Ten on Tuesday

1.  So very far behind!  I will try to catch up in one day here - that is why we love Ten on Tuesday, right?

2.  Lauren's last week of school was fun, and every day was a theme day.  One of which was "Western Day" and this was her getup:

She was really happy with it, especially at pick up when she announced to me that everyone in her class said she was the "most cowboy".  =)  Something every girl longs to hear...

3.  I can't get over how much change took place in the girls over the school year.  Obviously Jaelyn has changed the most, but the bigger girls did too.  This was them on the first day of school:

And here they are on the last:

What a difference nine months can make.

They just look so BIG.  Grown up.  Waaaah!

4.  Lauren's Kindergarten put on a little program.  Honestly, I was very disappointed there was no "Graduation" ceremony.  It feels like a big step to me, and deserving of some fanfare.  Whatever.  ;)

The lighting was terrible, and Lauren was almost in the dark - so pictures were nearly impossible.  This was as good as I could get.

Pretty, huh?  Photoshop helped me out a little...

Do you even see her?  Front row, right side, green sparkly shirt.  All the kids had sunglasses for one of the songs -- so cute!  She did a great job, we were very proud of her!

5.  Have you watched "Food Matters"?  It is a documentary on food as medicine - and it is great!  Depending on your paradigms about medicine and about food, you may find it... tough to take.  We did too, but we believe that we have big changes to make.  If you have Netflix, it is on instant view.  Go watch it, for your health!  

6.  The big girls got a bunk-bed.  Scary.  They love it, of course, and there will be much more playing room in their room now, which is why I wanted it.  But I am just waiting for the inevitable injury.  And now we have to sell their captains beds, and find a dresser ASAP.  Anyone selling or buying?!?

7.  We had a great holiday weekend.  What started as four days with no plans ended up being fun-filled and busy!  It was great!

8.  We took the girls to SeaLife on Friday.  It was nice, but I feel too expensive for how quickly you are done walking through it.  Lauren has talked about it non-stop though - she loves all museums/zoos/etc.  A little sponge, that one!

9.  I am considering some big changes to my website, business blog, and this blog.  I'll keep you apprised, don't worry!  LOL

10.  My to-do list is calling.  It gets longer by the day, I'd better get on it!  =)  Happy Tuesday, everyone!

Six

My little girl, the one who made me a mommy -- turned six last Friday.  Six.  She is so grown up already - and I am excited for her and sadly missing her Mommy-years already!  In a few short months she will be in first grade.  Full day.  I think it will affect me much more than half day Kindergarten ever dared to.  But for now, I am relishing in the fact that I have her home with me until early August.  And I plan to make the most of that time together.  That being said, if you happen to stop by my house -- don't expect it to be sparkling clean.  I'll be playing with my girls instead! 

Where did that come from?  Why was I in here again...?  Oh yeah, the party!  I will have to come back and post real birthday pics later - but I wanted to get some party ones up sooner.  These are un-edited pictures.  Why?  Because I just finished proofing 360 pictures for my wedding clients and I am tired of Photoshop.  I mean really tired.  And I have two more sessions to proof.  So, there was no editing of party pictures.  At least for now!

Lauren wanted an art theme, and I thought this CourtneyCourtney upcycled t-shirt dress looked very artist-like for my girl.  Can I just say, the spunky attitude is killing me?!?  As is the pointed toe!  She is too big, I tell you!

Jaelyn showing off her standing skills to one of her many friends.  Seriously, this girl loves people! 

We colored treat bags, made necklaces, decorated wooden ruler/bookmarks, drew with sidewalk chalk, and...

Painted.

This is the real reason Lauren wanted an art party.  The girl loves her some paints!

Her cake of choice:

The frosting was truly as thick as it looks.

And worth every calorie.

Lauren with her two girl-friends from school, enjoying their cupcakes.

Then it was time for the pinata.  I wish I has a better picture of the face Lauren made at the beginning.  She was so very ANGRY at Daddy for moving the donkey up and down.  It was truly hysterical - like he was out to get her. Once the other kids had a turn and she realized that was just how the game went... she calmed down a little.  This was her second go-'round.

In the end, Harper decapitated the beast.  But no candy came out.  Poor engineering, I tell you.  Don't worry, I ripped it open and sprinkled it from the sky for the fullest pinata experience.  ;)

Happy birthday, sweet girl!  We love you to the "tippy top of Heaven and back"!

A little something...

...came in the mail today:

And I LOVE it!

If you have an iPhone, you need one.  Trust me!

Thanks to Tamara and Nel for their birthday contributions so I could finally get myself this!  =)

New 'do

I took the girls for summer haircuts yesterday.  Yes, it is summer already... 99 here today, yikes!

Miraculously, I was able to talk Lauren into a much shorter cut.  She was tired of the knots and having to pull through them all the time.  Of course, this is an odd look at her 'do because the girl can't take a picture with her head straight.  Believe me, I tried.  It just doesn't happen.  Unfortunately, I had wanted Paige's a little more like a bob, but this will do-- at least her bangs are straight and not too short!  Nothing short of a miracle, I tell you.

I apologize for the wonky color, I grabbed this shot as we were heading out the door for school and forgot to check my settings.  Rookie mistake!  ;)

Stuff

I am not even going to mention how long it has been since I've blogged.  I am a slacker and I don't want to talk about it!

ANYway, stuff going on around here...

A comparison I did of the girls at 9 months, because I am weird:

Easter:

Our "Resurrection Rolls" - YUM!

Can't believe I hadn't posted those yet!  Easter was kind of a crazy day for me, which is a shame because it is my favorite holiday -- meaning-wise.  Just the thought of all Christ did for us brings tears to my eyes!  Anyway, I think those pictures safely speak for themselves.  We had a great day!

Jaelyn is crawling/cruising/getting into everything.  Lauren and I call her the tornado.  I thought my big girls made messes in the playroom, only to find out the only one in there was Jaelyn.  She just pulls stuff out, spreads it everywhere, and moves on to the next!  Hilarious.

On that same crawling/cruising/getting into everything token -- she has bruises all.over.her.head -- really, I don't remember my other two bonking themselves so often.  Maybe it is one of those blessings that God helps us to forget.  Like birth-pains.

I photographed my first ever wedding on Friday!  It was fun, but very crazy and time just flew by.  Now I have waaaaaay too much editing to do.  Ooof.  Not sure when I will see the light at the end of that tunnel.  Speaking of which, that is probably what I should be doing right now.

Love you all~