Tuesday, February 25, 2014

More Waterfalls

We woke up on a rainy Saturday and decided to go on another family waterfall adventure.  Dad wanted to check out Silver Falls, so that's where we went!


We walked along a river path until it stopped and dropped way, way down.  You could stand here and look over the edge!  Dad and Mia were the only ones who could stand there without feeling like they were gonna toss their cookies.  


We took the trail down into a little canyon.


And behind the falls!  


Pretty awesome experience, to stand behind a waterfall.


And then we crossed a bridge and made our way back up.  I was observing the girls and musing at the way their personalities come out on these family adventures.


Ali the Thinker will share thoughts and facts along the way.  When I took this photo she was asking whether I thought the water flowing down the trail came from a freshwater spring, which led to her explaining ways to purify drinking water which led to a discussion on algae.  "Algae is a fungi.  Get it Mia?  Fun guy?"  Ali is the soundtrack to our adventures.  


Mia the Trailblazer is our fearless leader.  She likes to be in front.  She's the quiet observer and most likely to take the trail less traveled.  Her vote is always for the tiny game trail that shoots straight up the mountain as opposed to the well worn path.  Mia usually ends up back at the car the wettest and dirtiest with the most treasures in her pockets.  


Eva the Wonderer is most likely pulling up the rear.  Never in any particular hurry, she likes to hold my hand and experience the little things.  Like the feeling of the rain on her face, in this picture.  She'll stop to touch a fern, or stare into a puddle or count how many different greens she can see at once.  Half the time she's looking for fairies and mermaids.  I'm not even sure she was particularly impressed by the waterfall, everything is something to Eva. 


I am grateful for a beautiful place to live, a job that I love, a healthy family and weekend adventures!  And the little lessons I learn from my kids when I look at things from their perspectives!  

Friday, February 21, 2014

Need New Glasses and Several Opinions

So, imagine that you've been wearing your contacts for 12+ hours and your eyes are tired, your contacts need a soak and it's time to take them out and go to bed.  
No sooner do you fall asleep, and your phone rings.
Suzie Q's water broke.
It's go time.
Do you want to put your contacts back in?  Heck no!
For this reason, I need new glasses with no-glare lenses that look cute 
even when I have no make-up on and my hair's a wreck.  
Tall order?
Perhaps.

I found an adorable on-line store called Rivet and Sway
and have in my possession a Home Try-on Kit with 5 frames to try for free!
But I need some opinions (c'mon Baylor Babes!!) before I can order any.

So here I am in several thoughtful, real-life poses.  


My favorite.  Style:  Character Study in copper penny.  Also available in black and purple.


 Joe and Mom's favorite.  Style:  Faster Pussycat (seriously) in black.  
Also available in tortoise and green (I think)


Nobody's favorite.  I thought I was going to love these based on the adorable nerd-chic look my favorite coffee barista rocks, but on me, it's all nerd and no chic.  What do you think? 
 Style:  Belle in cherry cola.  Also available in black and cookies and cream.


Mia and neighbor Samantha's favorite.  Style:  Checkpoint.  Also available in tortoise and blue/green.
 

And finally we have Punchline in Neopolitan.  Also available in tortoise, black and moss.  

(If you were wondering, Ali is neutral on all styles and Eva doesn't like any.  Aren't they helpful?)

My personal preference is for something a bit different, 
not too flashy, and usually with a bit of retro flair.  =-)  Not afraid of a splash of color. 

Okay, now leave your vote in the comments!  Thanks for your help!!  



Friday, February 7, 2014

Fundraising

Mia is asking for competition fees for her birthday.  I'm testing out gofundme.com for this purpose and here's my plug for Mia.  Check out our site whether you wish to donate or not.  It features a very cute picture of our gymnast.  


snowpocalypse

Everyone's facebook feeds have been screaming this headline since yesterday.  I find it very entertaining.  School was cancelled for today and my girls wasted no time getting outside to enjoy the snow.  They made me very grateful for the purchase of snowpants and mittens a few months back!





I will be inside with  hot coffee and a good book watching their antics from the window. 
And planting plenty of kisses on those pink cheeks and noses.