Beauty and the Cyclops

Beauty and the Cyclops, originally uploaded by MonicaSmoot.

He got his hair cut not long after I took this photo. Of course, I don't think it's short enough and he thinks it's too short. Why do so many boys like long hair?

Who lives in a pineapple?

Who lives in a pineapple?, originally uploaded by MonicaSmoot.

I haven't had an aquarium in 11 years. It's been 11 years since my last aquarium sprung a leak in the middle of the night and flooded two rooms. Naturally, Bob was not very enthusiastic about getting another one but I couldn't pass up a good deal. A friend of mine was getting rid of her 26 gallon tank and gave me the whole set up for $25. I spent another $50 on a new lid, some sealant to reinforce the seams, and a small school of fish. Spongebob and Gary were mine and very happy to have a new home. There are 6 tiger barbs in the tank, getting everything set up, and this weekend we'll add another fish or two.

The best part, for me, is how excited my kids are about having the aquarium. They get disappointed if they aren't around when it's feeding time, and they are very anxious to get more fish. I'm so happy they share my enthusiasm.

Here comes trouble.

Liana, originally uploaded by MonicaSmoot.

plugged in

Rowan, originally uploaded by MonicaSmoot.

sparring a black belt

sparring a black belt, originally uploaded by MonicaSmoot.

I have finally accepted that I am not a very good sports photographer. But this one turned out good enough. It was challenging because I didn't want to use a distracting flash, which would have really helped me but not her.

My oldest is now a purple belt. I really need to get her a belt rack to hold all the old belts. She's not showing any signs of stopping.

games were played

games were played, originally uploaded by MonicaSmoot.

I went to a party on Saturday. It had been a while since I socialized with more than a handful of close friends. I did not play backgammon. I have no idea how to play. It doesn't look very interesting to me but some people think it's the greatest game ever. I think I just don't like strategy games very much.

Right Hook

Right Hook, originally uploaded by MonicaSmoot.

pre-teen

pre-teen, originally uploaded by MonicaSmoot.

I'd say it's beginning but really she was born a teenager. She's just taller now.

birthday rose cracked and dusty

birthday rose cracked and dusty, originally uploaded by MonicaSmoot.

Same rose (or it came from the same bouquet) as the one I posted about a month ago. I love how roses age, how they go from such a bright, vibrant red to a darker, gothic red.

Yeah, I haven't thrown away my birthday roses yet. I probably won't for a while. I need to cut away the stems and put the flowers in a shallow bowl. There they can collect even more dust.