Sloppy Joe

It was so entertaining watching my youngest trying to eat sloppy joe's!

I am loving storyboards - they are so much fun!

Time Out

This is what happens when Mikey throws a tantrum at dinner - time out.

And his "mean" face.

Things I don't want to forget:

Hayden's favorite number is :Sixteen eight or fifteen eight - not really a number - but loves to say them.

Mikey loves to play with his cars and trains - there are no other toys.

Brianna had a her first day of an all day "camp" because school is out for the week. My husband says "So what was the best part of today", Brianna "I'll tell you what the worst part was Dad - having to go to that place, I'll tell you the best part - when you picked me up", all said with a straight face - that little ham!

Dinner and Playing

I am trying to remember to blog more about my own kids and what I want to remember.

A typical crazy night at our house.

They like to ham it up for the camera.

Mikey being his crazy self when the camera get's broken out.

Then it's off to the playroom.  Mikey watching Diego getting out his binoculars. 

Brianna screaming "Take my picture!"

She got a new watch today and told us what time it was every 10 minutes. She was very proud of it!

So you are telling me that you don't want me to dump out all my cars?

He can play with his Little People ramp for hours!

This is his favorite place to be.

Have I mentioned how much I love them lately?

Have I mentioned how much I love them lately?, a photo by Carrie Callahan Photography on Flickr.

Do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger men. Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers, pray for powers equal to your task. --Phillips Brooks

What I learned from my 4 year old

I felt as though my middle child was neglected a little (typical of a middle child right!), so I made a date with her.  Selfishly our first stop was a photo shoot :)  Don't worry the rest of the day was all about her.

During that day I learned so much about her and myself.

So we started on our adventure to the location - she was as happy as could be.

But - then she kept stopping. And at first it drove me crazy! I was thinking to myself - Hurry Up! She kept stopping and putting her foot in the fresh snow to see her foot print, then wanting to see mine.

I stopped and thought - what am I in a hurry for? Where are we rushing too? If this day is for her - why am I rushing her through it.  Is it a race - a race to what? 

So I stopped my crazy fast pace - and just stopped. Stopped to just be - and just be with her - and learn with her in the simplicity that she sees. We were out there for about an hour or two - and her fresh prints in the snow never got old to her.

So we took our time and found our location. She marched forth with a new world surrounding her.  She soaked up everything behind her and rejoicing in what was in front of her.

She is so energetic.  She takes life by the horns.

She smiles - all the time.  She exudes happiness and joy! If you hang around her long enough - it's contagious. You can't help but smile too. 

If I had to guess, she'll keep moving forward, only to turn back to reflect on the fun that she's enjoyed, not the mistakes she has made.

She is carefree...a free spirit...

Happy - to the point where people ask me if she is ever sad.  "Does she really wake up like this" And the answer is yes.

She wakes up smiling at the world, ready to take it on.

Never bothered if someone has something negative to say to her - she just keeps marching forward. Even at 4 she is confident in who she is.

She is so small in this big world - and has taught me so much.

She continues everyday to teach me to slow down, embrace life and find the joy in the little things.

Even if it's just a foot print in the snow.

Beauty surronds me everywhere - Hay's showing me I just need to take the time to slow down and enjoy it more.

Bedtime routine

I am trying to capture more of the day to day in my house - these are my girls as they are going right to bed.

1/60sec at f1/8, ISO 5000 (On 35mm f1.8)

1/250 sec at f1/8, ISO 5000 (On 35mm f1.8)