Dear Ariya,
May was a great month. We went to the fair during Apple Blossom, and saw some fire trucks. It was your last month of pre-school in the 3s class at Sonshine Learning Center. It seemed like you had a field trip or a birthday party every few days. You even had your FIRST ballet recital on stage, as Tinkerbell. You had so much fun you didn’t want it to end! It was a hard concept for you to understand, “summer vacation”. That you weren’t going back to school, that you won’t see your teachers or most of your friends. I had to explain all the fun things that we were going to do, all the fun things we had planned. Like to trip to see Daddy’s friends in Port Angeles, Washington. Or the beach trip that we have planned with your cousins in July. Or the swim lessons and soccer lessons that you were taking with your best friend Asher. It took a little while, but by the time we were on the “jet plane” on our way to Seattle, you were ready to start the summer!
You had a great time in Seattle and Port Angeles. We got to hang out with Niki didi and meet her new husband Nikhil. We went to the Pacific Science Center and rode to the top of the Space Needle. And the Seattle Aquarium and Pike Place Market was pretty awesome. Then we borrowed Niki didi’s car to meet Daddy’s friends Cindy and Mike in Port Angeles. It was so much fun! We explored new places, got to check out beaches and tide pools, mountains and lakes.
June was even better! You got to spend some quality time with Grandma and your cousins. It was Asha’s first time away from us and you were the best big sister, helping make her feel comfortable. You had such a blast, for the next few days afterwards, you talked about how much fun you had at Grandma’s, and how you wish you could go back and see your cousins, and how you wish you could do it again. Lucky for you, we’ll be seeing Grandma and your cousins and aunties/uncles at the beach in July!
You also started playing soccer with your friends Asher and Ishanvi. And while you love the games and the dribbling of the ball, I don’t think you’re much of a fan of the sport. You kind of hang out by the goal net while everyone else chases the ball. Swimming is definitely more your thing. You’re getting a little more comfortable putting your face in the water. You’re kicking and gliding and having a ball. I know you can’t wait to go to the beach and show everyone your moves.
Dear Asha,
Your daddy and I were so nervous for you and our plane trip to Seattle. But you surprised me! Out of the 5 hour plane ride, I think you napped for 3 in the ergo carrier. Thank goodness for that! Sleeping in a strange place in the pack and play, that’s another story. It wasn’t….bad…but it wasn’t great. Our strategy was to keep you busy, make sure you got your naps in (thank goodness for the ergo), and kept you up later than your usual bedtime. It worked for the most part. You had so much fun seeing all the new sights, meeting our friends, exploring everything. It was a pretty fun trip, even if you spent a lot of it on our backs napping.
June has been just another month. We’ve spent more time running around for Ariya’s events, playing at the park when you really want to play soccer with her. Playing at the pool while she takes her lessons (you don’t really complain, but you hit a wall when it’s nap time).
You’re doing some cute things lately. You said your first word at Grandma’s house. We were looking at the mirror, and I pointed at you and said, “Can you say “Asha”?” And you DID. You said Asha! I pointed at Ariya, and asked if you could say her name. AND YOU DID. You’ve been saying “Dada” for forever. And when I pointed at me and asked you to say “Mama”, guess what you said……..”DADA”. And now it’s a big joke to everyone. We all laugh, and I’m convinced that you know what you’re doing. That’s ok. I’m patient. I can wait for you to say MAMA.
You also started doing the funniest thing. Every time you have a poopy diaper, I ask if you have a stinky butt”. You pinch your nose and say “peeeuuuuuu”. So adorable. You let it be known when you’re upset. You scream when Ariya tries to take something that you’re playing with. You bring me your shoes all the time when you want to go outside and play. Sometimes first thing in the morning. You love animals so so much. So much that we can’t get to the pet store to buy dog food because I’m busy chasing you down after you see a dog that you want to say hello to. No Asha, not all dogs are friendly. But you do love our dogs. You pet them, you’re so gentle with them. And you pat Ariya and me all the time, on our arms and legs. So sweet, when you want to be 🙂 There’s this song that I sing to Ariya to signal that it’s time to go to bed. “Now it’s time to say good night, say good night say good night, now it’s time to say goodnight, we had lots of fun”. Every time I try to sing the song to you, you know what it means, and you SCREAM. Do you not like my singing? I won’t take offense. I say this all the time. But I really need for time to stop, or slow down. You two are growing way too fast and it hurts my heart to know that I’m missing it, or that I’ll forget it. Which is why you’re probably used to seeing me with a camera to my face. I don’t want to forget a thing.
Nikon f100, Portra 160 rated at 320 and pushed +1
Nikon f100, Portra 400NC rated at 200 and pushed +1
Pentax 645nii, Portra 400
Pentax 645nii, Portra 160 rated at 320 +1
As for color, I tried to stick to keep it within the same family. Portra 400NC, Portra 160NC and because I was so excited to try some slide film, I tried a roll of E100SW.
