If only paper dolls weren't quite so flimsy. These ones have beautiful dresses with lots and lots of little tabs...

Blowing out the candle on her cake. She insisted on wearing her crown from pre-school.

I almost forgot to post Shannon with her favorite birthday present.

I don't really even know what to say about this guy anymore. I am not sure if he is thinking of a modelling career or what.

My attempts at cakes get only slightly less pathetic every year. I think next year I will tell her that she can have any cake she wants so long as it is round or rectangular and completely lacking in decorations. This one is supposed to be a crown but it looks more like some sort of smashed paw print. It is strawberry flavored with cream cheese frosting though so maybe if we just eat with our eyes shut.... Hopefully Shannon will like it when she sees it tomorrow.

Shannon opened her presents on Sunday. We were afraid with daycare and work that there wouldn't be enough time to enjoy them on Wednesday. Thanks Aunt Tree for another winter of trying to explain to Shannon that no, it isn't warm enough to play with your water toy. And can anyone guess what her favorite toy is? Anyone? The one that I most didn't want her to want to play with?

And of course you can't go to Sea World without getting pictures of Shamu. We did a lot of other fun things too, but Shannon's favorite were swimming in the hotel pool and going to the water park, neither of which are really great for taking pictures. We got tired of toting Shannon around the pool for hours at a time and got her some of those arm floaties and she now will happily paddle around completely by herself. She even willingly puts her whole head in the water. I do wish I had some pictures - she is so pleased with herself.

At Sea World I was feeding this really cute seal (or possibly sea lion, not sure really). There were a ton of ibises, egrets, and storks hanging about. One of them actually grabbed the fish out of the air after I threw it and before it made it to the seal (or possibly sea lion).

During the afternoon parade Shannon was holding her Ariel doll. Prince Eric saw her with it as their float went by and made a big production of winking at her and blowing her a kiss. Then he got Ariel to turn around and blow a kiss at Shannon too. Shannon was so excited.

I think her favorite part were the rides. She went on Splash Mountain (huge log ride) and Thunder Mountain (medium sized roller coaster) twice each.

Tom got some really good shots of the local wild life.

First day at Disney World. Shannon really wasn't nearly as excited as I thought she would be. In fact, we got her an Ariel doll and after that she was done - she just wanted to go back to the hotel and play with Ariel. I guess you can't win them all.

Waking up at Disney World all ready to go meet the Princesses.

She's our Star Wars girl. She even has Star Wars underpants now - they only come in boys. I can't wait to explain that to her teachers.

We made trail mix the other day. Yum.

More pictures from Alex's birthday party. Shannon, Berrick, and Miri made wings and flapped around the house in them. Then they decided to do sword fighting instead. It all probably made Alex less upset that he had been locked up in his cage for his own birthday party.

We are sure that Tom is very sad that he missed this special day...

It's done!

Shannon and I finally both decided that it was time for a really short hair cut. She doesn't like me putting things in her hair and I have this weird objection to her constantly having hair in her face, her food, and her art projects. It is pretty cute.

Now if someone could just tell me how I manage to get such blurry, awful pictures from a digital camera I would love to know how to fix it. Ever since Tom left I haven't been able to get it to take a decent picture.

Take me to your leader.

So aside from the fact that the camera either won't flash or will flash but requires the subject to hold a pose for at least 5 seconds (that doesn't happen!), this is probably the best blackmail picture I have ever seen.

Look out! Mad scientist on the loose!

Shannon and I made pig cookies the other day. They were really cute but a huge pain to make. Especially when my helper deserted me after the 3rd one.

All dressed up and nowhere to go. Meepie too!