My Life

Those Two

Kyle after swim practice, contemplating his current state: bored and hot, and wishing he could have a friend over and that he didn't have homework to do.

Lauren enters.

Let the games begin.....

I'll never know why they find it so amusing to torture the other?

So Glad I Did

Grabbed my camera

Only had a few minutes before I had to leave to get Kyle from school.

The boys and Lauren were playing out back.

I didn't want to miss the opportunity.

It was spontaneous and  without pressure.  I didn't worry about the rules of photography.  I just clicked.  It felt good. And I LOVE what I got.

I think I am slowly climbing out of my photography funk :)

Notice the black fingernails.  They match Laurens.  In case you were wondering....his toes are painted as well.  Red though.  Lauren thought that would be so cute!  I need to find the polish remover :)

A quick post

lest the blog becomes stagnant and old.

Oh wait, it's already done that.

I have felt terribly uninspired and uncreative plus a tad bit unmotivated.  That happens when preschool rolls around and all of my free time and energy is focused on that part of my life.

I have much to update on.

Lots to blog about, but I haven't been feeling it.

Guess what?  It's OK!  Life goes on.  With or without a blog post.  So see, no need to fret that the blog has been neglected.  That I have failed daily to  cross it off my long to do list.  I'll try to be better.

Until then, a few that I snapped in my backyard the other evening.

I am quite enjoying this beautiful weather.  My children have reminded me that I should buy them some long pants.  Oh dear, it happens every year.  I wait and wait and wait until it is usually too late and the cold weather sneaks up on me and I'm unprepared.  On the to do list this weekend: online shopping.  Because lets face it, I hate going actual shopping and shoot me now if I have to take along the kiddos.  Such torture :)

Just a quick note:

I have a few spots available still for the mini sessions.  Just scroll down a few posts to get the info.  I am not planning on doing any shoots after Thanksgiving.  Family members, that includes you!  So if you want your family pictures taken call me so we can book it.  Thanks :)

 

I'm Behind

isn't that the story of my life?

I have been meaning to update, but that means that I would have to actually edit some pictures.  Which I have no time to do.  Then I keep telling myself I have to go in order.  Finish up the vacation, camping trip, first day of school.... that just seems so overwhelming.  I've given myself permission to go out of order. Gasp!

What I've been up to:

•  I got my renewed drivers license in the mail.  Did not have to wait in line nor have another picture taken.  Sweet!
• The season of  taxi driver mom has begun.  I feel like I am in my car A LOT.
• Took a quick trip to Cedar to visit with my sister Kimberly.
• Preschool is up and running and the kids are a JOY!  I'm so much more relaxed this year :)
• just the regular....clean, ask 20 times which turns into lots of repeating and nagging, pick up from here, run to there, clean, run errands, intervene and offer solutions, schedule appointments, how was your day?, remember I love you, check backpacks, sign papers, make dinner, how about that homework got it done? bathe kids, clean, read, snuggle, repeat. Lots of repetition in my life lately.

The kids are....

•  Lauren:  Up early every morning because she does NOT want to be late for middle school.  Adjusting well to the new school and rotating schedule.  Learning the guitar, spending time giggling with her new friend, Sara.  
• Kyle: Liking school and the fact that his friends, Andrew and Shane are in his class.  Trying to memorize the state symbols for his Nevada test, reading more this year which makes me so happy!  Still teasing.  It's in his nature, he can't help it.
• Kade: Loving Kindergarten.  He also has so many friends in his class.  He gets really irritated when we don't get to school on time and he misses morning recess.  
• Brandon:  Is well Brandon.  He is growing up and loves that his friends come over for his preschool class.  It's been good for him to have his own thing.

Oh yeah, and that tarantula that we found a few months back.  Well the kids and Steve decided it was time to let him go.  "Because what kind of life can he have in that small cage?"  My only request.  Go far away from home.  They let him out in the arroyo behind our back gate and watched him climb down into the bushes.  I hope I never find that fella again.

So how's that for a random update?

Everyday Shot

One of the last afternoons before school began.

The kids were playing a game of hide and seek without argument.  Which was pretty rare.

Kyle helping Brandon count so he doesn't come looking after number 3.

I love everything about this everyday shot....

Brandon in his too big undies, the way his legs go in at the knees, the always present vacuum cleaner, the pillows strewn around the room, the chairs not in a row, the messy countertops, the way that Kyle has his arm around Brandon, Lauren peeking around the corner.....

Little tidbits of our lives.  Things I don't want to forget.

A Love Note

from my sweet Kade.

Makes me smile and the long day totally worth it.

We're off

We are leaving this blasted, HOT town and heading to the beach for a week.

My resourceful son thinks that this is the best way to cool off on the patio.

Thankfully he'll have access to much more water.

We anticipate a week full of fun and happy memories.

I will have no computer access.

It actually sounds quite refreshing to be unplugged.

See you in a week.

Ten on Tuesday

1. Went to the gym.  We didn't quite make our scheduled reservation time.  So the little boys stayed home with Lauren and Kyle insisted on coming with me to play the video games.  Which is funny, because the day before I got an earful from both big kids about how the ladies there are "so mean" to the little kids.  Someone is always in time out and they were making a big deal about Brandon's shirt being wet from getting so many drinks.  I let them know that they have to be stern with that many kids so they follow the rules.  Kinda like at home......
2. We have been implementing a new schedule and rules/consequences.  Because let's face it, I am a push over.  We started feeling like the house was being run by the kids.  Scary!  So a few simple steps, some preparation and a whole lot of stamina, and we got a better running household.  Bedtime is now a breeze, and I no longer lay by the little boys.  It makes me SO HAPPY!  Plus we get so much more accomplished during the day.  Productive things and lots less TV and computer. 
3. Early this morning (5:30) Kade came to my bed and insisted I get up and fix him some breakfast.  I told him it was too early.  He tossed and turned and kept bumping into me Ugh! Finally he let me know about the bad dream that woke him up.  Apparently he and Kyle were in the backyard and a big chipmunk came and his whole mouth covered Kyle's head.  Then Kade ran under the trampoline, but he wasn't safe, the chipmunk followed.  He said to the chipmunk PLEASE don't eat me.....and then he woke up!  Whew, thank goodness. 
4. Remember that part about not really enjoying doing birthday parties.  I still feel that way. 
5. We went to the party supply store and both kids picked out their plates/loot bags.  Just whatever they wanted.  It was so random.  Lauren picked smiley faces and Kyle picked some knight get up that reminded him of his Stronghold game.  No mind that they are both having water type themed parties.... Seriously, I am not helping them any on learning how to properly party plan.  With all the related decorations/activites.  I guess it shows that I stink at being a hostess.
6. It is SO HOT OUT THERE!  It's sapping the energy and motivation right out of me. 
7. Brandon is officially potty trained.  Except for the occasional accident here and there. 
8. Our beach trip is 11 days away, but who's counting?  
9. I am trying to do a craft a day.  We have a spot in our summer schedule for crafting.  Today we missed out, because well, we all had a bad day to say the least.  But our first craft project was successful.  Marshmallow structures.  Even the little boys enjoyed it.  Yay to using your hands and brains.  Surprise, surprise, Brandon mostly liked eating the marshmallows :)
10. I was going to give away our falling apart, a tad bit outdated, taking up too much space green chair in the office.  This little moment made me reconsider.     Don't mind the strewn legos, lopsided gym bag, article of clothing on the floor and rolled up drapery fabric in the background.  It's the cute boys working together that is the focus.  And that photo pretty much sums up my life.....I am trying to focus on the building of relationships and confident happy people in the midst of the mess and sometimes chaos around us :)

The Girls

as we so affectionately called them for the week they came to visit my Grandma.

Aunt Ione and Aunt Adeen.

They are the last surviving sisters of 10 children.

It was fun to see them together.

They were laughing and joking and apparently learned a few things about each other that they never knew.

Someday that will be me and my sisters and we joked about how Kimberly would take care of Mom and me because we'll both just be old.

Dad mentioned that he doesn't want Kimberly to take care of him, he wants me too.  "Kimberly is too much like your mom."  I knew I was like my Dad, but that just reconfirmed.

I hope he isn't a grouchy old man :)

Stuff

One night this week when I was laying by Kade trying to get him to sleep, he says, "Mom, I love you more than Dad."  Steve happened to be shutting the door at the time of this comment.  We both started laughing. After Steve left I say to Kade, but we love Dad too.  Yeah, he agrees, then snuggles closer to me and says, "but I love you the most!"

Kyle needed some extra TLC, and I really needed to get to working on my photography assignment.  I figured we could both benefit and I took him out on a walk, just to two of us.  He didn't really like the part where he was the model, but other than that, it was a good time.  Sometimes it is frustrating to me as a mom, that I can't give to every child what they need.  Because my kids are at various stages, the olders have to sacrifice.  I need to be better about giving them one on one.

While Kyle was exploring the arroyo, chasing after rabbits, catching ladybugs and spotting butterflies, I was busy snapping away.  (I seriously LOVE our neighborhood!)

We talked about the trees, flowers and plants that we liked, his friends, field day....

I think he enjoyed himself, because earlier in the afternoon he was having one of those full on pity parties.  The kind that you can't even stand to witness :)

Hopped on over to the casino to snap a few of this handsome guy for his upcoming baptism.  It was hot and he was in a suit, but he was a really good sport!

There are 6 more preschool days.....but who's counting :)

Honestly, it has been an exhausting year, but rewarding at the same time.

I am going to miss my preschoolers as they go on to Kindergarten, especially the one that lives in my house!  They have grown and learned so much and are ready to move on!

I am sure by the time September rolls around again, I will be well rested and ready to take the task on again.

I found this cute idea for a gift.  We ended up using them as teacher appreciation gifts, but were so simple and versatile that they could be used for any gift giving purpose.  Just thought I'd share!

Have a wonderful Mother's Day weekend!