Why I Write This Blog

I was cleaning out the art supply cabinet today and found a wrinkled piece of paper that read:
Addie - 3 yrs.
40 inches
33 1/2 lbs.
I jotted this down on the only scrap of paper I could find in my purse at her 3 yr. checkup. I threw it in the cabinet because that is where I keep her baby book...that is basically blank...thinking someday I would fill in the information. Who am I kidding?

47 Seconds

...Addie's current record for paying attention in dance class.



Yes, that is Daniel behind her. I signed him up because it was cheap, I didn't want to listen to complaining while he waited during Addie's class, and his skipping needed some work.

I don't know what was going on in Addie's head (as usual) but it looks like fun.

Parenting By the Seat of Our Pants

Steve and I were VERY blessed to have good parents growing up. They weren't perfect, but they loved us in their own way, met all of our needs and more, and raised us to be responsible and level-headed people. I'm not sure about Steve's parents, but I'm pretty sure my parents just winged it. I don't recall seeing my mom reading parenting books or magazines, or going to parenting classes or bible studies. And she has stated on more than one occasion that my brother and I were just really good kids and parenting us was rather worry-free. As I drown in days of discipline-gone-awry with my own 3, I wonder if she has selective amnesia or just got off really easy. Or maybe....she was a mastermind of manipulation....

Growing up, this was the picture that hung above my bed. It is titled, "IN DISGRACE." When I was 2 I looked just like the little girl in this print. What did she do? Talk back? Stay up too late? Not eat her vegetables? Psychological warfare. Nice, Mom.

I wonder where I can find a print of 2 boys and a girl in the clink.

Halloween Idiom

Daniel: "Mom, can we go the Wah Zoo now?"
Me: "Huh?"
Daniel: "The Wah Zoo. Can we go to the Wah Zoo for the candy now?"
Me: "What's the Wah Zoo?"
Daniel: "You said we were going to get candy at the Wah Zoo this weekend."
Steve & I cracked up.
Me: "Um, I said you'd get candy out the wazoo this weekend."

We tried to explain, but he didn't care to listen. I think he was a little disappointed that we weren't going.

Photo Shoot - Part 2

More interesting shots by the kids. This eerie effect is achieved by strategic finger placement over the flash...

I like this shot because it captures what Addie's hair looks like most of the time.

My elbow, Nathan's legs, dog's rear end. I think the wadded-up leotard and tights make the artist's message very clear.

The underside of our couch is very hairy. Steve must have just vacuumed because the floor is surprisingly clean. (I know it was Steve because I don't ever bother to vacuum under the couch.)

Photo Shoot - Part 1

The kids have been experimenting with the camera lately. It's made for some fun surprises when I upload photos...

Not sure why the fly swatter she's holding evokes so much passion, but...

Nathan: Month Two

Daniel took this picture during one of the kids' photo shoots (I'll post more of their shots later.) At Nathan's 2 month checkup he measured 23 3/4" and 13 lbs., 6 ounces. At least one of those pounds resides in his cheeks. He's smiling a ton and it turns out he likes to talk when he has your undivided attention....undivided attention is the hottest commodity around here.