Passing the baton

I found a great deal on some baking mixes for Frances' Easy Bake oven. She is not as enthusiastic about it as she once was, but she offered to make some cookies with Abigail. There were other photos, but they are turned 90 degrees, and the new camera software.... ugh. Don't get me started. Both girls had a nice time, and Abigail was actually patient while Frances demonstrated and finally let little sister stir and help. It was really nice.

...and the Birthday goes on...

I still have not worked out details for a party for Abigail, so her birthday wanders on, in installments. This past weekend, Aunt Linda took us to the movies, and we did gifts with Aunt Linda & Uncle Ralph, Heather & Scott, and Uncle John, and they brought the presents from Grandma & Grandpa Hunter (who are currently in Hawaii, where I would also like to be). There were some terrific photos of Abigail, super excited, pony tails swinging wildly, but they are turned 90 degrees, and I have not figured out how to fix this with the new camera and its downloading system. Grr. So here are a few, and Abigail was certainly pleased with her gifts. Big sister Frances assisted with reading the cards.

A donation....

With my limited resources, I can't do a whole lot to help other people, but I can grow hair! My hair grows very quickly, so I donate it every couple of years. I wanted it long for our trip to China, because (at least for me) long hair is so much easier to manage. Up into a clip, fix the bangs, out the door! But yesterday, I went to see Sue, and she did a great job.

I donated a little more than 18 inches of hair. Poor Frances - when she said her prayers at bedtime last night, she asked God, "Please help me get used to my mom's haircut." I am still trying to get used to it; washing my hair freaks me out, because there's almost nothing there! But we will all get used to it, and after all, I can always grow it out again.....

The Birthday Princess

Although we celebrated her birthday during our trip to China, Abigail still got to have her special day here at home. She wore this birthday crown all day long!

Abby's fabulous preschool teacher and assistant had cupcakes on orange placemats (they know that orange is Abigail's favorite color) and even gave her some gifts! She had a terrific day. Some time soon, we will have a party for her at home (or at some other venue) but for now, I am grateful that her teacher made Ab's day special.

Dangit!

The lesson I have learned is: Download, download, download. I had not downloaded my Easter photos before we went to China, and I lost my camera on the second day there. Oh well. To all you travelers, take heed! Before your next trip, use your camera to take a photo of a piece of paper with your name and address on it. If you lose your camera and it is found by someone honest, you might get it back! This is a tip I read in Budget Travel magazine, so I cannot take credit for it, but I will definitely spread the word.

So... no Easter post on the blog. Sorry! And the blog posts about China will have to wait until I figure out how to work with the photos that people in our travel group have sent me via Facebook or other means. But I will post a few other things, because I have a new (more complicated) camera.