Pleasure# 8

Grin and bear it. Isn't it annoying when you're a little blue and your friends and family tell you to smile? Well, like it or not, smiling is a mood booster. Here's why: People react better to you when you look happy, leading to a reinforcing cycle of good vibes. Plus, thanks to something called 'facial feedback', looking happy (oddly enough) fools your brain into thinking that you are happy.

I've wanted to do a scrapbook page for awhile entitled "I've never seen a smile that wasn't beautiful." So here are a few of my favorite ' beautiful smile' pictures! I hope they give you pleasure!

Chuck E. Cheese

Our family has enjoyed many a fun birthday party and family night at Chucky Cheese Pizza or, as it used to be called, Showbiz Pizza. Last Monday was another fun time there when Mary and I took the family from Somalia that I have been tutoring for an 'end of tutoring' celebration. They live about a block from the place but had never been. At first they were a bit unsure what to do but as soon as they figured out that the games gave you tickets that could be redeemed for prizes they were hooked!

Halima specialized in the basketball game!

The two little girls enjoyed the rides and baby Obama just liked looking around! He really liked Mary! Actually all the kids liked Mary. Children have always liked her. She is like my Daddy in that respect.

Baby Obama was only six weeks old when I started working with them. Now he is a cuddly little chunk who loves pizza! So cute!

I walked them home and we took one final picture on their steps.

Then the Mom, Bahati, said something to me in her language and Halima translated. She said for me 'not to ever forget their family and to come and visit them sometime." Not to worry! I'll never forget them. Getting to know them was a sweet experience and one I'll always treasure.

"Little" Pleasures

Nothing too exciting in my life these last few weeks! Johnny says I have been a slacker on my blog so I decided to think about some of the things that have given me pleasure lately.

I babysat for my friend's children again for a couple of days. Who knew that there even was a website called "Pollypocket.com" and that it can entertain little girls forever?

We had a sunny, warm day that just called out, "Go to the park" so we did! Some girls want to be models! Constant calls of "Marilyn take my picture!"

My students from Somali LOVE having their picture taken!

Mamona, Hemissa, Halima, Maryamo

Baby Brother whose name is Obama!

He's a smiling little cherub! I have spent many hours in their home and I think I've heard him cry once!

Maryamo & Baby Obama with their Mom - Bahati

I can understand immigrants from Africa naming their son Obama. Having an African American in the White House must give them a real hope for their future. America is such a wonderful place so full of promise! I'm sure their hope is in their children and that is why they are so diligent about getting all the help possible to assure their success in school.

Maryamo

She is my mischievous little 8 year old. She has perfected the American child complaint of "this is boring." Which usually means 'this is hard and I don't want to do it." She is hilarious!

Mamona

She recently asked me if I liked "black people" or "pink people". Odd to think of myself as a "pink person!"

And on a different subject completely......Do you think it is possible for Jackson to get a bigger ball in his mouth?

All these seeming little things remind me that LIFE IS GOOD!