Family photos

A few weeks ago we had some family photos taken by the adorable, very talented Christina Heaston, I have admired her work for some time. We have never had family photos professionally taken, I was nervous that we would even had any good ones, it is so hard getting 5 people to smile at once or be on the same page at the same time, EVER. Our 5 year old had a mini meltdown, Christina remained cool and calm, she did a fabulous job capturing some special moments, she let the boys be silly (be themselves) for a bit. We have TONS of photos to choose from and I am so excited to get some developed and framed. Christina loves to travel so if you are interested in her work no matter where you are, visit her at www.Christinaheaston.com.

Happy Halloween

Today it's all about costumes, and candy, trick or treating, jack o lanterns, getting your spooky on. And candy...did I mention that already? So savor this moment, go through your kids stash and pull out your favorite candy and EAT THAT CANDY. It's one day. Light your jack o lanterns and get your spooky on. Oh and don't blink, cause then it will be Thanksgiving.

They'll never miss them...trust me ;)

Letting go...

This week was another milestone. This summer he learned to swim, and he learned to ride a bike, it was huge! He is my youngest of three boys, he is five...he is my baby. This week he left me for kindergarten. I was not sure how I was going to react,  I daydreamed about the few extra hours of alone time I would gain EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. More time to clean, bake, run errands, catch up with friends, worship my God, get a part time job. But when I looked at him he seemed too little to leave my arms, too tiny and innocent to get on the big yellow bus. How would he find his classroom all by himself ?  How would he make friends on his own? He would get lost in that great big school! How will he find the bathrooms? Would he remember to wash his hands?
He, the five year old... my baby, informed me he would be fine. He was ready, he was excited, he jumped out of bed and got dressed on his own and got his own breakfast, he was ready for this adventure, so I had to let him go. I prayed for God to protect him and watch over him since I could not. I prayed for God to bring him back home safe to me. God listened. God is good.

Last day.

Today was our official last day of summer. The boys planned an end of summer party for the kids on our street, I did not do a single thing, I actually just learned about it a few hours before. I sat inside peeking out the windows while all the setting up took place. There was food and drinks....

Healthy options were not available at this party, everyone seemed happy.

There was music and dancing.

There was corn hole.

Plenty of seating.

They said they were hot, they asked to come in, I told them "No, Go Away!" (I am mean like that :))

They found a solution to their problem, ALL. ON. THEIR. OWN.

I am really impressed, my boys know how to throw a party!

Almost over....

After the new outfits, new shoes, backpacks, lunch boxes, pencils, folders, markers, crayons, loose leaf paper, scissors, calculators, etc. were purchased and organized, we rushed to the pool to do more of this...

We only have 7 more days.

Big Day!

Today started off just another ordinary day. Hot, humid, kids are bored, I'm ready for school to start. This evening after a few hours at the pool, I throw a frozen pizza in the oven (you heard right...frozen pizza) because it is too HOT to cook and I am too tired of being too hot to cook anything.  Did I mention is was HOT? My husband gets up to look out the window to find our youngest, our baby RIDING HIS BIKE! Not just riding his bike like all the other days but riding his bike WITHOUT training wheels!! We were so proud and immediately ran out to photograph and video tape this huge milestone... our ordinary day turned out to be kind of a big deal.  My chest is tightening a little. Next up is the school bus in 3 weeks. UGH!