The Big Three!

I couldn't decide what I was going to do for Bella's birthday party this year. I really wanted to have a big gymnastics party, but when I called to schedule it, they didn't have her date available due to a gymnastics meet.... So, I decided we'd keep it small at the house with just family, have dinner and make smores outside. (Why spend more when I don't have too, huh?)

Well, a few days before her birthday, my dad said he'd like to come out for the party. Cool! So, we continued with our 'family' party until the weather got cold (and bad). The day of the party, Brian and I discussed our options and decided it would be fun to take everyone to Playtime Pizza. They had a walk-in party package that gave us food, play cards for everyone and one 'big' attraction (like lazer tag, go-karts, etc...). We called everyone and made the switch hours before it was to begin.

So at 4:00, we got to Playtime Pizza. It was so loud and crazy in there! Wow! But it was really neat. The food was pretty decent and there was so much to do! We got 10 of the $10 playcards so we all got to do all kinds of games. Brian, Liv, Belle, and my dad (now, affectionately called "Dude-Dad" by Belle) went to do the go-karts. They all had a great time. I was saving my 'attraction' fee for lazer tag. Emily, Justin, and I went to sign up for a time. I had never done that before, and was afraid I wouldn't like it since I don't like anyone to chase me (ever)...but I absolutely LOVED it!!













Bella opened her gifts and got some great things! Some of them were a parachute, ball hopper, dance-camera, princess pillow, ABC learning desk, umbrella, boots, etc... So much fun!





Then, Brian and I took the girls on the bumper cars. We were trying to use up all the passes (although I don't think we actually did...). Olivia was barely tall enough to ride alone, and Bella rode with me. She did not enjoy it at all. She cried when people bumped into us (not to mention, everytime someone did, she bumped her mouth on the bar!) I kept us away from the others and she was ready to get out (and go home...) when we were done. It was late and the babies were tired. But all in all, a good party!



And best of all...my house stayed clean. No mess there at all! Yeah!

Happy Halloween!

We had a fun Halloween this past weekend! Bella got to wear her costume to school for their little party. Then we came home and got Livie dressed in her cheerleading costume and went to eat. We met the Bewley family at the new Larry's Pizza (YUM!), and headed out to the Fall Festival at our church. My mom also met us there and the children had a great time. There were a lot of blown up-bouncy things and even a climbing wall for the older kids. Emily and Justin came with Cooper after a little while. The weather was perfect...and we all had a good time.

Then, we came home to trick-or-treat in our neighborhood a little before bedtime. I was not feeling very good (allergies/sinus 'stuff') so I was ready to get home and in bed! But it was a great night. Not much candy to speak of (yea!)and sleepy kids. What could be better? Ha!



Olivia was able to do all of the jumpy-things. Bella tried, but she was so little, she couldn't get up the climbing parts to go down the slides...even with help.


Bella loved the toddler-jumpy thing with balls inside it. I couldn't keep her out of it! But I did talk her into playing a few games...



Can you believe it? We actually got one shot of all the grandkids! That NEVER happens!


Happy Boy, Cooper as Handy Manny.


Brian took Liv around to do the 'big kid' stuff so I didn't see them most of the evening. I stayed with Belle and the rest of the family.


Bella LOVES her Uncle JJ!


We ran into the Schnaitman's while we were there!


Cooper got scared by loud noises a few times. He really did have fun. I just thought this was an adorable 'pitiful' face from him. :)


Liv waited in line to climb the wall again this year. Bella stood watching at the fence. It was so cute.

Such a stinker!

Our Bella sure is cute, but BOY she is... Um, what is the right word for it? Creative? Adventurous? Ha! Well, Sunday afternoon, the girls were playing out in the front yard with a neighbor (which they rarely do). A few minutes later, Olivia runs in saying Bella is in Brian's car. What?

Well, we go outside to find this...



Apparently, Brian had left his car unlocked and she climbed in the driver's seat, hooked the seatbelt, and started working his iPod! What an observant child!



I can't decide if I should take this as a sign of a genius...or a Wild Child! Either way, I think she is going to keep us on our toes for the rest of her raisin'. What do you think?

New Addition!

Last Sunday I started thinking about Olivia getting her ears pierced. Brian has wanted it done for a long time, but I wanted her to wait until she could take care of them. We talked about it and decided it would be a good responsibility-building activity. (I also had in the back of my head that it would be so much easier on her to have pierced earrings for competition than the clip-on ones that she can't stand because they hurt her ears...)

So, after lunch, we went to the mall and strolled into Claire's. We asked her about getting her ears pierced and she said "NO!" (And it didn't help that a well-meaning mom standing near us told her it was like a shot, only a little better... Don't EVER say that to my child!!) However, she kept picking out earrings. Well, to make a VERY long story short, we left the mall with ears still in tact.

She and I talked about it at home. She said she did want it done, but was afraid it would hurt. We talked and all of the sudden she decided she would do it right then. So, we got our shoes, and she and I went back to the mall.

When we got back to Claire's there was two other girls (older) getting theirs done as well. I was afraid for Olivia to watch them because I wasn't sure if she had actually thought through how the earring was going to GET in her ear and didn't want to leave the store AGAIN...

When it was Olivia's turn, she was brave and excited. The girls marked her ears and very quickly pierced them (at the same time). Olivia just said "Ow!" loudly, and then laughed. They asked her if it hurt and she said no.

She saw herself in the mirror and loved it. She is so proud of her earrings. She tells everyone now that, "My mom said I have been taking good care of my glasses so now I can get my ears pierced". And she has done a very good job making sure to treat them daily.

All of these pictures were taking with my iPhone. Not great quality, but I'd say I got some good expressions, wouldn't you?

As of today... (an update)

So here we are on the 9th of October. I have so much to update you all on that I thought I'd put it all in one post.



Fall has come... It is my absolute favorite! One thing I love about it is a 'fall' cleaning/organizing wave I get every year. This year, I also included a visit from a decorator for furniture rearrangement. He came last week and I was pleased with his work. I'll attach a picture when I finish accessorising the room.

Work has gotten a little bit better. I have yet to have a visit from administration, but I have had other visitors watch and were pleased with what they saw... I am still nervous constantly, but I can only do my best and hope that is good enough. :)

Brian and I celebrated our TENTH wedding anniversary last weekend! I cannot believe it! (oh yeah, I did post about that earlier...)



Sweet Olivia... We are one step closer to getting an ADHD diagnosis. Her teacher and I both have filled out forms that indicate ADHD tendencies. The doctor even noticed she was all over the place while in the dr's office. She has to go for a follow up hearing screening at the audiologist at Children's Hospital, but I am sure that will be fine. Her grades are much better (but I am sure it is because her teacher is wonderful and understanding). However, this girl can SPELL!! She has been getting 110% and 120% on her spelling tests...and her tests are HARD! She can spell Mississippi, friends, learn, first, people and other 'patterned' words (like short 'a' or 'fl' blends). We are so proud of her! She is also on a mini Pom Pom team at school. It is a club she is in in the afternoons. I think she will be in a parade in December...



Then there is our adorable Bella. She has gone to dance class several times now on her own and loves it! She thinks she needs her dance bag every time we get in the car...even when her class is only on Monday nights! She loves to sing/yell her ABCs and she can count to 10. She knows most of her colors (although she WANTS everything to be PINK). She loves to sing 5 Little Monkeys Jumping On the Bed, and has gotten to where she rarely takes naps in the afternoon (wonderful!). She is still just as 'spunky' as ever, but now everything is about 'tap' or 'ballet shoes'. This next picture just about says it all.



The only other new thing going on (other than a nice striped snake under our back deck a few weeks ago...) is that we got a Wii today. How fun! We are having a blast with it. The girls both love it too!

My, how the time flies!

Yesterday was our TENTH wedding anniversary! TENTH! Oh MY! I told Brian it honestly feels like it has been only 3 or 4 years...tops. But then I think about how we have known about Olivia for SEVEN years and it blows my mind! Can time really pass so quickly? I guess tomorrow we'll be taking her to college and celebrating our 30th... ha!

So, how did we celebrate? My mom had the girls for the evening and we had a date planned (our cruise will be in March). First, we went to Cantina Laredo and then to the new IMAX theater to see Eagle Eye. We shopped a little before the movie and grabbed some ice cream. So much fun to just be with my honey. :) Then, (the best part of all) we slept in till 8:30!! I should mention that I slept till 8:30 and he slept until 10. Can anyone say lazy? Just kidding, honey!

Cooper's Birthday Pictures

Cooper's party was two weekends ago. He had a Seasame Street theme and had an adorable cake. He got a swingset for his birthday and loves to swing on it (so does his cousins!).






Then the next day, we took Cooper to the studio and did a few birthday shots (my favorites are these of him in the alley behind my building).

Frustrated and Deflated

I am thinking that by blogging, I will feel better... I had just had the most terrible month, to the point that I think every day, it can't get much worse...then it does!

Several of you know of my struggles at work, and let me tell you, it is not getting any easier. We are constantly being made to feel that we are incompetent and must always be 'checked on' to see if we are doing what we should. I am asked by my well-meaning-husband why would it matter if I am always doing what I should be. And my only response to him is that I have come to realize (though several less-than-professional conversations) that it doesn't seem to be about doing what I SHOULD be, but doing what one particular person THINKS I should be. Her way or the highway...she doesn't even KNOW about kindergarten (obviously!). Oh! I am so frustrated. I KNOW I am doing a great job in my room. I am seeing a lot of progress so far. I have 2/3 of my class that are considered ELL (English Language Learners--formerly ESL) and if I were to do it 'her' way it would not be as effective for them. I just know it. After another meeting today, my workload literally TRIPPLED in the form of lesson plans (at least 8-10 paragraphs PER DAY) and, oh, so much more....

Then there is the fact that I am so behind in my business it isn't funny. I have had no sneak peeks for anyone in weeks. I have email requests for portrait sessions from 3 weeks ago I haven't responded to yet. But it is hard to complain about the business part...I'll wish I had this much business come January when things slow down. :)

I have fallen behind on blogging about my own family and have had requests from my sweet mother in law several times for new pictures of the girls. It isn't that I don't want to.... Time is just an issue right now. Any extra time I have with them I don't want to be behind the camera. But I will do better. I promise. :)

Then there is my sweet Olivia...........
Many of you know we are suspecting that she has ADHD. Without going into the whole drawn out story, it is really starting to snowball. Her grades are beginning to fall, her confidence is beginning to fade, and she comes home so tired and whiney at the end of the day. I ask her about it and she says she just had a hard day and wants us to hold her. Talk about a kick in the gut! I just want to cry thinking about it. We have an appointment next week with the dr to get things rolling. Her school is much more difficult than her old one, but she can do the work. She is getting 110% on her spelling tests (words ranging from patterned words like pin and hat to other 'bonus' words like Mississippi, and friends). I just hate to see her change so quickly. Please pray for a quick diagnosis (if necessary) and whatever it takes to get her back in the game as soon as possible. One good thing is that her teacher is wonderful! I can't imagine going through this with anyone else.

I really don't mean to complain...just consider this venting I suppose. I am just sick at my stomach all the time and just really need peace right now. Breathe.........

Cooper, the Birthday Boy!

I'll have more from his birthday shoot later, but here is a sample of an announcement I made for him. Isn't he STINKIN' CUTE??? And, he is NOW mobile!

To Dance or Not to Dance...

Last week Bella stated dance class. She was so excited and couldn't WAIT until HER turn (Olivia now dances 3 nights a week and is in 7 dances this year). Well...we went and the first 10 minutes went great... Then she started crying. And ran out of the room. I went into the ballet part with her and it went okay. We tried again tonight and she did the same kinds of thing during tap. Brian went with her to ballet and it went better. We have paid for one month of classes so far so I guess we'll keep trying until our month is up. If it doesn't work out, we'll just try again next year. She is, technically, a little young for the class (for ages 3-5) but she CAN do the dance moves and she WANTS to be there. I am thinking the structure of the class is what she isn't handling well...

So, will she dance this year or won't see?? Only time will tell...