Analese's stars

Analese got this cool ladybug nightlight for her birthday (from her Grandma and Aunt Amy) that projects stars and constellations and the moon on the wall and ceiling. I wanted to photograph it, and I still don't have any idea how I took this picture. Because my camera would not allow me to take another one. So this picture is purely accidental and non-reproducible apparently. I need to study more technical photography.

Vacation!

Lee has been on vacation this week. We have been having lots of fun. He had to spend Monday and Tuesday renewing his BLS and ACLS certifications, but he was finally FREE on Tuesday night.

Yesterday we all went to Analese's dance class. She enjoyed having her Daddy there watching her:



Then we ate lunch out at a great Mexican restaurant and went to the piano store to look at piano finishes. We got some ideas about what finish we want for my piano.

This morning we drove to League City where my piano is waiting for its finish! We got to "visit" it. It is stripped down to the bare wood, which happens to be Walnut and not Mahagony. They had a sample board prepared for us with 7 different finish samples used with 2 different wood fillers, so 14 samples total. We brought the sample board home so we could see how the finishes look in the room with the lighting etc. But I'm pretty sure there are two that I like the best. I will just have to decide. Really there is only a subtle difference between the two. It will look so nice, because the natural grain from the wood will show through. I want a glossy topcoat also! I took mid-point pictures that I will reveal along with the before pictures when we get the piano back.

Since League City is almost to Galveston, we drove the rest of the way there to visit Moody Gardens. We went to the aquarium and saw a 3D Imax movie about whales and dolphins. The aquarium was pretty small, but they did have neat sea lion and penguin exhibits. They also had the typical shark tunnel that I'm seeing in almost every aquarium I visit these days. Now I know that Moody Gardens was damaged by Hurricane Ike and they are just reopening some of their stuff, but I have to say that I was not all that terribly impressed. Maybe it was cooler pre-Ike. But we did have a good time together, and I know that is all that matters.

Wordless Wednesday - Mariele grabs her toys!

Analese's birthday in photos!

I know this is not Analese, but this was taken on the morning of her birthday before she even woke up. Mariele had fallen asleep for her morning nap in bed with Lee!



First we had a gift opening session - gifts from the family! She got so many nice things. Dance outfits, dresses, various toys:





But her FAVORITE present was this magnifying glass LOL!



Mariele watched all the excitement:



Then we all went to Alanna's piano recital, where she was awarded a trophy and eight ribbons!

Then in the afternoon we had the party. Grandpa gave Analese a bounce house! We only got video of the kids playing in the bounce house, but I got one photo of the empty bounce house. Auntie Yng Yng, Uncle Billy and the kids got Analese a sand box! The kids had fun playing in it as well. And of course everyone had a great time in the pool. It was a great day for a pool party. 90 degrees! The water was 88 degrees!







Mariele got in the pool for the first time. She LOVED it! I knew she would, because she loves bath time so much.




It was a great birthday!

Since I'm up late anyway . . .

Here is a video!

Lee and his Dad are downstairs watching a 007 movie, but I just don't get too much of a thrill out of 007 anymore now that Pierce Brosnan has been replaced by Daniel Craig. Yeah, just not feeling it.

Funny background on the video. Earlier today, Analese got into her cupcake cake when nobody was watching. She messed up some of the icing in the center of the cake, but we were able to fix it back. She knocked the package of candles onto the floor, but we could not find them for anything right before the party was starting. Yng Yng came to the rescue and brought candles. She did not realize that she brought the trick candles that you can't blow out!

Looking back (sniff sniff) . . .

May 2, 2006 - newborn:



May 2, 2007 - 1 year old:



May 2, 2008 - 2 years old:



May 2, 2009 - 3 years old:

Happy 3rd Birthday Analese!

Today was Analese's 3rd birthday. We celebrated all day long! I will post more about her party tomorrow. It was such a fun day! It is late now, though, and I need a shower. Analese has not had a nap today and she is still up playing with her birthday toys. She just does not realize how tired she is! Here are a couple of pics of the birthday girl. I can't believe she is 3!