Black & White Wednesday with Mickey

Yes, it's time once again for Black & White Wednesday!!

Mickey Mouse is one of Maddy's favorites. Last Sunday, she took Mickey outside so he could catch some rays . . . and evidently try to climb some tree branches. Since the yard is still mostly in black and white mode (it's just starting to green up a little bit), and I love the shadows of the branches, I thought B&W would be perfect for these photos.

She even had on her favorite Mickey t-shirt that day!

To see more black and whites, please visit Lisa!

Laundry Love!

Since before Christmas, we've been putting up with a whiny, out-of balance member of the family -- the washing machine!

I've been babysitting and sweet-talking my old machine so that it wouldn't break down entirely, while it chugged and jumped (out of balance) through medium loads. No small loads acceptable, no way, and no way would it do large loads either-- only medium!

I've been looking and thinking and looking some more for a replacement. I took Mr. Tennis with me one time and within 10 minutes, we bought a lovely front-loader from Sear*s! Guess we know who is the decisive one! ;) Two days ago, we kicked that old machine to the curb and welcomed the newcomer!

I love it!! It's so sweet and so cute! No one told me that front-loaders were so adorable! Now I can finally wash more than one towel at a time. I'm in laundry heaven!! Bye-bye top loader -- hello my sweety front-loading machine of ultimate clean!!!! Is it wrong to love a washing machine??? :)

Black & White Wednesday -- Spring Finally!!

Finally -- spring arrived in Nebraska! Can I hear a "wooohoo" please! :)

Actually, we had a little preview of spring-like weather last week and then snow on the first day of spring! That would have made me SO MAD, except it melted quickly, so it was ok.

But that's it now --repeat after me --- NO more snow!

On the one day last week that was warmish, Maddy and I joined my coworker, Jodee and her family, at the park for a picnic and some outdoor fun! At that time the grass had not even started to turn green, so I think it was perfect for black and white photos.

And go figure, Maddy was all in black anyway.

Now that it is officially spring, we will try to brighten our wardrobes!

Let the shopping commence!

Drawing 101 - Thinking of Muffy!

Maddy loves to draw! Of course, I think she is extremely talented! Lately, she has turned her drawing efforts from Simba (the Lion King) to dogs!

Do you wonder why? Although Mr. Tennis and I did not really agree to getting a puppy, he told her she could get one in the summer! Ever since, she has been obsessed with dogs. Drawing dogs, reading about dogs, watching dog shows . . . you get the idea.

She's looked at and studied various dogs to determine just what kind she wants. There were a few requirements: (1) Not too big (to be determined by moi); (2) Pointy stand-up ears (they listen better, you know!); (3) longish tail; (4) good-natured, sweet, etc. My parents have a Westie and although she loves him dearly, she did not want a Westie. She also adores, Larry, the bichon wonder dog, but alas -- no pointy ears - so bichons were out. She finally settled on a Scottish Terrier!

Then came the real issue -- what will she name her puppy?? She did not want to wait until the last minute, so has come up with the name already. She wants a girl dog and will call her Muffy. She especially likes that name since it starts with an "M" just like her name and Mom! And we just found a breeder who will have some puppies available in July!

Title Page -- Muffy!!

The other day, I noticed her drawing away and putting pages together for a book. She got a teensy little stapler for Christmas and loves making stapled books now. She drew these pictures all about Muffy! (I had to scan them, so they are not the best quality.)

Muffy and Maddy with Muffy's brothers & sisters

Look, Muffy likes to play frisbee!

Muffy finally goes to sleep with a smile on her little doggy face!

Of course, I love her little books. She drew all of these free-hand without even looking at any pictures -- tell me that's not raw talent (well, no actually, don't tell me). I just signed her up for a Drawing 101 class starting in June! I think she'll like that and it will pass the time until July when Muffy can come home!

Black & White Wednesday

It's Black & White Wednesday!

I'm still thinking warm thoughts and hoping the weather gets itself figured out (though snow is forecast for later this week!! :() Is it any wonder that I keep posting old photos of warmer days?!

These photos are from a vacation to the Rivera Maya in June 2005. That was a fun trip -- I think we definitely need to put that at the top of the list for a repeat visit! Yes, I usually do wear a hat when I'm out in the sun a lot as I must admit, I color my hair and the sun bleaches and dries it out too much. Plus, once I put a hat on, I leave the hat on!!

Maddy seemed so little back then -- a little sweetheart! Visit Lisa for more great black and white photos!

Would you . . . could you . . . read a book?

Do you like Dr. Seuss? He's not my fave -- too naughty for one thing! However, that did not stop us from attending and celebrating Dr. Seuss week with a reading of The Cat in the Hat at our local YMCA. It was a fun little get-together and short enough to attend on a week night -- I like those! Not only did a wonderful librarian read to us, a craft was also involved and the kids made hats!

They also served some green eggs and ham. Surprising that little Miss Persnickety (when it comes to food) -- loved the green eggs and ham! Now I know what to make for her when nothing seems appealing!

Our friends, Jodee, Carson & Kamree, were there too and Maddy had fun seeing them. We are so thrilled that our Y and the local library puts on such fun events! Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss -- but next time, let's have cupcakes!

I've Been Working on the Railroad!

Well, not me -- I haven't been working on the railroad. But my Dad, a/k/a/ Al, worked on the railroad. He was a fireman engineer back in the day of steam engines. Wow -- steam engines --that sounds like ancient history, doesn't it. He's not really that ancient or at least doesn't seem like it to me. Big secret -- shhhh! -- out of all of us 6 kids, I've always been his favorite! Yep, that's the whole truth! :)

After he retired, he continued working on the railroad . . . at the local zoo --running their steam engine train a couple days a week. They had a big party and banner on the train the year he turned 80 -- guess they thought he might retire at 80, but he didn't. He kept on working part-time until he was 85 years old. It was so much fun to ride the train when he was on it.

Anyway, back to the point of this post (there is a point after all). Recently Mr. Tennis read in our local paper that one of our state parks is renting out refurbished cabooses -- complete with a bathroom and shower! Now, that's my kind of camping! Although they started taking reservations in January (who knew?), we were able to get one for a weekend in June! Isn't it the cutest little yellow caboose? It's not too far from where my parents live, so hope they will be able to meet us there and maybe Baby Janie can too!

Black & White Wednesday!

Yes, it's time once again for Black & White Wednesday! This photo is from a year ago -- Maddy and two neighborhood friends.

We are so lucky to have lots of kids on our block and they are the best and nicest kids ever! These two sweet girls with Maddy are older than she is, but are always sweet to her! It's fun to see that just last March, Miss Maddy was missing those two front teeth! Loved that toothless look! :)

For more beautiful black and whites, check out the Mr. Linky party going on at Lisa's blog.

I Heart Faces - Jump for Joy!

Just read about "I Heart Faces" Jump for Joy theme this week and it made me think of some of my all-time favorite photos of Miss Maddy from last summer's visit to Hilton Head. I can just about feel the wind blowing her hair around. And this time of year, I really need to see some warm and sunny shots! Be sure and visit here to see some more beautiful faces!

Seven Years Ago

"A daughter is a miracle that never ceases to be miraculous...full of beauty and forever beautiful...loving and caring and truly amazing."

Dianna Beisser

Seven years ago, Mr. Tennis and I, along with our travel group, waited anxiously in the Guangzhou Civil Affairs Office for our little girls. Our daughters (those words sounded magical) who had been on a long bus ride, probably the first bus ride of their lives.

Sweet little Miss Maddy was 14 months old at the time. I'm sure that she and the other girls were absolutely terrified. Some cried, some screamed and kicked. Maddy was calm and quiet, but sucked on her fingers furiously. She saved her crying for night times.

She is such a little sweetheart! It's kind of hard to believe it's been 7 years already. The years - they zoom by, so I try to remember how fast time is moving and to enjoy every single moment with my precious, incredible, sweet, funny and brave daughter!

Black & White Wednesday

Finally -- a more recent photo for Black and White Wednesday!

Though the yard is full of melting snow, muddy and wintry debris of dead branches and roses, I was able to talk Maddy into a few photos outside. Lately, Miss M has liked trying out different kinds of hats! Lucky her -- wearing a hat does not give her the dreaded "hat head hair" look that must of us suffer from -- especially me. Once I put a hat on, it has to stay on as nobody, and I mean nobody, wants to see my hair after that! :)

For more black and whites, visit Lisa!
There are some way talented people out there!

The Best!

Donuts for Breakfast

$4.00

Playdate with friend starting with craft at Micha*el's

Free

Star wands for Maddy and friend

$2.00

Sticker booklet for scrapbooking wanna-be 2nd graders

$5.00

Lunch at Sub*way (kids meal prize -- recyclable bag)

$8.00

Two friends playing Wii, school, "scrapbooking"

Free

Taking a walk in the sunshine to the school playground

Free

Seeing friends playing together and hearing daughter say:

"This is the best day of my life!"

PRICELESS!