out loud and a lot!). Music. Painting. Hugs. Long chats with my buds. My garden. To read (ha...when I can!). Sunshine. Spring, Spring and more Spring. Building things. Cooking. Decorating. Parties (ahem). The internet. Life. Movies. A.I. Dancing with the stars. So you think you can dance. Travel. Umm..did I say laughing my head off. Oh Gee...everything actually!!
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