My favorite memory of 2011

I'll admit, I feel a little guilty for not choosing one involving my kids.  But going to Paris was lifetime dream of mine that Robert made happen just before my birthday.   We actually spent his birthday there and came home just one day before the surprise party he had planned for mine.  For as long as I live, I will never forget watching the Eiffel Tower light up every night, or the view of it from our hotel room.  Hotel Duquesne Eiffel for those that are interested.   Hands down, my best birthday present EVER.  The light show is mesmerizing and I hope to get the chance to see it and of course, photograph it, again.  Making this dream happen really was the start of a new dream-taking my kids to this fabulous city.

Eiffel Tower Light Show

Another one?

Looks like I have another kid obsessed with electronics.

Scholastic Book Orders

My favorite days of school growing up were, in no particular order, the first day of school, the last day of school, the day Scholastic book order forms were handed out and the day the books arrived.  And now, I get to relive it all over again with my own kids. Score! When people tell you that your life will change when kids arrive, they need to add this to the list because it's awesome!

And, I get to see moments like this.  One of them picks a book and they sit together on the couch and read it.  Completely unprompted by me.  Yeah, it's awesome.

My favorite time of the day

One thing "they" don't tell you about having kids is how much you'll enjoy watching them sleep.  I guess it could be just me, but one of my favorite moments of the day, is looking in on them after they've gone to sleep.  No matter how crazy the day, seeing them sleeping so peacefully, albeit in some funny positions, just makes my heart melt. It's one of the few times during the day I still see what's left of the baby in each of them.  I started taking photos of Lainey every night to document the way this girl sleeps.  I'd love to get photos of Beau, and I plan on it.....someday.  For now, he's still in his crib (knock on wood), with a crib tent and if that doesn't get in the way of the camera, he's an incredibly light sleeper. Lainey has always slept like a log and I can, if necessary, turn on the lights in her room, if she hasn't fallen with them on already. What you can't see in most of the photos, are all the books in her bed. She always has at least 5 in the bed with her, sometimes stuck to her face. I imagine she's trying to stay awake as long as possible by looking at books, but as everyone knows, [insert evil laugh] reading makes you sleepy.  One of the very few tricks I have up my sleeve. Fighting her on reading books before bed is not a battle I feel I need to fight.

And my favorite:

Seahawks Game

We took the kids to the Seahawks-Falcons game a few weeks ago.  We fully expected and anticipated an early exit but were very pleasantly surprised. The kids made it the entire game and I must say, enjoyed it!  Beau is now asking to go every day but with the weather starting to become much more normal for this time of the year, I'm just not up for pushing my luck.  Seriously, if you were almost 3 and almost 5, would you want to stand out in the rain? Heck, I don't even like standing out in the rain!  They have much more fun with the babysitter.

 Someone from F5 gave us the 51 jersey when Beau was born.  For the life of me I can't remember who it was but I'd love to thank them again.  Beau loves it!

Excited fans!

 When this kid hears music,

 he can't resist,

 bustin out his inner Travolta!

 I just hope he says, "Hi Mom!" when he's on tv for scoring a touchdown someday.  I'm trying to talk him into not playing football but so far, he's not having it. He wants to be a "golf ball player," soccer player, baseball player and a football player. 

 My men

 Trying his best to cause a false start. For once, having a voice that carries was a good thing!  This kid is LOUD!

 and loves to have his picture taken.  Just one of the many many things I love about him.

 Bring this girl her Leapster and she'll go anywhere you want.  

We left the house nervous and came home with smiles.  The weather was beautiful, the Seahawks lost but made it an exciting game.  It was truly one of the best days we've had as a family and one I know I'll never forget. 

My little Mary Lou

This is Lainey's first time doing gymnastics. Beau goes to a class as well but since I'm in it with him, and usually chasing him, it's darn near impossible to get any photos of him.  Not to mention, gymnasiums (does anybody even use that word anymore?) have quite possibly, the worst light for photos.  But, they both love going to their classes and it's fun to watch them.  Lainey is a lot like me when it comes to tennis- a lot of enthusiasm, but not much talent.  The difference is, she's young and just learning and I'm an old dog that apparently can't learn new tricks.  She gets better every class and her excitement for the class is adorable.  She says her favorite is the balance beam. I love seeing the look of concentration on her face when she's on it. 

Chomper

I'm trying to make it a point to take more photos that capture our everyday lives.  These two are growing up so fast and I'm afraid I won't remember these crazy, fun and sometimes wild days.  I don't know what happens between ages 4 and 5 but Lainey is looking like a young lady more and more every day.  She tells us daily that she wants to stay little and be a baby and with all of my heart, I wish I could hit the pause button and just savor her smallness.  And Beau, my crazy, smart as a whip little man, has no desire to get out of diapers yet when I hold him tells me that he's peeing on me.  I do look forward to the end of diapers, the only milestone I've ever eagerly anticipated.  I also wish I could record his sweet little voice asking me his million questions, saying, "Excuse me Mommy," and tapping me on the shoulder.  All of it makes my heart ache.  My babies are growing up and while I'm loving the little people they are growing into, I miss the the baby in both of them.   The two of them are becoming great friends and whenever I notice them sitting together, playing nicely, one or both of them asks me to take their picture. They are no stranger to the camera and I love that they want me to capture those fleeting moments.  

Little Liz and Tattoo Boy

Lainey came up to me recently, decked out with every piece of her jewelry she could find, which wasn't much but a lot for her, and did something she never does. She asked me to take her picture! And of course, I had to do what she asked.

Bug, that dimple has been there since the day you were born and I love you and it more than you can imagine.

At their last haircut the kids picked tattoos as their treat for behaving.  Lainey rubbed hers off within a day but Beau's is still going strong. It makes me laugh seeing his skinny little arms rocking that tattoo. 

First day of school x2

This week Lainey and Beau both started preschool. Lainey is in pre-k and this is Beau's first year of preschool. They are going to the same school, opposite days so we visit school 5 days a week. So fun for Mommy.  It's been an interesting week so far for all of us. Finding our groove has been challenging. More for me I think.  I'm loving the one on one time I get to spend with each of them though and how they miss each other.  

I've taken a photo of Lainey on her first day of preschool every year on our front porch. The first year we lived in Lynnwood but hopefully (fingers crossed), all of her pictures will be on our "new" front porch.  She didn't have a problem going to back to school at all. She loves school and vanished into the classroom before I could give her a kiss goodbye.  She made a new friend immediately and is looking forward to play dates.  

I decided to make it a tradition to take their pictures in front of the door.  It will be fun to see how they've grown and changed from one year to the next.  I'm working on a craft project to add to it in time for kindergarten next year. 

Beau had the exact opposite reaction to his first day of school.  The night before, he woke up crying, telling us he did not want or need us to go on a date. He's in a phase where he doesn't like us leaving him with sitters, not even his aunt.  The morning of preschool he cried after I took his picture, cried walking into the school and really cried when we got into his classroom.  I got a call from one of the teachers 15 minutes after we dropped him off, letting me know he was having a great time and had already played with about 134 things and was showing off his "cool shirt."  He's even excited to go back tomorrow!

As for me, I love having each of them one on one and it's so much easier trying to do well, really ANYTHING, with just one kid.  Along with school starting, they each started gymnastics, and of course they go on different days so I'm adjusting to a new schedule just as much as they are. 

 I can't believe my baby is a preschooler already though.  And I try not to think of Lainey starting kindergarten next year.  These years are definitely too short. There's so many days I'd like to hit the Re-Do button on, whether it's to do a better job parenting or to soak in the sweet moments one more time.  We're in a really good phase right now and I'm loving it and soaking it up as much as possible. 

It's Fair Time

One thing I really miss about living in the Midwest, the fairs.  Here, the fair signals the end of summer. In Minnesota, there are county fairs and festivals all summer long.  Starting at the end of May and going through September, one can get their fill of fried cheese curds (another thing I miss) and other food you associate with the fair and carnival rides every weekend. Bullhead Days, Waseca County Fair, the "big" fair: Steel County Fair, Hay Daze (yes, they spelled it that way), Crazy Days (made famous in the movie Cars), and well, you get the picture.  

Yesterday we decided to throw the kids in the car after Beau's nap and get out and enjoy what very well could be our last 80 degree day.  It was either Discovery Park Beach or the Evergreen State Fair in Monroe.  Hmmmmm, the beach has sand, rocks and endless requests from Lainey to get into the cold water.  On the other hand, the fair has fried food, cotton candy, scones and rides.  You know which I pushed for. 

Not sure where these concerned faces came from.  It was the first ride they went on. Perhaps they were looking to see if were still there?

Not my best photography work but one of my favorites of the day nonetheless. The look of pure joy is what  gets me out of bed in the morning. 

Lainey went on this same ride last year. Here are those pics.

Rides. Not just for kids, even if you are in the kiddie section at the carnival. 

I have no idea what his Daddy told him but I love this face. 

Also one of my favorites. 

I was looking through some of my shots when I noticed this girl looking up at me, making goofy faces.  

When we left the house, we were very apprehensive. Leaving the house at 4pm left us with no hope of making it home by bedtime.  We thought we were asking for trouble and were pleasantly surprised. I love going to the fair. Always have, always will. Whereas before it was about me, feeding my face and spinning around on rides until I couldn't see straight, now it's about seeing the same joys on the faces of my babies. And that I got in spades.  We got home around 9p and sat outside, in the backyard looking at stars, bundled up in blankets.  A perfect evening and I can't wait for the Puyallup Fair in a few weeks!