go upward

After three weeks of practice my little cheerleader got to perform at her first game. Here is a brief glimpse of what she did. It was just too cute to see these little girls in uniform. Elizabeth is really enjoying cheer leading and all of its girliness. Hopefully next week I will get some video of AJ playing basketball. (This week was not a good week for him.)

friday.....finally

Well, we made it through the first week of school mostly unscathed.

Elizabeth thinks first grade is "awesome" despite the homework. She already has a crush on one of the boys in her class and has made some new friends. She has her first spelling test next week and starts her science and social studies units next week as well. She is going to have a lot of work this year but she has a wonderful teacher and an amazing amount of opportunities that lie ahead of her.

AJ jumped out of the car on his first day (Tuesday) with as little as a, "see ya, Mom" as he skipped with his teacher to his classroom. He loves his new school and has also made some new friends. I am already very impressed with the work that has come home with him in the afternoons. Not only does he have a brand new building that he is in with state of the art amenities but the school has a slide indoors from the second floor down to the first. I think his most exciting time of the week was after music class on Wednesday the class got to go down the slide on their way back to their classroom. And yes, they do change classes in preschool for music and PE. Who would have thought?

Jacob has is orientation for his school on Thursday and I think he is pretty excited. His teachers seem very compassionate and devoted to the kids. They were sure to make all of the kids feel welcome the day that we were there. We will just have to see how Tuesday goes when it comes time to drop off. I have to admit I am sure I will have a harder time with it than Jacob will.

With all three of them going to three different schools, my time in the car has greatly increased this week. Not only are AJ and Jacob's schools much further than the preschool last year but they are dismissed at different times. Thank goodness for carpools and good friends because I think I will only have to make that drive twice rather than three times in one day. Well, I take that back. I forgot about the basketball, cheerleading, soccer and girl scout activities that we have to contend with as well. Oh well. I guess I just better put those taxi stripes on the van now and get used to it because I don't think it is going to get any better as they get older.

Now this exhausted Mommy is going to go climb in bed after this long week. I think we all need a little rest!

another 1st

Today was AJ's first day of preschool. He started a new preschool this year as his old one decided to close. We are so lucky t have the resources that we do. His new school is amazing!

He was so excited to go to school this morning -he was up at 6:30AM getting himself dressed and ready to eat breakfast all the while asking every five minutes when it was time to leave. I think he will have a great time this year.

I love you little man! You are growing up too fast - you can slow down anytime you want to. :)

1st day of 1st

What a difference a year makes...

August, 2008 August, 2009

My big first grader was off to school today but not before I snapped a picture of her. She insisted that this was the location of this year's picture.

When I told the boys that we were going to walk Elizabeth to school I think Jacob took it to mean we must hold her hand and guide her to school because that is what he did the whole way there. AJ joined in on the walking to school once we got to school grounds and they walked her all the way to her class.

She got back into the routine as soon as we walked in the classroom, quickly hanging up her backpack and doing her attendance. That is her teacher, Mrs. Chlebowski, this year.

I am so proud of you, Elizabeth, and all of your amazing accomplishments over the past six years. I can't wait to see what this year brings. You light up my life!

sing it baby.

I think Jacob is going to be a country music fan or maybe it is just the ease of learning the words but her refers to this song as "his" these days. I caught him briefly singing. Man I love this little guy!

shootin' hoops

We started basketball practice about 2 weeks ago and to watch 4 year olds try and make a basket is pretty cute. I know AJ needs some at home practice but I think he is doing pretty good for his first time even holding a basketball. Here is to a great season! We are so proud of you AJ!

belly fighting

My kiddos are really physical! I mean REALLY physical to my dismay. So, in order to embrace this need to wrestle and whatnot, we came up with belly bumping. Rules are no hands or feet involved - just bellies. Well, we learned that Elizabeth has one mighty powerful belly on her hands and can knock someone over with it. She tackled Mike with her belly and got him good. I wish I would have caught that one on camera but oh well. Anyway, here is a glimpse of our newest past time.....

And yes, I know Jacob is in his underwear once again. This is just the way he is these days - Captain Underpants. I am doing my best to just embrace it! :)

come to visit....

I'm playing a bit of catch up since I took a month off of blogging so prepare yourself for the blogathon of 2009...

Anyway, Mike's sister came to visit at the end of June with her two kiddos. We had so much fun while they were here. We played in all sorts of water each and every day - from the pool to the beach to the backyard sprinklers and even the water fountains at the Destin Commons.

Water play at Destin Commons.


Keeping the kiddos in check at the beach.

Who are those crazy kids all dressed up?

Every girl needs a little pampering every now and then.

Fun in the sand.

Playing school.

Walking the plank to the pool.

Waiting for the waves.

Devouring some really sticky s'mores after a long day at the beach.

The girls (against the mirror) at karate.

Cousin train.

Oh, those boys!

Can you say "taxi"?

This can't be good.

Does she look like she belongs in Terminator or what?

Squirting water from the head, huh?

Good 'ole water play in the backyard.

We had such a great time while they were here and are hoping that all of the cousins, aunts & uncles and grandparents can make it out at the same time. Miss you all!

what happens when a kid gets ahold of your camera

Need I say anymore?

busy lady

So, I know I have been busy this summer but honestly I thought it was mostly related to all of the activities that I have been doing with the kids. But today I sat down to update my business blog and realized that I have done nine photo shoots in the past month and a half. Yikes - that is crazy! Anyway, head on over to my business blog to catch a glimpse of all of these beauties!

And for those anxiously awaiting grandparents that have been patiently waiting to see updates of their grandbabies, I promise I will get right on that!

iPhones and DVD players

It never ceases to amaze me how much technology kids these days have at their fingertips. My niece and nephew were out visiting about a month ago and in the car they had their option of listening to their iPod's, watching a video on my sister-in-law's iPhone or watching a video on the car DVD player. Seriously, what did we do for entertainment as kids? Oh yeah - looked out the window...

Now I just hope I can keep up with the kids and their knowledge of how to work these things. ;)

standby

I am here and I will still continue to blog. But for now, as Mike would say, please stand by. In the interest of time management, I have decided to fore go the blog until I can get caught up on my work with my photography and at home.

For the past we have had visitors, Elizabeth and I have traveled and I have had more than my fair share of photo shoots including one with 85 people. Yikes! The kiddos have been busy with soccer, swimming, karate, movies, beaches and other summer time fun which in turn turns my mommy mobile of a minivan into a mommy taxi. I am hoping that once school starts back up I will have a little more time to sit down and just take a breathe. Until then, it might be a while before you see another blog from me but beware - when the time comes, it will be a blogathon. So hang in there - I will be back!