today was our last day home together before the first day of school.  i don’t think it is actually the end of summer yet, and certainly weather wise, i’m sure we will have lots more hot days.  but today was the last day to play all day, to be carefree and not be scheduled.  we had a fun and relaxing day filled with family, friends and treats.  add some beautiful light in the back yard and two children who were relatively cooperative, and you have one happy mama.  Coop actually came out and asked me to take his picture (although i do think he thought that was a sure ticket to get him his mc donalds), and Harper, while enjoying herself outside playing, is starting to enter that “i will not look at you no matter how many ridiculous noises and things you say” phase.  i actually was thinking of turning some of hers into a funny story, but may just have to save those for another day.  for now, here are my babies….on the last day before the first day of first grade (and for harper…the first day of my brother won’t be home to torment me all day, so daddy will have to entertain and spoil me) ♥ you both!

this little sweetie is almost 3.  her mom worked with me this summer, and we thought it would be fun to take her out for a little tea party photo shoot.  she was so sweet and a bit shy, but she really enjoyed the tea party.  i had so much fun with her, i’m hoping she will play with me again soon.

just because i {heart} her so much….and well because my poor blog has been a bit neglected.  more to come soon…promise!

today was the last day of kindergarten…..kind of a bitter sweet.  i am so proud of all he accomplished, including becoming a reader, learning to do math, finding a love for art (and maybe his art teacher), finally choosing a hand to write with (he is officially a lefty) and growing up.  but of course there is that little part of me that is a bit sad….today he finished kindergarten…..tomorrow off to college.  i know it’s a bit of a stretch, but i am fully aware that it will happen in the blink of an eye.  so for now, i will savor every last minute until i am the mother of a first grader (which i will be ok with come august 30th). ♥ mom.

was a good day….i got pictures of both my kids….maybe someday i will get one of them together

i know, i can hardly believe it either.  she is growing way too fast, and i really think she should stop it right now!  i think it’s been a while , so i thought i would share an update with all her stats, mostly because we went to the doctor for a well check and its still fresh in my mind.

weight: 21lbs 8oz         height: 30.5 inches

development:   she can say lots of words (eat, shoes, pretty, eyes – as she jabs her finger into yours, pretty, ball, dog, fish, dada, papa, no-no-no – in the sweetest little voice, ahhhh- a very consistent sigh/noise for any of her baby dolls, and of course baba – which of course means bottle, as well as sippy cup, water – like when we drink bottled water, capri sun pouches, and cups with a lid and a straw.  oh yeah and bubba – which sounds a lot like baba.  she walks more than crawls, but will do so to get where she needs to go, she is starting to run but is still pretty unsteady, she can climb up into cooper’s chair – where she usually asks to eat-eat, she can climb up the stairs, and she likes songs and nursery rhymes  like pat-a-cake and dancing.

likes:   eating (pretty much anything you give her, but this week it is fresh strawberries and raspberries, and peanut butter sandwiches)  going swimming in the pool with the family, bath time, playing with any of her brother’s toys that he does not want her to touch, kissing her cousin, and going bye-bye.

dislikes:   being told no, the new cabinet locks on the doors, when her brother takes toys away from her, when the food is gone, and when she doesn’t get to go bye-bye.

and of course, a picture of my little sweetheart – ♥ her!

yep….my baby loves her baby dolls.  she is so kind to them (mostly) and carries them all over the house with her, hugging and loving them.  it really is the sweetest thing.

and there is a fabulous giveaway over at the SAVVY PHOTOGRAPHER!  go check it out!  i’m loving the new gray bag – the one in the second picture!

i had big plans for our little outing today.  i love him in this color blue, and the long weekend gave me lots of chances to get him to agree to model for me.  as you can see, he wasn’t that into it.  in fact, he asked if we could skip the treat (what i offered to get him to agree to go) and come home so he could go to bed.  poor guy.  i still love the ones i got, smiles or no smiles.  and i can see him growing up each and every time i take him out to photograph him.  he makes my heart happy.

but not the photo shoot.  as you can see, she was in no mood for my camera…well actually she was mad at me because i wanted her to sit and smile, and she wanted to push the stroller around.  she kinda came around…but not for long.  oh well, love her anyways!