OK, so yes, I realize it HAS been awhile…(a damned long while)

So let me just say one thing…SORRY!

*giggle*

Been a whirlwind of activity…school, birthday parties ..cakes…and more cakes.  Yeah, BellaDaddy’s hobby has kinda exploded…cake orders everywhere: (inserting shameless plug here):

BELLADADDY BAKES

…but since this is a site about my life with the little one…let me start with, and leave with these:

 Bella Graduated Karate school this week, with her Yellow Belt!

SO PROUD! (presented her with a bouquet of roses, wrapped in what else?  A Yellow Belt!)

…and this:

(Easter was a grand ole time)

…and of course, this:

Bella has decided that she wants to wear “Feminine” clothes…”Daddy, I want to dress like a girl again, just not “girlie”.  It is called feminine”  *sigh*

OK, so, I promise (and no, not another empty one)…MORE COMING SOON!

 STAY TUNED!

“Life Is Good”

So, everyday after school, we stop at the local Safeway to get a snack. There is a Starbucks inside and Bella usually buys a cake pop, cookie, brownie or something yummy.  She is pretty well known there.  By name.  By fashion choices.  By her smile.  Etc…Etc…Etc…

BellaDaddy HAS to have a drink…A requirement when Bella has been in the car.        Chatty Cathy  really!  Only five minutes in the car and BellaDaddy’s ears are ringing!  *sigh*

Today, as we were driving into the parking lot…Daddy saw…

SANTA!!!

Me: “Bella, Bella, Look, quick…it’s SANTA!!!“

Bella says..” I see him, but, Daddy, it’s not the real one”…”Daddy, it cant be the real one”

Hmm,…”really?, then lets go find him in the store and ask him”.  Simple!

Not so simple.  We walked round and round. Every aisle and back…three times.  No sign of him.  I tell Bella it HAS to be the Real Santa.  Who else could disappear from a store in the blink of an eye.  Exclaiming that only the real Santa could have known Bella was searching for him, and he had to make haste!  (she starts to light up – more determined than ever to find him)

He comes around the corner of an end cap…Bella squeezes my hand.  You could almost see the twinkle in his eye as he spotted Bella.  He walks up, leans down and takes her hand:

“Little one, you must always be good, because you never know who you are going to see in the grocery store!“

Then, (and oh! how I wish I could have thanked him out loud)…“you must clean your room, little one.”  (Bella and I had just discussed last evening, the importance of keeping her room clean during the holidays… – as one never knows who will be watching – true story)!  Pssst…it’s Elf on the Shelf

As all this is going down, Bella sheepishly looks up at me…and very quietly says:

“Daddy, it IS the Real Santa”

As he Ho Ho Ho‘d down the aisle to the cashier, we followed and took this picture ..because…and in her own words:

“Daddy, we HAVE to take a picture!  No one will believe me.  I met THE REAL SANTA!”

Life Is Good!

Crap!  Apologies!  It has been WAAAAY too long since I’d posted last.

A pic taken today – class picture day (to please those who want to see how much she has grown…it HAS been MONTHS since we last visited, after all)!

SO much has happened…SO much has transpired…SO much of…well…SO much!

I have no excuses, other than time…, just SO got away with me.

We’ve celebrated Bella’s  6th Birthday (3 times).  Twice in Philadelphia. and one HUGE party at home…(will post pics soon)

Bella started first grade…along with Karate (@school and has earned three stripes on her belt), and is competing in a tournament soon…on her way to her Orange Belt.

Bella had a dream come true.  She was invited to the local ABC Studios to meet her Idol:       KATIE RAML!  One AMAZING Time.  Bella wants to be a “News Anchor, Like Katie Raml…but, from Space” (her words – with one finger pointing – for clarification)!  Seriously, how many kids can say this?  *giggle*  Katie is one FANTASTIC Human Being!

For now, to get the ball moving again, lets take a look at Bella’s current “project”

Bella is working on her letter to Santa. In her own bright little mind, she felt a rough draft was in order…(she forgot to wish for spell check, but will go over it once again to correct, before writing the final version on a nice lined sheet of paper – she always does – it has to be perfect)! Click on it to enlarge!

Get a load of that last (edited) wish…for Daddy *sigh* )

Your comments are always welcome!

Life is Good

Bella’s 6th Birthday is fast approaching, (I know huh, DANG!), and with that comes gifts that are well intended, but, we all know, can be…um, er, ahem…not her “Style”.  In these past six years, I’ve oft repeated the age old, and requisite “thank you”…you know the one…“awwww, thanks so much, Bella will love this”…meaning:  ”Ah damn, another shirt with Dora on it, or frills, or a “twirl skirt”, or yikes, even worse….a tutu that “sings as you twirl.”  Yeppers, we really did get that last one.  Headbands with huge flowers were always a HUGE NO-NO! Even at the ripe old age of two.   (Bella prefers hats and caps, and doo-rags).If Bella doesn’t care for something, it will usually be donated…as she says:  “to good girls and boys”.

Now, as you know, either following the website, the old blog, or knowing Bella in person…she has never, ever, ever, never, ever, worn clothes that are frilly, or foofy.  Ever.  Seriously, have any of you ever commented on how “cute she looks in that daisy pageant dress”?  NOPE!

We discovered early on, Bella is not ever going to be a pageant queen, or even a participant.  She has never taken to playing with dolls, instead, undressing them, casting them aside, and playing with the clothes. )  We’ve called her our “Fashionista” since she was about 2 years old.  A very strong opinion, hard headed in fact, about what she chooses to wear.  If it is for school, she wants jeans, tennis shoes and a t…so she can play with the boys.  If a nice lunch on the weekend, she will ask for a cotton dress, not to “foofy”, with sandals…she’ll even carry a purse…(matching but no “frills”).  This kid KNOWS what she wants…KNOWS what is  comfortable…and KNOWS what looks good…all on her own.

Bella and I love to sit in front of the PC to order clothes.  I will bring up countless potential buys, (ya gotta have choice) and proceed to inspect them…one by one.  She will point out ones she likes.  For the heave-ho’s, she will heartily exclaim; “Yuck – I DO NOT like THAT”  (perhaps I indulge, but hey, where’s the fun in not – and honestly, she chooses well)!

Recently, we asked Bella to give us a few ideas of what she may want for her birthday.  Her answer (and yes, I quote) “All I know is what I don’t want.  It better not have the word ‘Princess’ in it…cuz I am NOT a princess anymore”  *sigh*

“Fashionista Styling”.  That’s what I call it.  She wants comfort.  She wants style.  but… 

No Frills No Foof!  Please!

Following is a little collage…throughout the years and yes,  you’ll note,  BellaDaddy had a few hits and misses. And, still do… occasionally.(click to enlarge)

OK, so, recently a friend (Karen Lesney) suggested that Bella offer up some fashion tips of her own. That gave me an idea…why not SELL some of her clothes, toys and trinkets?! Sure, why not?

Bella will choose what goes, and will even send a handwritten thank you note, and picture, along with the item. How cool is that?

PayPal will be the only source of payment, and once an item is sold,…it is sold! Gone! Finite!

Check back often, as “new” items will be featured once the previous item is sold.
(check the tab for “BellaDaddy Boutique” at the top of the website)

or click here: BellaDaddy Boutique

All clothes will be NEW, or GENTLY USED. I will attempt to photograph each and every angle possible, along with a detailed description, and whether it has been worn or not.

Before you can purchase any item, it will already be boxed and ready to ship. I will be using USPS shipping, which will be a one time charge of $5.35. NO second guessing shipping charges, and a tracking # will be provided.
ALL ITEMS CAN BE RETURNED FOR A FULL REFUND!

Please leave a comment, let me know if this is something that interests you, or if I am being too cheesy!

As you may have noticed, Bella has the best taste in clothes…and stuff!

Stay Tuned!

P.S. all funds will go right back into Bella’s own PiggyBank!