Way Back Wednesday- my Mom

Here is a picture of my mom- not sure how old she is in this picture but I am guessing around 2 maybe?

And here is a picture I took of her in April- she was in need of a recent and flattering headshot.

Ten on Tuesday- Just Stuff

It has been awhile since I have done any "real" blogging so I am playing catch up.

1) I should be working on a client's pictures right now- but instead I am blogging my own!

2) I am so sick of this rainy and cloudy weather- grrrrr bring on the sun!

3) The weekend before last Marc went away for the weekend with Matt and Jason. I believe this is the third time they have done this weekend. They go away to the Adirondacks with a canoe and kayak and then camp for the weekend. Marc took a few pictures and a rather entertaining video but this is the only picture that is "blog worthy". From what I can tell they had a great weekend.


4) That same weekend I had a photoshoot in the morning so Becky offered to barter with me- she would watch my kids while I took the pictures and in exchange when I was done I was to take pictures of her kids afterwards. Check my blog here for the results.

5) Emma and Jessica had fun creating this rather elaborate chalk drawing on our driveway.


6) Last Monday Jessica class invited the parents to come to the school for kite flying day. They made these kites in Art class and they were going test them out.

BUT... here's the thing, they only had 12 inches of string or so attached so it was clear they were not going to fly. Instead they told the kids to run in a circle. Jessica thought it was great fun.


7) Marc taught the kids how to play Shoe Golf recently. They had great fun and have tried, without luck, to rope in their friends to give it a try too. I have circled their shoes in the pictures so you could have a better idea of what they are doing.




8) Today was officially our first day of Summer Vacation. The Cordis children came and spent the day with us to help kick it off. The kids had a great time.

9) Jessica and Audrey decided to bust a move! They did the Cotton Eye Joe...


The Cha Cha Slide...
and a little Hoedown Throwdown too- as well as the Hamster Dance to appease Justin.

10) we might have some exciting House news soon, fingers crossed.

My boy- today...

This picture is such a good composite of many things Justin loves. Sitting on his favorite chair, wearing his new favorite shirt (mariokart wii), and playing on the XBOX 360- he was one content guy...

First Week of Summer Vacation- sort of

As of last Friday Justin is out of school. Unfortunately Jessica still has 2 more weeks and a half day on a Monday (that's stupid, right?). There are no kids in our neighborhood that are home either. So Monday was a little sad and lonely for him. He went outside to play on our "one foot swing" that Daddy hung up recently- the kids are loving it very much, but it does look a bit like a noose.



Then he continued to dig up the street in front of our house.


Eventually we got ahold of a friend that could come over and play. We are slowly getting into our vacation groove. I have to get used to trying to get things done, like cooking laundry and cleaning while he is around. We have tried to do some fun things but the rainy yucky weather isn't helping. Hopefully next week we will do some more stuff. But we are both looking forward to having Jessica home to hang out with us.

In case you missed it...

Here is the video of Justin "saluting" the entire audience. We uploaded a shorter version on Facebook earlier but here is the extended version. Thinking of submitting it to America's Funniest Videos....

End of the year show

Justin had his end of the year show last night. Justin kicked off the show with a great introduction.

Jessica had fun hanging in the back with her BFF.

Here they are singing the opening number. Justin did great this year, he was actually signing the songs- this is an improvement.

Farmer Justin...

Alligator Justin...

Bumblebee Justin...
After the singing is complete the graduating kids head to the back of the auditorium to process in all together. Justin was at the head of the line and it was clear they told him to smile the whole way down.

Much to our surprise Justin had quite the flare for the dramatic. At one point during the show at the end of the song he tossed his prop in the air and caught it on cue. When his name was called for his diploma he walked out and tipped his hat to everyone. It was so clear he had planned that move.


After diplomas Justin and his buds manuevered themselves so they were sitting together. This is Justin and his two best buds.

Here are Justin and Luke at the end saying Onomatopoeia to each other over and over- don't ask.
It was a great night except for a few bumps in the road- Justin flipping the bird to the entire crowd- repeatedly throughout an entire song, looking at me and laughing because he knew I couldn't do anything to stop him. Oh and the time Mrs.B said something that only Marc and Mom found hysterically funny with "innuendo" attached so they got the giggles- so hard Marc was crying.

When I told Justin that Friday was his last day he said, "oh and then I go to Kindergarten?". He is ready, just not sure they are....

Field Day!

Friday was Jessica's Field Day at school and she was so excited. Wow do I envy the Field Day that she has at school compared to the one I used to have. I was never psyched for mine. It was real track and field events and there were winners and losers- I never won a ribbon- ever. But now it is fun and crazy events- no winners no losers and lots of fun. I didn't volunteer to help but I promised Jessica I would try to stop by.

Here is her face when she realized I was there- yeah I need to help out more often, see how happy she is when I am there?

This was the challenge she was competing in at the time of my arrival.

Next up was a clothesline game- her team was slow at the start because the first boy up had NO IDEA how to use a clothespin. Jessica was the only 2nd grader on her team, everyone else was older, but she held her own.


This was a cool one that involved passing a small ball along these half tube things. Once you passed the ball you ran back to the line and the next person came to have the ball passed to them to make it to the finish line. Every time the ball is dropped they have to start over- it happened many times, but never at Jessica's fault.

Potato sack race...
Here is the tug of war. Soon after I shot these pictures I got roped in to join them. After that I left, I was a little scared what else I would be asked to do.


Jessica's favorite game was one where they kicked off their shoe to see how far it would go. One of my goals for next year is to volunteer in her class more. It means SO MUCH to her when I show up.

Open House was last week and I can't tell you how many mothers made a point of seeking me out and telling me how wonderful Jessica is in the class. How much they love her and how sweet she is to everyone. While we know it, it is very nice to hear it from so many others.

Manjula!

Meet my friend Manjula. We have been friends since 7th grade. She currently lives in Germany so I don't get to see her very often. She was in town for a very short period this week. Apparently in Germany it is acceptable and expected to include a picture of yourself with your resume, so Manjula came up to get a new head shot.

Here are my questions for you, how come she is 5 months older than me but looks 10 years younger?? She also asked that I remove her wrinkles. I would be happy to do that if someone could please just show me where they are...


Great seeing you! Next time lets get together for a little longer, ok?