243/365... First day of Preschool joy

My sweet baby girl started preschool today. With a new backpack, a pretty dress that she chose to wear, and rose petals that she picked in hand, she was ready for her first day.

Until it was time for me to say goodbye. I had to do the "you grab her, I'll go" and listen to her cry for me as I walked away.

It is so hard to watch them grow up.



When I got into the car after saying goodbye, I noticed that she left the rose petals for me in the cup holder. It was her way of saying that she will be just fine.

First day of Preschool joy.



In other news... my wonderful sister is celebrating her 32nd Birthday today!!!!! I love you so very much, Stac! I thank God for you every day! Happy Birthday!!!

In other, other news... another special girl is celebrating her 2nd birthday today!! Happy Birthday, sweet Ava! Hope you had a great birthday!

242/365... First day of Kindergarten joy

Where did these past 5 years go? Seems like just yesterday I found out we were expecting him. Today, he started Kindergarten.

He gave me a quick kiss and practically skipped into his new Kindergarten classroom. I stood back, smiled... and cried a little.

When I picked him up, the first thing he said was "I was nervous a little but the whole day was a lot of fun! We ate THREE times!"

He loves Kindergarten!

First day of Kindergarten joy.

241/365... Back it up joy

UGG! My external hard drive AND my computer crashed today.

My joys? All of my images are backed up on an online gallery. I can work from my old laptop. I didn't delete any files from my CF cards that weren't backed up. I have the hard copy of all of my programs. I can drink a margarita as I recover my files.

It could have been a whole lot worse.

Back it up joy.

240/365... Daddy's footsteps joy

He just may be following in his daddy's footsteps.

Daddy's footsteps joy.

239/365... Celebrating the last day of summer joy

To celebrate the last day of summer, I took my babies to an AWESOME playground, shopping for a special "Back to School" toy, and lunch. I was so proud of how well they listened and how cooperative they were... until I wanted to get a picture of the 4 of them together.

They can't always be perfect.

Celebrating the last day of summer joy

238/365... Preschool and Kindergarten Open House joy

We had my son and daughter's Open House for preschool and kindergarten tonight.

My daughter is pretty nervous and unsure about the whole school thing. My son (the school pro) kept reassuring her that school will be fun and that she will love it.

I think he made her feel better.

Preschool and Kindergarten Open House joy.



For my photog friends... I'm completely ignoring the movement in her hand. To me, emotion is what makes a beautiful photograph.

This one brings tears to my eyes.

237/365... My sweet baby cousin joy

I'll bet you just said "aww", didn't you?

How could you not? Look at those eyelashes, cheeks, and lips!

Lucky for me that I can call her my sweet baby cousin. I adore her.

My sweet baby cousin joy.



In other news... another family member is celebrating a birthday today! Happy Birthday to my cousin, Angie!!! I love you!

236/365... Ready for kindergarten joy

In 6 short days, he will start Kindergarten! He is SO excited and ready.

I am not.

Ready for kindergarten joy.

235/365... Bubbles on my toes joy.

Her: Mommy, come stand by me.
Me: OK. What do you want?
Her: I want the bubbles to land on your toes.

She makes me smile.

Bubbles on my toes joy.

234/365... Brushing teeth joy

Think he was a proud little man for learning how to brush his teeth all by himself?

I do, too.

Brushing teeth joy.



In other news... Happy Birthday to my cousin, Spring!!!! Hope you had a wonderful day!!!! Love you!!!

233/365...Back-To-School shopping joy

I took her shopping to get her school supplies for preschool. I think her hew backpack is bigger than she is.

Back-To-School shopping joy.



In other news... Happy Anniversary to friends that we don't see as often as we'd like to! Hope you have a wonderful anniversary, Ryan and Rhonda!!!

232/365... Little cars joy

He always has at least 3 little cars in his hands. He lines them up. He races them. He has been known to have one or two clutched in his hands while he sleeps.

Little cars joy.

231/365... Little helper joy

I have a feeling that in about 10 years he won't be so eager to help with the dishes.

For now, he is a good little helper.

Little helper joy.

230/365... McHenry County Photography Contest 2010 joy

Today was the preliminary judging of the images submitted for the county photography contest. I submitted 10 images.

Hubby and I took the kids to see "mommy's pictures" tonight. My daughter loved seeing the pictures of her on the display boards. My oldest son overheard someone commenting on one of my picture. He shared with me that "those people like your picture, mommy". The twins loved running in between the display boards.

It was nice to have their support.

I was truly in awe of the talent of local photographers. What an incredible feeling to have my work displayed among the work of such amazing artists.

I also had a chance to chat with the photographer who organized this event. She gave me some excellent feedback on my images. I think I could have talked to her all night about photography. It's nice to talk to someone who speaks your language.

McHenry County Photography Contest 2010 joy.



If you didn't see them, here they are :)

229/365... Goodnight Gorilla joy.

The boys LOVE the book Goodnight Gorilla. We rented the video from the library.

I think we've watched it about 40 million times in 2 days.

I can't resist it when one of them comes up to me and says "la la" (gorilla).

The video is cute but the book is better.

The book is always better.

Goodnight Gorilla joy.

228/365... They love each other joy

I think I'm going to blow this one up HUGE for the moments that they will need a reminder that they do love each other.

They love each other joy.

227/365... New toy joy

Adults need toys too.

New toy joy.



In other news... I'm working hard to catch up my Simple Joys from our vacation. Stay tuned :).

226/365... Day 8 in South Haven, MI joy

Day 8 in South Haven, MI:

We packed up fairly quickly. Our family took advantage of being rather close to home. We drove to town to enjoy the Blueberry Festival.



The kids enjoyed going to the toy stores one last time.





This is the smile I get when I tell him daddy is buying chocolates in the chocolate store.



The parade was the highlight of the day. It was a great parade! Lots of floats and candy!







Goodbye, South Haven! We already miss you!



Day 8 in South Haven, MI joy.