Hanna's Home

Hand in Hand

Today is Brad's birthday. Happy Birthday!! We both almost teared up when Hanna was singing Happy Birthday to him. What a precious moment. I love their connection. Hand in hand they do so many things together and connect on so many levels. I am in awe... and admittedly a tad envious at times.

I know that what we each offer Hanna is different... both to be treasured. Brad and I come at life from two different angles, although growing more similar with time. I admire his carefree nature and ability to make friends with anyone. You wonder where Hanna gets her "social butterfly-ness" from?

My arms open wide to both of you...

Beach Bums

If the amount of sand in your bathing suit bottoms is any indication of how good your summer has been... well, then we've had a rocking summer!  Hanna loved the beaches. With 30+ degree temperatures, this sand got mighty hot though. Good thing the water was only a few jumps away.

News on MJ

"You know what mom?

"What Hanna?"

"Michael Johnston died."

"Do you mean Michael Jackson?"

"Yeah, Michael Jackson. He died. His heart stopped beepin'."

"You mean beating?"

"No BEEPING, mom! His heart... it stopped beeping. And you know what else?"

"What?"

"He only had one hand."

Floating my Cares Away

I know this sounds weird... but I am seriously addicted to the sun. I feel so much better with a good dose of Vitamin D and warm rays on my back. So when we were all packed for Saskatchewan to head to my favourite piece of family paradise (Crystal Lake), I was devastated to check the weather and see rain, cold, rain, wind, cold, cold, cold across the board.

I did something I don't normally do.

"We're not going to the lake."

"What????" Brad thought I was joking.

"I said we're not going. It's going to be cold and rainy. And seriously Brad, I NEED SUN!"

In a matter of a few hours, we were repacking for Montana where my sister and family were camping and boating. 10 days of sun and warmth and swimming and hanging out on sandy beaches! Oh yes... and floating my cares away. LOVED IT! Hanna had a blast as you'll see in the next few days!

P.S. In life, it pays to change our minds... even at last minute. So often we get caught in the trap of, "I said I would, so I should." Plans change, life evolves... follow the sun.

Oh WOW! Look at that!

Those were my exact words when I studied this picture my closely. I was trying to capture a shot of this fish at the aquarium we visited in Maui. Little did I realize I also captured Hanna's expression in the reflection of glass. It seems we were both saying, "Oh WOW! Look at that!"

What are the chances? I couldn't replicate this image if I tried (okay... maybe you could in photoshop. But not easily on my little point and click camera!) Some things are truly magic.

When I Grow Up

Do you know what I want to be when I grow up mom?

What Hanna?

A policeman.

You mean a police woman. (As I was correcting her, I realized how "gender specific" of a society we've become.)

Wow, Hanna, that's a great idea. (I know where it came from. One of the guys we camped with this summer was a cop and Hanna thought he was pretty cool!)

Mom, what do you want to be when you grow up?

(a moment of silence... a moment of truth...)

Ask me again tomorrow Hanna. I'm still growing.

Body Art

 

Any chance Hanna gets to create art, she goes for it... especially body art. So, there was no passing up the tatoos at the luau in Maui. Dad and Hanna were happy to show off their art.

(I know, I know... those calves... )

Did I ever tell you Hanna likes to play infront of the camera? Well, she does.

Busted!

Oh, all right... I admit.

This is me, watering in our yard on a summer Saturday morning in my PJs.  And yes, I did find these PJs in the kids section of the store. Can you tell?

I love a lazy start to a summer day. Sipping coffee, puttering in my yard, going no where fast. How about you?

P.S. Neat angle Hanna!

Daisy Power

I love this picture... Can't even tell you exactly why. Perhaps it's how she holds her hand. Or has her lips. Or how she's taking in the sun's rays.

One thing is for sure. She loves her flowers. She helped me plant and water and nurture her daisies all summer long. I think it's so imporant for kids these days to have a connection to Mother Earth -- to know where flowers and food come from. (and no, just not Safeway!)

Knowledge is a powerful thing. Each day I try to teach Hanna something new. It's funny how I learn just as much as I teach!

Fly Away Dos

Don't believe Hollywood when they show people in the backseat of convertibles and their hair is all contained. It's a MYTH. In reality, it should look something like this...

Or this...

Even this...

And maybe if you are at a stop sign... this...

Yet which ever way you look at it, it's pure fun...