Another Weekend, Continued Pumpkin Appearances

This past weekend, we didn't plan too many extra-cirricular activities.  Sandwiched between the Disney/fair/pumpkin farm extravaganza, and the upcoming excitement of the Fall Festival and Halloween itself, we planned a relaxing "off" weekend. 

But first, we had a birthday to celebrate.  Three candles naturally calls for three people to blow them out properly, right?

The cupcakes were good, but a little heavy on the icing.  Funny, there were no complaints from the peanut gallery.  (Note the first fire of the season...the house still smelled wonderful on Saturday morning...mmmm.)

Ella's been practicing her knitting a lot lately.  She must know that Nana's going to be making an appearance soon and she wants to be on top of her game.  I helped a little with some dropped stiches and tangled yarn.  "You're almost as good as a Nana, Mom." 

That might be the best compliment I've gotten all year. 

Saturday morning, I sat in on Ella's ballet class.  She confuses the ballet bar with a set of monkey bars on occasion, but I was pretty proud of how well she followed instruction and tried her best with all of the new techniques Ms. Jessica is throwing her way.  It's a big leap from last year's Creative Movement class.

Sunday afternoon, we broke the pumpkins out.  Here is Ella thinking to herself, "Oh yeah, I remember.  This is messy.  Maybe I don't want to do this part afterall."

All of big sister's "ewwww"'s rubbed off of little brother, too.  I believe this photo is one of four total scoops Michael attempted to remove seeds from the inside of his pumpkin.  The rest of the scraping/scooping duty was left up to Wes and me. 

Now, the art begins. 

This is the result of my giving up on ever getting a photo of them smiling with their completed pumpkins.  Some days it's just more fun to hide behind the pumpkin tops, I guess. 

Time to head in.  Dinner's ready.

Pumpkins and the Fair

If you're in the Atlanta area and looking for a picturesque pumpkin farm, I can't say enough nice things about Kinsey Family Farms in Gainesville.  Aside from hay rides, feeding some fish and a cow or two, there's not a ton of action for the kids, but it's perfect for those with very little ones.  We like it because it doesn't have to be a half-day-long adventure - when we're in the mood for that, we head to Washington Farms in Watkinsville - and it makes for some great photos. 

First thing this past Sunday morning, we headed that way.

Does Michael look ready for the hay ride driver to get this show on the road, or what?

After lunch at Taco Mac, "where they defrost everything to perfection," as Wes likes to say, we drove over to Cumming for the last day of the country fair.  We arrived within 10 minutes of the opening, along with 90 percent of Cumming's finest residents who apparently all had the same idea as ourselves. 

Happily, we made it in and proceeded to spend about three hours risking the kids' lives on various rides built by questionable Carnies. 

Back home, the kids spent some time drawing pumpkins and ponies on the driveway.

Next weekend, we have haircuts and chores on the agenda.  It'll be a toss-up as to which weekend they prefer, I'm sure.

Disney with Ice Skates On

Three princess story lines in one ice dancing show?  "Yes, please," says Elizabeth.  We threw in a MARTA train ride and a viking hat, and Michael was happy, too.  (Honestly, he's kind of into princesses himself.  Shhhh.)

The show begins.

Pigeon really liked the show, too, and kicked me incesantly for the majority of it.  Here we are at 35+ weeks. 

 

Corn Muffins and Mulch

We've had a lot of both this week.  The first, to accompany a large pot of Sunday chili.  The second, because we've been logging lots of playground hours this week with all of the awesome temperatures. 

Here are my expert corn muffin mix stirrers in action.

And here are shots from Wednesday when I took all three kids to the playground.

Toy Story

This weekend, I took on a small project for a local preschool class.  They - like nearly every local school I know of around here - put on an annual auction and ask their classrooms to come up with items to sell.  I thought this idea was so unique, I wanted to share. 

Each child was asked to bring in a favorite toy to be photographed.  The final shots will be framed, either alone or in a series, and displayed gallery-style for the auction.  Outside of an idea for your own upcoming auction (anyone else a little tired of pulling together a spa or movie night basket for the fourth year in a row?), I think this could also be a great way to capture your own child's favorite toy or lovey and turn it into a work of art.  It's only a matter of time before it gets left behind for grown-up things like make-up and video games.  *sniff*

The Variety Hour

I'll just go ahead and admit that what follows below is really about four or five separate posts crammed into one for this evening.  Let's pretend this is a one-woman, working mom version of a variety hour.  You don't mind, do you?  Good. 


Starting chronologically (why not?), I'd like to share a few shots from a recent shoot I did with a dear friend who is busy launching an already successful prenatal yoga business.  Check her out - www.kristenyoga.com.  We had so much fun and Elizabeth is getting to be quite the accomplished photographer's assistant lately.

Here is said photographer's assistant fleeing my camera as I tried to get a shot of her.  I should mention what a complete gift it was to finally have a grown up (*ahem* gorgeous!) subject who actually holds still while I fumble with my camera's settings.  I'm spoiled now!

Next up, Michael.  For those who have yet to see photographic evidence of his typical appearance when he comes home from school, here are his feet.  He wore Crocs this particular day; they don't mix well with the playground.  Ew. I would have to work so hard to get this dirty.  It just comes naturally to him.  It's his gift, you might say.

This past Saturday, our city held the fireworks celebration which was cancelled due to bad weather back on July 4.  We all agreed, we should have July 4 in late September more often.  Much better weather.

Paul was in charge of the sparkler distribution for the evening.  He had quite a following for a little while there. 

The next day, friends threw a little "sprinkle" celebration for Pigeon at Rosebud in the Highlands.  There's so much to be thankful for lately - having such amazing friends to welcome baby number three (!!) into this crazy world is just one of the many blessings I count each day. 

While we're on the topic, here is week 33 with little Pigeon. 

And finally, the kids have taken a real interest in the wireless remote I recently got for the camera. Here are their own self-portraits taken using the remote.  This could provide hours of entertainment for all involved.  Seriously. 

These are going to make me smile every time I look at them.  Kooky kids.

Our Big Boy Hits the Big 0-3

Tonight's post is all about the lovable, huggable (well, immediately after a bath), no-longer-a-toddler [clutches chest] in our lives: Michael. 

But maybe I should back up.  The shindig was on Saturday, but the birthday was on Friday.  Michael started the morning, before school, opening and reopening a birthday card that sings while catching his morning 'toons. Yeah, it was pretty awesome for the rest of us that early in the morning, too.  A "happy birthday!" call from the cousins before heading off to school was just the thing to fully set the tone for the day.

After school, the kids got to Skype with Nana and Rocket.  "I'm fee, today!"

Saturday morning was a bit of a blur.  Somehow, the kids got dressed, we picked up the rest of the party perishables at the store and we made it to the Little Shop of Stories just in time to set everything up before - as Ella calls them - the "customers" showed up. 

 

Remarkably, we had about 10 minutes to kill before our friends showed up, so Michael took the opportunity to try out some of the party digs.

It wasn't long before friends arrived and got the real party started. 

 

 

Storytime begins (all dinosaur- and pirate-themed, of course.)

Now for the really good stuff: cake.

 

The most important part?  Michael declared the day a success, and followed up the festivities with a nice, long sugar-coma-induced nap. 

If there's anything I've learned from being a parent for nearly six years, it's that everyone's right, it really does go by faster than you can imagine.  As quickly as Ella's first three years came and went, I believe Michael's went by in half of that time.  I remember Nana telling me how she wanted to sit on me - her third baby - as a child to keep from growing up any more.  While it made me laugh at the time I heard it, I'm now going to search the Internet for anti-aging solutions for the rest of the evening.  These babies just don't stay that way for nearly long enough. 

Lots of catching up to do

Hello, September, when did you get here?

It seems like yesterday, school was just starting and this week we're already on Fall Break.  (No, it's not Fall yet.  Guess they didn't want to call it "Summer Break, Part II.")  So Ella is at camp this week, and Michael is somewhere on a playground, stuffing mulch into his shorts, while the panic is starting to creep in that I only have nine more weeks to get ready for our littlest bundle of joy to arrive.

The days have definitely been packed lately.  The kids had time to chat it up with their cousins on Skype last week - something we need to get better about doing more often.

And there has been a massive amount of crafting going on, in preparation for Michael's 3rd birthday party this weekend.  Here's a preview of some pirate 'pouts' Ella helped me make.  "Argh!"

Last weekend, the kids and I went to the Decatur Book Festival - where we ran into our little friend William.  He's the cutie in the lower left corner, and I'd say he was pretty darn excited to see us, too.

There was some general goofing off happening around the house.

I think Miss Abby was just shaking her head at the rest of us.

On our rainy Labor Day, we took the kids to the local bowling alley.  From left to right, here is (1) Michael entertaining himself while waiting for his turn, (2) a little possesiveness over the blue bowling ball, and (3) some serious excitement over a strike. 

Can't help but share this next one.  Ella was having fun putting suds on her brother's head - until she got cocky and started spreading it on his next and shoulders and the gig was up.  You could probably hear Michael yelling "Eh-whiz-a-bet! STOP DAT!" clear across the neighborhood.

Jammie time.  All recovered now.

This past weekend, the kids spent the night at Gigi and Poppa's (the land where kids eat better and sleep longer than ever at home...we are always in awe.)  When they got back home, G&P had an early birthday surprise for Michael.  You can see him in the bottom photo checking it over with his pirate hook in-hand.  It's kind of hard to ride with a hook, but he gave it a shot.

Baby Girls

Warning: adorable, squeezable cheeks ahead.  Some good friends of ours have six month-old twin girls and were kind enough to let me practice taking some photos of them in the park yesterday morning.  I think a few of them turned out pretty well - I've never had the chance to try and get two babies in focus at once.  

For just learning how to sit up, I'd say both of these girls look like pros after only a few days of practice.  Watch out - crawling is just around the corner!

 

 

A few more to share

It's been another busy week and I've downloaded a few hundred (!) photos - mostly for my class - and I thought I'd share a few tonight. 

And here's Pigeon and I as we head into week 30.  Sitting is preferrable to standing these days. :)

Further contributions to my baby fever

Yesterday morning, I had the opportunity to take some photos for good friends with an 8 1/2 month-old cutie pie.  There's been a lot of hubbub and excitement around our house lately as Ella has been learning to ride her bike without training wheels and Michael is demonstrating more hand-eye coordination with different sports tricks each week.  We take notice and applaud each new acheivement as proud parents do [as I write this, Michael is asking me to watch his new dance which involves mostly funny faces and wiggling his back end, LOL], but the pace at which these kids are growing up makes me dizzy.

And I'm not going to lie.  Getting to spend some time with this little guy reminded me how happy I am to have another baby in the house very soon.  So. stinking. cute.

 

 

What I've been up to the past two weeks

What have I been doing?  Wes would say, "totally monopolozing the computer."  Ella would say, "making me sit for photos, like, every single day."  Michael would say, "huh?"

Two weeks ago, Shooting 201 started and, well, it's been an adventure.  Let's just say Ella has been earning lots of peices of gum.  Michael has been wandering away from me when I need him to look at me for a photo.  And Wes has been missing the computer. 

Here are a few of the photos I've taken.  Most haven't made it for a submission, but I thought they summed up the past two weeks fairly well. 

Things I've learned...

1. Ella can only smile for so long.

2.  I'm not that good at taking sunny/hazy photos, but I think I might be addicted to trying.

3. Sometimes I miss focus.  But kind of like the photo anyway.

4. Michael gets bored.  Easily.

5.  If we take the kids to a (semi-dangerous, active) railroad track, they get excited and might even stand together for 1.5 seconds to allow a joint photo.

6. Sometimes Ella just needs a rest.

6. Michael does not know, nor does he care, what the reflector is supposed to be used for, despite repeated explanations.  Apparently they make really good seats and rock holders.

7. I may have said, "Look at mommy!" one too many times in 20 minutes.  I was threatened with rocks. I probably deserved it.

8. The assignments don't allow for B&W submissions (yet,  I hope.) I still can't help myself from converting a few from each session. Love this little girl.

Two more weeks to go. (Insert excited smiley face icon here.)

And now for something unrelated...Pigeon's slat-style crib bumpers showed up recently.  I was thrilled to find ones I can leave on the crib even when Pigeon's still an infant and not rolling over yet, that don't involve unsightly mesh.  Is it 11 weeks from now YET? 

 

Stone Mountain Park

It's embarrassing, really.  We live 15 whole minutes from Stone Mountain, and for the first time in over five years, we took the kids there today to get out and run around.  We started the morning hiking (and I use that term loosely, seeing as how I was in flip-flops) about halfway up to the top of the mountain. Frequent stops were made for photo ops and to corral Michael back in from hopping on every. single. rock. he saw.  And there were a lot of rocks. 

There were also a lot more photos taken than the ones below.  CLICK HERE for the full gallery, if you're so inclined. 

Next up was the Skyride to the top of the mountain. Michael wasn't totally thrilled we had to wait for a whole five minutes.  In his defense, there were no rocks to jump on while in line. 

Before heading to lunch, we did a little geese and duck feeding. The kids can't read yet, so it's not like we were setting a bad example or anything.

And the best part of the day?  Pooped kids.  Who also ate every bite of their lunches.  Win-win all-around.  We'll be back.

Asheville Babymoon

Poppa and Gigi were extremely gracious and offered to watch the kiddos for a weekend if we would like to take some time away before the baby comes.  We can't thank them enough! 

Heading out Friday afternoon, we spent two nights at a wonderful B&B. If you're heading there yourself anytime, we highly recommend this place, where we had fresh coffee and tea brought to our door each morning, dessert was served with breakfast, and the bathtub filled with water that came from the ceiling - what more could you ask for?  Our basic plan was to eat ourselves silly and wander around Asheville. 

Wes probably summed up the town best: "This place is more Decatur than Decatur."  Foodies, artists, colorful people who carry small monkeys on their shoulders and all.  I missed that last particular Kodak moment, but did capture a few others. 

Saturday night, the hosts at our B&B brought in live music, the Tater Diggers, during the nightly happy hour on the porch. 

 

Sunday morning, we explored the Biltmore.  After completely neglecting to take more than two photos of downtown, and any at all of our trip out to the Grove Park Inn, I made an effort to snap a few.

 

 

A big thank you to the geese who politely paddled out into the frame while I was taking this shot.  Clearly they've been given instructions on providing guests with whatever they need to make their visit more enjoyable.  I hope they pull down decent wages for their efforts.

All About Ella

If you're not bored of hearing me talk about Ella's first day of Kindergarten yet, you just might enjoy this post.  Chances are slim, though, if you keep up with me on Facebook.  Sorry, folks.  It's been a big day.  For me, of course.  I'm not sure Ella noticed it was much of an event.

The day started with an outdoor gathering of teachers, staff, parents and kids, singing songs and rallying for the start of classes.  Ella watched wide-eyed for a bit, listened carefully to the principal's announcements, then promptly took off following her teacher into the school, holding hands with two of her girlfriends she knows from pre-K. 

You can probably guess that she didn't spare a look back at her parents, who were standing there wondering how long is too long to watch their daughter wander off into that big, giant school.  For the record, it was probably too long.  And yes, I teared up.  I'm blaming the pregnancy hormones, of course.

Before walking to the school, the proud student allowed me to take some photos with her backpack that's twice as wide as she is herself.

The Sunset Beach Top 18

It's August 1 today, and that's special for a couple of reasons.

  1. It's Nana and Rocket's 41st wedding anniversary.  (And my brother turns 42 soon.  Shh, he still hasn't figured it out.)
  2. It's the last day of summer for the kids.  Hold onto your socks - Elizabeth starts Kindergarten tomorrow.  Look for more forced-kid-photography along that subject line later this week.
  3. There are a mere 17 days of shopping left until my birthday. 

To celebrate such a triple-threat of joyus occasions, I've finally stopped to post photos from our trip to Sunset Beach last week.  Which, by the way, I believe was the only week this year made up of less than seven days.  It flew by at record speed. 

The full gallery of photos is available here (CLICK to see 210 vacation photos if you're long on time and attention span availability.)

First up, here are a couple of hurried attempts at putting together some composites from the trip.  Next time, I'll make sure things actually line up.  Details, details.

I found that many of the shots I took last week felt better in black and white.  Strange for a beach trip, maybe, but here they are.

And now for a little color...

And #18: While taking some long-exposure shots of the beach houses at twilight, someone down the beach began firing off fireworks and bottle rockets.  I was lucky enough to catch a few in some of my shots.

Pigeon update: All is well with the little bugger.  Here we are at 24 1/2 weeks (measuring more like 26 or 27 weeks by now.)  I'm going to make a great pumpkin for Halloween.  No extra padding for my costume will be required.

 

P.S. I was only kidding about my brother.  His birthday's not until April. 

testing, testing

Please ignore this post.  :)  I've just learned how to import templates into Lightroom and now I want to see what one might look like on the blog. 

...I'll be back next week with photos from Sunset Beach, NC!

Big Kid Rooms

You'll never guess how I bribed the kids to jump in some photos of their new rooms...

I'm still pretty proud of myself for going outside of my (grey, taupe, you-name-it-neutral) box to paint Ella's room pink.  Thankfully she seems to have forgotten about wanting to paint multi-colored hearts all over the walls as well. 

And Michael's artwork behind his bed is being replaced soon with some 'butcher art' dinosaur prints.  When they come in, I'll have to include a detailed shot.  They're perfect.  Most nights, Michael sings a song to himself about his new room and all of the things in it after we put him to bed.  I've GOT to figure out how to record it before the phase passes. 

I also wonder what else I can get the kids to do if I just let them jump on their beds for a few minutes...hmm.