Jul 27 2010

if I ran a zoo (by Dr. Seuss)

I may have taken this book a little too seriously……

Initial Post:  OK, so I just had a “light bulb moment.”  I am always researching things online, from whether starfish regenerate their limbs (yes) to whether ornamental “strawberry trees” are edible (yes, and their flavor is used in jams).  I know that this sounds like minutiae.  Well, it is.  So, that’s why.  However, I figured that I’d post it here because I do make some pretty cool finds once in a while and then I want to give links to friends and I have to re-research the issue.  Also, this will give me a reason to take photographs of these things!!  Yeah!! 

Now the animal stuff:  Starfish do regenerate their limbs.  Actually some can regenerate whole bodies from a limb!  How cool is that?  And, did you know that they always have legs in multiples of 5 (some have 5, others 10, 15, 20).

What animals can regenerate?  I know you’re dying to know.   Here’s a list!  http://www.factmonster.com/ipka/A0768606.html

I (meaning Sarah really wanted to know) wondered, could a frog regenerate?    The answer is that -as tadpoles- they can regenerate their tails.  However, after they are developed frogs, they lose this special ability and can no longer regenerate body parts.  Nature is forever amazing!

If you’re wondering why we’d even care about frogs, specifically, it’s because we have Dwarf African Frogs.  We have Charming -boy- and Beast -girl- and I think it’s so cute to catch them “amplecting.”   That’s the froggie version of hugging.  I need to insert pictures here.  For now, here’s a super cool link that is going to make you go get some little DAFs (that’s what us DAF experts call them … ).   We’ve even had tadpoles recently!! 

Yes, we have a lot of little “experiments” always going on in the house.  [Don't you love that I think you are asking?]  Right now, we have Cherry Red Shrimp, too.  We even have some “berried” females who will be hatching their eggs in approximately 26 days.  (Not that I researched that or anything.)  I’ll get good pics and post lots of details later.

no comments.

add comments.
link to this post.
email this.
Jul 23 2010

please let me be your preset tester.

How in the world can Sophia just stare through the lens like this?   I guess that she’s just not self-conscious?  I don’t know.  Perhaps it’s just some innate skill.  I do know that I certainly do not have that skill.   I always look like such a fuh-bumble (it’s not a word, but you know what I mean). 

So, I have loved this picture for a long time, but I didn’t know what to do with it to make it post-worthy.  Well, a friend -Kelsey Anderson- came up with some new, awesome presets and I now have a reason to post this image here!!   One quick click (combined with my master skill and understanding of Adobe Lightroom … LOL …) took me from sorta blah (top photo) to holy camoli wow!!!!   And now I have a reason to post this picture!!  

There are a few more presets that I want to test out.  :)  That’s not me begging.  Nope.  Never.  (Well, the begging was sorta in the title … you know, the really big letters in case Kelsey didn’t have time to actually read this post.)   Thank you, Kels!!

show text of hide text of 4 comments.

add comments.
link to this post.
email this.
Jul 21 2010

own it.

What’s that funny saying?  It goes something like this …

Just when you think that you’ve got it all under control,
you realize that you forgot your pants.

Wear it. 
Own it. 
Have confidence. 
And let your mom take pictures, please!!

show text of hide text of 3 comments.

add comments.
link to this post.
email this.
Jul 15 2010

{sa}rah-laxin’

so, who invented the noodle? 
was it the same genius who invented the post-it note?
well, I am pretty sure that they are doing much the same thing Sarah is doing.  A whole lotta chill-laxin.  Sa-rah-laxin.
I don’t think there were “noodles” in my day … though, these days, “my day” seems like a long, long {long} time ago.
you know, when we used to walk to school uphill both ways … in the rain … before the days of diet coke. 

well, lest I digress about feeling old and weary
here’s a picture of our lazy banana-laxin’ day at a friend’s pool 

chill-axin' at casa de wicki

talk about feelin’ lucky and living the good life.  we are always amazed and grateful for our blessings.

show text of hide text of 1 comment.

add comments.
link to this post.
email this.
Jul 06 2010

a cool new invention.

I’d never think that there could be an improvement to the bubble blowing system.
(You know the one with the little yellow wand at the bottom of the bottle.)
Well, check this out!  You squeeze the bottle and the wand pops up!
No slimy hands.  Yeah!!
One negative is that the bottle has to be pretty much full for this to work, but heck – no slimy hands.
Did I say that this means no slimey hands? 
Kathleen, thank you for introducing us to this cool little treat. 
I will be getting lots of these little bottles and just keeping a big bottle of bubbles at the ready for refills. 
bubbles are pretty much perfection.
however, a friend (thank you Kathleen) introduced us to this new little bubble-blowing device!

(I think Sarah approves, too.)

show text of hide text of 1 comment.

add comments.
link to this post.
email this.
Jun 30 2010

joe

think big thoughts, relish small pleasures

show text of hide text of 1 comment.

add comments.
link to this post.
email this.
Jun 26 2010

mow-tivation.

it’s way too hot outside! 
we’re nearing (if not passing) the 100 degree mark.
yet, it’s a typical saturday in the ‘burbs with all the men outside tending to their homes.
there’s something so comforting about living in a neighborhood like this.

i caught one little mow-tivated toddler with some mow-bility.
do you see that he’s mowing the bubbles? 
a bubble mower. 
who’d a thunk it?
too cute for any mow-words. 

bubble mow-bility

show text of hide text of 1 comment.

add comments.
link to this post.
email this.
Jun 23 2010

amends.

 vcn Rules & Regulations.

1. never pick flowers from living plants
2. even if it is to aquascape your bucket of green/blue/red water
3. or to give your plastic fish a little place to hide
4. or to feed your horsey who has returned hungry from a cul-de-sac adventure
5. or to shade the snails you’ve collected and “protected”
6. or to fill the empty mailbox as a surprise (for me?  for our mail person?)
7. and never, ever pick flowers from living plants from our neighbors’ yards
8. especially when they are watching!

If you -by chance- happen to violate one of these rules, you must immediately make amends for your transgression.  It’d be best if you didn’t use our neighbors’ flowers for that, too.

show text of hide text of 1 comment.

add comments.
link to this post.
email this.
Jun 22 2010

soul sisters

I’ve been hearing a song by Train all over the place (you know, on quality TV like “Medium” or “So You Think You Can Dance”).  The tune is catchy and I love that, but it’s the lyrics that are standout.  The song is about a very special type of friendship; the type of friendship that -no matter how long you’ve known each other- you’ve known each other forever.  In Mia & Fia’s case, they actually have known each other forever.  What’s remarkable about their bond is that they knew they would have that special bond the minute they saw each other … at age 2! 

Fia & Mia. 
Mia & Fia.

hey soul sister, ain’t that mister mister on the radio, stereo,
the way you move ain’t fair you know
hey, soul sister, I don’t wanna miss a single thing you do….

just in time, I’m so glad you have a one-track mind like me.
you gave my life direction
a game show love connection, we can’t deny…

hey, soul sister, ain’t that mister mister on the radio, stereo
the way you move ain’t fair you know
way you can cut a rug,
watching you’s the only drug I need
so gangster, I’m so thug
you’re the only one I’m dreaming of you see
I can be myself now finally
in fact there’s nothing I can’t be
i want the world to see you be with me

Honestly, the two of you – Mia & Fia – have been inseparable since day one.   Such little soul sisters.  I’ve never seen a  bond so immediate and so strong.  Your friendship is something to behold and treasure.  It’s something to cherish and nourish.  And, in nurturing your friendship, you’ve brought Sarah and Allie together (who share your strong love for each other) and you’ve brought me and my BFF Amy together.  Wow.  So, let me just say that this song – as Top 40 as it is (which, yes, is a good thing in my book) - has a permanent place in my heart.  I doubt that I’ll ever hear this song without thinking of you Ba-da-Ding girls.  We each love each of you so much!! 

You’re our Soul Sisters.

show text of hide text of 1 comment.

add comments.
link to this post.
email this.
Jun 21 2010

magnificent maci

 

welcome to the ‘hood maci!!

no comments.

add comments.
link to this post.
email this.
Jun 20 2010

floaties are so 2009

forget the floaties (those are for babies)

pack up the towels, suntan lotion, lots of snacks and some water.
pack up the “lil’ swimmers” too (potty training is a battle for another day).
it’s time for us to practice our ”big arms” and ”back floats.”   
it’s time for Fi to master the art of the front flip!! 

(Thank you to Emelia for teaching us!!)

steph b photography underwater cheese

front flips and fun

And, of course, don’t forget to charge and pack the underwater camera!

no comments.

add comments.
link to this post.
email this.
Jun 18 2010

fabulous 4 father’s day

steph-b photography - borgerding quad

4 little borgerdings

It’s a little late and it’s been a looooooooong time since I’ve posted.  However, I wanted to share this father’s day collage.  (After all, I couldn’t share it BEFORE father’s day … that would have ruined the surprise!!).

no comments.

add comments.
link to this post.
email this.
Jun 03 2010

s*pl*pl*pl

Is that how you spell this?

no comments.

add comments.
link to this post.
email this.
May 15 2010

softing

did you know it was a verb?

{softing}

I hope to never forget how sarah loves to soft special things. 
 flowers, puppies, blankies. 
with her kind heart (and tiny fingers), she even offers me a turn at softing.  how sweet is that?

no comments.

add comments.
link to this post.
email this.
May 10 2010

Wronderful Wren.

Wrennie. 

I love you so much.  You are a little angel.  I will never forget how you came into this world at a time when all I could feel was despair.  Thank you for being a shining light and for being my little angel.  I love you little girl!  I wish you and your fabulous family a lifetime of love, happiness and wonder and I look forward to being there to watch you grow up (hopefully crazy hair and all). 

I know that we’ll still see each other, but I will miss the daily, spontaneous visits.  I love seeing your stained bibs and “crazy hair.”  You’ve been an angel to me. 

Your little toes have put life into places in my heart that were suffering.

show text of hide text of 1 comment.

add comments.
link to this post.
email this.

« earlier stuff.

© 2009, 2010: steph B. photography, Stephanie Bailiff. email for info

Content Protected Using Blog Protector By: PcDrome.
| ProPhoto Photography Template by NetRivet, Inc