Happy New Year 2009

January 1st, 2009

Well 2008 is over and 2009 is here. May you all have a healthy and happy 2009.

Wish Brenda well. She is actually sick with a fever. Bless her heart.

Brenda’s Third Birthday - Dora the Explorer Theme

November 25th, 2008

Brenda recently turned three. She had great birthday.

I set up the party, but missed the party itself to go to work. Her Uncle Marc, Papa Marty, And Mom made it to her party at school. 

Brenda's Uncle Marc at her school party

Brenda really dug into that cupcake. The icing matches her shirt nice too.

Brena with Cupcake Icing All Over Her Face

Dora the Explorer Themed With A Bit Of Go Diego Go

Brenda asked for Dora and Diego party, but most of the stuff was Dora. We played pin the bracelet on Dora’s wrist, had a pull string Dora pinata and ate Dora the Explorer cake.

Brenda's Third Birthday With Dora The Explorer

Brenda’s Third Birthday Cake with Dora the Explorer theme

Brenda's Dora the Explorer Birthday Cake

The Dora, Boots, and Swiper on the cake are an actual toy. The Swiper is on a pull string that winds up the Dora and Boots section so it looks like Swiper is chasing  Dora and Boots.

Brenda got a lot of wonderful presents. Thank you everyone who got her a present. We got her some Mega Blocks. One was a Dora the Explorer house and  the other was Diego with a Submarine.

Trip To Chicago For A Wedding

November 5th, 2008

Recently we went to Chicago for the wedding of Lisa’s cousin Jason to a lovely girl named Lauren. The trip was great. We stayed a few extra days and got to see Chicago and Lake Geneva. I took way to many pictures, but got some good ones thanks to it.

Party the Night Before the Wedding

Here is Brenda and Lisa with the wedding couple. Lauren is to the far right and Jason is in the Middle. Notice Brenda is between them. This became a common occurrence. Brenda really liked Jason.

Brenda with Jason and Lauren the, wedding couple

Yup, Brenda really liked Jason. Lauren thought it was cute.

Here Brenda looks up at Jason. She can't hide hoe great jason is to her.

Aunt Janet and Uncle Bill really love Brenda. Here they are the night before the wedding.

Brenda with Aunt Janet and Uncle Bill

Brenda really loved them too.

Aunt Janet, Uncle Bill, and Brenda

The Wedding

Brenda went to the wedding to be the flower girl. She was the only child allowed at the wedding. She wound up walking the isle with a little help from her mom.

Here is Brenda being made ready for the wedding.

Brenda being made ready to be flowergirl

Here is a picture of Brenda with Lisa’s cousin Todd

Brenda and Todd

Here we are as a family all dressed up and looking good.

Here is Brenda with Mom and Dad

The wedding was beautiful and the reception was great. Brenda had a lot of fun dancing at the reception. Some people said Brenda was the life on the party.

The Lincoln Park Zoo

Lisa’s cousin Ross went with us to the Lincoln Park Zoo. Here is Aunt Janet, Brenda and Ross in a dairy cow exhibit.

Brenda At Lincoln Zoo

Brenda rode the carousel at Lincoln Park Zoo with Ross.

Brenda rode the Carousel with Ross

Downtown Chicago and the Magnificent Mile

We went all over downtown. Here is just one of many pictures we took in downtown Chicago.

Brenda and Dad on the Magnificent Mile

Here is Brenda with the Mickey Mouse doll Uncle Bill bought her in the Disney Store in downtown Chicago. Brenda slept like this in the stroller for most of our walk back from the north end of the Magnificent Mile.

Brenda sleeps with Mickey Mouse doll.

One day Aunt Janet took Brenda to the Children Science Museum, while Lisa And I went around downtown. Lisa and I saw the Art Institute of Chicago Museum. The next day we saw the play Wicked. We got front row seats. It was amazing.

Lake Geneva

The last few days we spent at Lake Geneva. It was a real treat.

Here is Brenda in near by Delavan. Brenda really looked good in this green blouse and pants.

 Brenda in Lake Geneva

I asked Brenda to pick out a pastry from a large selection. She was quick to pick out some fruit filled cookies. Yum.

Here is Brenda picking out a Pasty to have as a treat.

Chicago was great, the wedding was spectacular, and Lauren and Jason are a sweet couple. Congratulations Lauren and Jason. 

 All in all, we had a great time. Thanks Uncle Bill and Aunt Janet for having us.

Don’t Forget All The Great Halloween Coloring Pages.

October 27th, 2008

Last year my most prolific holiday for coloring pages was Halloween. Check out all the great Halloween coloring pages here. Here are a couple of them here.

Happy Skeleton

Happy Halloween Skeleton

Witch’s Black Cat

Brenda's Witch Friends's Black Cat

Check out all  nine of Brenda’s Friends Halloween coloring pages.

Who Does Brenda Look More Like Mom or Dad?

October 25th, 2008

Brenda appearently looks a little more like me.

MyHeritage: Family trees - Genealogy - Celebs - Collage - Morph

It Has Been A Long Time

October 24th, 2008

Hi everyone. Sorry I haven’t posted in  so long. A lot of stuff has been going on.

I have had computer problems, software problems, and hardware problems. I had to get a new computer, new software, and an all in one printer, scanner, copier to do things like I had been. Then I had some account problems on top of all that. Hopefully that’s all done and I can get back to some regular posting.

While all these diversions were occurring on of the best diversions occurred. We went a trip to a wedding in Chicago where Brenda was the flower girl. More about our trip though in future posts.

Trying On Flower Girl Dress

August 20th, 2008

Pretty Girl, Pretty Dress, Ugly Door

Brenda Trying on a Dress She May Wear as Flower Girl

Lisa’s Cousin is getting married and we were asked to have Brenda to be the flower girl. Thank you for the honor. Lisa’s aunt sent a dress for Brenda to try on. It looks great, but they are worried it is a little short. What do you think?

The door sure could use a new coat off paint.

Kiddie Pool Fun

August 11th, 2008

Summer is here and Brenda has really been enjoying it. One thing that she has enjoyed is getting to go to pools a bit more. Brenda just can’t get enough of pools. Brenda doesn’t swim yet, but she has a ball sitting on the steps and sitting in her frog shaped ring float. We got Brenda some wings and tried them out a couple times, but she still doesn’t want to be let go of without being secured on the steps, or in her frog float.

Lisa bought Brenda a inflatable kiddie pool a couple weeks ago. Brenda really likes playing in the water. Here she is having a blast with her cousins.

Brenda’s Cousins Are Having A Good Time

Brenda and Her Cousins In Her Kiddy Pool

Closer Look At Cousins Having Fun

Brenda In Her Kiddy Pool with Her Cousins

We empty out the water after every use.  It does not take long for water to become contaminated, so it needs treating or to be changed every day. Brenda got really sick last summer because I didn’t think about the water possibly being contaminated. Here is the story.

Knight Brenda

August 8th, 2008

Brenda was watching Blue’s Room - Knights of the Snack Table. I asked her if she would like to be a knight. She said yes very enthusiastically. I asked her because I already had an idea of how to make her an out fit like Blue and Sprinkles had in the show. I got out some color construction paper and set out to work. I stapled and taped two shaped I cut out to make a helmet cap. Then cut out and colored and blue piece to make a visor for the helmet.

Here are some pictures of Brenda in her knight’s helmet.

Brenda With A Construction Paper Knights Helmet 

If you haven’t seen Blue’s Room - Knights of the Snack Table, check it out. You can find a copy in Brenda’s Friends Amazon Store under DVDs.

Computer Problems

July 29th, 2008

Hi all. Sorry for the slow down in progress. I have been super busy with other projects. To top it all off I have had a few computer problems. It broke. Until I get a computer progress will be slowed. It may be awhile before I can get any new coloring pages put up on brendasfriends.com/coloringpages. I will try to get some new pictures up soon.

Please check out Brenda’s Friends a Store to help fund future projects. We could really use the money and you can get great toys with out leaving home. All the toys there are selected for the great joy they bring kids.