Fashion Challenge Friday

Heeeerre's........Dahlia!

It was our first really gorgeous day here last Saturday, so a perfect day to head to the park. Dahlia had discovered this little number a few days before (after Mommy had purged her closet) so this is what she chose. This dress is size 3T but she has loved this dress so much she now is calling it a tshirt/top. Well, actually she just wanted to wear the dress alone so I said "umm, honey...there may be ants and stuff in the sand - you don't want them crawling up your bum" to which she replied - well actually it was more of a look which said 'umm..Mom.......heard of leggings?....d'uh'. (Oh help me 6 years from now!!) So she whipped out the leggings, sandals, sun visor, pail and shovels and we were off!

Check out those ballet toes!

Ahh...saved by Daddy.

...and she's off again! Keep up Mom.

Now, does this happen in your house? Once Dahlia gets an outfit in her 'comfort zone' she has a really hard time getting it off. Everyday since then, as soon as she gets home from kindergarten, she whips out this little number (which she wants hanging on her door for easy access - and forget about washing it unless you can do it by the time she needs it again) and HAS to wear it. I have a hard time getting it off her now for jammies and bed. So on Wed. for afternoon snacks we had a little picnic in the front yard and of course, she's wearing the same outfit. Check back here to see how long this obsession lasts.
(...and that's Daddy's hairy arm - not mine! - snitching a little treat.)

And after our snack we had a little dress-up fun.

Thank goodness for diversions to distract us from the latest referral delays with the swine flu........

And don't forget to pop over to the Salsa site for more fun stuff.

Still waiting......so I need to reminisce.

So, we're almost at the end of April (umm...that would be 2009) and rumours (or rumors) should be flying pretty soon and this is the way it looks. They may get to March 14th this month (or better!!!) so we could (COULD) be looking at Milana's little face either in about a week or 5 weeks from now. Could it be? O solo mio - I'm trying to stay so 'zen' about this but HA, who am I kidding. So many thought keep bumping into each other in my head. "Who is she, where is she, will she like us, will Dahlia love her (and not try and kill her ;o), am I rocking the boat here and ruining a really good thing, do I have the energy (that's the biggy)???"

And yet, these thoughts push the other ones down to (almost) oblivion. "How can it be that we are about to be blessed twice in this life-time, how is it that my heart will actually expand yet again to be filled with the love and joy that only a child can bring, how come, of all the people in this world, that we will be chosen to nuture and love and guide yet another little angel?"

How can this be?

HABAKKUK 2:3

But these things I plan won't happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, be patient! For it will surely take place. It will not be late by a single day.

And for a gentle reminder of the gift we've already received.

Then............. Dahlia in China (Nov 2004) the day after meeting her. I love this picture - laughing her head off at something crazy I must have done. Dahlia is a "hat" girl. And now........

......and so, we wait, for the next chapter to begin.

Sigh.........

FASHION CHALLENGE FRIDAY

(I hope I haven't created a monster.......albeit a cute one!)

We came home after school today and I was feeling a little lazy. (I've developed this new cough after kicking pnemonia recently and yesterday I put my "good" knee out so I was feeling a bit bummed out and thought maybe we'll skip this week's fashion challenge.) Well, Dahlia had other plans. As soon as we got in the door she asked "is tomorrow Friday?", I said "yes" and she took off upstairs saying "I know what I want to wear, I know what I want to wear" (Huh?!!)

I have spent days cleaning out her closet (and packing away hoardes of clothes for Milana) so everything was organized for the choosing. Dahlia was in a Chinese mood and whipped out an outfit she hasn't even worn yet. (Actually, she tried on several different ones - even one with a red feather boa but honestly - I'm a bit embarrassed to show them 'cause someone might think I've been giving this child stripping lessons (where is she picking this up? - we still only watch treehouse - we don't even watch the Disney channel and no, it's not from me ;0....really!).

Anyhoo, it's going to be 90 degrees here this week-end, so after the 'chinese parade' I suggested something she could go out in on Saturday and she choose this little number.

(Hmmm......just realized her bangs are crooked. Note to self - get out the sissors!)

So, here's a peek into Dahlia's closets (side by side with sliding mirrored doors). I only keep her undies, socks and odd thing in drawers. I like to see everything otherswise I forget what I have. Do you suppose it's because I have too much? Nah!

(Lets see how long it looks like this.)

And now, a little Chinese number where she tamed down her look - suitable for family viewing!

(oops.....is she thinking 'come hither' ?)

Ahh.....that's the look I love so well!

Check out all the other kiddies and their fashion picks this week at the Salsa site.

And have a wonderful week-end!

My Daughter

La Bella Dahlia

Camera: Nikon D300

Mode: Auto

Lens: Nikkor 18-200mm

Focal length: 48mm

ISO: 3200

Aperture: f/6.3

I thought I'd have a little fun, and throw caution to the wind and enter this contest (Mamarazzi). Not for any photography skill (for which I have none, yet) but I qualify only because I am a Mother and this is my darling daughter Dahlia.

I am so proud of who my little girl is becoming. Each day her wings spread a little more and she is carried a little higher by allowing the wind to catch under them. This picture has the innocence of a little 6 year old just discovering everything for the first time and yet, in her eyes, I can see the woman she may become. And the dress (if I squint) could be my little girl, all grown up, in her wedding dress.

Makes me weep with joy!

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?