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...

I am in love!!!

I got an early birthday gift from my hubby ...an iPhone! It is sooo awesome! Quite a gift, I know...but I will be 30 you know .. :)
Thanks babe!

First Day at LISA Academy

Today my baby started FIRST GRADE! I can't believe it! We all got up early and Brian fixed cinnamon rolls for breakfast for all of us. Then she put on her new uniform (which we think looks like a soccer jersey) and she was ready! I, on the other hand, hated that yet again I am missing taking her on the first day. Oh well. At least Brian was available this year to do that.

When I picked her up today she said she had fun, but was upset I didn't let her stay for after care! I told her she could tomorrow for a little while. Ha! I am glad she had such a wonderful day at her new school. Sounds like Mrs. Meek is a nice teacher... I can't wait to hear more as the week continues.

Something happened while we were gone...

Bella got rid of the paci!

The child has been in big girl panties for a few weeks and now I know she is a big girl... She was so tired at night she didn't even ask for it when she went to bed. I figured she would, being in a new place and all...but she didn't! So when we came home, I was sure she would... Nope! (now she did when on the airplane, but I told her no. I didn't even have one with me then.)

I know these pictures are from last winter, but I just LOVE them. This kid has LOVED her paci! But I'll be honest, I'm glad it is gone...at least until she starts crying! :)

Visit with Gran'da -- Part 2

We had an EARLY flight out of here last Friday morning. But it was great because we still had the entire day once we got to Phoenix. We even got breakfast burritos on the way to my dad's house (since Carlos O'Brien's wasn't open yet--our traditional home-from-the-airport stop). But Brian didn't have to worry, because we went there for our mid-day meal. My dad and Yvonne have a pool so of course my girls were ready to get in. That is how we spent the rest of our evening and then called it an early night.

Here's VonVon with her two Bella's





On Saturday we took a drive up to Flagstaff. My dad and I both have a fascination of Route 66, but because of modern developments there isn't much of it left where we could get to in a day's drive (with two small children no less). So, we had lunch at the Galaxy diner on Route 66. Brian drove on the motorcycle with my dad. He loves this picture because he thinks he looks like the guys on Chips.





Then we made our way toward Sunset Crater. It was incredible learning about the volcano and seeing how it still affects the land today. We stopped by the visitor center and Olivia finished the task to be sworn in as a Junior Officer.


There was two incredible parts to the trip to the crater though...
1. The ancient ruins. My kids really liked this part.






2. Seeing the Painted Desert. I was blown away by the size of that thing...and we only saw it from a distance! As the sun set, it was shining across the desert and it was amazing! (even though it was a partly cloudy day and we didn't get to see it as colorful as it normally is)





On Sunday, we went to church with VonVon and once again saw 'the other' Isabella and her sister Sienna (Daniel and Elena's daughters). My girls love them! We had lunch at Papadeaux and then Brian and I got a FANTASTIC gift... Are you ready for this?

THEY WATCHED THE KIDS WHILE WE WENT TO IKEA----ALONE!!! HA!

I am in LOVE with Ikea! We had such a blast and seriously, if we had lived closer, I would have bought a TON more!

On Monday, Brian and my dad golfed while I met up with an old friend from high school, Tammy. We went to her house for lunch while our girls played. It was so nice to see her again. Then, she and her husband, Ian (also from my old youth group), and daughter, Faith, came over to my dad's house for a cook out. There were several people there (Yvonne's family is very large)...and at one time there were 4 2 year olds! And get this part...3 of them were named Isabella! Here is a cute picture of the 3 Isabella's (my Bella, Daniel and Elena's Bella, and Yvonne's niece's Iza). Aren't they cute?



Well, of course, the evening couldn't end without a dip in the pool and ice cream cones! Yum!



(Here's my Bella swimming with floaties...finally. Isn't peer pressure great?)



Tuesday we went to Arizona Mills Mall and found some great deals (I LOVE a bargain!). The girls also rode on the carousel and for once, they BOTH loved it!



Then that evening we went to Pipe Organ Pizza in Mesa. I had been there once when I was in junior high and was excited about going again (especially with my family). Yvonne came with Elena and the two girls as well. We sat on the upper floor which was nice because it was basically empty for almost an hour and our girls could dance and play.





We almost didn't go to bed that night. Our alarm was set for 2 am to get ready for our trip home...yes, you heard me, TWO A.M.!! I was up at 1:30 waiting on the alarm to go off. But we made it, safe and sound... We all took a 4 hour nap that afternoon in our own beds.

Thanks for the trip, we had so much fun!

Visit with Gran'da--Part 1

My dad came out for a motorcycle rally in NW Arkansas and then came down for a visit the last weekend in July. We spent a few days with him here, and then he drove home--only a day before we were scheduled to fly out to Arizona to visit him and Yvonne.

We had a good time while he was here. Company try-outs were coming to a close and Justin was gone to Romania on a mission trip so we all (Emily and Cooper included) just hung out with my dad in town. Here are a few highlights from his visit.

I surprised my family and rode on his motorcycle to the grocery store (not sure why that surprised everyone so much though...).





Then on Sunday evening we went to walk the Big Dam Bridge over the Arkansas River. Luckily, it had rained a little and was much cooler.






On Monday, my dad requested to eat at the Flying Fish restaurant in the River Market. A new park had opened up for kids in that area so after dinner we went to see it. It was awesome. My girls were surprised that I let them play in the fountain... We had made plans for it and made sure to bring towels for the car ride home. Brian and Olivia left early, so Bella and Cooper got to stay and play. It was a BLAST! We will defintely be doing THAT again!












By the way, have I mentioned lately that my youngest child is very expressive? Ha!

It's official!

Olivia made Company again this year!

While we had a pretty good idea she would, I was still a nervous wreck! She had two hours of dance practice for 7 days in a row. They learned a new dance tap, jazz, and ballet (lyrical). That is a lot for a kid in one week!

On Sunday, the actual day of try outs, we showed up to the studio (in make up and hair done...most were 'glittered' up) and I was very nervous. Then they called her name and pinned a number on her left hip and I was literally about to throw up. It seemed so official. They were called in 3 at a time and performed in front of a panel of judges. Then they would come out, change shoes, and go back for another dance. It was over in about 45 minutes.

Apparently, she did great, because we went by the studio today to see her name on the list! Yea! She will be in a tap, jazz, and lyrical dance this next year as well as a small group pull out and possibly a hip-hop and a line dance (not a country line dance, but one with every member of the studio). Are you thinking what I'm thinking...$$$! ha! It is worth it though. We absolutely LOVE this whole thing--the competitions, the music. Man, what a rush! Seriously, it is pathetic!



I am going in the morning to try to find Bella some ballet and tap shoes. Can't find anywhere that makes them in tiny sizes.