{TEN} on Thursday

Happy Thursday! Is anyone else ready for this HOT HOT HOT week to be over?!? I was already counting down the days to Fall, but now I'm really ready. Barrett wants to be outside, but he doesn't understand it's just not an option! I miss our playdates on the back patio and walks to the park. Those things are really not an option these days, even in the evenings...it just doesn't cool down! So, we've been building a lot of block towers, creating a lot of play-dough "food," and coming up with our own little craft projects...all in the comfort of our AC. Poor Daddy has to work out in it every day. We feel a little guilty when he comes home for lunch and we're chillin' (literally) at home in the AC.

{1} 2009 Blog Book

It's HERE!! It came last Friday, while we were away on vacation. It feels so great to have it done, and I have already curled up on the couch a couple times to read through it.  I am lucky I got to take advantage of the discount though. After I posted about it, and then finished my book a day before the deadline, I FORGOT all about sending it to print!! Oh my gosh! I felt like such a dork, but I  knew I was going to order it anyway, so I loaded it to the system, and sent  it to print. I think it was the 1st or 2nd of August, and turned out the discount code still worked! Whew!!This book was 285 pages.

{slurped and printed using BLURB}

{2} Girls Weekend
I am sooo ready for a weekend in Manhattan with my girls! We don't have much planned (pedicures, shopping, dining out, and the movie Eat, Pray, Love), but it will be a blast! I will miss my little man terribly, but I'm looking forward to a kid-free weekend AND work-free. Watch out Manhattan!!

{3} Family pictures
I am sooo over the moon excited about our family pictures this year! The stars aligned, and plans for them just fell into place! I started thinking about them about a month ago, as I was planning my Fall Mini Sessions for clients. I knew we would need pictures too! My sister-in-law did a fabulous job last year, and I love those pictures, but something inside me was longing for the whole "experience." Nothing makes my day like getting a call or email from a client, saying they just viewed their online gallery and it brought tears to their eyes. I LOVE that I can give that experience to them...and I want it too. I talked to my good friend Bethany, about what I should do. Her advice: Definitely have another photographer do them for you, so you can focus on being a mommy and a wife, and not the photographer. She was so right, and I got right to work thinking about who I wanted to do them. Plus, during the Fall, I'm so busy taking and editing for clients, I didn't want to have to worry about editing our own family pictures...and the possibility that they would go to the back burner and not get done. 

I started browsing the web for photographers in the area. I came across a website I'd been on a few months earlier. A husband and wife team out of Arkansas City. They had done an engagement session and wedding for one of my wedding invite clients.  I'd peeked at the website before, because I loved the photo the clients sent me to use on their wedding programs! At that time, I had no idea where the photographers were even from, as I'd never heard of them. So, enter FACEBOOK! (FB has been so good to me and my business) While wasting time on FB one day, I noticed another friend of my had been "tagged" in a wedding photo by ON THE WALL PHOTOGRAPHY. So, I immediately went to their "fan page" and "liked" them. Next thing I knew, I had a personal message back from Alisha, one of the photographers. It made my day! She thanked me for joining their page, and commented on how much she loved my work too! 

We emailed back and forth for the rest of the day, and before I knew it, I'd found our photographer!! We hit it off (via email) right away, and both agreed to a photography trade! They will do our family pictures in October, and I will do pictures of her and her hubby, Dac in the Spring! See....I am over the moon excited!! It is just so refreshing to be meeting all of these other photographers that are so kind and encouraging.  I invited her and Dac to join the {photog group} that Skyler and I are planning to start soon. I can't wait to officially meet her, and I can't wait for our pics!

{4} What to wear?

So, now that our family pictures are on the calendar, I have to start thinking about wardrobe...dun, dun, dunnnn! You know that thing my clients ask about all the time! I usually just do one outfit/color scheme, but since we're having a REAL session this year, I might try to do two outfits. Justin will die when he reads that :)  Although, he promised me that he will fully cooperate for these pictures.  I did buy him a new knife last night to seal the deal.

I'm thinking maybe some urban pics in downtown Winfield or Ark City with a deep turquoise & deep red wardrobe, but I haven't actually purchased anything yet. Just browsed the internet for some ideas. Here is my {urban} idea board ---->

For location #2...I'm thinking some nature pics, possibly at the place where I'll have my Fall Mini Sessions...Badger Creek Lodge. And a yellow & gray wardrobe. Here is my {nature} idea board ---->

As you can see, I have a lot of planning to do. BUT I'm having fun with it!! I also have obviously found too many cute shoes for ME! Oh, and did I mention I'd like to loose a good 20 pounds before this happens?!?  Guess you'll find out in October what we end up doing :)

{5} Garage Sale

Trying to decided if I'll have my annual late August/early September garage sale???? It's always a good way to get rid of some clutter, and make a little $$ for our Bluegrass vacation. Now that I write that, I realize I need to check my session schedule. That might answer the question, and make the decision for me!

{6} Swim date tomorrow

Barrett and I are excited for our swim date tomorrow afternoon with Lydia and Norah Kate (and their mommies). We're venturing to the public pool with all the kids for the first (and last) time this summer. 

{7} Bluegrass countdown

Speaking of Bluegrass. It's just around the corner, and you can bet I'm on the countdown!! Finally purchased our tickets yesterday.  I'm waiting for the email from our "Camp Dad" that will go something like THIS.

{8} Big Brother

Anyone else watching this crazy reality show? We happily waste three hours a week on it. My favorite  house-guest is Lane. He seems to be the most normal, and just a good 'ol boy.  He reminds me a lot of my cousin Hannah's hubby, Jake.

My least favorite...if you watch at all, this is a no-brainer.

BIG chance she goes home tonight.

{9} Fall Mini Sessions

I am really looking forward to my 2nd Mini Session event. This time, it will be Saturday AND Sunday, so I was able to take many more sessions! Thanks to one of my photographer friends (Sky), I scored an awesome location. His parent's home and huge property, called Badger Creek Lodge. It is so beautiful, and will give me a ton of setting options.  I posted a few pictures of the location on my photoblog when I advertised my Mini Sessions, and everyone got really excited about the place! It will be perfect! 

Check it out ---->

I am currently seeking a maid and nanny for the three weeks following the Minis though! I have 27 sessions booked in 1-1/2 days! That is uber exciting, but it also means a LOT of work for me editing :) I'm happy to take it on though. Late-night editing is what I do.

(10} Updated the blogs I follow

The sidebars of my blog were a little outdated. Lots of blogs I no longer checked, and some missing links. I JUST updated the link for MckMama's new blog and realized she already had her baby!! Hello! Last time I read, she was only a few month pregnant! I also have some friends that are just starting blogs. 

I've added some of my favorites inspiration blogs to the list. If you've never read Ashley Ann's blog {Under the Sycamore}, you are in for a treat! This is one of my favorite blogs. Although I get sick to my stomach every time I read it (not really), because she amazes me with her talent and creativity! She is a real superwoman, and seeing her posts leaves me in awe, and feeling like a total slacker!! I am most amazed at her ability to capture her life as it happens...the everyday details. She's also really good about making sure SHE is in a lot of her pictures with her kids. I guess I'm just a bit jealous of her awesomeness. She lives around the Tulsa, OK area. My friend Amber told me about her blog a long time ago, but it's only been in the last few months I re-discovered it. Before I "knew" Ashley...yeah, I pretend we're friends...Amber and I bumped into her at Gap Kids in the Tulsa Mall! Amber followed her blog then (it was during our January girls trip), so she introduced herself. 

Okay....back to work I go while Barrett is still napping :)
Happy Thursday!

Letters to my Little Bear-21st Edition

Dear sweet Little Bear,

On July 18th, you were officially TWO AND A HALF!! We were on our family vacation in Grand Lake, Colorado. I am so proud of my two and a half year old. You is the most handsome little guy I know. I don't know what I ever did before you, and I can't image a single day without your big blue eyes. I look forward to those moments when I pick you up, after being away from you for awhile.  Whether it's only been an hour, or for two days...your eyes light up, and you give me the biggest hugs. It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside, to know how happy you are to see me. Especially when you pat me on the back and say "you're my boy, mom." I'm not really sure what it means, but I love it!

It seems like every time I sit down to write you a letter, I tell you how loving and affectionate you are, and how I hope that never changes. So far, you're still my sweet little cuddle bug. There are lots of hugs and kisses in this house. We still snuggle on the couch every afternoon, and watch a cartoon together before you go to your bed for nap time. You're happy to share your Biggie with me, and don't mind that I squeeze you tight and kiss your head a hundred times over. I ask you if you're always going to be Mommy's cuddle bug, and you tell me "yes." Although sometimes I think I have baby fever, I can't imagine sharing my attention with another sweetie just yet. This age is too fun, and I'm loving all we get to do together. 

I say it all the time, that this is the most fun age....I guess I'm finding out that they are all the most fun! Every milestone brings something new, and we are loving them all. Right now is fun because you are pretty independent. We have conversations with each other, and I can actually understand everything you say! You can tell me what you want and don't want. You help pick out your clothes. You play contently with your cars for hours. You know the names of all our friends and family, and talk about them a lot. You know our routines, and are very easy-going.

{2-1/2 yr pictures taken at our Cabin in Grand Lake, Co:: July 16, 2010}

After a long day of fishing, you took a bath in that BIG bathtub at the cabin, and we got ready to go to town for dinner. Mommy took a few pictures of you on the front porch before we left. The picture above was the FIRST one I snapped when we got outside! There was NO posing involved! I literally said "go lean against that post there," and this is what you did!!! I could not click the shutter fast enough! After that, it was the same-'ol, same-'ol chase you around trying to snap a few, as usual.

Our typical day....

* You wake up around 8:30 or 9am. Sometimes later! (I think you take after Mommy, liking to sleep-in!) Mommy's been staying up very late for the last several months, since that is my work time. So, I usually just sleep until I hear you calling for me. There is nothing better than waking up to your little voice saying "me wakin' up, Mom."

* We eat breakfast together and play. Your favorite breakfast foods: strawberry cereal bars, waffles, cereal

* We get out of the house for errands and activities in the mornings. During the summer, you participated in Wiggles & Giggles, Storytime, Toddler Art, Sensory Art, Swimming and Playgroup.

* We usually get to eat lunch with Daddy on the days he comes home. You're not a great lunch eater, but you are getting better. You usually tell me you want a sandwich and chips.

* Around 1:30pm, we start our snuggle time and watch a short cartoon before your nap.

* You usually nap from 2-5pm, and Mommy gets lots of work done!

* Most of the time, Daddy is home from work when you wake up. Some days you wake up in a good mood, and hope right out of bed to start playing. Other days you wake up more slowly and cranky. You insist I hold you until you're ready to get down and play.

* In the evenings, Mommy does a lot of photo sessions. You can Daddy get to spend some quality time together. If you see me putting on my shoes or changing clothes, you'll say "going mom? take pictures...tiny baby?" You seem to think all I do is take pictures of tiny babies. It so cute the way you say it though, and you gesture with your hands like you're holding a tiny baby!

* If I'm lucky, Daddy will fix dinner while I'm at my session, and then we eat when I get home. Your favorite foods: pizza, hamburgers, broccoli, onions, corn on the cob, asparagus, tomatoes, any fruit, chips & dip, and tacos.

* It's been super hot this summer, so we haven't played outside much, even in the evenings. But, you do help me water the flowers. You are a great little helper.

* We play together in the family room at night. You like to play tag, cars, football and soccer. We have tickle wars, and lots of dance parties! You point to the computer and tell Daddy to "turn music on." Meaning pull up itunes and play "Livin' is a part of Life" by Eric Church. It's your favorite, and WOW you've got some moves :) Daddy won a flip cam from work, so as soon as we get that, I'm going to have to get some video of your awesome dance parties!

* Our bath and bed routine usually starts around 7:30pm

* The bedtime routine has gotten a little long, but I'm not complaining. We go to your room and "rock and read." I let you pick out three books, and we sit in the rocker together and read them. Then I tuck you into bed and read you one more short book. When that's done, I tell you goodnight, and you say "get Daddy." So I send Daddy in to tell you goodnight. Here's where you've lengthened it....After Daddy tells you goodnight, you ask him to rock you for a minute, then you have him "get Mommy." I go back in for the 2nd time, and you stand up in your bed with Biggie in one hand and Tiny Monkey in the other and say "sing song Jesus, Mommy." How can I ever say no to that?!?! Sure, you're stalling going to bed, but it is my favorite part of the whole day! So I rock you, and sing "Jesus Loves Me." Then as soon as I'm on the last line of that song, you look up and say "sing Wagon Wheel." It is adorable, and what two better songs are there? Then I lay you down and close your door, and we don't hear another peep out of you. That's our routine! It takes about 10-15 minutes, which might be a little long, but it's our routine, and if you're going to keep sleeping as well as you do, I don't mind a bit. 

Some things I've written down over the last month:

Out of Barrett's mouth....

"me workin' berry, berry hard"

"bless you Mama" (every time I sneeze, he tells me this. So sweet)

"Daddy go golfin', Josh" (yes, Daddy does a lot of golfing with Josh)

"Move over little bit, Mama"

"I have surprise"...Then he says "give kiss first"....Then he opens his hands and says "ta-daa"

"that vacuum too loud for me play car-cars, Mom"

AND, my all-time favorite...

I think I was in the bathroom getting ready one morning, and he was playing cars at my feet. He tooted, and then looked up at me and said "no firecracker, Mama....me BUTT!" and he laughed, like he knew he was making a funny! We both laughed so hard! 

So, happy 2.5, Little Bear!!! I couldn't possibly love you any more! Everyday brings something new and I look forward to hearing your sweet voice every morning. You're my boy!! I love you, Mommy

Not so much.

Did we make our appearance at the Cowley County Fair this year? Yep

Did we have a great time at the pig show on Friday morning with our friends? Yep

Did we walk through all the animals, like always? Yep

Did Barrett want to get out of his stroller to get a closer look at said animals? Not so much

Did he maybe want to pet said animals? Not so much

Did Barrett get really excited about going down to the Fair on Sunday night? Yep

Did he talk all day about the "blue race cars" and how he was going to ride them? Yep

Did I buy THREE ride tickets for $9.00, just so he could ride those race cars? Yep

$9.00 later, did he get on the car ride? Yep

Was he in the shiny car long enough for me to snap a picture, and make it look like he rode? Yep

Did he stay in that car for longer than 5 seconds? Not so much

{does he look scared out of his mind here, or is it just me?}

::Friday morning at the Fair::

 

We met our friends (Audra, Lydia, Caroline, Megan and Norah Kate) at the donut shop on Friday morning, and then headed to the Fair while it was still somewhat cool. We watched a little of the pig show, and then walked around to see all the animals. We were quite the "show" ourselves. Three mamas, and three strollers with four kids! A local photographer even stopped ahead of us and said "I've got to get this." Just great.

I'm glad I could photograph everyone else's children, since mine wasn't interested in getting out of his stroller much :)

Even baby Caroline enjoyed the animals.

::Sunday night at the Fair::

At least Lydia enjoyed the car ride...

Did a blue and orange snow-cone make the whole Fair trip worth it? Yep

See ya next year Cowley County Fair! Maybe then we'll enjoy some rides.