Quinny's First Day of Ballet

I studied ballet and pointe for 12 years. I also learned tap, jazz, and character. I have fond memories of those days and have always hoped to join an adult ballet class. I am not one to push the things I like onto my children so when Quin asked to take ballet last year I was happy it was her own idea. And as long as she wants to study it, I will find a way to make it happen. This was her first day, earlier this week (I love her Converse High Tops with her ballet wear)...

365 Days With Kiddos - #6 - Dance & Play in the Rain

This post has come about thanks to the several gray days of rain we have had lately. I personally love rain. With the right rain gear I have spent DAYS in the rain before, camping, hiking, fly fishing, backpacking. I have learned that I won't melt (although my camera equipment needed to stay dry). I like gray days. If there were never any gray days I would not get much done. I like feeling I can stay inside and work on projects. And many kids love rain, too, but they especially like being out in it. My daughter doesn't want to stay in when it rains. She wants to bike, play, dance, and splash in the rain. Her purple rain boots with flowers are her favorite shoes. She loves her pink and red polka dot rain coat and carries her dinosaur umbrella where ever I will let her. She is drawn to puddles like a fish to water. She is all smiles which makes me want to stop my projects to party with her in the rain. Give it a try the next time the rain is making you feel sluggish and cranky. Take your child by the hand, suit up, and head out for some fun in the rain...

Belly Dancing Bliss & "Bound"

Today the sun was out, the birds were singing, and it was finally not so bloody cold. Quin went with Papa to the ski hill so Mama could get some work done. She was all thrilled to leave, holding up her pink back pack and making truck noises when he came in the door. It was like, "I'm finally busting out of here!". As much as I know we both like it, I think we spend so much time together that she is happy to do things without me. Which is much better than having her leave kicking and screaming :)

Yesterday on Esty I FINALLY sold my first original Polaroid emulsion lift. My transfers are the most popular and I have been doing well with them, but I listed some emulsion lifts months ago and was beginning to wonder when one would sell. Bound, seen below is one of my favorites, and while I always love to sell a piece, I am also sad to see them go. I get attached to them. They are each like a little child I gave birth to. And since I have yet to make any reproduction prints of any of my Polaroid work I have made in the last five years, the are all originals and difficult sometime to part with. Oh, geez, I am so emotional, eh? I just try to remember that if I created that one, I have the ability to do it again if need be, and maybe it will be even better! Anyway, I am very happy for the person who bought it. When I convoed her to say I had shipped it this afternoon she wrote back saying, "Excellent! It's so pretty, I can't wait : )". That is sooooo nice!



After a great day of getting lots accomplished and a trip to the post office I made it to Weeds & Seeds, our local health store. Derek, the owner, is really great and he gives 20% off everything in the shop on the last day of the month. And as luck would have it, I needed pretty much everything we buy there (vitamins, fish oil, nutritional yeast, shampoo, lotion, body wash), which never happens, so I SCORED and saved like $30!

And this evening was my first belly dance class at the Banff Center. I am taking it with Mariana. She wanted Latin Dance Cardio, which sounds fun, too, but it was cancelled, so she decided on Belly Dancing. I really love Kim, the instructor. She teaches the Mom and Tot class Q & I go to. And I need some exercise, good energy, and fun with a group of women. There were about 25 people in the class! WOW! It is good to dance again.