:: Last day of kindergarten!

It seems like just yesterday that I blogged about C's first day of kindergarten, and now it's the last.  The year went by so crazy fast!

:: Week in pictures

A few noteworthy things took place this week, so I was busy snapping some pictures...

C's training wheels are off his bike! He hasn't ridden it much lately so when he started riding it again, we decided it's now or never. I have to admit, I'm shocked that he picked it up so quickly!

:: Happy Easter!

Just to forewarn you, this is a post with LOTS of pictures of our Easter weekend. :)

Saturday we went to church for an Easter egg hunt with the kids. It was tons of fun and the kids enjoyed crafts, face painting, bouncy houses, an egg hunt, and of course a message about the true meaning of Easter.

:: Just for fun

I had a good time taking pictures of the kids last night. I have a new portrait lens that ideally will allow me to rely less on photoshop for covering my inadequacies as a amateur photographer. I'm quickly learning the key to a good photograph is equipment...besides the obvious ability to capture great moments!

:: Spring Break

We are having some fun this week!  C is off from school and it's been quite nice having him around (I say that now, but will probably be eating those words come July).  In an effort to not be too bored, we planned some activities that ensure long naps and restful nights. :)

:: The best part of kindergarten...

Is all of the fun hats!

In honor of Dr. Seuss' Birthday today

(sorry about the poor quality, that's what happens when camera is on manual and, in a hurry, do not alter the settings.  Ugh)

Hopefully we Americans can figure this one out! :)

:: C's Birthday Party

To celebrate C's 7th b-day, he invited a few friends from his class to come over. It seemed like a good idea at the time, but I quickly found that 5,6,7 year-olds have very strong opinions! It is amazing how 4 of them can quickly exhaust you.

:: Happy Birthday to my Little Boy!

Hard to believe you're 7, and that you've been with us almost 3-1/2 years....

We love you more and more every year!

:: Snow days make you do crazy things!

Here it is, day 2 of keep-the-kids-home-and-make-mommy-crazy (or KTKHAMMC for short). Yes, due to extreme cold temps here in Colorado (4 degrees currently...at 3pm) schools have decided that it's best to keep kiddos home and let the parents deal with "I'm soooo borrrrrred!". As a result, I did something I normally avoid. I pulled out the finger paints. Going further, I also thought it would parlay into a fun photo session (inspired by this French photographer...but please don't compare techniques).

A visit with Santa

Today we took the kids to a Realtor office where Tom has clients for a visit with Santa Claus. We got the kids all dressed up, drove 40 minutes to the office, and hoped for great pictures...this being E's first time seeing Santa and C's second time since 2007. It didn't go quite as expected. I'll let the pictures speak for themselves (by the way, these are not the professional shots that will come to us later):

As you can see, E is a bit upset about the whole thing.  I asked her later why she was scared of Santa and she informed me that he looks like a bear.  Okey-dokey.  I do know that all of the hair on this Santa was 100% his own though, so perhaps I see her point.  A little.

C, on the other hand, looks a bit devious and conniving.  Perhaps he feels this is his chance to bypass mom & dad for whatever toy he has his eye on these days.  Not sure but it freaks me out a bit.

This by far is the best picture of the day :

I love the look on Santa's face.  And perhaps this better explains C's devious expressions, as he is clearly keeping it a big secret!

E improved quickly and accepted a candy cane from Santa.  Amazing what candy from a bear can do.

Leaves, leaves and more leaves...

There is a downside to having mature trees on our property. 

But while it's a bit of work for us adults, the kids sure have fun!

Halloween 2010

Family Hike

Once in awhile Tom has a Saturday off. This day was one of them. We decided to pack up the kids and take in some fall colors of the Rockies. We didn't find much of that (too early or too late?  Can't say...), but we did have a great family hike...

  Aaaah, Colorado!

 

 Looks kind of like C's resisting strangling E...a subconscious thing?

 Argish LOVES the outdoors

 ...and this is why we love it here in Colorado.

 My favorite photo of the day. :)

Labor Day 2010

Hope everyone is having a nice long labor day weekend! Tom is off bow-hunting so I'm home with the kids cleaning and doing laundry. Not very labor-less of me, I know. We do have a BBQ later today to head off to, so that helps. :)

I was trying to master my camera again and got a few shots of the kids playing in the yard...

They still love their sandbox!

I can never get enough pictures of this face...even through the awkward growing of permanent teeth.

Her's too.  She definitely has her Daddy's eyes.

C stepped on a rock and skinned his foot (never mind that I am *constantly* telling them to put their shoes back on).  E ran into the house, brought him back one of her band-aids, and put it on his owie:

I love my kids. :)

"Meant to Be"

I can't help but think of my amazing son when I hear this song...

1st Day of Kindergarten!

The line to get into school.

C and a friend who he knows from church.  They are in the same class, which may be a blessing or a curse for Mrs. S (their teacher).  Time will tell! ;)

The ever necessary "backpack wall"

Looking quite studious (looks can be deceiving).

A pretty good look at C in his school uniform.  

While I'm not crazy about the cost of them, he does look quite dapper!

E claiming a desk 

(excuse the bed-head, we were lucky to get there on time as it was!)

Not sure what was up with C's "smiles", but I hope he gets it together 

by school photo day!

C dove right in and got to work!

I don't think the little girl next to C will go hungry.  Just a hunch.

The back of the classroom

The front of the classroom.  Take note of C's desk.  In the front.  Next to the teacher's desk.  For good reason. ;)

Here's to the class of 2023 (I don't even want to think of how old I'll be), 

have a a great kindergarten year!!