3 Peas Photography - The BLOG

The NEW Blog is up!

2008-06-10T03:14:00.004-05:00

WOOT WOOT!

After weeks of pounding my head against my desk as I tried to figure out how to redo the html code...it's finally up!
So come visit at my new home! :)

Here it is! Click here!

Playgroup Campfire

2008-06-07T15:28:00.009-05:00

The Whole Gang!

Boy #1 and Boy #2

The Girl- she could live on mallows if we let her

Cute Mr. H

and his twin sister M

Today was our weekly playgroup, and our former-attendees H+M were here visiting from Chicago. The kids had SO much fun together! Mom H started a bonfire so everyone could roast marshmallows...loads of fun! We wish H&M could still join us every week! Especially The Girl- she has missed M terribly....
I think because she can relate to the whole life without a sister.
Plus M is that same mix as The Girl- part girly-girl part mud-playing-toughie :)

Before and After- Luke's Sneak Peek!

2008-06-05T22:35:00.005-05:00

Remember this???

Look now! :)

Meet Luke

Website Woes- Fixed!

2008-06-01T11:55:00.005-05:00

Due to a fire in the server provider for my website host, my website and email is currently down/unavailable.
If you need to contact me please use: 3peasphotography@gmail.com

Thanks for your patience- all is well once again in website land :)

I'm working on a new blog for my site as well- a fancy schmancy wordpress blog that's testing my very limited html skills as I attempt to re-code it to my liking- WHEW it's making my brain tired- but it's ALMOST done, or at least done as much as I have the skill to do! :)

This blog will remain (I think- at least for awhile)- but the one that's linked from my site will change to the new one once it's up and running.

Memorial Weekend 2008

2008-05-27T23:18:00.003-05:00

Our annual camping trip- it started out many moons ago when we were but teenagers....and now here we are years later still at it! Now 99% of us have kids...and the weekend has taken on new meaning and habits- but is still, at it's core, about the same thing it always was. Friends.
I love you all and thanks for yet another wonderful Memorial! :)

Last Day of Preschool

2008-05-23T13:11:00.005-05:00

My friends have commented on the lack of photos of my own kids lately.....well this would be an example of WHY.
They suffer from what is commonly known as "PKS" - which my fellow photogs know is
"Photographer's Kid Syndrome"
They are SO over me taking pics of them it's not even funny.

So when it comes to a momentous occasion such as this....their last day ever of preschool- this is what I get.
Notice also- how once again I sent the boys to school w/out noticing they had not brushed their hair....oh well- at least they have shoes on! They've on occasion managed to go to school with slippers on w/out me noticing.

:)
Amy

Happy Birthday Isaac!!! :D

2008-05-17T23:32:00.004-05:00

Today was Nephew #1's 1st birthday party...he's had an amazing journey thus far in his little life- and today was such a fabulous day. We love you little man! :D

How big is Isaac??

SO big!

Now clap for me.....

Yes- I know- I'm fabulous! :)

Little Boy H

2008-05-12T13:59:00.002-05:00

When I got home from this shoot the hubster asked me how it went- and the best way I could think to describe little Mr. H was "a little cup of pure JOY"- sooooo stinking cute- and SO happy. At one point as I was chasing him around he was laughing so hard that it made me double over with laughter it was so infectious :)

Sneak Peek for the Z-B Family

2008-05-06T12:45:00.002-05:00

What a great day! I love families that go with the flow as the sessions just go along so smoothly! This family was so easy to be around, I could have stayed all day :)
One of my favorite things about being able to photograph families- is that you get a little peek into their lives, homes and personality.... and this family is amazing! The love and connection they have is so evident in every little interaction they have. *C* and *L*- you're wonderful parents- your children are happy, fun, independent people :)
"W" is a great boy- the typical energy of a 6yr old- but so very very sweet. What a joy!
And "A"- okay seriously- she's one of the cutest things I've ever seen- and SO much personality packed into her little body. :)

It's a BIG Day!!

2008-05-04T20:31:00.006-05:00

Do you see what's new?? NO TRAINING WHEELS! :)

For the past several months, the boys have been asking me to take their training wheels off...but I kept stalling them. Well- today- I decided we should give it a try.
Now- I had NO idea how you "teach" kids to ride without training wheels.
Well- it turned out it didn't matter- as they didn't need any help!
We took off the training wheels- and away they went! Literally.
The boys needed no help from me at all. They INSTANTLY were riding as if they'd been doing it for weeks!
The Girl needed mostly reassurance.
She's not a fan of speed- and of course it's much harder to ride a bike slowly than it is with some speed.
But once she decided to trust herself she was ready to fly :)

They are SO proud of themselves.
They went pretty much door to door to announce the great news to all of our neighbors-
who bless their hearts showed great joy and cheering for the trio :)
I love our neighborhood :)

My 15 minutes of fame :)

2008-04-23T12:38:00.000-05:00

Why am I sharing the cover of the upcoming Family Times magazine?
Because it's MY photo on the cover! Wahoo! :)

A few weeks ago, I was asked to do a cover photo shoot of some local celebrities. Sort of a "family in their own habitat" kind of session. I of course jumped at the opportunity.
We were suppose to shoot outdoors, at a park, a fun "day-in-the-life" type of session. I was so stoked- finally the weather seemed to be done with winter and I could do an outdoor session!
Of course- living in MN, and Mother Nature as she is....it snowed 9" that morning. SO the lovely family kindly dressed in some summer clothes, despite the insane snow, and put on a happy face in their family playroom. It was fun to meet Frank and Amelia and their great kids. The twins are the same age as my own trio, and their older son is a complete hoot. Holding true what I've always said...that all kids named *S* are a handful. I should know since my own Boy #2 has the same name and has proven this belief to me over and over again. :)

The magazine comes out on Friday! I can't tell you how insanely cool it will be to see my OWN photo in print! And the cover no less! So if you live locally (in the Twin Cities)- grab one at your local Caribou or Dr. Office (or one of the other zillion places it will be) and take a peek. There's a few more of my photos in the inside story as well- including a photo of them all playing Twister- which was of course hilarious- and also of course their older son's idea. See? It's the name I tell ya. :)

So here's my first 15minutes of fame as a photographer. You can all say you knew me when. ;)

HA.

:)
Amy

Princess and The Beast

2008-04-22T13:38:00.000-05:00

My lovely friend Heidi gave me this adorable kid sized arm chair- perfect for kid photos- and The Girl instantly loved and calls "the princess chair" and moves it all around the house to sit in. The same day the pettiskirts I ordered arrived. The Girl knows the pettiskirts are in fact not for her, but to use with clients (also have a light pink one- SO cute!), but had to try them out for me, and for some reason Foster really wanted in on the pics too. Makes me laugh.... :)

Sneak Peek of L and R

2008-04-15T19:58:00.002-05:00

These two were a serious HOOT! Especially the little one- she was making me crack up the whole time I was there- what a little character she is! Her big sister is a little shy- but just the sweetest thing! At the end of the session I wanted to bring them home :)

Sneak Peek for Little Boy A

2008-04-13T13:30:00.002-05:00

Seriously....could he BE any cuter??!! That first photo is literally the FIRST photo I took- you know it's going to go well with a 1st shot like that! What a doll-baby- so happy and sweet :)
S&B it was great to meet you as well- you were so much fun!

J's Sneak Peek- 6wks old and ready to rumble

2008-04-11T00:59:00.005-05:00

Often times, I go into a newborn shoot having no idea what's in store. Babies are so unpredictable....will they be happy/crabby/sleepy/awake/fussy etc.... Same can be said for the parents :) lol
But sometimes....such as in this family- I come into a home and am immediately hit by the sense happiness and warmth in the home....a home that just felt calm, peaceful and filled with love.....grandma sitting nearby to lend a hand....dad at the ready with a burp cloth....and mom full of patience and tenderness for her little boy. This little man is so obviously the center of their world- as he should be. :)

And I have to add that those rugby socks just kill me! Sooooo stinking cute! :o)

B's Maternity Photos- Sneak Peek

2008-04-08T02:20:00.002-05:00

B was my very first maternity session 2yrs ago- when she was expecting baby #2....and I am honored to be able to photograph her belly for baby #3 :) ALL women should be so lucky as to be so glowing and free of stretch marks! :)

The bear in the 1st photo- is a gift to be for baby #3, from his big brother and sister- what a sweet idea! :)

Sneak Peek of Baby Aidan

2008-04-03T16:38:00.003-05:00

I. Want. To. Steal. Him.

Seriously....sooooo stinking cute!!!

I can't believe how much he's changed since his arrival into this world! (seen below)
Nor can I believe how big he is :)

The Last Snow-Hurrah

2008-04-02T15:57:00.000-05:00

Monday we got DUMPED on- lots and lots of thick, wet, snow. About 9" I think when it was all done.
So the kids went out and built their last snow people of the winter!
The snow was coming down SO heavy I could barely see the kids who were only like 20ft away! :)

You'll notice at the photos progress the snow people have less and less decorations....because everytime the kids would leave them unattended Foster would come and snack on them :) lol
Apparantly he likes dried cherries!

The Nephew

2008-03-26T00:02:00.003-05:00

Just two quick pics from Easter...he's getting so big!!!
M- I sent you a few more- so check your email! :)

"I have a window in my mouth!"

2008-03-24T11:23:00.005-05:00

As of last night- the first tooth of the trio has fallen out!
VERY exciting news- all 3 are so happy- and Boy #2 went to preschool today proudly showing off his new smile.
It makes me a little misty-eyed.....my babies are growing up! (sniff...sniff....)

Aidan Arrives....

2008-03-19T13:10:00.002-05:00

Today- I had the immense honor and pleasure of not only witnessing a new life coming into the world, but was also able to photograph the joyous event. A first for me, on both accounts. It. Was. Amazing.... there are no other words for it. Simply amazing. To watch the progress from labor to delivery was just....awesome.
I feel so humbled to have been asked to be there....A&J....thank you... It was just awe inspiring!

Here's a sneak peek of some pics post-his-arrival :)

Mom and Dad get their first look at their new little one....

Holding onto Daddy during his initial once-over by the nurse...

His beautiful little face...

His big brothers get their first look at him.....this photo makes me cry :)

S Family Sneak Peek

2008-03-15T23:46:00.005-05:00

Sometimes a family comes along that makes my job easy peasy! Meet the *S* family.....photogenic, easy going and just fun to chat with- Even the dogs are sweet as can be!
T & K thanks for a fun morning! J could not BE any cuter.....seriously he's just yummy! :)

The W Family

2008-03-08T18:42:00.004-06:00

Photographing 2.5yr old triplets is a sure fire way to appreciate my own 5.5yr olds :)
CUTE CUTE CUTE- but they sure are busy little guys! :)

J&D thanks for today- AGC were so much fun!
Here's a sneak peek of one of my personal faves- it makes me laugh!
I love capturing the reality of life with triplets :)

And of course- can't forget the doggies :)

-Amy

Waiting for Aidan.....

2008-03-06T21:07:00.002-06:00

Photographing her beautiful belly almost made me want to be pregnant again. Almost.

:)

Sneak Peek of A & S :)

2008-02-19T15:24:00.003-06:00

I had the pleasure of photographing these B/G twin newborns this past weekend...HOW cute are they???? Seriously.....
AND they were SUCH good babies!! So sweet and easy to photograph :)

Happy Valentine's Day!

2008-02-14T12:19:00.005-06:00

Hope you are having a lovely Vday! :)
Theses are the kids Vday cards this year- the ind ones were for school-
attached to cards w/some candy (kisses, conversation hearts, and then Boy#2 was "holding" a sucker)
As for Boy #1's hair.....well......he originally wanted "rock-n-roll hair" so hubby had put some hair wax in it to make it all spikey- it looked great! Then Boy #1 decided he didn't like it....so combed it down.
Hence the Grecian Formula look :)

And in honor of Vday- a new tune. One of my current faves :)

5 1/2 yrs

2008-02-06T14:38:00.000-06:00

I've been working on finding pics for the kids "VIP Posters" for school and came across these which made me feel "awww where did my babies go!" And then I realized that TODAY they are exactly 5 1/2 years old :) They were excited to learn of this 1/2 birthday event. The Girl asked if they could have a 1/2 cupcake :)
We opted for brownies instead.
So.... a few pics from their 1st 6months of life- and a snapshot from today.

Their 1st day in the NICU all sharing a crib (3days old)

First day at home- all snuggled in the pack-n-play. Crazy to think they fit in a row the short way.

This photo will ALWAYS make me laugh- Halloween 2002

Xmas 2002

Out in the snow at Grandpa's.

Today :)

Igloos

2008-02-04T15:31:00.000-06:00

The kids recently had a project at preschool involving igloos- and brought them home. Well- they wanted to add on to them, so we picked up more supplies (sugar cubes, corn syrup and food coloring) and they spent the afternoon working on them...aren't they cool??

ETA: Betty I emailed you. Ariana- no.....I don't scrapbook.....but have the best intentions to "someday" do something along that lines. I have SB "stuff" both paper and digi- but have done very little other than calanders.... but as for what I do with all my pics. 99% are on CDs/ExternalHD and 1% are printed. I'm currently working on some collages to get printed large and framed or as canvases for their rooms :)

Weiszy's 3-Man Hat

2008-02-02T21:27:00.000-06:00

The Girl recently found this hat in our camping stuff, and has claimed it as her own. Since it is pink afterall.
My friends know the story of the hat- and someday when she's older I'll tell her too. Maybe :) Until then- it's just too cute to she her wearing it. Makes me smile. Weiszy we miss you!

Little Boy Blue

2008-01-23T23:57:00.000-06:00

Playing around with different processing...also- changed the song to fit the mood :)

Shoveling Strategies

2008-01-21T23:54:00.000-06:00

Taken from inside- since it was FREEZING out- but the kids wanted to go outside :)
It was interesting watching their different approaches.... notice Boy #1's straight lines...Boy #2 working on an area at a time...and then The Girl's, well, decorative version...she actually shoveled her name in one part of the street :) lol

The Kids

2008-01-14T14:17:00.003-06:00

I love close up head shots. LOVE them. So while the kids were playing today I snapped a few.
They are pretty good personality captures :) Boy #1s sad face makes me melt- he was telling hubby about an injury- his face was so cute. Boy #2 is very expressive...and so hard to capture on camera, since he doesn't ever stop moving. Ever.
The girl- well she was trying to evade me- but I won :)

This is your dog on drugs...

2008-01-09T23:43:00.000-06:00

Foster has been limping since around Thanksgiving and we thought it was just a normal doggy sprain, but it was getting worse, so...yesterday I brought him to the vet. He was too tense to examine, so we had to bring him back today to get drugged up so they could do an exam, x-rays, etc.... we picked up him 9hrs later- and this is his state of mind. He's SO high, it's kinda cute.
But poor Foster- has a pretty bad knee. He has bone spurs and arthritis. :(
The good news is that it should just be some drugs....hopefully surgery will not be needed.
We're hoping that the drug regime will help him- the vet said he must be in a lot of pain. Broke my heart! He's been a little more depressed lately- but never would have guessed in pain :( SO he's on pain killers and anti-inflamatory drugs for the next 2wks. Hopefully that will help him.... the kids are being SO nice to him. He's suppose to have limited movement- so we're trying to keep him contained to one level- which is challenging in a multi-level house, with a dog who's smart enough to know how to open doors/doggy gates.... but he's been doing a good job of being a couch potato :)

"Bud"

2008-01-06T16:11:00.000-06:00

RJ

2008-01-05T16:09:00.000-06:00

Dare you!

2008-01-04T16:08:00.000-06:00

The Doggers

2008-01-04T16:07:00.000-06:00

Boy #1 Boardin'

2008-01-04T16:06:00.000-06:00

Day #365- WAHOO and THANK YOU :)

2007-12-31T16:55:00.000-06:00

A little year in review....one photo from each month :)
{click to see larger)

THANK YOU to all my fellow bloggers/photographers for joining me in this journey- it's been a great project- lots of fun, and best of all....I captured some momenets I normally would have missed! And to my other non-photographer blog stalkers :) I thank you too! Part of what made me keep at it was knowing people were looking! :)

This project for me was mostly just a way to try new things, capture moments I might not normally, but also to hone my skills even further just by pure practice. It has definately been a great thing for me both professionally, as well as personally.

A few people have asked if I'll be doing the 365 Project again next year.... and no I will not. BUT I will keep posting- my personal goal is 2x week. Anyone up for a project 100? :) I hope that keeps me capturing snapshots of our lives, without it seeming too much.....or forcing myself to take photos just for the sake of getting something to blog (i.e. flowers, plants, ornaments...lol)

Some others have asked what I intend to do with all of this...and I have to say that thanks to a very cool service that will turn your blog into a book for you (Blurb books) I'll be creating one (or possible might need to do Vol 1 + 2 just because of size) purely to keep as a keepsake of the project.

Anyhoo- Happy New Year!

Amy

Day #364- Shred some snow :)

2007-12-30T12:14:00.000-06:00

Can I just tell you how much I love this photo?! :)

And......ONLY ONE MORE DAY and I've finished Project 365! :D

Day #363- Boardin' Girl

2007-12-29T23:50:00.000-06:00

The kids finally got to break in their snowboards today- SO much fun! All their skateboarding skills really helped- they were zooming down in no time :)

Day #362- Sledding with The Cousins

2007-12-28T23:35:00.000-06:00

This afternoon we had a sledding date w/ the kids 3 girl cousins. Who as you can see are much more photogenic than my own kids :) They are 8.5, 6 and 5. We all had a blast....although I think it'll take a week for my tailbone to recover- that hill was fast and bumpy! I feel old.... :) The boys had SO much fun- Boy #1 crashed wickedly about 4 times (once into a tree!) but recovered quickly...Boy #2 was like the Energizer bunny...zooming down the hill only to run back up and do it again. He was amazing! The Girl went a few times but preferred to just sit at the top and eat the snow because "it's too fast and bumpy and hurts my head and my butt" :)
Cousin #2 (in green) felt the same as The Girl- so they held down the fort. The hubster and my BIL were making me laugh with their "ooo my back" comments after some rough runs down the hill :) The 3 of us definately did not feel like spring chickens when we left there- but it sure was fun!

Day #361- Snowballs

2007-12-27T23:15:00.000-06:00

Day #360- Sledding

2007-12-26T23:14:00.000-06:00

Day #359- Christmas Day

2007-12-25T23:11:00.000-06:00

Day #358- How We Spent Xmas Eve...

2007-12-24T23:09:00.000-06:00

When we decided to buy these for the boys for Xmas- we knew it would either be a fun idea- or a really bad idea.... so far- they've been having a blast with them.

Day #357- Christmas Dishes

2007-12-23T13:08:00.000-06:00

I ****LOVE**** my Christmas dishes. Every piece has a different scene on them....I just love them!

Day #356- Ornaments

2007-12-22T12:53:00.000-06:00

Every year I let the kids pick a new ornament for our tree.....these are their choices this year :D

Day #355- Sweet Baby Boy

2007-12-21T17:48:00.001-06:00

I could not have ASKED for a better newborn!!! What an angel he was- totally tolerant of my endless prodding and repositioning :) Of course it could also be that he just loved being naked, or that he knew Auntie Amy wouldn't leave untill he cooperated :)

Day #354- SANTA!

2007-12-20T22:10:00.000-06:00

Today we finally made our visit to the mall Santa! I *think* it's the same man as last year- but I'll need to look at photos to be sure....he's very lovely. I love our local mall because even though they have the whole photo set-up, you are under no obligation to buy them, or have them take your kids pictures, and can take your own (just a few but still how nice is that!) And the Santa is just as nice to you if you buy photos or not! The staff are obviously NOT commission based :) lol

Day #353- Our Holiday Card

2007-12-19T22:31:00.000-06:00

Since 99% of them have been mailed and received- I figure I can share it now! :)
This year I did, and mailed, two versions of our holiday card- this one, and a tri-fold card. I won't share the tri-fold here because of certain info on them- so you all get to see the smaller version :) I'm only explaining so my friends/family don't ask "Why is that different than the one we got?" I wasn't sure if I'd like the tri-folds, so I did 1/2 our order regular folded. I did end up LOVING the tri-fold- so now I know! :)
So the first photo is the cover, and the other is the inside spread :)

My loyal blog stalkers will recognize most of the photos :)

And as for the front photo- it's a miracle photo....as I had the kids out there for a group photo, and Foster ON HIS OWN, walked up, sat in front of them and looked right at me. I seriously couldn't have TRIED to get him to do that. He apparantly decided he wanted in on the photo.....or was jonesing for a scooby-snack :) REgardless- I was soooooo stinking excited!!

Happy Holidays! :)

Day #352- Speedlite Fun!

2007-12-18T22:31:00.001-06:00

Now that it's winter and we're stuck inside w/shorter daylight hours- it's time to break out the speedlte! :)
Today I played with the idea of being able to freeze action using the flash- it's really interesting (to me) Basically you can use a really slow shutterspeed- because the flash freezes the motion- so you don't get blur. Like these for example were shot at 1/15 of a SS- which is insanely slow and normally would NEVER be clear. I bounced the light up and behind me (basically off the TV) and it worked really slick!

Day #351- Clifford & Lenny / The Girl's Dance Recital

2007-12-17T22:33:00.000-06:00

The Girl with her two favorite stuffed animals...the boys have the flu today, so they're home from school. The Girl is enjoying being the only one with energy to play. We've had tea parties, made cookies, watched movies...fun fun! She had the flu on Friday and because of it missed going to see the Nutcracker ballet....it crushed her- and broke my heart too- she was so excited :(
Thankfully she's a kid that gets over things pretty quickly and just decided she'd have to try to see it next year!
So- I added some pics from her recital last Tues- she makes me laugh- she LOVES dance class (it's ballet and tap)
The last photo makes me laugh because of our friends A&J in the background :D

Day #350- Return of the Spaceship Light

2007-12-16T22:27:00.000-06:00

The boys lost the privilege of their spaceship light because they keep screwing around at bedtime...but it's now been returned because they SWEAR they won't screw around anymore at bedtime. :) So we'll see how they do! :D

Day #349- I was wrong...

2007-12-15T22:22:00.000-06:00

Remember how I said I was done w/holiday photoshoots? I was wrong! One more snuck in this morning- thankfully for a last minute shoot it was easy-peasy as the kids are so adorable and also photogenic! :) Here's one of the 4 kiddies :)

Day #348- Wreath

2007-12-14T22:19:00.000-06:00

Day #347- Nativity

2007-12-13T14:31:00.000-06:00

Hubby use to have a nice Nativity scene- but the kids liked to play with it and one by one shattered most of the pieces. SO last year we decided to get one they could play with. Thank you Playmobil! I love it- and the kids love to re-enact the story :)

Day #346- Hubby's Favorite Ornament

2007-12-12T14:28:00.000-06:00

My mom gave it to use shortly after we were married- it makes him laugh.

Day #345- Singing Snowpeople

2007-12-11T14:24:00.000-06:00

The Girl is obsessed with this....it sings "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" and they dance.
Every time she walks by it she makes it sing.
Which is a lot.

:)

Day #344- The Ps

2007-12-10T14:43:00.000-06:00

This is officially my LAST holiday card photo session :) My g/f's cute kids in front of their tree!
I love these kids- but oy did they give me a run for my money today! But it did make me happy to know that it's not just MY kids that are impossible to get a group shot of! lol

Day #343- My favorite holiday treat

2007-12-09T21:18:00.000-06:00

Mmmmmm so good!

Day #342- Meet Rowan

2007-12-08T22:46:00.000-06:00

Our newest nephew- born yesterday to hubby's brother and wife :)
Seriously....how cute is he??!!!

Day #341- Martini Bar

2007-12-07T11:19:00.000-06:00

Tonight is my MOM club's holiday party, and as the President I get to host it! So I thought it would be fun to have a martini bar....so I've clipped up some recipes and it's self-serve/mix your own! :)
The Godiva Chocolate one is the BEST imho :)

Day #340- My favorite ornament

2007-12-06T11:02:00.000-06:00

It's been my favorite ever since I was a little girl.
I don't know why. But I just love it.

Day #339- Snowflakes

2007-12-05T10:59:00.000-06:00

I grew up with these hanging on windows during the holidays....makes me happy :)

Day #338- Scraping

2007-12-04T10:56:00.000-06:00

Why it sucks to live in MN sometimes :)
The sound of scraping snow+ice off of a car makes me cringe......

Day #337- O & L

2007-12-03T22:52:00.000-06:00

Such troopers to venture into the snow for photos :)

Day #336- Decorating the tree

2007-12-02T22:43:00.000-06:00

Day #335- Starting Advent

2007-12-01T22:40:00.000-06:00

Our Advent Calendar :)
Every day they open a door and inside is a piece of paper telling them what special thing we'll be doing that day- today's was "Get a Christmas Tree!"

Day #334- Grinchy-Dog

2007-11-30T16:45:00.001-06:00

The Girl thought this was really funny.
Poor Foster...he's so tolerant in his old age :)

Day #333- Grinchy-Dog

2007-11-29T21:43:00.000-06:00

We tivoed it last night- and then today the kids put on their hats, had some popcorn and watched.

Day #332- Storytime

2007-11-28T16:09:00.000-06:00

Playgroup today- Heidi w/her dynamic duo and two of mine :)

Day #331- Batman+Superman Go to the Library

2007-11-27T16:07:00.000-06:00

Day #330- Lists

2007-11-26T23:38:00.000-06:00

Boy#1 is obsessed with writing...LOVES to write. He esp likes to makes lists of words. So this was tonight.
And no he doesn't actually know how to spell all these- he looks for words and writes them down. (books, boxes, magazines, etc)

Day #329- Homeward Bound

2007-11-25T16:04:00.000-06:00

Day #328- The Artist

2007-11-24T16:03:00.000-06:00

Day #327- Sticker Mosaics

2007-11-23T21:01:00.000-06:00

How cool are these?!

Day #326- Happy Thanksgiving!

2007-11-22T15:59:00.000-06:00

Day #325- Turkey Cookies

2007-11-21T15:56:00.000-06:00

Today at playground the kids made turkey cookies...it was fun to see their own ideas of how to decorate :)
The last pic- The Girl is wearing my apron from when I was a little girl and would "help" my mom in the kitchen :)
Don't ask about her hat.... She loves it. lol

Day #324- H Family

2007-11-20T17:52:00.000-06:00

They braved the artic temps for a photoshoot :) So lovely- and the dog, talk about a model! :D

Day #323- Haircuts

2007-11-19T19:47:00.000-06:00

Day #322- M & A

2007-11-18T22:36:00.000-06:00

Okay seriously....how adorable are they??!!! They were troopers too because it was crazy cloudy, windy, FREEZING and actually SNOWING! Good thing I shoot fast :) Here's a sneak peek....

Day #321- Cooking Club

2007-11-17T22:40:00.000-06:00

Today was my turn to host- and the theme was fall foods....so lots of squash and apples :)
Here's a few pics from our day..so our missing member can see what we did (We missed you but hope the concert was fun!)....a pear and raw beet salad w/feta cheese...squash soup w/apples and leeks... phyllo rolls with apples, pecans and gorgonzola....pumpkin and squash risotto...and chocolate truffle cakes. Not pictured- apple almond tart, and mediterranean quiche.

Day #320- Return of SuperMouse

2007-11-16T23:03:00.000-06:00

My kids are fans of The Justice League- and like most kids have their token favorites. Boy #1 loves Superman, Boy #2 loves Batman...and of course The Girl is all over Wonder Woman. They make me laugh when they fly these around the house "saving" random things from "evil" Well the infamous Little Mouse has returned to us this weekend (Boy #1's turn with him) so he donned his super-attire and joined the League. :)

Day #319- Mmmmmmmm

2007-11-15T21:20:00.000-06:00

Yes I am a foodie. But yes I also love Ramen. DH is out of town so this was our dinner. Well- this is technically a picture of the kids dinner...but I ate it too. My kids, like me, love it :)
And it's the perfect nutritously void meal.

Day #318- Happy Day (musically speaking)

2007-11-14T14:38:00.000-06:00

Today the hubster and my BIL got in line at 6am to await the limited release of the this years Cities Sampler.
I'm so excited and immediately uploaded it to iTunes today. It's fabulous this year!

Day #317- Cinderella

2007-11-13T14:36:00.000-06:00

Only when you're 5 is mopping the floors thought of as "Fun" and a "Treat"
I wonder how long till they catch on to the reality....

Day #316- My New Addiction

2007-11-12T14:33:00.000-06:00

They taunt me with their "for a limited time"..... so evil to get me addicted and then immediately also instill the panic of wondering how long till my supplier cuts me off.....

:)

Day #315- S Family

2007-11-11T22:09:00.000-06:00

There's nothing easier than photographing a gorgeous family! Their home backs up to a nature preserve which is seriously a photographers DREAM...woods....marshland...just gorgeous- I'm so jealous!

E+J are the cutest kids...and come March they'll be another baby boy in their family! :D

Day #314- RJ

2007-11-10T21:20:00.000-06:00

Seriously- HOW CUTE is he?! His smile is so contagious- just a sweetie-pie! He's been seen previously on my blog HERE and HERE
His parents are our friends- and I took their family photo for their holiday card at their new house today. RJ is soooo cute I could just eat him up! :)

Day #313- "The Best Time of Year"

2007-11-09T14:04:00.000-06:00

This morning the kids woke me up with their shrieks of joy and running like crazy all over the house "It's SNOWING!!!" The Girl was so exited she was literally jumping and leaping around saying "It's the best time of year! It's HERE! It's HERE!"
Sadly- the flurries only lasted about 20min. :) They cannot WAIT for the snow.
This brief preview has reminded me that I need to find mittens...buy boots....sigh.

Day #312- Ms. Mouse's Tea Party

2007-11-08T17:22:00.001-06:00

The boys kept saying "Little Mouse is a BOY!" so Lily had to prove them wrong. Girl Power! :D

Day #311- Super Mouse Skateboader

2007-11-07T23:08:00.000-06:00

This was of course Boy #2's idea.

Day #310- Storytime and Civic Duty

2007-11-06T23:05:00.000-06:00

Today Little Mouse joined the boys at the library while The Girl was in dance class. He really enjoyed listening to this particular story on the computer. Then since it's voting day- he of course participated in expressing his right to vote. The kids said he was voting "for the best mouse to be president of Mouserica" :D

Day #309- Meet Little Mouse

2007-11-05T22:58:00.000-06:00

I apologize right now for the week of pictures coming..... Meet Little Mouse. Those of you with little kids surely recognize him from the books "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie" and "If You Take a Mouse to School"
Well- he's sort of a traveling "pet" for the kids preschool. He comes with the above mentioned books, and a 3ring binder with a page for each child in the class. The kids take turns bringing him home, having adventures with him- and then documenting it for the book page. Very cute idea. SO he's ours for the week :)
Today- he went to the grocery store! I got some seriously odd looks from people- esp when he was froclicking in the cheese case :) It was a hoot though- the kids are really having fun with it.....

Day #308- Pretty in Pink

2007-11-04T22:56:00.000-06:00

The Girl LOVES this jacket- and is happy that it's getting cold enough that she can wear it :)

Day #307- Auntie Mandy

2007-11-03T22:53:00.000-05:00

Today The Girl and I attended a shower for my SIL- who's expecting their 1st baby in Dec. When we got home- The Girl decided to write about it in her homework notebook (the kids have a notebook they have to do a page about something they did that week, and bring it back to school on Monday)
SO- this is her depection of the event- Mandy it looks just like you don't you think? :D

Day #306- Doggy Grandpa

2007-11-02T22:36:00.000-05:00

My dad was here today and they brought this up for me :) If the nose was a little longer it'd look just like our furry beast :)
The kids think this is a hoot- they call it the "We Love Foster Sign!"

Day #305- Fun Mom

2007-11-01T22:27:00.000-05:00

I hate fingerpainting....when my kids ask to do it- I always redirect them to something else...because I hate it! It's messy, and you end up with paint finger prints accidentally in a trail from the table to wherever they put their papers or wash their hands.... plus 20 soaking wet abstract art papers that just end up in the trash anyway....I know...I'm a mean mom. Other painting FINE- but finger painting makes me shudder.... Anyways- SO today was a day I said "Go ahead!" and let them at it. So The Girl told me "Thanks for being fun mom!" Seriously...that girl can passively shame me like no other. I'm going to have to print this blog when I'm done to save for the kids when they are older, because right now all I ever hear is that "We NEVER do anything fun!"

Day #304- Happy Halloween!

2007-10-31T17:52:00.000-05:00

Dressed up for school :) The Girl trying to show her skirt twirling :)

OH- and notice the new music? If you are a Minnesotan you of course KNOW about the Gear Daddies..... but I felt the need to share a few of their tunes with those not familiar with them. For most of my friends- these were the songs of our college years :) Adam- you know which one's for you :D
I apologize in advance for the profanity in the 2nd song- so turn it down if kids are around...but it's a classic :)
(Click the arrow on the music box to skip to the next song....I think I put 8 on there)