Val & Meg on a bus

I just like this picture, and I thought the girls' grandparents would, too. Val, Meg and I were on a bus when I got this shot. I like the light and shadows across their faces. Oh, how I love my girls.

First local haircut

Lori and the girls had their first haircut here with much success. For this first outing, not much was cut, but I do like how their stylist is workin' a Beatles look. And I think that birthmark on his chin is fake.

Norm's is Transformed

Our local hardware store that we call Norm's has been transformed into Norm's Firework Depot! As preparations are made here to celebrate the lunar new year, many a little store sell these fun ... er, I mean ... dangerous items.

All Seen in 15 Minutes

Outside our apartment window, a Buddhist monk washes an SUV. Don't see that every day.
Outside the bus window 15 minutes later, thousands of Muslim men each wearing a white tupi [or kufie as they're sometimes called] exit local mosques and flood the sidewalks and streets. These pictures really don't do the scene justice. We live in quite the interesting place.

Lost Tooth & Cooked Duck

Outside our apartment complex, Lia and Seth were waiting for Seth's Dad to come pick him up after school. Seth is from England and is a couple years older than Lia. They were playing a game where Seth was throwing his scarf around Lia's head/neck ... or maybe I should say Seth was playing this game - it doesn't sound like Lia really had an active role in this here game. During this exchange, Seth's scarf got caught on Lia's tooth, and he gave it a yank. Out came Lia's previously implanted loose tooth. There was blood and some tears, but thankfully the tooth was not lost. After the shock subsided, Lia was quite pleased with her new treasure and new smile. And needless to say, but I have my eye on this character of a little Brit.
Later that day, we all went for a special dinner - duck! It's a custom here that when a child loses their first front tooth, to eat duck for dinner. Just kidding, we'd already been planning on the duck dinner. But maybe we could make this our own family tradition. Feel free to adopt this tradition for your own family too, but make sure you share the story of Lia and the mischievous Brit. The duck was pretty good but a bit greasy. The girls enjoyed watching the carving of the duck.
I don't think Lia would be smiling if she realized those things in front of her were duck heads. [Anyone reminded of the end of the movie A Christmas Story? "It's ... it's ... smiling at me."]