a day in the life

12 | 12 | 12

May edition! Despite the fact that I put it in the June folder and named the collage June. It is still May. Renaming all files ensued. Just wishing it were June. Can I get an "Amen?"
1. Charlie before the game. Looks like an absolute pro. Lining up. Listening. Rocking the foot skills.
2. Charlie during the game. Won't play. Won't listen. Won't cooperate. Turns to jelly. Any advice? I really don't want to throw in the towl just yet.
3. Jack LOVES Maya. This is his hide from strangers pose. Maya is a safe place to go. I love that.
4. Charlie. On the field, but with legs spread because HE wanted to BE the goal. *sigh*
5. Lillian. Tall. Long flowing hair (snicker.) Looking about eight in her new glasses. Goodness these kids grow up way too fast.
6. Oh Jack. You are too cute. Seriously. Just too cute.
7. Daddy playing some catch. Not with me. Have to say that despite the fact that I used to play football every day at recess in fifth grade I am a bit skittish about catching a football. Now softball, sign me up.
8. Doesn't it look like Charlie just slammed that ball out of the park? Yes, let's just go with that.
9. This dear old man came up to me and asked if he could take our picture. Bless his heart, another blurry stranger photo. But I love it because he was funny, sweet to offer, and urged me to vote for Obama. Of course sir.
10. I love tickling children trapped in swings. This may be the last summer of the baby swing. Wow. That is a sad thought.
11. As Jack just learned to walk, he is doing it all the time. The shuffle thump is pretty much gone. How sad.
12. Run, Jack, Run.

And as there seem to be a lack of Lillian in this month's 12 on 12, the official I just got my glasses today picture. May 8, 2012 you are excited. We will see if you are as excited in 20 years...

12 | 12 | 12

Once again the 12th came around on a Thursday, which is officially my busiest, craziest day of the week. I remind myself that preschool M-TH is only going to add to that craziness next year. And, Jack and I are going to miss Charlie like CRAZY.
1. Apparently Mick Jagger's favorite new place to play is in the toybox. Don't ask me why he is unzipped like that, but I think it may have something to do with Charlie as when I sent him upstairs to get dressed, his jammies were the same. Weirdo boys.
2. Ahhhhh-haircut! While the during is fairly awful and horrible, the after is much better (although I will miss those curls.) After the cut we stopped by to hang out with Grandpa and play a little hide and seek around Great Grandma Watson's chair.
3. Bj was home today with a horrible case of bronchitis. Now there is "man sick" and there is "wow are you being stabbed in the chest every time you cough" sick. He had the latter. Smoothies make everything better right?
4. After naptime. My goodness you are handsome Jackson.
5. And, your tiny feet are also very chubby. And the crib is dirty. Hey, it has been used almost non-stop for 6 1/2 years.
6. Driving again. Let me just recap. Drove to Charlie's school to pick him up. Got a smoothie. Back home. Drove to get Jack's haircut. Drove to M&D's house. Picked up Charlie. Home. Drove Lillian to dance. Drove home. Went back to pick up Lillian. Drove home. Drove to Cassie's house. Drove home. Lots of driving...
7. We actually arrived early and had time to stop next door to pick up a new skirt for Lillian (50% off, whoo hoo) and just hang for a moment before class. I love that she finally gets to take dance here. Makes me very, very happy.
8. Well bighugelabs cut it off, but goodness did I have Charlie laughing hysterically after I asked if I could take his photo. He is a bit INYOURFACE during photo time.
9. And again, laughing hysterically. I kept yelling at him NOT to look at the camera. He either thinks I am crazy or hasn't caught on to reverse psychology yet.
10. This is Lillian's "WHY are you taking my picture AGAIN" face. Because your Aunt Elizabeth said I had to honey. Now smile.
11. Thank you.
12. And me. After all that running around. Of course I looked this refreshed after a long day. Or perhaps I use a bit of Fotoshop by Adobe'. Perhaps. Just keeping it real here folks. Don't think I even had time to shower that morning...

12 | 12 | 12

This did not go as planned. I woke up on the 12th excited for another new day of photos. I planned some shots, took some candids, concentrated on how lucky I am. Got a shot of Jack that was just perfect-he was looking out the window at the trash truck. Kinda looked like he was going to break through the window with the toy in his hand.

But.

They are gone. Somehow I lost every photo I took on March 12. I don't know how. I have the surrounding days. Didn't lose anything else, but somehow, they just disappeared. Even that perfect one of Jack. So I had to do something different this month. I just chose 12 photos that I loved. And although I am really (really, really) sad I lost those photos, I love the photos here. They are a true picture of our busy month.
1. Lillian lost her second tooth. 2. I got new studio lights in the hopes of next year doing some pre-school photos for the schools. Charlie was my first subject. 3. We took some fun shots in preparation for his Superhero birthday celebration. I think he looks quite hero like, don't you? 4. One of my favorite shots of Lillian ever. It is SO hard to get her real personality and smile in the camera. But this is it. 5. And here is Jack's serious face. NOT hard to capture as he really is quite a serious baby. Until he isn't. 6. Shuffle, thump. Shuffle, thump. 7. I gave Jack a spoon for the first time. It went as to be expected. 8. An excited little birthday boy. The party was a success I think, except for the poor sister who was suffering from a sad tummy. 9. I got to go to a wonderful and rare event. My grandfather was inducted into the Ashtabula Basketball Hall of Fame, posthumously. And my mother was the one who got to speak for him. I know she was nervous, but her speech was perfect and touching and made me so proud. 10. Cupcakes, cake balls, gluten free cupcakes, gluten free cake balls, and one last birthday cake for the birthday boy. Let's just say this is my fanciest and least "wrecked" cake I have ever decorated. It is just not my speciality. 11. After all the brother celebrations I thought it would be nice to take Lillian to see Mirror, Mirror with some friends. Before hand we stopped for a few photos. Not natural, but I love her laugh. 12. I even managed to get my monthly self portrait in. Just before the movie. Me and my girl.

Not how I planned it, but still, a month documented. Perhaps they will turn up in my computer somewhere. I hope...

Ish eyes

A few years ago I did a layout about Lillian's ish eyes. They are greenish brownish, which I suppose would be considered hazel, but I prefer ish (although I think that probably won't fly on a drivers license someday.) A few days ago I was testing my new lights and got this shot of Charlie
Sad to say, but I think his eyes are now blueish. But I love those deep ish eyes...

Weekend recap

This weekend was a good one. A really good one. Friday we went out with friends for sushi (lots and lots of sushi.) Lots of laughs, lots of driving (ha) and lots of sushi. I even managed to almost recreate my beloved V8 roll. By the end of the year I have decided I will be a sushi master and just make it at home any time I have the craving.

Saturday morning started with a lovely sleep-in. Until 9am. Yes, my standards may have changed, but it really was lovely. When we got the day started, I did laundry, cleaned, researched my new lights and got some shots with the bigs. LOVE my new lights. Preschool pictures here I come!

Saturday evening we got out the old whirly pop, invited over Nonnie and Grandpa, and had popcorn (with M&M's) and watched Oceans. And laughed about how Beverly's husband is a retired museum. And a professor. Kids to bed, me to my studio to work some more on a very cool assignment for WCS going up Wednesday! and Bj (or WILLIAM as he may or may not want to be called now) over to Nerd McGeek's Game Emporium. After I finished for the night, and shared finished projects with Jess as Jess shared finished projects with me (cause she is all crafty like now) I watched Water for Elephants. I loved it. Though I did not mean to stay up so late (and even later due to the time change) to watch it. Oops.

Today was church in the morning followed by lunch, park for the bigs, me scrapping to some great music, quest to find Charlie's new big boy bed (score of $29.99 off of $90, yes please, thank you very much) and home for a bit more playtime outside, crockpot lasagna with Mor Mor, and even more playtime outside. Lillian and I played a bit of softball-hitting, amazing. Throwing, laughter inducing.

All in all, an awesome weekend.

Short Letters

Dear Nick Jr.
I really wish you would bring back Jack's Big Music show. Jon Stewart and Andrew Bird as special guests? Of course it was totally cool.

Dear Whitney,
I'm still sad. Thanks for motivating me during my workout today.

Dear Amazon,
You rock and so does your pre-sale. You are going to make my husband a very, very happy man-one day early, as we will be cracking open Game of Thrones TONIGHT instead of tomorrow on its official release date. Bonus, only had to lie to unsuspecting husband for ONE day instead of two after he asked if he could buy it tomorrow. Sorry, honey, not right now. OH YEAH.

Dear Lillian,
I'm very sorry I did this to you. We knew this day would come, but I was really hoping it would be much later. Looks like I will be scheduling your eye doctor appointment tomorrow. *sigh*

Dear Me,
Why, oh WHY did you read Knuffle Bunny Free IN PUBLIC, AGAIN? You know how it goes. The story hasn't changed. And neither has your very public tear wiping. Could you maybe not do that again? Thanks.

Dear Cancer,
You suck.

Dear Charlie,
Three naps in less than a week? Should I be worried?

Dear Jack,
I am not trying to be insensitive, really, I'm not, but the ear piercing siren cry you are now producing at any time of day? Let's just say a regular cry will get the same results. I will come get you. Promise.

love,
Marie/Mama

Ten on Tuesday

1. Finally, yes FINALLY, Jack is starting to clap. He has always been a foot kicker when he is happy, and I was beginning to worry, but today Charlie came running in the room and said "Mama! Mama! Jack is CLAPPING!"
2. Speaking of Charlie, he is less than a month away from four. The past two weeks I have seen a huge change in him. Yes, we still have some three-year-old fits, but less and less often. He is taller. He is more descriptive. He is super fun.
3. Speaking of older, a few days ago Lillian turned 6 1/2. That's right, 6 1 2. My favorite age. Hee hee. I am a crazy person.
4. Speaking of crazy, anyone else tired of this crazy winter? We have had two straight weeks of a horrible virus-Lillian being its latest victim. Give me a solid cold snowy winter any day if it means we don't have this up and down weather of sick. Thank goodness it is the end of February and spring is almost here.
5. And speaking of the end of February, it is a Leap Year. SO happy that I saw on the Ella blog about doing a Leap Year time capsule to be opened in four years. AWESOME and totally doing it. How fun is that. I plan on taking lots of photos, listing some things about the kids, and Lillian and I are going to look some stuff up (as yes, she will be home again tomorrow I'm afraid.)
6. Speaking of photos, I have a mini book due in a few weeks and can't decide what the topic should be. So, dear readers (if there are any left because wow still not blogging as much as I should!) what are some mini book ideas you have planned?
7. Speaking of big decisions, I have a big one to make. Sometimes I don't mind, but this one is just really annoying. Grrrrr
8. Speaking of grrrr..nope got nothing.
9. As I am running out of things to day, I will just show you a picture. Of me. Right now. My studio with my growing favorite photos wall, my new necklace from Charming Charlie (LOVE) and my hair that already needs to be cut...
10. And now for my last thoughts. Yesterday there was a shooting at a high school in the area. A friend from college is actually the choir director there. As of now three of the five students shot have died from their injuries. I can't help but think back to last year where Lillian's school not only allowed, but exposed the entire student body to guns in the school. This is a very stark reminder that it is never ok to bring guns into school. Never. We need to tell our kids if they ever hear about a gun, or see a gun to report it immediately. I am still processing exactly how to talk to Lillian about this, as while I think it is important, I do not want to bring up the other details of that project with her. But just as she corrects anyone who says the word "stupid, hate, or dumb," I hope she will immediately report anyone who has a weapon. My thoughts are with all of Chardon, and all the families affected by this tragedy.

12|12|12

Here is the FebruSNOWary edition!
1. Lilian was THRILLED to be out in the snow. Lots of giggling.
2. Charlie was also THRILLED. And it was cold outside so my camera fogged up a bit.
3. Lily's snow angel.
4. Charlie's ahem, forced snow angel. He is still a bit wary of the snow and doesn't really like to lay down in it (although he can make a mean carpet angel ;)
5. Upside-down snowman!! FINALLY. I have only waited since September to make this thing. Yes, I MADE IT. We waited too long and by the time we got outside it was freezing so the snow wasn't packing very well. Thus, my tiny upside-down snowman.
6. Me and the hubs. Tomorrow (or today as I am writing this) we celebrate our re-dating anniversary of 14 years. Wow.
7. Ahhh a cute picture if you do not know what was covering the kid's nose.
8. Let's get Daddy!
9. Me, proud of my upside-down snowman ;)
10. I really need a pair of real snow boots and coat. These just aren't cutting it.
11. I laughed at myself (and probably looked like a huge crazy person, taking a photo of a tree and laughing) because I just saw a video making fun of things photographers say and do. One thing was closely examining and taking multiple photos of a tree. Ha.
12. After a warm-up bath, hot chocolate for all!

Poor Jack, didn't make it in 12 on 12 this month as he was napping during snow play. I promise to get a good session in with him soon. And thanks to Bj for taking a few shots for me-trying very hard to get into the picture this year.

12|12|12

As I was talking to Jess on the eve of the 12, she mentioned she was going to take a photo every hour for 12 hours. Brilliant, I thought. And it just so happens that I had about the busiest day ever. So here they are-12 hours in my day.
1. Breakfast with Charlie, and probably my favorite photo of him ever. He was looking at me with that sweet smile. 2. Talk about sweet smiles, Jack with Nonnie while dropping him off at the grandparent's house. 3. Charlie in the middle of getting out of the car saw me with my camera and said take a picture of me NOW Mama! Well, when you look this sweet, I am happy to oblige. 4. Volunteering at Lillian's school 5. Quick trip back to pick Charlie up from school, then back to Nonnie and Grandpa's house for lunch-sadly bighugelabs cut off Grandpa's pirate eye.  6. Sitting for a moment to drink my Dr Pepper and put a few words in my game with Jess. (I am winning-she only wins when I accidentally give up-hahahaha) 7. Either like mother like daughter, or like Aunt Katherine like niece Lillian. I found this Ariel while going through one of my old boxes and it just so happens Lillian has been making all the Muppets and now Tinkerbell fairies just like this. I must say though, I think Lillian's is brilliantly done. 8. Almost every day Lillian gets off the bus this excited, runs up the driveway, arms extended, ready to tell me about her day. It is awesome. 9. Originally I thought this was Lillian practicing piano in her dance clothes (yes I need a new piano light) but when I was editing, I noticed this photo is something more about the awe of a younger sibling. Did you catch it? 10. Dance class! 11. Dinner with the boys (Jack was laughing) 12. I have decided in an attempt to get more photos of me, I will be included every month (blurry and all...VERY small bathroom) I was all ready to go out to my first MOMS Night Out in Ohio.

So yeah, this was a very busy day! (Oh and dear spellcheck, I believe it is officially time for Muppets to be included in the dictionary...)

Hello, goodbye; More or less.

This was a year of hellos and goodbyes.

Bj: Goodbye to being gone every week. Hello to going to an office everyday. Goodbye to car allowance. Hello to best friends, game nights, family and old friends. Goodbye to Football on the computer. Hello to games on TV.

Marie: Goodbye to dear friends in PA and more distance between the friend in DE. Hello to dear friends in Ohio, family, trips to see brand new babies, and familiar streets. Goodbye to photography business in PA with families I have watched grow through the years. Hello to growing a business here.

Lillian: Goodbye to dear friend I, Uga, and a bedroom in a tower. Hello dear friend Maya, fabulous school, dance and piano, family and new friends.

Charlie: Goodbye to Logan and London and Hank. Hello to Laney and all the trouble I'm sure the two of you will get into together. Goodbye to the only place you knew as home. Hello to a place that will become your home.

Jack: Hello world. Jack will be one tomorrow. I will not have a baby. A toddler. A toddler with personality. One starting to stand. With FOUR teeth-a record for my babies. An eater. A laugher. A Houdini. I am trying hard to look forward to the new toddler-dome, trying not to be sad that my babies are not going to be my babies for much longer. But that doesn't mean I didn't hold him extra tight and give him a few extra kisses as I put him in bed tonight, on the eve of the New Year and the eve of his birth. My baby...

This year my word(s) are more and less. I will be saying to myself all year, Do we need more of this or less. More reading, less stuff. More activities? Less time committements? We may have to make some tough decisions, but I think more or less will help us in our crazy three children busy lives. More...or less.