Li'l Bo Peep

Ruby had her ballet pictures today. I was pretty sure she would cooperate just fine for me, so I dressed her up early and got some really great shots of her all dressed up. This weekend, she'll lead her little ballet class onto the stage. They walk out with little stuffed lambs that they line up on the front of the stage. Then they will probably stand around looking confused while their teacher (my friend Kelly, Kiley's mom) prompts them from the side of the stage. Should be adorable regardless.

Rubyisms

Here she is in her "Little Bo Peep" costume for he ballet recital this Saturday.

Ruby is full of all kinds of interesting thoughts lately. I find myself making a concious effort to engage her in conversations at times when I might otherwise busy myself with something else.

So in the car the other day...we were going to the dentist just she and I and she said, "Mamma, when we get back from the dentist, will you cut my hair?"

Usually she wants LONG hair, so when brushing her hair is a struggle, I usually point out to her that we could just cut her hair and then she woudln't have the same tangles...a choice she is certain she doesn't want.

I was curious, so I said, "Maybe Ruby, but how do you want it to look?"

She said, "Remember my old babysitter Kelsey? She has BEAUTIFUL hair and it is short and I want my hair like hers."

Now, Kelsey does have lovely hair, but she also has the skill to blow dry it AND she has three times as much hair. I know from experience that Ruby often has an unrealistic vision of how her hair should look, and she certainly can't acheive Kelsey's look at her age. So I said, "That would be nice, let's talk about it more when we get home."

After a thirty second pause she said, "I don't want hair like Kelsey's, I want Ruby hair."

"That's a good idea!," I said.

Then the next day, I was removing some wallpaper in the master bathroom and she was helping. She said, "Does Jesus have children?"

I said, "We think he probably had children but there isn't mention of that in the scriptures."

Then she said in a really excited little voice, "But God has children! I know all about that because WE'RE His children!"

These little moments are so precious. I love seeing her mind work at piecing together all the things she is learning.

Nathan's announcement

I also took Nathan's pics and designed his announcement. He was adopted, so his last name is not on the announcement showing here. His mom wanted to send an announcem

ent to the birth parents, so I did one with out their last name. He is sweet as can be!

Landon's pics

Babies are really easy when they are asleep. When they are awake, it is difficult to get them to stop flailing around. My friend Taryn just had the little guy we met up to take his pictures, then I designed his birth announcement. He is really cute!

More of precious Aksel--two months

Ruby happily holding baby Aksel

Aksel and Kelly

Kelly and Aksel came down the other day and we got around to taking some pretty great pictures of him. He is a great little model, he looks so cute in all his pictures!

Last Day of Preschool

It was my turn to teach preschool this week. I was sad because we won't be continuing. The coop began when some friends and I put our heads together in the winter of '05. We have had a few move ins and a few move outs through the years, and this winter semester we had five girls. Ella was home the day this picture was taken.

Anyway, I love these kids and I got a little teary eyed while taking this picture. Ruby will be going to "Learning Hands Preschool" in the fall. She'll love it. Ella and Kiley (Daddy's Favorite) will be with her there.

Pike Place Market

It is always fun to do the tourist things in Seattle every once in awhile. It only happens when guests come into town! Monica and I had fun at the market on Memorial Day. She said it was the most unique thing she had seen in the US. Granted, she's only been to UT, Las Vegas and Southern California!

Spanish Feast!

My friend Monica came to visit. She is from Madrid, but is currently finishing up her studies in Utah. While she was here, we ate lots of great Spanish food. We tried out a neat place, Ibiza Dinner Club and we both felt the authenticity of the food was right on. Yummy gazpacho, jamon, pan, chorizo...you get the picture. So while she was here, we made a paella together. It was yummy--we made pan con tomate too...

Backyard Campout

Ruby has been really excited about camping because she has overheard us planning a big trip with friends for Labor Day weekend. Given that that is still months away, we have been roasting marshmallows inside for treats...and Chris pitched the tent in the backyard and he and Ruby spent the night out there together.