Today was “picture day” at Stage Door Studios . People often ask if I participate in school/sport/dance pictures for my kids.  The answer is yes, I do.  Everyone should have materials that can be used later for bribery lovely images of those events.  Caroline, being the independent, mind of her own, my way or the highway, kind of kid, decided she wasn’t going to have her pictures taken at the studio.  In fact, she went to bed refusing and woke the same.  I thought I had her this morning as we were getting dressed in her “ballerina princess” costume, but she was adamant that unless I was taking the pictures, she wasn’t going to do it.  I took her for her word, and decided, rather than be “that” mom, you know, the one that’s yelling and begging in the background, I would just take do a quick session before we left.  If  she changed her mind at the studio, great, but if not, I had my bases covered.

Now, I know this could be a simple case of “mommy goggles”, but I think we hit an out-of-the-park, game-winning, walk-off grand slam.  Here’s my sweet, tiny dancer.

For those wondering if she cooperated with her official Stage Door Studio pictures.  Well, that would be a big, fat NOPE!  She did sit for group pictures, but despite the many tricks attempted to get a smile from her, she remained stoic.  Glad I went with my gut and had this insurance.  It certainly paid off in this circumstance.

I have had a vision of a session like this for what seems like forever.   So, when Caroline actually asked for me to take her picture and to wear “pretty shoes”, I jumped at the chance.  Perfect timing to help document her “half birthday”.  Here she is, my sweet Caroline, all two and half years of her.

I have been slacking on the thirty day.  I actually do have some of the missing images taken, but not processed or loaded.  Without my point and shoot, I am left to my phone or the big camera, which requires a big more processing, I’ve fallen off the wagon.  I will get back  on, but until then, I decided to post some images of one of the sick days we had last week.  I had cabin fever, Madelyn had a high fever, Caroline a low one, and Thomas was recovering. 

Here’s Caroline just hamming it up.  I adore the wrinkley nose, it’s so her.

Caroline and Thomas playing Super Hero.  I love that Thomas was sharing his special cape and the tenderness that he had helping her put it on.

My Sweet girl, so sick, but so brave, all the time.  Love her lashes, the smile on her face as she sleeps, the wild crazy, last night’s braids, the blond, sun-kissed hair, the boo boo on her foot, the band-aid on the other, the bright pink toe nails.  Pretty much, everything about these show the summer of a six year old girl.

Caroline has been pretty much potty training herself.  She’s shown interest and had success with it since she was about 17 or 18 months. I haven’t pushed it, with packing and moving, and unpacking etc. I decided to just let her go at her own pace.  She gets tiny M&Ms when she has success.  It was a successful day.

I think a big part of her early interest is related to cloth diapering.  Caroline had many, many issues with disposables, so at 5 months, we went to cloth.  I love her little colorful behind and feel good about doing something “green”.  I get a strange sense of satisfaction every time I load clean diapers into the bins.  Caroline was selecting her own diaper, assembling it, and attempting to put it on. 

A quick book reading, some of her favorites (these were some of Madelyn’s and Thomas’s favorites as well). I painted her toes a light pink after she requested “pink toes, me” when she saw Madelyn and I had ours painted. 

Madelyn was born on April 1, 2005 weighing just 6 pounds 4 ounces. It was Love at first site!

First Birthday Celebration at Gymboree

2nd Birthday Celebration – Lots of love for Elmo

3rd Birthday Celebrations at Disney – the Love for Princesses began – oh and a love for shoes too!

Fourth Birthday Celebration – still loves princesses and Minnie Mouse

Fifth Birthday Celebration – new-found love for Build-a-Bear (dressed as a princess of course). I will admit to not having my camera for her actual party. WOOPS!

and a quick snap shot after tucking her in tonight – her last night as a five-year old.

Four years ago today we welcomed my sweet, sensitive little boy into this world. I wanted to share a quick peak into the years on his birthday. His first year was full of so much spitting up, but it didn’t stop the smiles and big belly laughs. The next year was full of lots and lots of talking and a big interest in books, music, cars and sports and those passions have pretty much continued. It amazes me how one young child can retain so many sports facts, words to songs, and yet be such a natural budding athlete. I am constantly amazed by things he says and his ability to learn and do anything he sets his mind to. This little guy is so tough on the surface at times but really just wants and needs lots of love and attention. He is shy at first, but once he warms up, he can’t be stopped. His big brown eyes and long, long lashes together with his dimples are certainly the path to my heart and many others. Happy Birthday to my little man.