Snapshot Sunday {Jasmine}

I know this is a day late...but we had a busy weekend! It's worth the read ;0)

Jasmine is my "baby" - she is a spunky, fun-loving 6 year old, who keeps me on my toes. She is competitive and likes to win. Although she is quite girlie, she is also athletic ... she loves to play sports.

Jasmine is very active and always wants to be doing something! One of her favorite things to do is go to a pizza place (which will remain nameless) and play games. And she is pretty darn good! She is observant and picks up things quickly.

Jasmine loves her dollies and pretend playing. She is always playing with her dolls, her kitchen set, play food and tea cart. My sister, who lives in California, sent the girlies an adorable teddy bear tea set...Jasmine was in 7th Heaven! She immediately pulled Jesse and Hailey off her bed and had a spontaneous tea party!

Jasmine is really a charming girl...she makes friends where ever she goes. She is a outgoing, funny, silly, smart, caring and loving.


My little ice skating queen...she loved this activity! I love Jasmine's big spirit and her willingness to try new things. I've learned a lot from my baby girl!

Black & White Wednesday

Every year since they've been home, I've take the girls' pictures in the bluebonnets. These Texas wildflowers only bloom for a short period, usually the end of March and first couple of weeks in April. The fields are exquisite - I can see why they are such a Texas treasure. Taking the pictures, however, can be challenging to say the least. It's either really muddy or extremely sunny, thus hard to get good pictures. I know I snap at least 75 shots to get one or two decent photos! But, they are so worth it.

This picture was taken of Jade in March 2007, she is, without a doubt the most patient child I've photographed. Here is the original photo...

Here's the same photo making Jade black and white.

And a final edit softening and leaving a hint of color in the photo.

Check out Lisa's blog for more Black & White Wednesday photos!

Snapshot Sunday {Spa-aaaah}

With two active school-aged girlies in the house, there's always a party or playdates or activities keeping us busy! One of Jasmine's friends celebrated her 6th birthday at a girlie day spa...talk about fun!

The girls donned their silky robes and made beaded necklaces

They indulged paraffin hand treatments before their nails were painted

Make-up was carefully applied before their tresses were fixed and sparkled

Perfect little ladies.....

Not!! This is how real 6 year olds act! Yes, that's Jasmine on the left...her personality shining through! Oh how I adore this fun-loving girl!

{Almost} Chinese New Year Celebration

Imagine my surprise when I was researching the chickadee's school before moving them there three years ago and discovered the Kindergarteners learn about and celebrate Chinese New Year - for an entire week! That fact "sealed the deal" for me. I knew my chickadees would love it there, and they do!


This week Jasmine's class (and the other two Kindy classes) studied the history and traditions of the Chinese New Year. They learned about the preparations and the celebrations (which was the most interesting to Jasmine) - red envelopes (lai see) and feasts, the lion dances, the dragon parade and the fire crackers.

They prepared by reading many great books and watching some wonderful programs as well as making lanterns and dragon hats for the dragon parade!

The children shouted "Gung Hay Fat Choy" as they paraded through the lower school and even through the gym where a volleyball tournament was being played

This is the real fun - making firecracker sounds from bubble wrap!

Jasmine's teacher displayed some of her personal items in her classroom all week

Samplings of some of the books they read - and they learned to write to 10 in Chinese characters

The feast... Everyone did extremely well using their chopsticks! The menu included steamed rice, fried rice, lo mein, honey chicken, sweet & sour chicken, a beef dish and egg rolls - yummy

Lai see - lucky money envelopes - another favorite ;0)



I'm appreciative that our school recoginizes and celebrates this significant Asian holiday and I'm proud we are affiliated with such a wonderful place! Gung Hay Fat Choy

P.S. The photo of the girls a few posts back was at Chinese New Year four years ago...Jasmine was three and Jade was five *sniff sniff* they are growing up too fast

Black & White Wednesday!

One of Jasmine's 6th birthday pictures taken in September '09.

Snapshot Sunday {Jade}

It's so hard for me to fanthom my Jade is 8 years old! It seems like yesterday she was a baby. My girlie is growing up and what a wonderful flower she has become. She is and always has been a sweet child. When she was in daycare, the providers used to tell me how she would console the other children when they cried. She's still like that. Such a caring, sensitive girl. I just love her to pieces!

Jade is funny. She has a wonderful sense of humor and is quite the prankster. She loves to hide and jump out to scare you when you least expect it. She can laugh at herself and tells great knock-knock jokes!

Jade is a movie buff. This is a girl after my own heart. She can watch movies like there's no tomorrow - enjoying most genres - but is particularly drawn to comedies (like me).

Jade is a performer. She loves to sing and dance. She has been in dance since she was 2 and is able to pick up the choreography quickly and dances with great rhythm (unlike me). She is into singing and has a great voice. I love that she performs without hesitation too!

My girl loves animals - horses, dogs, cats, bunnies, hamsters, ferrets, you name it and she has a soft spot for it. She says she wants to be a veterinarian when she grows up....when she is not performing of course!

Jade loves school. She loves learning and takes her schoolwork very seriously!

She has a lot of drive and ambition and I know she will do well in this life!