Poser

Last week Riley looked so cute in her outfit before going to school so I asked her if I could take some quick pictures before we left. Of course she's always ready for a photo shoot.



 That little girl has every piece of my heart, hula poses, side tilt smiles and all. Then I realized that shirt she is wearing used to be one of our favorite dresses for her to wear. Many, many, many moons ago.


I can't get over how quickly 5 years have gone.

Snuggle Monster

One of my favorite things about Camden and this age is that he loves to snuggle, cuddle and generally be all up on us.

 He will come up to me and TG at different times and say, "Mama, I snuggle you?" or "Daddy, you snuggle me?" Then he climbs on your person and gets himself as comfortable as he can without any concern for our comfort.

We don't mind. I know these days are fleeting so even when he asks me to "put down you con-puter" or "mama be done painting" I oblige. I read a blog post by Ann Voskamp about her 18 year old son yesterday and she said in the post, "You grew up — and I want to go back and I want to go with you, but I can’t do either." I just about cried. So I'm going to snuggle my babies and love on them as long as I can.




 

Last Day of Pre-K, Hooray!

Today was Riley's last day of Pre-K.

It's fun to see how much she's grown since her first day of pre-k!

She "graduated"!  Jazz hands!


Riley's pre-k program had a party on the last day and families were invited.  Camden was so excited he could go with his sissy to her school.

The student teachers planned and ran the party - it was very organized and the kids had a great time!  There were crafts, games, water play, and plenty of delicious treats.


After all the fun outside we went indoors for the formal portion of the event.  The teachers made a slideshow of pictures from the year and had a brief ceremony. Each little student received their certificate and a yearbook.

We loved Miss Woods and we were sad to say good-bye to such a wonderful teacher!

Riley had a great year in pre-k.  She learned so much and loved going to school each day.  Onward and upward to Kindergarten we go!

Three.

Dear Camden,

Today you are three.

 1. 2. 3!

Gigi, Papa and Lolo came in for the weekend to celebrate with you.  They arrived on Friday with awesome donuts from a shop in their town.  We stripped your sister down because she tends to make a mess and you insisted on stripping down too.  Underwear donuts it is then.  Can't think of a better way to kick off a birthday weekend.

LEONARDO!


On Saturday you got a haircut, went to Riley's soccer game, spent some fun time with Gigi, Papa and Lolo and then got dinner at Red Robin.  The servers sang to you after dinner and you were pretty pleased with all the attention, and sugar.  Oh the sugar.  I wasn't sure you were going to be able to sleep last night what with all the sweets and the excitement for your birthday.

You have been patiently waiting for your birthday to come.  Everyday for the last month (at least) when I would get you up in the morning you would say, "It my birthday?" "I want a minja turtle.  The blue one!" You were so excited when I opened your door and said, "TODAY IS YOUR BIRTHDAY!" and sang 'Happy Birthday' to you while I gave you 'moochies all over your sweet face.

You came downstairs and saw all the decorations your Daddy, Gigi and Lolo put up for you.  You immediately attacked the balloons and then noticed the stack of presents on the table.  You ripped into them pretty quickly.


Of course, we got you the blue ninja turtle and you were so happy!

But we didn't stop there. You now have all four "minja" turtles.

Gigi, Papa and Lolo had to head home shortly after you opened your presents.  We took a few pictures of you with them before they had to go.




You had some down time to play with your new turtles before we got ready and asked you what you wanted to do for your birthday.  You kept telling us "Go to the store!"  You never said  which store, even when we prompted you, but we figured you probably meant somewhere you could get toys.

So after lunch, Toys R Us was our first stop.  You found a Mater and space shuttle toy right when you walked in that you wanted.  You are very into spaceships lately.  You would have given it up for this car if we had let you though.  Although I think you would have had to fight your Daddy to drive it.


After that we went to about 5 more stores in search of things we still needed for your big birthday party next weekend. You were happy as could be about going to stores, so much so that after each one we would ask what you wanted to do next and you would say "Go to the store!" You and your sister were so cute as we were leaving the last one.

She was making you laugh by pretending to be the "Iron Monster".


You two can bicker, but you also love her dearly and she loves you.  Riley was so happy for you on your birthday.  She was so patient, kind, loving and understanding that it was your special day.  It's hard for Riley to share the attention sometimes and I knew today would be a test of her patience, but she was just wonderful all day for you, her best buddy.



While you ate dinner and relaxed a bit I got your cake all ready to go.  You were anxious for that cake. You even demanded it after you ate all your breakfast this morning.


I love the look of joy on your face as Daddy rounded the corner with your cake all aglow.


You knew just what to do with the candles this time and waited while we sang "Happy Birthday" one more time.  You heard that song a lot today.  In fact Tata, Tutu and Gammy called to sing to you at different times today too.


Blow!


MMMM CAKE!

I realized after your shower tonight that Daddy and I did not take one single picture with you today.  So I raced downstairs with your freshly washed self and asked Daddy to take our picture.


I made sure to get one of you and Daddy too!


Camden, you are such a joy!

Three years with you have just flown by. I have to admit I'm having a hard time with you getting older. I am so very thankful that you are healthy, happy and growing, but you're my last baby and I just don't want to let you go. Thank you for another year full of lots of laughs and lots of love. We all love you so much!   Happy third birthday little man!

Monkey See, Monkey Do

This morning I was taking pictures of model Riley and as usual she was going through all of her new poses.

Work it sisser.




Then superhero boy, iron monster, Camden said, "MY TURN!"

He was flying.


 Hahahahaha.


I have no idea but he was pretty pleased with this pose when he saw it on the camera screen.

 

Summer's Comin!

This week after a winter that seemed to last forever we skipped spring and jumped right into the summer weather complete with temps in the high 80s and humidity.

While I would prefer an actual spring season, I loved being able to take the kids outside and one day it was so warm we put on swimsuits and filled up the little pool.

The water from the hose was COLD, but Riley insisted she could stand it.     

Getting colder!


Bolting from the line of fire!


It was all fun and games until they realized they could turn it on me!


We definitely enjoyed our afternoon outdoors, but I'm hoping it cools down for a bit for the rest of April and May.  Then bring on the heat!

Twirl and Stop, Pose and Smile

Riley is a natural picture taker. Although lately she doesn't always want me to take her picture, when she does, she really turns it on. All I have to do is turn the camera in her direction and click, click, click. She will change her pose, pause and then turn her face towards the camera for the snap. It's not taught, or inherited (by me at least), and it makes for some pretty funny photos.



















Her pretty little dress and top are Matilda Jane.

The beautiful smile and glow are all her.  I love that little girl.