I LOVE My camera

It used to be that I would take pictures and think, "that's not what my children look like to me".
Finally with my new camera I feel like my pictures look like my children, and now you can see them the way I do.
So much to learn, so many settings and options, but I'm enjoying the practice. And I have gorgeous little models that make it fun.
Talin will always be my tender hearted, trustworthy boy. He plays well with Caleb, which is a difficult thing to do, and I can always hand him Monet and know she'll be entertained, read to and watched over.

And she seems to always be comfortable in his arms. When she was tiny and crying, and I was too busy to get to her right away, Talin would always go to her and walk around the house comforting her. What a boy.

Talking to dad on the speaker phone.

Caleb on the other hand has a more complex relationship with her. He loves her, but also likes to drag her across the tile floor, push her around, try to pick her up and throw toys at her head.

Needless to say I can't leave her unprotected, ever.

And then we have Collin.

This boy is hilarious.

And Monet thinks he's hilarious as well. When he does take the time to acknowledge her, she usually bursts into hysterical laughter at whatever it is he's doing, funny or not.

But that's about as far as the relationship goes. He never wants to hold her or be left in charge of her for a few minutes. He kind of gets a fearful look in his eyes when I ask him to watch his sister for a minute.
To each his own.
I might have Talin walking around the house spouting his impatience to be a father. But I'm equally grateful for Collin's enthusiasm to stay a kid for as long as possible.

My dream has finally come true.

Tom and I have been wanting a nice camera for years now.
Last year we discussed buying it and kept putting the purchase off.
Well finally last week we went ahead and bought our camera, a Rebel T3.
I love it. I haven't had a lot of time to play around with it or read the novel of instructions that come with it, but so far I see a huge difference in the pictures.

I have A LOT to learn which is overwhelming, but it will do for our little world.

My babies

She's on the move! No longer will she have to sit and endure Collin and Talin covering her face with stickers. She can crawl, and boy does she move fast!

I compare Monet to a puppy.

I have to hide shoes from her or she'll chew on them, I have to vacuum more frequently than usual because she finds hidden treasures in our shag carpet, and I have to block her into certain areas by rearranging the furniture so she doesn't have free range of the house. If only I could put her outside like a puppy.

Caleb on the other hand has his own issues.

This is typical Caleb attire as of late. We go nowhere without the boots. And clothes are optional. He's the ridiculous neighbor kid riding his bike down the street dressed like this, or not dressed I should say. I'm sure the neighbors are rolling their eyes and shaking their heads.

And Caleb has become much more interested in Monet now that she seems to be more of a person that eats his toys and precious puzzle pieces.

Their relationship has progressed and now I really can't leave them alone in a room together.

She's starting to get a little hair. It is a cruel injustice though, considering the others were all hobbits at this point.

And my bad mothering here, she's eating Cheetos.

Talin and Monet are a good combination. He loves to take care of her and he's good at it. How many more years till he can babysit? I'm seriously counting down!

The two babies. I can already foresee the love/hate relationship here.

Sundays

Any more Sundays have become a special challenge for Tom and I.

A special difficult challenge.

Too many kids. Too many needs. And not enough hands.

Although they are a handsome bunch.

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Terrible picture of me, but this is how she rolls.

My shoulder and neck usually kills by the end of the afternoon, but she's so happy in her sling.

And last week I got her ears pierced. I had too. Someone called her a boy. And I hate bows, and she has no hair. So the earrings feminize her. Right?

I think so.

So does she.

As of late...

...my children and I have been busy being awesome.
Talin rocked the science fair and received an honorable mention ribbon.

And Collin rocked our latest chess tournament, was undefeated and brought home a trophy. I only have a picture on my phone that I don't know how to put on the computer.

Blue and Gold Banquet was a success and Talin got his Bear. I'm not very good at recording their Cub Scout accomplishments, but they are rocking it. I need to be better with the pictures.

Dr. Seuss's birthday was celebrated by dressing up. I did the best I could on very short notice. And I even got Collin to wear one of my shirts, I couldn't find another red shirt!
It cracks me up.

And finally it felt so nice to be recognized for my calling at the Blue and Gold Banquet. I got a candy poster, I'm the Cub Committee Chair and I get to organize all the Pack Meetings and make sure they come together. And while I originally abhorred this calling, I'm learning to love it.

More December Adventures

Tom did the woodwork and I of course designed and painted. This was for JoDee's in laws, and I loved the way it turned out. I scaled down the size and tried an apple tree, and did it in less than a week.

I'm not great at cake making, but I try, and here is my attempted recreation of Amy's lemon marscapone cake.

Happy Birthday Tom!!

Tom turned 33, man we're getting old!

I love him.

He's such a patient awesome husband and father.

My boys, aren't they all adorable?

Rarely do they all hold this still, the flames had them mesmerized.

I insisted on 33 candles, then stood by with a fire extinguisher, just kidding.

But that was a lot of smoke!

Zoo Trip

Caleb's preschool did a zoo trip, so we tagged along for Monet's first zoo outing.
I'm not sure she was overly thrilled, it was a little cold.

Thankfully Tom got out of work early that day to meet us at the zoo and chase this little monkey around.

Caleb with some of his classmates.

Dreams do come true.

Caleb riding the zoo train.

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Last but not least Collin's banged up chin when he got hit by a car on his way to school while riding his bike.

We all felt so lucky and blessed it wasn't any worse than this. But what a reminder to never take any of them for granted, I can't imagine a different scenario.

This would certainly be a different family without his buzzing personality!