Just A Swingin'

We have been enjoying an unseasonably warm winter here in VA.  I saw on the news today that it has something to do with where the jet stream is flowing across the continent.  I could care less why it's warm, but my south GA blood is happy to see it.  In some ways it is going to make the upcoming move to Pittsburgh even more difficult to adjust to.  But, for now we are enjoying it!  We spent a recent Saturday at the park with half the city!  Snapped this fantastic shadow of my kiddo.  

January 7 (170/360)

A South GA Christmas!

We arrived back in VA late on Wednesday night.  While we were gone, we made the decision to travel to GA for Christmas.  We had what I like to refer to as a 36 hour lay over at our house.  Just long enough to do laundry and pack for a warmer climate!  We also had enough time to dig out a menorah and light the candles.  Please remember that we were living in a state of exhaustion and we had not made any efforts to decorate for the season!  So, it took me a few minutes to dig the menorah and candles out.  Doodle was a little leery of the fire (a good thing I guess), but she did enjoy  watching them burn out.  She also really enjoyed the presents.

December 22 (154/365)

What's longer than a twelve hour drive with a toddler?  A 12 hour drive with a toddler, my Favoritest and a preggo lady who had to stop every couple of house.  It turned into a 14 hour trip.  I didn't remember to take any pictures.  I was just hoping to survive the drive.  So here is another picture from Muir Woods.  Look closely and you can see a face.

Decmber 23(155/365 missed)

Christmas Eve we headed to see Aunt Gina, Uncle Lyle, Granny, Jenny & MK.  I was excited for Doodle to spend some quality time with her extended family.  I was also excited for my Favoritest to spend some time with his family.  It is rare these days that he gets to visit home.  I brought along some cookie mix for Doodle to make cookies for Santa.  In the complicated life of an interfaith family, Santa comes with presents.  However, Santa doesn't come to Bubbie and Zayde's house, so he was going to leave Doodle's present at Uncle Lyle and Aunt Gina's house.  I know it is complicated:)  Anywho, I was catching up with my nieces and Doodle got busy making cookies.  I came out and she immediately wanted me to take over, so like a good mom, I left the room.  Then hid and took this picture.

December 24 (156/365)

All Doodle had been talking about was that Santa was going to bring her a camera if she made good choices.  Well, she made good choices and she was delighted to find a camera in her pile of presents.  She looks every bit the part of serious photographer.  Don't worry, the camera has a memory card and when I have the time I will post some of her best shots!  

December 25 (157/365)

We finished off our quick trip to GA with another day of visiting friends and family around South Ga.  We enjoyed a delicious dinner with Bubbie and Zayde, and of course Doodle enjoyed more presents!

December 26 (158/365)

The only thing worse that a 12 hour drive turned into a 14 hour drive is realizing that you have this to deal with the morning after!

December 27 (159/365)

Do You Know the Way to San Jose?

Months before we know of Poppy's existence, we planned a trip to San Jose CA to watch my cousin's oldest daughter become a Bat Mitzvah.  The plan was to meet Bubbie and Zayde in San Fran, drive to San Jose and spend the weekend with extended family, head back to San Fran and sightsee for a few days.  This sounded like a fantastic vacay.  Fast forward to the realization that I was going to be barely preggo, addicted to water, constantly yurpee, exhausted, and flying in a  plane for 5+ hours.  Reality was not looking so peachy!  But, I put on my big girl panties, packed our bags, drove to the airport and hoped for the best.  


For being a first time flyer, Doodle did great.  She was happy and content for the first few hours.  Then she fell asleep.  I thought we were lucky.  Then she woke up crying.  She felt hot, but we were on a plane, she could just be warm. At least that's what I told myself for the last 45 minutes of the flight that she slept/cried through.  Once we met Bubbie and Zayde, got our luggage, rented a car, drove to San Jose, and went out for supplies, we realized she was burning up with fever!  We are good parents, I promise:) Here's a picture of her before the fever kicked in!

December 15 (147/365)

Due to the fever, we spent most of Friday cooped up in the hotel.  Lunch was takeout from Arbys!  I know, how special.  As I dipped my curly fry into my ketchup I was greeted with another surprise smile. Between the fever and the time change Doodle slept most of the day.  My Favoritest stayed int he hotel with her so I could visit with my family.

December 16 (148/365)

Lucky for us Doodle was feeling much better by Saturday.  She was able to be at the Bat Mitzvah.  She smiled and cooperated for pictures, and even lasted through most of the service.  She enjoyed meeting her cousins and spending time with all of them.  What she really enjoyed was her first ever grown up party.  She even went shopping with Bubbie to pick out her dress.  She was a real party animal.  She managed to last at the party until after 10:00.  If the m&m's hadn't run out I think we could have made it another 30 minutes or so!  

December 17 (149/365)

So, I am not really sure which time zone I followed for this whole challenge of mine.  I guess the next picture might have been taken before midnight local time, but according to my camera it was taken on the 18th, so I am going with that:)This is our tuckered out party girl.  Clutched in her hand is the prized party favor.  A light up color changing, magic wand type thing.  She loved it!!!  She loved it so much that we had to take the necklace part of so she could sleep with it.

December 18 (150/365)

After a family brunch Sunday, we loaded everyone up and headed to San Francisco.  We spent a lazy afternoon at the hotel and all kind of recuperated from the weekend.  Monday morning we were up and moving early.  We headed to Muir Woods.  Bless Zayde's heart.  He is not the best driver in the world.  Riding in the car with him on a good day can make me sick.  Thirty minutes in the twisty mountains of CA while 10wks preggo was not looking promising.  To his credit, he only made me want to hurl a couple of times.  The weather was cool and damp, but the woods were beautiful.  Doodle, not so interested.  But due to the time change she was also ready for a nap at 10:30 every day:)  I took a ton of beautiful pictures, this is my favorite. My entire family ahead of me walking into the sunrise!

December 19 (151/365)

Following our visit to the giant trees, Doodle and I returned to the hotel to nap.  I needed it as much as she did:)  Bubbie, Zayde and my Favoritest headed out to Alcatraz (I went a few years ago).  Doodle and I met them at the warf where we saw sea lions, rode a carousel, ate dinner, and suckered Bubbie and Zayde into a Count Von Count finger puppet that would be lost (by Bubbie) less than 12 hours later, and replaced within 24 hours!  Tuesday morning we decided to go to a museum that everyone had raved about.  I think that on any other day Doodle would have loved it.  There was a small aquarium, rain forest filled with butterflies, natural science exhibits with stuffed animals.  Lots of cool stuff to explore.  Unfortunately, Doodle had reached her peak of traveling and was not interested in anything besides whining.  After having all I could of that, I took her outside where she had the time of her life chasing pigeons!  Go figure. I did manage to get a cool shot of her with the world though!  Please note, she is not looking at me, so you cannot see the sour look on her face!

December 20 (152/365)

The remainder of our time in SF was a bit of a toddler whining bust.  But not too disappointing since we headed to the airport early Wednesday morning.  

December 21 (153/365)

All in all, it was a great trip.  We saw family and spent time together.  Couldn't ask for a better week!

December 5-11

She works hard for the money!  One of the things I am adamant about is making sure Doodle never thinks that being little is an excuse for not doing or not trying things.  People laugh/cut their eyes at me as I make my tiny 3 year old struggle to climb up on a chair or reach for something just beyond her grasp.  My philosophy is that there is always going to be something a little to high or to far back for her to reach.  I should know, it is my life.  So instead of helping her do it, or doing it for her, we tend to sit back and watch her problem solve and figure it out on her own.  So, here is our tiny one emptying the silverware.  Even with a stool she can't reach to back row, but we still make her pull her own weight:)

December 5 (136/365)

Doodle does not talk about school.  She goes 3 days a week.  I know she is learning and having fun, but very rarely does she talk about it.  What I do know is that they must work really hard at staying in line.  That has been her theme when playing with her friends lately.  I will hear her say "now, stay in line.  No falling.  Turn around."  It is pretty funny to listen to!

December 6 (137/365)

In the midst of my newly pregnant haze, I got invited to a cookie exchange.  I love cookies.  I love parties.  I was exhausted. The thought of making 6 dozen cookies was almost too much considering cooking dinner had become exhausting.  But, somehow the promise of cookies was enough motivation to get me baking.  Red Velvet Shortbread Cookies dipped in white chocolate.  Yummy!  And pretty too.  Thanks to a birthday party favor cookie cutter Doodle got at a recent party:)

December 7 (138/365)

Imagine my surprise when I walked in the door to find this....Doodle dancing up a storm in her puppy hat that she "got at the circus.  But I didn't like the circus cause I didn't feel so well, and I sit in the car and wait for Jayburb".  Priceless!

December 8 (139/365)

So due to the previously mentioned complete energy depletion, Curly and the Gang didn't really get into the holiday spirit.  We did manage to start a new tradition by bringing out our Elf on the Shelf for the first time.  We named her Markie. Doodle wasn't too sure about the whole thing to start with.  As for my Favoritest and I, we just tried to remember move the dang thing every night.  Needless to say, we weren't always the most creative, but it did help bring a little holiday spirit to our little home.

December 9 (140/365)

I was upstairs putting Doodle down for her nap ( don't hate me she still naps 4/5 days).  We noticed this on the carpet.  A little sunny smile:)  It was made from the shadow of her playhouse door.

December 10 (141/365)

Since we didn't get into the holiday spirit, the least we could do was enjoy our neighbors decor!  I love the holiday season because you can see into people's homes and and enjoy the twinkling lights of their trees.  This was the view from the back door of our house.

December 11 (142/365)

November 5-11

I did it again.  I got so close to being caught up that I relaxed and got busy doing other things.  Mainly cleaning and preparing for holiday company.  So, not I a few weeks behind again.  Oh well.  You still seem to be checking it out, so I'll keep sharing.  


Beagle Badness
I have discovered that when I am out of ideas for pictures, there is always the dogs.  Sometimes I click a couple off just because they look sweet and peaceful and sometimes is is purely filling the square for the day.  This time, it was a square filler, but I love this picture of the Bad Beagle!

November 5 (107/365)

Brrrr...... Rabbit


That's some crazy saying I picked up along the way and now I say it when ever it is a little chilly outside.  Doodle even says it.  While I love many things about VA, the cold weather isn't always one of them.  I don't mind the chill in the air so much as the extra work that comes along with it.  Winter weather just slows me down.  You have to wait for the car to warm and the windshield to defrost.  You have to put jackets, hats, gloves, scarves on.  You have to take them off.  Then there is the snow.  I won't even get started on that.  So I guess winter is not my favorite season.  This picture should be all the more impressive then, that I took a small amount of joy in finding my windshield frosted over for the first time this season.  The picture is of the town house across the street.  I took it from inside my car and the windshield was almost completely defrosted. 

November 6 (108/365)

Wow, Wow, Water


My second cousin Barbara rocks.  Believe it or not, I haven't met her face to face.  But she has really been an inspiration to me and this picture journey.  She takes some amazing pictures.  She sees things with a different set of eyes.  I don't want to say I try to copy her, but I do try and see things the way she does.  She has taken some awesome pictures and often finds some really cool stuff in her photos.  She posted some pictures of water streams a while back, and I was inspired to try it.  So here is a stream of water with a bubble in the middle.  Behind the water is a pair of Doodle's striped pants.  You can see the stripe much sharper in the bubble.

November 7 (109/365)

Profiles in Courage


What can I say, they caught my eye.  It was a great profile silhouette of Doodle's two besties.

November 8 (110/365)

Winter Woes

I have already mentioned my dislike for all the extra work that winter brings.  I also have a gripe against the time change that comes with it.  I don't like the sun setting earlier.  I miss my afternoons in the courtyard.  A wise friend keeps reminding me that her husband reminds her that by December 22, the days will start to get longer.  Not much help.  I am trying to find beauty in the early setting of the sun.  

November 9 (111/365)

November 10 (112/365)

Funny Face

I am sure I have mentioned the train that runs Right. By. My. House. before.  Mostly I am ambivalent to it unless Doodle is in one of her "terrified of the Choo-Choo" phases.  Sometimes I even enjoy it.  When it is stopped on the track for an entire day, I love it:)  Gave me a chance to play with the telephoto lens.  Also helped me to see the creator of Thomas wasn't all that crazy.  I mean, I see a little smiling face on the side of the train..... why is it so far fetched to see (with a little help from drugs), one in the front.

November 11 (113/365)

October 22-27

Pumpkin Pickin


One of my favorite things about the fall is heading to the pumpkin patch.  Thankfully on the one weekend day that we had the opportunity to go as a family the weather was gorgeous.  We had a wonderful morning outside and picked out a few pumpkins.  

October 22 (93/365)

Discovery At Every Turn


Because of My Favoritest's work schedule, Doodle and I had a lot of meals just the two of us for about two weeks.  My attention was not always as good as it should be.  I had magazines or my phone at the table sometimes.  Not the best example I know, but there is only so many meals one can eat with a 3 year old before you start to loose your mind.  As a result of my lack of table manners, Doodle was also playing at the table a little more than we normally allow.  One night while she was playing, she discovered her reflection in her spoon.  She also discovered that it turned upside down when you looked in the rounded part.  A couple of nights later I managed to get this picture of her.  Not without much bribery mind you! But I think the end result was worth it!

October 23 (94/365)

Project Time


Everyday I try to be the mommy I want to be.  I want to be the mommy who cooks with her unruly preschooler, plays the funnest games at the playground, and make homemade treats together.  I decided to be that mommy just before Halloween.  I found an idea for these jars in a magazine and was determined Doodle and I would make them together.  It was actually a great project to do together.  She had fun doing a little bit of the painting.  The best part in her mind was turning on and off the candles:)  It was a great way to spend the morning and a way to teach her about giving things to others.

October 24 (95/365)

All The Leaves Are Brown!


Not much more to say about this picture.  The leaves have been pretty and Doodle is fascinated by their changing colors.  We talk about it daily!

October 25 (96/365)

Mommy Juice 

A couple of weeks ago a friend suggested having a playdate at one of the local vineyards.  I figured it would be nice and I was in need of adult conversation.  At the end of the playdate my only sadness was that we hadn't done this more often throughout the fall!  What a great place to hang out with adults while the kids play.  They had a huge field to run and frolic.  I brought some bubbles and fly swatters.  They all got along with minimal adult intervention.  The mommies actually got to sit.  We talked, and laughed.  We discussed fashion and family and frustrations.  We didn't have to constantly worry about who was where and what they were doing.  When I uploaded pictures, I got this and thought it summed up our playdate perfectly.  The relaxing adirondak chairs in focus and the kids kind of blurry in the background.  They were there, but not to only thing going on with us that afternoon.  I am so lucky to have such cool mommy friends!

October 26 (97/365)

Little Surprises 

As Doodle and I were coming in the house, I noticed a little nest in our tree.  The tree is a paper birch (thanks Princess) and has already provided me with several photo opportunities.  So here is one more.  I hope to be able to watch it and see who lives there and if they grow a little family.

October 27 (98/365)

Ooops!


I thought I had forgotten to take a picture again.  I was going to cut myself some slack.  After all I have only missed one day in almost 100.  Not too bad.  Two missed pictures wouldn't be that bad.  It would still be a 98% success rate.  I was okay with it.  Then I remembered I snapped a picture on my phone to send to a friend.  So not a great picture, but at least it counts and I have only missed one day!

October 28 (99/365)

Au Natural Week!

One of the reasons I wanted to challenge myself to take a picture a day was so that I could learn to use my SLR by using it.  I haven't had too much of a chance to really challenge my skills/learning because I have been busy taking pictures of fun things and activities.  This week's set of pictures were really fun to take.  I didn't set out to have a week like this, but I ended up taking lots of pictures of nature and objects.  It started as a way to fill the square for the day, and ended up being a lot of fun.  Hope you enjoy!


Cute or Concerning?


Doodle has a little bit of a fascination with the tushie door on potato heads.  She had a great time putting Ming-Ming and Tuck inside the tushie.  It really did make me think about how wrong Mr. Potato Head's trap door really is!

October 8 (79/365)

Money! Money! Money!


We have a wine coster in our room that has turned into a coin catch all.  I realized late at night that I needed a picture for the day.  I figured I would take one and be done.  I think I took about 50.  I got a chance to play with the aperture mode on the camera.  I loved trying to get the best shot of the coins and their reflection.  I think it came out really cool!

October 9 (80/365)

Bunch O Bubbles

Quick shot of bubbles made using a fly swatter! 

October 10 (81/365)

Freaky Finds

Did I mention I had a lot of days that I forgot to take pictures this week?  Yes, I had trouble.  So once again, late at night remembering I didn't have a picture for the day.  I decided to take a self portrait using my reflection in the window.  As I took pictures of myself, I noticed something much more interesting.  The window was acting as both a mirror and a transparent surface.  I was getting images of outside object on top of objects inside my house.  I know, it sounds a little confusing, but check it out.

October 11 (82/365)

Notice the flag on the couch.  That is my neighbor's flag outside our window.  Notice Laugh on top of the cabinets.  That is a reflection in the window.  The white line at the top is the window pane.  Pretty cool if I do say so myself!  

Rain Drops Keep Falling On My Head

It rained and rained and rained.  We were tired of rain.  Sisterwife invited Doodle over to make cookies.  After we got there, I had to run home to get some ingredients.  I returned with the ingredients and then asked Sisterwife for a few minutes to take a few pictures of the rain.  So glad I did.  I got some wonderful pictures.  Makes me really really want a macro lens!

October 12 (83/365)

Are We Ready to Go?

Doodle had her first field trip.  They went to the pumpkin patch.  Only it was more like a pumpkin field and it was rainy and wet and a little muddy.  Doodle wasn't really loving it.  From the minute we got there she started to ask if it was time to get back in the car.  Needless to say, my dreams of Doodle with a pumpkin were dashed.  Instead, I got a snail on a pumpkin.  Enjoy!

October 13 (84/365)

Mirror Mirror On The Table

The only good thing about the pumpkin patch trip was that Doodle picked out a tiny pumpkin (gourd) for herself and one for Jaypurb.   The one she got for herself was kind of star shaped and orange with a green center.  Once again, I put Doodle to bed and was faced with the cold hard fact that I needed to take a picture.  I was quickly running out of ideas around my house!  And then my eye caught the gourd.  And I started playing.  Then I got a mirror and played some more.  This is my favorite of them!

October 14 (85/365)

Amazing how this heavy thick gourd almost resembles a delicate flower from this angle.  I love this picture!

So with this post, I am only about 2 weeks behind.  My plan is to get caught up over the weekend!

Down Home!

Where they know you by name and treat ya like family!  We actually managed a family trip to see our family!  Amazing, since we haven't all been home since Thanksgiving.  It was a fast trip, but so glad we could go.  My Favoritest got to spend some time with his mother while she recovered from a heart attack.  Doodle and I got to spend time with our family and friends.  We celebrated the Jewish New Year.  Doodle was enthralled with the shofar, loved listening to her Bubbie chant from the pulpit, and even got to go up to the torah with me.  All in all, it was a fantastic trip!

September 25 (66/365)
Ready or not here we come! I promise I did comb her hair before we left. 

September 27 (68/365)
Doodle was busy playing on her great grandmother's piano when she looked up and told me "Mommy, Do NOT take my picture!" I stopped immediately. I got the shot.  Love her big curl over one eye.  I hope her Great Grandma Mantel was smiling as big as she and I were!

September 28 (69/365)
This is the smell that tells me I am home.  There is nothing like the sweet gentle scent of a gardenia.  I am convinced they only smell this sweet and fresh in the midst of the hot, humid, muggy southern air that is always present when they are.  This bush is planted right outside my parents' garage door.  I smell it every time I use the key pad to open the door.  It is one of the smells I have missed most while living in VA!  When we walked in the door, I smelled them before I noticed they were still blooming.   

September 29 (70/365)
One of my favorite things about being home is that I get a little break from bed time duty.  Doodle loves to have Bubbie and Zayde read to her, sing to her, and best of all swing her into bed.  This night I snuck up to take pictures of the three of them sharing a story.  

September 30 (71/365)
See ya later South GA!  Didn't even notice it until I uploaded the picture, but in the bottom left hand corner I caught the edge of a hotel sign.  It says "Free Hot".  Which pretty much sums up the weather the whole time we were home!

In the Details

So it seems the closer I get to keeping up with this blog, the farther behind I fall.  Oh, well.  Here's a couple of pics and thoughts to help me catch up a little. 




Here's the last picture from our recent trip to Bethany Beach DE.  

August 25 (35/365)

This is Doodle's shadow.  It was taken while she was jumping off a step.  Imagine, Doodle jumping! The picture itself wasn't very interesting.  But the shadow was really cool! The funny thing is, I brought the camera out for a totally different reason.  We had silly string for the kids.  Sisterwife and I bribed the kids with a really cools surprise if they would take a nap.  We thought it was a cool surprise.  The kids, not so much.  Funny how that works out.  They weren't strong enough to push the nozzle.  Doodle didn't like the way the string felt.  She was more entertained by tree climbing attempts.  Being moms that never give up, Sisterwife and I just kept spraying, 3 cans worth of silly string.  Then we spent a good 10 minutes cleaning up the mess.  The kids thought this was.... not so fun at all!  I guess we get points for trying.  

Sadly our time at the beach came to an end, and we headed back to Crozet.  Along with a million other people evacuating Irene.  It took what seemed like forever to get home.  We hit the road with 2 cars, 3 kids, and one dog at 6:00AM.  By the time we pulled into the parking lot, it was a little after 2:00.  I was exhausted and my camera was the last thing on my mind.  I put Doodle to bed, and unloaded the car.  On my first trip in, I noticed a butterfly on the door.  While I got the camera the butterfly moved.  Good thing I had such easy inspiration, or I might have missed a day!

August 26 (36/365)

Hidden Treasures

When I did my 30 day photo challenge, one of our assignments was to take a picture of the clouds.  I mentioned how much I love looking at the clouds and trying to find familiar shapes among their billowy puffs.  Thursday, I took the camera out for a few minutes to take some sunburst pictures.  While I was outside, I snapped a couple of pictures of the clouds.  When I looked at the pictures, the sunburst wasn't as pretty as I wanted it to be.  But as I looked at the pictures of the clouds I found two really neat images.

August 11 (21/365)
If you look closely you can see an angry face/mask in between the two trees

And just opposite that angry face in the sky, was this perfect heart!

As you can see from the sky, the weather here has been fantastic!  The end of the week it was only in the mid 80's.  Doodle and I spent lots of time outside because of the beautiful weather.  It has been so hot out, that we haven't "played" outside in a couple of months.  Doodle has begged to play on her "new toy" (that she got 3 months ago) almost daily.  Finally, the weather cooperated and I remembered to wipe the slides down.  As soon as we got outside, she whined to come inside.  The blue slide was too hot to use and I guess that ruined her plan.  I tried to encourage her to play with Ming-Ming, Tuck, Ming-Ming Duckling (stuffed Ming-Ming), and Abby Cadabby.  I sent them all down the slide hoping she would take over.  I was wrong.

Friends.... maybe?

I wasn't taking her inside, so I  brought out bubbles.  That entertained her for a few minutes.  Then I got out water and paint brushes so she could paint the sidewalk.  Between the new toy, the bubbles, and the paint brushes, she managed to entertain herself for a good 45 minutes.  And I managed to get some pictures.  Poor kid, is tired of me having my camera around all the time, but I am determined to succeed at taking a picture a day for 365 days.  Since getting my new camera, I have really stopped using the lcd display while shooting.  I love that I can check the image if I want to, but also love the surprise of seeing what turns up on the computer.  When I uploaded the pictures from our outdoor party for two, I found this

August 12 (22/365)

At first glance, it is just a picture of Doodle and some bubbles.  The interesting part is the bubble over her face.  If you look at it closely you can see the reflection of our back porch in the bubble.  I love when I find little treats like that!  In my dreams this weather will last forever, but I know it wont.  Our neighbor had the nerve to remind me that the cooler weather only meant that Fall was on the way (yippee), which means that Winter isn't far behind (booo!).  Oh well, I guess we will make the most of what we have right now!