Something New

So I finally bit the bullet and started a different blog. I'll try to update this one upon occasion, but I am so into learning about photography these days that I figured I'd make that the theme of my new blog. So pop on over and check it out. I'm trying new techniques and learning everything I can get my hands on! www.capturinghart.blogspot.com Enjoy! Feel free to comment, I love comments!

Our Vacation Begins...

We left Seattle on Thursday afternoon and arrived in Coeur D Alene, Idaho around 8 or so. Charlotte asked if we were almost at Grandma's house before we were out of Seattle! We knew then it would be a LONG TRIP. After a refreshing night's sleep (HA. Mac was NOT happy to be away from his familiar crib), we ate a delightful Holiday Inn Express free breakfast and headed to Silverwood theme park. Now we had to make a stop first because I forgot my toothbrush and had to buy one. Fun times brushing my teeth in the car, that was a first!

It was a hot day and us Seattleites are not used to this kind of heat, so we got off to a sluggish start. Once we hit the water park, it was smooth sailing! Fun, fun, fun! We rented a cabana which was ours for the entire day. This includes personal food service, and a shaded place to hang out. A great place for babies to nap.

The water was refreshingly cool...


All in all, it was a fun start to our trip. Be back tomorrow for the next leg of our journey.
Mommy and Baby Boy

Winner!

Charlotte and Evelyn could hardly contain their excitement...Mommy won a trophy! Well, it wasn't a real trophy, I guess. But it was a large victory for me. At bootcamp we took a fitness test at the beginning and end. I have improved my fitness level by 37%! 37%!!! Unbelievable. Just a month ago I was struggling to do just basic physical tasks. Most improved. That's ME!

Prima Ballerinas

These beautiful bunnies lit up the stage during their first ballet recital. Of course my little bunnies were the cutest little bunnies...

Fun with my sister

It was cool and kind of rainy, but a good day for pouring water on the deck, splashing to my heart's content, and then giving my little sister a facial. Good times.

The girls are snuggled into my bed watching "Caillou" before they go to bed so I just have a couple of quick minutes. It seems like this month has been a blur and I really only remember bits and pieces. I definitely remember boot camp! I have been working my butt off 4 nights a week for the past 3 weeks. One week left, I'll be sad to see it go because it has really flipped a switch for me. I can do this. For so long I have felt like I just couldn't keep up so I was afraid to join a gym or attend fitness type classes. I will definitely move on to some other form of excercise 4-5 times a week from here on out. I've come so far in 3 weeks, I can't wait to see the results after a few months!

On to other topics...Here is what we plan to give Daddy for Father's Day. I don't think he'll check out my blog before then.

Remember that snuggly scene I described a minute ago? The girls watching "Caillou" in my bed? Now it has dissolved into total meltdown. Got to go...

There is such a thing as too much cake!

While it feels like Mac has always been a part of our lives, it also seems like I just saw that faint pink second line...
Here is a preview of the birthday fun. As I am too tired to write much more tonight, I will be back tomorrow to entertain you with stories of graduations, birthdays, playdates, Grandparent visits and much more. Stay tuned...

Blog Lover

That's me. I am in love with reading blogs. Blogs of all shapes and sizes. Blogs that are authored by people I actually know in person,and some by those I consider friends, but only have an online friendship with. There are a couple of other categories.
1~ Blogs that are written by people who drive me to jealousy because their lives are seemingly perfect.
2~ Blogs I have found off of the sidebar of other peoples' blogs. Sometimes these people have strikingly similar blogs as the aforementioned people whose lives I covet. Other times, I discover people who are actually a lot like me. Sometimes I find a blog that is incredibly sad, yet inspires me by the authors ability to overcome these sad circumstances.
3~Home decorating/crafty people blogs.
4~Blogs that give step by step photoshop tutorials. (My favorite because some of us idiots out there really want to use Photoshop but are not smart enough to crack the code)
I aspire to write a blog that interests people other than my immediate family, yet can't seem to break out of that "Hi, aren't my kids cute? Look at this new pic!" type of blog. These blogs are actually the type I enjoy reading.
But I? Really want to inspire...

Loving this

1960's looking edit!

sweetness

Just having fun messing around with some photo editing programs, don't mind me.

Brother and Sister

What I love Most About Charlotte

At our cooperative preschool, it's a tradition to have each parent anonymously jot down a few positive, descriptive words of each child. Our parent advisor puts them together and presents them to us at our end of the year parent party. These were some of the descriptions on Charlotte's:
Loves her Mom.
Really loves her Mom.
Really, Really, Really, loves her Mom.
Of course there were also some other descriptors such as, "quiet" and "creative", but I just had to smile and tear up a little (ok, a lot) when it was being read out loud.
I have put together a little snapshot of my own, of Charlotte at age four.
Funny. This girl can make me laugh.
Artistic. Sometimes I am blown away by her creativity and skill in this area.
She never forgets. Occasionally she will talk about something that happened 2 and a half years ago.
Sensitive and compassionate. Her concern for others is amazing.
Likes to be the boss. Future jobs might include: director of stage and/or screen, CEO, Principal or Teacher. (she says when she grows up she wants to be a Mommy)
Curious. She asks questions that floor me. Often (usually) I don't know the answers and we have to do some research. (Thank God for the internet!)
Oh yeah. She really, really, really, really, loves her Mommy.

The Meaning of Life

Seriously. No explanation needed.

My Grown Up Girl

Often I wonder and worry about how to raise compassionate, sensitive, kind children. Then, out of the blue...proof that I am doing something right. I was telling Charlotte about Evelyn's last day of school and how Teacher Gina was crying. Charlotte seemed very concerned and asked why she was crying. I told her that she would miss the kids. With teary eyes, she looked up at me and said, "I'm crying, but I don't know why." I know why. Because she is a compassionate, sensitive, kind girl.



It was Charlotte's last day today. On to pre-k next year. I'm not ready for kindergarten, so this makes me happy:)

Next stop....Three's class!

Wow! It's that time of year already. Sleeping in. Hours splashing in the wading pool. The sticky smell of sunscreen and the greasy, shiny faces that come with it. Ahhhhh...summer. Afternoons with sticky ice cream fingers and faces as we lay in the cool shade of our front yard. This time last year, we were just preparing to meet baby brother for the first time. He's almost one and another school year has gone by. I need to take note of every detail. I may turn around and find a grinning teenager in a cap and gown looking back at me.




Evelyn's last day of school today. It was a really fun year for her. Thanks for everything teacher Gina! We love you!

Raindrops on Roses and Whiskers on Kittens...

Here are a few, simple, generally inexpensive, favorite cosmetic items that I must use daily.


CG Smoothers tinted moisturizer. Awesome moisture, enough coverage for those of us who don't actually need it. I've tried other tinted moisturizers, much more expensive ones, and this wins. Hands down.



Aveda Exfoliating Toner. Awwwwww, the feeling of cleanliness! I don't know exactly why, but my face feels dull, tight, and generally uncomfortable until I use this every morning. If I run out, I make sure to run right out to the salon to pick some up. I love it that much. I don't normally love Aveda products. Too naturey smelling. This one is worth trying, especially if you have super dry skin that tends to flake.



One more favorite for today. Don't worry, I'll be back with more favorites. There are so many things I must share with you.

I love Olay facial cleansing cloths! There. The secret's out. I wastefully use a facial cloth every morning and toss it in the trash without thinking of the Earth. I faithfully recycle. Really. I just love the way these make my skin feel. Plus I have a wierd washcloth on the face aversion, so this seems to work for me. If you prefer using a washcloth and cleanser, might I suggest packing them on your next vacation? Quick and easy.

An Old Favorite

This and That

Can't get enough of you, baby...

Oh dear, the way I love this little guy...

Immaturity

Why on Earth do I think this is so funny? What am I? 8 years old?

Mac, this song is for you!

I sing this to Mac all the time. Each of our kids have their own special song. This one's for you, Buddy Boy!
Baby Mac
Baby Mac
Mommy loves you to the moon and back
Sweet little baby, sweet little guy
Mommy loves you up to the sky
Baby Mac
Baby Mac
Mommy loves you to the moon and back
(to the tune of twinkle little star)



PS: I love spaghetti. Love, Mac

Just Swingin' With My Dad

On Growing Up

I know they will, of course. And oftentimes I find myself thinking that I wish they would grow up because "Won't it be fun to do (insert fun traveling type adventure here) when the kids are much older?" When my house is filled with the chaotic activity that a 17 year old, 16 year old and 13 year old enjoy, I am pretty sure I will think, "Remember when they were 4, 3, and 10 months? What I wouldn't give to have that back..." The truth is, we are never completely happy with the stage we are in and I want to remedy that. Enjoy the headless Polly Pocket dolls that pretty much occupy every inch of space in our house. Don't spend all my time worrying about little Mac's teething woes. He will get over this. He'll have a healthy, non-painful mouthful of teeth one day. That is pretty much a guarantee.
"Remember Charlotte and Evelyn, how you used to love to hear stories about the imaginary Lucy Belle who jumped so high on her bed that she was propelled into the sky and spent her evenings exploring the earth?" The teenage Charlotte and Evelyn will roll their eyes. But I know they will be remembering her and smile. Maybe only on the inside.

This is Pure JOY

Things they are a-changing

This blog is cute and everything, but honestly? NOT INTERESTING. I don't know how, and I don't know when, but expect a blog revamp. Graphic design is not my forte, so the simple free template format will still exist. The content and title are the things I'm playing with. Don't worry, it will still involve photos of my darling little sweethearts and include stories of their incredible cuteness, but will also be more personal in nature. It has occured to me to start another, seperate blog, but I really would rather keep it all in the same place. This new blog will revolve around ME a little more. My posts might occasionally be about subjects not involving my children. I am pretty sure most of them will still be child-centered, but I want to explore other avenues as well.
I have so many ideas, can't wait to figure this all out.

February Disneyland Trip

We took the greatest trip to Disneyland in early February. Charlotte insists we are going back on her birthday and Evelyn is convinced she'll be tall enough to go on the big rides (splash mountain, space mountain, thunder mountain...).

Fun Times in January

Los Angeles Girl's Weekend!

Again, this trip actually happened in October, but I definitely need to remember this wonderful weekend. Thanks Lily! Thanks to my PEPS girlfriends, you are the best!

Christmas Card Photo

Oh yes, it's a little out of order, but I must add this darling photo of my 3 sweet babies. My friend Kristi was kind enough to photoshop this for me to give it an extra special look.

Ballerinas in Training

Finally! In January, Roseanne let us come and watch rehearsal! Charlotte followed all the rules and Evelyn? Let's just say she was distracted by the audience. Can't wait for the recital in June!

Fresh From the Bath

I just love these 3!

I never manage to take pics on Christmas morning, so this is really it.