Just a Few Pictures

The kiddos are with their MiMi and PawPaw tonight.  What have I been doing?  Well, I have been a complete geek sitting in front of my computer and practicing my picture processing.  Sad, huh?  (Ed and I did go to dinner by ourselves though!)  I am starting a small photography business and I can't stand the thought of not being able to deliver to my soon to be clients.  I am a "go by the book" kind of person and I want to know the correct way of doing everything.  I have taken photography classes and processing classes and I can actually see a light at the end of the tunnel.  I have been able to "connect the dots" and I am beginning to gain confidence in my abilities.  Here are a few of my practice pictures from tonight.  A few are posting slightly different for some reason.  Not sure why.  I will have to figure that one out later.  The colors seem to be a bit more dull on Liza's picture.  Strange...

I just love this shot of my nephew, Noah.  I love the dog in the background of the super bright window and I love how he really stands out in comparison to the "blown" window.  While I do like it there are some things I would do different if I got to shoot it over again ( this is me reflecting on my work- something my National Board Certification for teaching drilled into my head!).  For starters I would have made sure to get his feet and his hands in the picture.  It really bothers me that I didn't, but hey- I won't make that mistake again!

You may have heard of Judy Moody.  She is a funny little character in a series of children's books.  Here is Liza Moody.  Look at that pout.  This is the picture that looks different uploaded to blogger than it does on my computer.  She looks a bit more washed out for some reason.  Not sure why though.  Note to self: figure that out!

This is a picture of my nieces, Molly and Chelsea.  They were going to a Daddy/Daughter dance.  Didn't they look pretty?  My sister and I were two crazy Mamarazzis running around getting their pictures and talking about where the good light was.  Yes, she obviously is a geeky as me!

Well, that is all for now.  Don't worry, there are sure to be lots more where these came from!

Remember Baby in a Basket? Here's Baby in a Bucket!

You may remember an old post from October where I snapped a few pictures of Louisa in an old basket that used to be my grandmothers.  Well, she is getting bigger so no more basket for Miss Louisa.  She has graduated to the bucket!  Actually, if I didn't tell you, you might not know little Louisa's mommy had put her in a bucket/big tin drink cooler thing.  Why, you might be wondering did I put my precious little one in a bucket?

Well, I saw a post on a photography forum that I frequent about a boutique owner needing some photographs for her website.  I e-mailed her to say that I was interested in helping and she sent me this cute little top and bow for Louisa to model.  How cute are these things??  Because Little Louisa is not quite sitting up on her own I had to find a way to prop her up to show off this cute top.  So, I resorted to the bucket!  I don't think it turned out half bad :-)

In case you are interested in checking out this cool boutique go to Tazetta.

My Little Prince and Princess

Too often I feel like I get bogged down with all the things that need to be done.  I am trying to remember to stop and enjoy the little moments that will be gone all too soon.

Last night was a perfect moment to sit and absorb it all.

My little Liza has recently become enthralled with the Barbie's, Tweleve Dancing Princesses DVD.  She watched it yesterday while Harrison was in school.  She twirled  and danced in front of the TV.  I can't help but think that in her little mind she was planning out what was to come.

Later yesterday afternoon, while I was feeding Louisa, Liza and Harrison wandered in wanting to watch the princess movie.  Now, you must know that my little Harrison REALLY gets into movies.  He loves to act them out.  It wasn't long before both Harrison and Liza disappeared into her closet.  They returned all dressed up as a prince and princess.  The two of them stayed in character right through dinner.  Their rooms were their "kingdoms", Liza was called "lady" and Harrison gently led her from room to room.  Of course, this crazy mom who loves taking pictures had to snap a few of my royal kiddos.  Aren't they the cutest thing ever?  Moments like this just make me smile.

Slacking Off

So, I realize it has been a while since I posted, but we are still here!  Life has just been busy these past few weeks- a trip to see my college friends, basketball games & practices, and a new Friday night tradition, WiiFit Family Fun Night.   ( I have to take pictures of family night but I don't think pictures can capture the hilariousness of watching us all ski jump.)  Anyway, I thought I would make a quick post to at least bring the blog up to date.

I snapped these pictures this morning.  This girl is crazy!  She now insists on dressing herself.  Who cares if she can't ever get the shirt over her head? Didn't you know shirts can be worn as hats/head wraps???  This girl is stylin'.

And of course I had to get a picture of my little doll.  Look at her!  She really does look like a doll to me in this picture.  Better than a doll though this little one smiles and laughs at us.  She even likes us so much that she has learned to squeal her head off if we leave her alone too long.  Smart little cookie, she is.  Already knows how to get what she wants!!
I'll do better about posting this week!  I have lots of pictures I have been working on.   Staytuned to find out what I'm up too!

I Think He Won Today

Look at those sweet, little eyes...

Look at that adorable face....

Is that not the cutest little boy you have ever seen?

How is it then that at the end of today he has left me feeling like the worst mommy ever??  This little dude knows how to push my buttons and today he smashed them over and over and over!

Early this morning:

Me:  Harrison it's time to go to school.

H:  I don't wanna go right now. (said in uber-whiney voice.)

Later in the day:

H:  Liza put that down.  You can't play with that.  That is mine. ( Said about a toy he wasn't even playing with.)

Liza:  I wanna hold it.

H:  Give it back.  It's miiinnnee.  (said chasing her around and around the kitchen island.)

Me: Stop chasing your sister! ( circling around the island continues)

Me:  Harrison, you aren't listening to mommy.  Time out!  Go sit on the steps.

H:  But it's minnne.  Why does she get to play with it??? (I couldn't take it anymore so I closed the door to the stairs.  He sat there still wondering why Liza got his toy.)

Even later in the day:

Me:  Harrison, you and Liza need to pick up the toys before basketball practice.

H:  I don't wanna clean up.  Why do I always have to clean up.  I need help.  I can't do it.  I'm tired.....

Right before b-ball practice:

Me:  Harrison, I asked you to get your shoes on.  They're still not on.  Go and get your shoes on now.  Hurry, we're going to be late. ( Harrison slowly walks around looking for his shoes.)

Me again:  Harrison, I said to hurry.  We need to leave now.

H:  But I might slip in my socks and fall.  (Since when has the kid worried about slipping and sliding on our hardwood floors??!!)

Sad to say it, but this is just a small fraction of all the run ins that me and Mr. Harrison had today.  Do you ever feel like it all just snowballs up on you??  I am sure by the end of the day the kid was wondering how on earth to get out of this cycle.  Sheesh!  I was too!

By b-ball practice time my shoulders were tight, my head was killing me and I still had four kiddos to get in the car and to practice.  Then, I had to act all happy go lucky and entertain 10 kindergarten boys and 10 first/second graders.  Oh my gosh!  Am I crazy or what??

Okay, so practice ended up being a good thing.  I got to play ball and just have fun with the kids.  Sometimes, at home I lose the fun part for all the picking up, cooking, cleaning,etc.  So, b-ball was good.

Then on the way home I tried to figure why the day seemed to go from bad to worse.  Then I realized it or at least part of it.  I think that sometimes motherhood can be absolutely defeating.  Today was one of those days where they got the best of me.  When I was a teacher I felt in control.  I was acknowledged for being good at what I did.  My students liked me (for the most part).  And, I had plenty of teacher friends to chat with when I needed a grown up moment.  

Today, I was in the car back and forth a gazillion times.  My schedule was pretty much driven by who needed to be where and when- not much choice or control in the comings and goings today.  

I absolutely, positively did not get told that I did good at anything today.  I think the kiddos thought I really stunk today.  In fact, I got told I was mean.  So, in addition to thinking I was mean, they probably would argue if any of my old students tried to tell them that they actually liked me!

And last, but not least, the only adult I chatted with was my friend and neighbor who came to drop something off.  Thank heavens for neighbors who can drop by.  Even the sighting of an adult can be exciting when you are surrounded by kids all day!

So, all in all, it was a kind of dreadful day.  However, as I told Harrison tonight as I was putting him in bed,  years ago, I prayed that God would send me a another baby.  God did send me a baby, not just any baby, but a Harrison baby.  He sent Harrison to me because he thought I would be the best mommy for him ( and Ed the best Daddy of course!) AND he sent me Harrison because he would be the best boy for me.  I know there are lessons in here for me and lessons for my little Harrison.  Right now we are obviously going through a series of lessons because we must not be "getting it" yet.  But, we will.  Tomorrow is another day where we will start fresh!  Perhaps tomorrow I won't feel like he beat me but rather we will both be winners.