It's Monday....what do I see?

The many faces of Baby F.
Seriously.
I could just eat him.

It's Monday....what do I see?

The art of making brownies.
At one point when the brownie mix was in his hair
and on his feet
I thought I should stop him. It's a mess.
But, then I thought, how could I take the joy away?
So I let him keep on with his creation of brownies.



Tasting. Is it just right?



More tasting. It's needs a little something...





This big guy joined in the fun in a more conservative way and then sat at the table and traveled to a time period where dinosaurs roam the Earth. He did partake in eating of the brownies when they were done.



Pure happiness on a Sunday morning.

It's Monday....what do I see?

As promised, here I am on Monday night! It feels good.
School has started and I feel like I am at the start line of a long, long
race.
The early hours.
The lunch making.
The homework (for kindergarten!)
The NUMEROUS announcements from both schools.
Trying to keep ahead of everybody by two steps.
In the meantime I'm trying to squeeze out summer for as long as I can.
So off to the beach we go. And Little L was determined to to build something.
His motivation was inspiring.
His drive was inspiring.
And he did it all without a cup of coffee! (I am up to 2 cups now with the early morning wake up call)
Happy Monday to all!

iheartfaces: a touch of whimsey

It's Monday....and it's iheartfaces. I'm on a roll!
Here is my touch of whimsey.
This kid's imagination blows my mind. Two years on this earth and
his conversations with sticks, monkey dolls and trucks
is beyond the conversations I have with my own people.
They are passionate.
They are emotional.
They are full of love.
And at times they are full of frusturation.

His words are still few at this stage....but, his intent is strong.

Check out the other whimsical submissions at:

iheartfaces: from a distance

It's Monday. It's iheartfaces.com. I'm combining things today. It's a two for one.
The theme is from a distance. I didn't even know that was the theme until today yet oddly enough that was what I was working on this weekend with my pictures. I love up close...and I do that all day, every day. But, I forced myself to take a step back this weekend. And try to see what I see from a far. It was actually really fun.

And then a blimp flew right by us on this overcast day....and my boys were ecstatic.

Enjoy and check out the other iheartfaces entries here:

It's Monday....what do I see?

Oh goodness. I took pics of this little girl for her modeling portfolio.
How do I love a little baby girl in a pink onsie and little rolls on her legs!





Oh what a silly Daddy. And see J in the background. He wanted to help entertain with bubbles.

It's Monday....what do I see?

Sweet family to shoot on a Saturday afternoon. Don't you want his curls?
I could learn a lot from a 3 year old on a late afternoon.
Run with abandon.
Wind swept hair is good hair.
Swing on a branch tree
and
hug the ones you love.

It's Monday....what do I see?

So J has never really ridden his bicycle. He has not ridden his bicycle with training wheels because he refused to wear his helmet. I explained to him he can not ride his bike without his helmet. So he chose not to ride the bike.
This has been going on for at least a year.
This weekend he walked into the living room with helmet in hand and said he was ready.
I almost fell off the couch and dropped L.
I said to him, "Great, let's go." Grabbed Henry and L's tricycle and we went on a very long walk/bike ride/run.
On our way back J said that when he turns 5 (which is in two weeks) he would like to take the training wheels off his bike.

It's Monday....what do I see?

A lazy day.
The unloading of the dishwasher was about the biggest accomplishment that
I can claim today.
Then we went on an early evening walk.
And yes, I may have felt lazy...but looking at these pics I know I have accomplished something pretty great--my kids! :)







I just know L did something he wasn't supposed to right before I clicked the camera. I don't know what it was...but I know that look. And that look is up to NO good.

It's Monday....what do I see?

L's first haircut!! Oh my goodness. J's first haircut, and many thereafter, were traumatizing. For both of us. So, I entered the hair salon with tissues in hand and speed dial to my therapist. It was that bad.
So what a relief it was when L smiled and looked at me like he had done this a million times.
It even went well with J.
Three cheers for small victories.

Oh snap. I just realized I should say something about Valentine's Day. Happy Valentine's Day! My sweet husband and I went out for lunch and he brought me an orchid. I am grinning ear to ear.


Before....


Before....


After...


First time...trains help.


He's a pro....


After!



GOING BACK IN TIME....J's first haircut!

It's Monday....what do I see?

Photographing this little blue-eyed pumpkin made me want to have another baby....

It's Monday....what do I see?

More family photoshoots! Love them.
I'm working hard on finishing them but here is a peek of one.
They had a tire swing in their backyard and now I want one too. Not for my kids but for myself so I can do this too....

It's Monday....what do I see?

More family photos! I love these kind of photography days. I think they may just be my favorite. And I love this family. We go back far. Wendy and I knew each other when marriage, kids and snotty noses were not part of our everyday life. Yet here we are. Grown ups. Or so we pretend to be.

It's Monday....what do I see?

It's family sessions season!
People are wanting to get their
holiday pictures done and I love doing them.
If you sign up with me--it's a play-date in action.
And these siblings. I adore them.
My fave moment during the shoot-- I was laying on the ground photographing the older one and the younger one jumped on my back and gave me a big hug.
I laughed so hard. I think I may have looked like a bean bag. Cozy, warm and squishy.