fourth birthday celebration

Jordan had an awesome 4th birthday party! Thanks to all our family who helped us celebrate, he could not have been happier with his fireman celebration.

sunshine fun

I have been waiting and waiting for the sun to come out
AND for it to be warm enough to play outside
with the kids so I could practice back lighting

they did not give me much
in the way of cooperation (surprise, surprise)

in fact, they were purposely being stinkers
at one point Leah ran off giggling
and Jordan gave her a thumbs up

all while there was this to die for sunlight behind them

they did give me these two that I am happy with

ha! take that kiddos
score one Mommy
score five hundred fifteen million kids
maybe I will catch up someday...doubt it but one can dream

four frames

was all they were up for and I got "technically" bad pictures
from a really great day!

 horrible lighting

 heads cut off and blurry faces

 and I will cherish every. single.one.

 Even though I look like a complete dork.

We had so much fun making party hats. Then I set up the camera on the couch with the timer mode to take a picture in our hats. I managed to eeek four frames out of the little buggars but that did not give me enough time to actually set up the camera correctly. Either way I LOVE them and wanted to share our silliness.

I had such a wonderful birthday! Thank you everyone who called, emailed and sent cards!! I am truly so grateful to have so many wonderful friends and family who love and care about me.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

I truly have all the happiness
and luck that life can hold
and at the end of the rainbow
I have found my pot of gold ~ adapted from an old irish saying

Firefighter Jordan

I never imagined when I started my 52 week project 8 weeks ago that I would meet so many kind and wonderful women. I knew they were talented and I knew they were a great group of women but I did not know how great or how kind.

I was blown away when my new friend, the lovely and talented Crystal , saw my headless post from week 6. She commented on the post to let me know if I thought Jordan was interested she thought she could get her hands on a t-shirt from her mans firehouse in San Diego. Have I mentioned that Jordan is obsessed with everything fireman/firetruck related?? So of course I was over the moon excited and of course I said yes.

 I cannot thank her and Fireman Dan enough for the joy they brought to my little man. So sweet and so wonderful. Their kindness overwhelmed me and brought tears to this mamas eyes. To see your child so happy is truly priceless. When the package arrived not only was he treated to a t-shirt but a couple of other treats too!

I knew the package was on the way so we had talked about it for a few days so he was super excited when he received his package from a real fireman! It was wear your jammies to school day so he was already wearing these jammies when the package came to the door this was not staged for the pictures.

His mouth literally fell open when he saw his own firetruck book in the package. We had just gone to the library the day before and he picked out two firetruck books and he insisted that he was not going to ever return those to the library. He kept repeating that this was his very own book. So. Crazy. Happy!

He is my little book worm. He quickly sat down to look though all the pages. We have read it several times a day, every day and he already knows all the words. It is terribly cute to hear him read the book. He won't even let me read it to him anymore because he says that "he is a bigger guy and can read it to me." At the end of reading his firetruck books at night he often asks, "Isn't reading fun mom?" I couldn't agree more.

He put his shirt on right away but backwards of course, so he could see the truck. It only took him two days before he agreed to let me wash it. He put his helmet sticker on his fish tank, he said he wanted to do that "so he could look at it every night and so his fish could see it too." 

He thanks me over and over for telling my fireman friend that he liked firetrucks. He could not believe that I knew a real fireman. Thank you fireman Dan & Crystal you guys are amazing!

comfort

When things don't go the way we planned
Sometimes we just need a hug from a good friend

obsession

I have not taken the kids to the library in months because the last time we went it was so stressful. They were running and being really loud and we almost got kicked out. We definitely got some dirty looks.

I wanted to pick up some books for me so I promised them that they could pick out any books they wanted IF they had perfect behavior. Jordan asked right away if they had any books on fire fighters, when I told him yes he was super excited. They were on their very best behavior. He told me on the way home that he was keeping these books and is not going to give them back.

fifty two on friday ~ week 6 {headless}

I knew right away what I wanted to capture this week... the boots. 

Jordan is completely infatuated with everything firefighter related right now. When I saw these boots at the store I hesitated because we already have so much stuff. Eventually I circled back around because I could not resist the urge to buy them for him.

I asked him to stand in the puddle for a second so I could take a picture of his boots. He did not stand still. Silly me. A little boy, a puddle and a sunny day in February equals lots of jumping and splashing. 

Be sure to check out the fabulous Megan Wold, North Dakota Photographer for her take on this weeks theme.

You can see past weeks here: fifty two on friday

bubbles

To help with the cabin fever we all have here, the kids have been taking baths in the middle of the day. Jordan is a big fan of lots and lots of bubbles. Leah....not so much. Spring cannot come fast enough.

the routine

Everyday it is the same routine. At nap time we march up the stairs and Jordan asks if he can read Leah a few books. I give a stern look, he looks up at me with his big brown puppy eyes and asks, "just a few...just a few mommy." Every single day I cave and say yes. Under one condition, they must read quietly. Then and only then can she stay in his room and read. Once she starts getting crazy she has to go in her own room. They both jump up and down excitedly at the prospect of reading books together. I remind them of the rules. They promise they will listen. I leave the room. It usually only takes a few minutes before I hear giggling and laughter. When I return to the room they are both under the covers, books scattered on the floor. I act like I am really mad. I tell them "this is your last chance!" They say they are sorry and will not do it again. Hugs and kisses all around to make up for the offense. I give them a few chances before I finally sweep her up into her own room. Don't tell them but I think it is super cute when the do this.

I tried to sneak in today and take a picture of them reading before they got silly on me. I got one click in when Jordan asked if we could take a picture of all of us together reading. I set the camera up on the dresser and quickly took a picture of all three of us together. Not my most glamorous moment but if you walked in my house in the middle of the day, in the middle the week this is what you would get. Nothing fancy here.

fifty two on friday ~ week 4 {i heart faces}

We are on week four with an i love faces theme. If you would like you can check out past weeks themes here. Remember, to continue the tour of photographers just click on the link at the bottom of the picture.

I did not have to look too hard for inspiration this week...two of my favorite faces in the whole wide world. I know I am predictable. I can't help myself I adore these two little ones to the moon and back.

Now head on over and check out how san antonio, texas photographer amy craft interpreted the theme.

the blizzard

Leah just loved running up and down the side walk in the "tunnel" of snow. 

He got stuck and called me over and asked me to take a picture. He was giggling like a madman.

deep freeze

fifty two on friday ~ week 1 {self portrait}

I am so excited to tell you about a fifty two week project that I am taking part in this year.  I've joined a group of 19 other photographers in a weekly theme project. Every Friday, we will post a photo that depicts our own interpretation of that theme, and under the photo will be a link to the next photographer. If you continue linking through, you should see 20 new photos and end up back here. There is amazing talent in this group, so you will definitely want to check out everyone’s site!

This week’s assignment was a self portrait. These self portraits will allow you to see the photographers who are doing this project and put a face to a name.

I can't help but define my "self" as mommy right now and because no post would be complete without pictures of my favorite subjects... this is me. I am looking forward to sharing this project with you. 2011 is going to be a great year!

Please be sure to head on over Tara's site,  Carman & Pugh Photography to see her take on the project!

there is beauty

all around me

forever and always.

they like to move it

Move it. Jordan and Leah LOVE to dance. I am going to have to remember to crank up the stereo more often during the dead of winter to help get the sillies out. It is fun for all of us. I love watching their moves then and now! I was so excited that my dear husband figured out how to get this video together so I could post it for your viewing pleasure (insert huge smile here). Now if I could only figure out how to make the video bigger without being so pixelated (yuck). Sorry all.

big guy

Jordan was a rock star

at the preschool open house

he had so much fun

had great manners

found his cubby with ease

and played well with all his friends

he still thinks there is a chance Mommy will stay

with him when he goes for the real thing next week

but he is looking forward to going and being a bigger guy

there is a chance he will cry when we drop him off

(I am sure Mommy will)

but I am sure it will be short lived and he will have tons of fun

first interview

success

Today was the last day of summer camp

After all the hoopla on the first day,

Jordan rocked it out the rest of the camp!

He always came out of class with a big smile

Leah would run up to him and give him

Big hugs and kisses

He would squeeze her right back

He had fun creating lots of art for our fridge

All of it orange of course!

He had fun singing and dancing with his friends

He told  me he made a friend named Cayden

But it was not his cousin

There is another boy

Named Cayden

Can you even believe it?

(He was VERY surprised, too cute)

They took field trips to the park and the library

Today Officer Patty (a mechanical talking police car)

Visited camp to talk about safety

Of course she knew Jordan and said hello him

Jordan always tells me he is a bigger guy now

He is so proud when he can put on his own socks

Or get his jammies on without any help

Or how he can pedal his trike all by himself

He is eager to show anyone who will watch his new skills

Soon he will be off to preschool

We could not be more excited to be part of many more adventures

And to see what he will be learning next!

played

After Leah went to sleep for the night Jordan  told me he wanted to go take pictures outside with his blanket and Cookie.

 I, of course jumped up excitedly and grabbed my camera. He really knows how to play me.

It was worth being played like a fiddle. We had so much fun and I got the chance to play with my camera!

As a side note, this morning around 4:30 he woke up crying and when I went in there to check on him he asked me to get in bed with him. I told him ok but only for a minute when I got up to leave he said in a chirpy voice, "Thanks for coming." I am really trying to work on manners with him so this was so stinkin' sweet to hear.