We sure hope Aunt Molly doesn't mind lots of opinions from the Peanut Gallery on her upcoming WEDDING! Because the girls haven't stopped "helping" her research dresses and color combinations for the decor and groomsmens' attire since Saturday morning.
Sharing this moment was really incredible. It's been a while since I've seen so many spontaneous hugs and grown ups pretending like they don't need a tissue.
Gah. We have a second grader. That's like an official-sounding elementary age. She's doing multiplication problems and writing in cursive, and wowing us with her flair for the dramatic on a regular basis. Her younger brother started Pre-K last week while I was traveling (wah! no photos to commemorate that big day) and her youngest brother is now hanging with the Older Toddlers crowd at his own school.
Blur....it's all turning into a blur. I need to take more pictures.
Meeting up with the neighborhood kids to walk to school for the first day.
How can it be that we are beginning to plan and pack for a lake weekend to celebrate Labor Day? The 4th of July was last week, I'd swear to it.
In the interest of keeping it simple, I'm sharing a wealth of random photos taken throughout the month, many of which were taken for my daily assignments. The class was teaching fine art...I feel certain I have a long way to go before achieving anything that can be defined as "fine" but I did learn a lot and enjoyed the h-e-double-hockey-sticks out of it.
My baby girl's hands giving my baby boy a bath...
First lollipop.
On my last trip to Atlanta, I managed to sneak a nighttime visit in to see my nephew. The huge bummer is he was in the middle of a somewhat extended stay at CHOA for a line infection. The silver lining is that he busted outta that place line-FREE, months ahead of schedule (!!!)
Look ma! No lines!!
For months I've been wanting to take the kids to the zoo. For months it's been triple-digit-hot. So when I saw we might hit 90 by 1 p.m. on Saturday, I didn't even bother asking the fam what they would like to do yesterday.... Zoo!!!
Fine print: It was more like 101 by 10:30 a.m. (Fail.) but I these pictures can't express how completely over-the-top insane the trip was. There were baby elephants (like two week old fuzzy-headed wobbly beings of cuteness); a white tiger who paced and showed off in front of the kids, a four-inch layer of plexiglass was all that separated them; a papa gorilla who sat entertaining and waving hysterically at us gawkers; a baby gorilla who literally PLAYED with the kids from it's habitat...I can't even remember it all. It was just like every time we turned around, something amazing was waiting for us to take notice.
Getting a better look at the rhinos.
"Furry things!"
Nap time.
In awe of the newborn apes that were in a private enclosure with momma ape.
THIS was crazy. This momma and her toddler connected with the kids and they were communicating back and forth and smiling from ear to ear. It was really hard to get the kids to step out of the way for the crowd of people who amassed and wanted a chance to see the baby gorilla, too. I didn't blame them.
Baby elephants!
For the record, I didn't have a zoom lens and I didn't crop this photo. Mr. Sloth Bear was about six feet from us and putting on a show.
Waiting for the one-way train back to the entrance for the zoo.
The waiting took a little toll on Michael...a few strong words from Dad and he was back in line. ;)
We can't wait to go back. When it's in the 70's, of course.
Well Wes would tell you I've been stuck on the couch with the computer in my lap for nearly three weeks....and he's kinda right. It's been a year and a half since I last took a full-participation photography workshop and this one has come along at the perfect time. The downside is it requires daily shooting, which in turn requires daily downloading, culling, editing, posting and peer critiquing. The upside is posted in the shots below.
So pardon the over-share, but here are some of my favorites from the first half of the course. We're on a break week right now, then we'll be back on for two more intensive weeks.
Wes appreciates any condolences you'd like to throw his direction. I hear his fantasy baseball team is also feeling the pinch while I hog the laptop.
It's been a couple of week since I've posted; I've got a good excuse. Promise. I'll do another post to share what I've been up to in a little bit.
Saturday morning, I took the kids to the park and splash pad to run off a little energy. Unfortunately it already felt like triple digits (and maybe it was?) by 10:30 in the morning. Gah. Not sure how the boys survived the golf course. So yesterday we decided to check out the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History. We liked it (and its air conditioning) so well, we bought an annual membership.
The bed of nails was hugely popular.
Learning about centrifugal forces
Waiting for the tornado to start.
Henry was pretty amused, but probably also glad he wasn't in there.
Checking out the Dino Dig. Henry wasn't thrilled about the sand sticking to him so he decided not to venture any further into the exhibit.
That's Michael playing in the water (joy!) back there.
Can't wait to go back and check out the 2/3rds of the museum we didn't get to see.
Yes, it's true. His name is Brisket. And although I lobbied (hard) for Inman -- it was vetoed early and often -- and there was nearly a 'win' for Cash (as in Johnny), I have to say Brisket is really growing on me. He kind of looks like a "Brisket"! Even better, we can be reasonably sure that his records won't be confused with any other dogs' records at the vet. Bonus.
Brisket-frenzy was reaching a fever pitch the day before he came home. His bed was tested and re-tested for quality assurance with the utmost rigor.
The ride home from Saltillo. There's a puppy in our back seat!
Are you ALWAYS going to be using that thing? (I may or may not have taken an excessive number of photos before we even reached the highway.)
Snooze.
Quick piddle stop and lunch break on the way home. Brisket was a hit.
In case we eventually forget which weekend he came to join the family.
Investigating the grounds.
Watching Nana pull up to the house with the kids. Oh heck. Get ready.
As soon as Henry discovered the puppy, he began waving at him and saying "bye-bye!" Hmmm. Who's leaving?
I think they're falling in love.
Apparently Brisket snuck up and really surprised Ella.
For the record, I'm not the only one harassing the puppy with lots of camera clicks.
The best news is that Henry's really coming around to his new little brother today. I think they're going to be good friends afterall.
Many things make us happy -- a guest room filled with great friends and their new baby for the weekend, as they made a little tour around Texas, included.
A couple of these were shot by Miss Ella...I'm not going to tell you which. :)
On the heels of a quick business trip the day after we got back from our first lake trip, we packed up the kiddos and headed West to Possum Kingdom. It was nice to have the 4th fall on a Thursday giving us all a four-day weekend.
More lake!
Michael was not into cooperating for photos. SHOCKER.
Still hiding! (Photo by our neice, Kate)
Boat rides are so soooooothing.....
I know, I know...everything's bigger in Texas.
Well-supervised brats and dogs.
Heading out for our final sunset cruise.
We decided if we couldn't get Michael to smile, then everyone could do a 'Michael face' instead. Success.
And this final gem was taken by our nephew, Drew. Found it on the camera when we got home. Love this face!
Summer vacation 2013 is all wrapped up and we're a little sad to see it end. Like all good getaways it just flew by, but it sure was wonderful to spend some quality time with family.
After putting a slightly awful flight experience behind us, we made a bee-line for Fox Bros. then dropped by our old neighborhood park to let the kids get out a little energy.
So happy in his old climbin' tree.
Reunited friends
Zonk. Off to the lake.
Who needs to unpack? Ella immediately roped Gigi into helping her color a little project she brought along.
Baby Josh and Uncle David...the cousins had not met since Josh was in the NICU many months ago. Michael's first reaction? "He has crazy hair." And we love it. :)
Not so sure at first, but he came around pretty quickly.
Gorgeous way to end our first day.
Josh introduced us to Baby First T.V.
Another not-so-sure kid. (By Friday, he was asking to swim in the lake.)
"Whhhhhhy do you keep taking my picture?"
"Why do they keep running away from me? Oh well, bye-bye ducks!"
Windblown.
Proof that I was there, too. :)
Darn Mom. Taking photos of grumpy boys again.
Since we can't be in Georgia for the real deal in a month, Gigi had the great idea to do a little early celebration for Josh's momentous 1st while at the lake.
"More cake, please!"
Gran and Gramps also came by for a visit. Henry had to check them out before deciding it was safe to come out and play. :D
If Ella wasn't riding a 'speed jet,' she was busy begging to ride one. All. Day. Long.
Feels so good to wash of the lake at the end of each day.
A little evening T.V. time on the porch.
Followed by a little Yard Golf.
And s'mores! Life doesn't get better. It really doesn't.
Had to try out the sparklers one last time, of course.
I can thankfully report that Michael failed in trying to light the branch on fire and we left the property largely as it was found. 'Til next year!
Pigs are flying somewhere, I'm sure of it. My little charmer was willing -- and at times actually excited -- for me to follow him around with my camera for the day after watching his siblings take their turns. Really hoping this cooperation thing becomes a theme in his life.
Sometimes it's tough to be the big brother. Must be nap time.
Between swimming twice, a cookout and a checkers lesson from Dad, we ran out of time for his bubble bath reward. I'm sure he'll remind me of that at the soonest opportunity. Night-night!
Where has my baby gone? At times I just don't recognize the young lady running around our house. She started out her day overseeing her baby brother's attempts with his toothbrush and spent pretty much the rest of the day splashing in water.
After informing me that I was not qualified to teach him how to swim ("You are not a swim instuctor, Mommy. I need a real teacher."), we signed him up for lessons at a local school. With bona fide teachers. And he's doing great -- top of his class, in fact. There are only three of them, but we're still pretty proud.
Safety first, friends.
Waiting his turn.
At the end of each lesson, the kids get to go down the big slide. Weeeeee!!
Nearly five weeks ago, the newest member of our family was born. It was a long wait until today when we could visit the [very sleepy] bundles of fur to pick the cutest one. We should have seen it coming how impossible it would be to choose just one of these spectacularly snuggly itty bitty puppies, but I'd say we were not really prepared. Thankfully we finally decided and stuck to the "just one" plan. Phew.
Three more weeks and we will travel back out to the sticks of East Texas to bring him home. In the meantime, we're taking name suggestions. What do you think fits this face?
Later little dude! Counting the days until we can bring you home to stay.
Week Three of the workshop is nearly done -- here were my takes on the lesson. Next up, I've promised both of the big kids that I'll do a "day in the life of" photo series for them this weekend. It could get interesting.
Ah, more activities revolving around beer and cake.
Granny is in town for a visit, so we had the pleasure of a double-header birthday celebration for both her and Mamaw Friday night. This family puts a lot of effort into picking the most inappropriately hilarious cards.
The menfolk left the cards and giggling to the ladies' table while they watched some of the Open coverage.
Old enough to begin understanding some of the jokes...not quite sure if it's okay for his grandmother to be laughing at them, though!
This Father's Day began like they usually do in our house. Dad got to sleep in, woke up refreshed and was told he wasn't allowed to leave his room because we weren't ready yet! Eventually, we got it together.
A nice, relaxing time to enjoy breakfast in bed. LOL
Too bad Henry ate the majority of Dad's breakfast.
You don't want that last piece, do you Dad?
After breakfast was cleaned up, we caravaned out to the ball park where we chugged water to stave off heat stroke and continuously applied sunscreen for a few hours.
Next year, we've decided to move this tradition to a Sunday in April.
It was h-o-t. Don't we all look good?
Molly was inside enjoying what passed for air conditioning -- don't blame her a bit!
Hope you had a great Father's Day, hon!
Love, your stinky sweaty wife and kids who adore you. xoxo
Half-way mark for the workshop already. While working on photos for my assignment, I've been catching up on Parts Unknown episodes which have been backing up in the DVR for months and now I've got a serious case of wanderlust. Combine that with listening to a David DuChemin podcast, and I may or may not be planning a foreign family adventure to take as soon as the kids are old enough to appreciate and remember at least portions of the trip.
Nearly busted! This guy kept standing up in his chair.
Busted for reals this time.
The craziest thing happened while I was taking pictures. The kids began ASKING me to take their photo and even took over telling me where to shoot from and what to take. Actually arguing over who's turn it was. Insanity. Yes, these are the same kids that I bribe with treats to cooperate with mom's camera on a regular basis.
Here are their true personalities in authentic form...goofball Michael, grown-up Ella and getting-into-trouble-while-everyone-else-is-distracted Hank.
Photobombing is sweeping the elementary set these days.
Ella is hanging tough with the new indoor soccer team she joined for the summer. The girls are playing up against some really aggressive teams but we're so proud of her for sticking with it and making some new friends along the way. They're in it together afterall!
Probably better than 90% of my posts could fall in this category. Feels like I'm always posting a mix of stuff to get caught up on the last week or so!
Found these beauties waiting for me when I came home from a long work trip last week. Are they a peony or a rose or a combo? Anyone know?
First grade is done! *sniff*
We're logging a lot of pool time now that summer is officially here.
More from our Stockyards adventure.
Possibly my favorite picture of the year. And I didn't even get run over by a pickup truck taking it (I know Wes was concerned.)
Oh to be a year and half old. Fancy PJs, running around in your barely-theres, playing in puddles, taking naps, playing cowboys and splashing with bubbles.
This kid's got the life.
Henry kept himself busy while I opened and sorted mail that had piled up during the week while I worked out of town.
My little office helper.
Next, we headed to the kitchen so I could grab some breakfast. Henry wanted my peanut butter. Badly. (Note the bits of apple on the floor which he quickly discarded when he saw there was something better to be had.)
The peanut butter morning snack lead to a naked baby. And me putting away the peanut butter lead to the shoe we couldn't find last night. I invited Henry to come in and see if he could find it, too.
With his new-found shoes, he wanted to go outside. The morning thunderstorms left some fun puddles to play in for a while.
Up the stairs we go. Time to get dressed for the day.
Procrastinator.
Tada! Clothes.
Sis-sis (as she's named herself) came around to help Henry reach the faucet.
Intermission. Mommy had to download images to clear the camera card and make lunch for everyone. Then it was off to nappy-naps for the bunch.
When Henry woke up, he was very confused about why I didn't lift him out of bed right away.
What gives?
Some upside-down play time during one last diaper change before getting in the car.
Escapee.
Pawnee Bill's Wild West Show at the Cowtown Coliseum
After an over-priced dinner at a tourist trap -- all part of the Stockyards experience -- we headed back home.
It was late for the little guy but after spending the afternoon alternating between sweating and eating things that made crumbs, a bubble bath was a nice way to end the day.
Night-night, friends.
