The Lucas Zoo

Wordful Wednesday - Rain, Rain Go Away!

2012-01-25T05:48:00.000-05:00

School was out on Friday and Monday for teacher work days. It rained every.single.day. Everyone loves a rainy day to hang out on the couch and watch movies but for 5 days it rained. Wow. We did manage a few craft projects though and that brightened the mood. Daddy was home this weekend and that always makes the girls happy. Not all bad. Just rainy.

22/366

Yep, another late night and I forgot to snap a pic. I am turning my phone on the animals now because the girls are getting tired of me :) Pica is bugged by me too can you tell?

23/366

This weather has made my head hurt. Every day. It hurt so bad on Monday and nothing would take the pain away. Oh how I miss Advil. My girlfriend Leslie brought the girls and I some treats. My kiddos thought that those cookies were the bomb! They loved them!

24/366

My girl. See what is in the sky? It is sun! Glorious sun! It felt so good to stand outside and just let it warm you up. It changes everyone's mood!

Check out my post from yesterday! Awesome giveaway for Valentine cards from Pear Tree Greetings! Ends 2/2.

Pear Tree Greetings Valentine Card Giveaway!

2012-01-24T16:32:00.001-05:00

I love Valentine's Day and I always have. Thing is hubs works basically every one. I am not sure that he has been in town in the 13 years we have been together once. It's all good though because now I have kids. The girls and I have been working on a few projects to decorate the house and make it explode hearts. If I can't have a romantic date night with my love I will go all out to make it special for my girls.

This year I have 2 in school who will be exchanging cards with classmates. We received the sweetest Valentine's for my 5 year old preschooler to give to her classmates. She looked her choices over and over before deciding on the polka dot petal design. I have to say that they are absolutely adorable! This made such a fun afternoon project for us to do together.

There are quite a few designs to choose from and Pear Tree Greetings has a great selection of both boy and girls cards.

Now just in time for Valentine's Day you can win $25 towards your Valentine's Day product purchase. Ready?
Mandatory Entry:

Visit Pear Tree Greetings, and tell me which Valentine’s Day Card is your favorite.

Want Extra Entries? Complete 1 or all!

Like Pear Tree Greetings on Facebook.
Like The Lucas Zoo on Facebook.
Follow @PearTreeGrtngs on Twitter.
Follow @thelucaszoo on Twitter.
Tweet about this giveaway, please link back to @thelucaszoo. You can tweet once per day but please leave a comment for each tweet with link.

Giveaway closes at 11:59 pm on February 2, 2011 and I will announce the winner on the 3rd.

As a Pearista, I am proud to be a brand ambassador for Pear Tree Greetings. Pear Tree has helped tens of thousands of customers celebrate life’s shareable moments with a collection of uniquely personal, high-quality greetings and stationery. Pear Tree offers Save the Date cards, kids Valentine cards, graduation invitations, address labels, and dozens of other high-quality paper products, so you can seize every opportunity to connect with others.

I heart faces - By The Book

2012-01-23T11:29:00.000-05:00

Piper is becoming a pretty good reader. Thing is she reads really great but I know that she isn't really comprehending the longer chapter books that she gravitates to. I prefer her to read the easier chapter books that still have a few pictures. With the easier books she can describe the storyline so much more. Am I holding her back?

It has been dreary here for a week. Piper does what she always does when she has extra time - reads. I should have tried to make this shot more cheery since it is a fairy book she is reading but I am starting to let the gloom get to me as well.

Project 366 - Week 3

2012-01-21T09:29:00.001-05:00

I don't really know how to title these posts. I might try and break them up throughout the week because it is sort of overwhelming to do it all at once. I came down with some sort of bug again this week. For having such a mild winter I have been sick more this one than I have the last 5 combined. Hopefully I will be on the mend soon and stay healthy. The 8 pounds of oranges that I bought surely can't hurt :)

15/366

We took a ride out to Bass Pro Shops on Sunday. The girls love seeing the giant catfish that lives there. It was fun hanging out with them even if it was at a mall - bleh.

16/366

My pretties. We had MLK day off so I took advantage and got out my camera. Wow did I really say that?

17/366

This was the day I started to get sick. I couldn't shake the chill I had so we all went to bed. As I was waiting for Ruby to get comfy I realized "Oops, no pic today" so I snapped this one.

18/366

Still sick the girls decided to make me a Squinkie cake. See that hair in the cake - yep that is because I didn't vacuum that morning. 1 day and our house is overrun with dog hair. I love them but...

19/366

My buddy. Even when I am feeling bad that little girl either crawls up and cuddles with me or persuades me to play "kitchen". I love and treasure this time that is just her and I. I had it with all of the girls and then they go and grow up and head to school. Next year Ruby will go to preschool. Where has the time gone?

20/366

She takes that rolling backpack ever.y.where. We are coming home from picking up Dolphin Tale because Friday was family movie night! Yay! I was going to have their Daddy surprise them by just coming home at a normal time with a pizza and movie but with them having the day off school I needed some leverage to keep the fighting to a minimum.

21/366

I got "Wow" and "You are a great chef" when I gave them their plates this morning. Had I known the response I would have made these a lot earlier :) Mama normally makes round pancakes *gasp* In addition to these they devoured a bee, some hearts, a race car, and a pig. Mama ate round pancakes because I was pretty hungry after making all those things :)

So there is our week. Hubs asked if I was going to update the old bloggity blog this week so there it is! By the way today (Jan 21st) is National Hugging Day! Spread some love and give a hug ♥

Another week in pics

2012-01-15T08:21:00.001-05:00

Where do they go. Seriously. This month is flying by! Here is what we did this week.

8/366

Girls learned how to make pasta. Obviously not at our house :) However it was easier than I thought it would be and if the Kitchen Aid fairy brings me the pasta attachment I might try it at the zoo someday.
9/366

We had to run an errand on Monday night so Violet suggested sushi. It has been awhile since I have been out for sushi and it was really good!

10/366

Seems my week is revolving around food. Sometimes you have that! This was the homemade pizza I made for our family. Hubs asked what was up with the organic whole wheat crust and organic sauce. Should I tell him about the turkey pepperoni?

11/366

The girl and I. Still no bed time for Ruby. She is wide open at night as well so it makes for entertaining evenings.

12/366

I wanted to try a new app I downloaded for my phone with a moon shot but it didn't work. The 13th I realized it was the only shot I took on the 12th. I think that the 366 project is supposed to be more meaningful than my "Oh shoot I didn't get anything but this moon shot. I guess it will have to do."

13/366
See last blog post

14/366

Took the kids bowling. The little girl we brought with us kicked some booty! It was fun but I tell you I can't handle more than 1 game with our littles. They get bored and then antsy. 10 frames was all we needed - oh and 1 1/2 hours later.

One thing that I have realized so far is that this year I have barely picked up my camera. Sort of depressing to me. I haven't been feeling very well with my all day nausea and my home and hobby have suffered most. Not complaining because I feel very blessed but I do hope that the magical 2nd trimester feeling fab starts soon.

Project 52 - 2/52

2012-01-13T06:27:00.003-05:00

Made With Love ♥

Piper hasn't seen her father this week. She is a daddy's girl and totally is missing him. We thought we would see him on Tuesday and they made signs and notes but we didn't. I think that they have left these things hanging just in case he comes home before we are all in bed. They will be there for him on Saturday morning and I am sure he will be greeted with hugs, kisses, and elbows.

(13/366 too)
It has been a rocky 13 1/2 weeks. Sadly this pregnancy has already had it's fair share of ups and downs. There has been a lot of bleeding and my nerves are shot. I've spent the last 3 months trying to wrap my head around the fact that we might have another little one running around the zoo in July but not getting my hopes up because, unfortunately, I know miscarriage all too well. That all changed at my appointment right after the new year. The doctor couldn't find the heartbeat so we went to get an ultrasound. When I first saw the baby it was sleeping but it had a heartbeat. Then it woke up. The flood of emotions that I felt at that moment watching our little one rolling around made everything so real. I was feeling again and all I knew at that moment was how much I already love that little baby and how badly I want him/her in our life. I was afraid to say it before and was trying to guard my heart but I can't do that anymore. This past week I heard that beautiful heartbeat again and it was as overwhelming as the u/s. Keeping something you want so badly a secret so you won't have to tell everyone the bad news is hard on your heart. There is no guarantee still but I feel good entering my 2nd trimester. I am really looking forward to telling the girls this weekend and I hope that they will share the joy and excitement that their father and I have.

I heart faces - Best Face of 2011

2012-01-09T06:06:00.000-05:00

How do you choose? The photos I take all mean so much to me and I have my mommy goggles on almost all the time. Don't we all? I ended up choosing this one because I can almost hear her laughing when I look at it. That in between baby and grown up laugh. Contagious.

My week in photos

2012-01-07T18:57:00.001-05:00

I am going to really try hard and do the 366 project this year. I said in my goals post earlier this week it was going to be easier with my iPhone. I do believe that. So here is our week!

1/366

I received this beautiful necklace and just love it! It is from Krafty Kash. I thought it was fitting for my first shot of the year. Inspire. I hope that I remain inspired.

2/366

Baby girl is sick. Slept on me all day. I love all that cuddle time but wish she was feeling better. She is one snuggly little baby though.

3/366

Tree needs to come down! I love the lights but need my whole living room back. We have too much stuff!

4/366

We got an Oriental Trading catalog in the mail. You would think it is a toy catalog the way our girls covet it. Seriously they won't let me throw it away. Finally it will be falling apart and they will agree. A few days later another will come :) Who needs library books?

5/366

It is so sad seeing her mope around the house. She was sick most of the week. No mama wants to see this pathetic little face.

6/366

I won a Kindle Fire from Fara Now which is a website that has all-in-one shipment tracking & notifications right in 1 spot. I sent a tweet and was their 1st of 10 winners. Wheee! They are giving away 4 more if you are interested :) Anyway, the Kindle came, was charged, a few free apps and books download, and it was immediately swiped out of my hands. My girls have taken it over. Not forever though because I actually put a book on there I want to read. I am amazed though at how yesterday when we had to take Ruby to the doctor (yes she was still sick) the girls sat perfectly quiet in the small exam room. Not a peep. I even told my girlfriend that I remember the days of them bouncing off those walls. Modern technology certainly has it's place in the zoo's life.

7/366

Hubs got a new position at work. Yay!

There it is. Thank goodness for my iPhone! This week would not have gotten done without it!

Project 52 - 1/52

2012-01-06T06:10:00.001-05:00

Some days life gets really busy and I forget that I love taking out my camera. It's my time and a lot of us mamas don't give ourselves enough of that. So I have a few projects going this year but I am not going to stress on them but rather try and enjoy them. If life comes at me all crazy like then I will tend to it. A more laid back me. Let's see how that works out :)

The theme this week is Resolution. I try not to make them but there is one that I know I do and this year I am going to try and curb. Shopping. Now I am not a mall shopper but rather a Goodwill/thrift store shopper. I clothe my family nicely for not much but I am sort of addicted! I will go and buy my girls clothes and they don't really need them but they are so nice I just can't pass them up. We live in a house with small closets and rooms so when all the laundry is done it doesn't all fit. *blush* Thankfully I stink at laundry so it seldom is all done. So I am going to resolve to not frequent my haunts each week but maybe hit them every other. Baby steps people.

So Piperoni has been taking pictures with her iPod Touch like crazy! She decided to do this project with me but I don't want to explain resolution to a 6 year old so she will be snapping a pic of something she loves at that moment. This year I hope to get out my old d50 and teach her how to use it. For now we are both happy with the little camera on that iPod. Here is her shot of Marley. She tried to pose her but the dog wanted no part of getting her picture taken.

Resolutions, Challenges, and Goals for 2012

2012-01-03T07:34:00.002-05:00

Resolutions:
I have been down this road before. Resolve and then feel like a failure when you, ah you know, fail. Last year my resolutions were:
1. I want to be a better mama.
2. Play more with my girls.
3. Get out more with my husband without kids.
4. Continue being the joyous person I have become. Don't spit out your water Matt because it's true you know, I have yet to tell off the school receptionist :)
Lastly,
5. Quit using b/c and why? BECAUSE it bugs me when I do it!

I didn't do too badly. I didn't get out very much with hubs but I do try to be a better mama, I enjoy playing with the girls, and I don't use b/c anymore on my posts. It just isn't in me to be joyous everyday. I was just setting myself up to fail on that one :) This year I will continue with those because they make our family life better and that is all I want for us. A happy family.

Challenges
I didn't get every week of the selfie project done so I decided not to host this year :) However, I am still going to participate. Corey @Living and Loving Every Minute Of It will take over our group where I will still submit photos but I am also joining in on the selfie project by Urban Muser. She will give 1 topic a month but Corey will do each week. If this is your year to get in front of the camera please join in!

Since getting my iPhone I take a picture almost every day so I decided to try another 365 project but this year it will be 366. Happy Leap Year! I think with using both my digital and iPhone it will be something I will be able to do.

Goals
My blog needs a little facelift. Not sure what I will do yet but I definitely need to update that header. I have been toying with the idea of changing things up for awhile but, dog gone it, I am an old tired woman and just haven't gotten around to it. Small goal but there it is.

Another *BOOM* this year care of BJ's Warehouse Club. It is tradition that the zoo girls get fireworks on their birthdays and this year was no exception. They are small but so are our girls. There were "Ooh's and Ahh's" and lots of clapping for Daddy.

Happy New Year!

Memories, Dreams, and Reflections - 2011

2012-01-01T06:47:00.000-05:00

Last year I enjoyed doing this recap with Ashley at Ramblings and Photos that I decided to participate again. I really like going through my blog because it brings back so many little memories for me that I might have forgotten.

Me!
What did I accomplish? I did a 52 week selfie project and pretty regularly blogged all year. I try everyday to be a better mama then the day before and sometimes I actually am. I try to make our home a place that the girls love to come back to and I try to make our lives somewhat fun. I chose this selfie because I was holding the camera "At Arms Length" and nailed the focus. Total luck :)

I Love You

Still Laughing
I mean like since she was about 6 months old. Our little one tickles me. I get mad at her and she goes and does something that completely cracks me up. Makes parenting hard when you have a little comedian like our Ruby running around.

Winter Wonderland
The south can't handle winter. It isn't their fault because they don't normally have to. So when it snows things shut down. For a long time. Like 5 days this past winter. Crazy right?

Birthday
I turned 40 this past March. I know I don't look a day over 39 right? My girls in true zoo party fashion worked for days on homemade presents for me. I have saved each and every scrap.

Friends
We totally slacked on the Girls Nights this year. Everyone was so busy and we were all going here and there. When you have a group that can pick up right where you left off though even a few times a year is better than none.

I Was Inspired
This summer during our Ohio visit I did a photo walk of my husband's grandparents home. They raised their whole family in that house and sadly passed away at the end of 2010. The memories that little house holds. This is just 1 of the collages that I made. The others can be seen on the original blog post.

Spring Fever
My girls bring me lots of flowers. I need to plant a lot more so that we can enjoy them outside and inside. What mama doesn't love a bouquet of daisies?

Vacation
My favorite time of the year. Vacation. Our family heads to the beach and we spend the entire week being lazy and having fun. How many months until our next one?

Summer Days
What says summer more than barbecues and s'mores? These were no ordinary s'mores though. We used Reese Cups. Oh.My.Yumminess

A Day In My Life
I did this one for my selfie project. I miss that little baby that has been replaced with a little person.

All Smiles
This is still my favorite shot of our 6 pack from this summer. Oh to be young and carefree like this. Maybe this should be my goal for 2012 - be carefree. Not sure I have it in me anymore.

Autumn Harvest
I am not sure about harvest as by the time we got to the orchard there were barely any apples left. We will go earlier this year for sure! Still a memory right?

Family
My family means everything to me. These girls are my whole life. Lazy moments like this just hanging out, searching for a 4 leaf clover, and talking are my favorite. Look at those lovely long locks! There are so many days that I miss them but the crying every morning when they had to get their hair combed was sort of miserable.

Celebrate!
We do love us a good Fat Tuesday party here at the zoo! It has become another of our traditions. The girls have the most fun making the masks and seeing if their piece of king cake has the princess. One day I will find a baby :) My favorite part of the celebration is seeing everyone have a great time together.

Let's Do It Again
My girls and I love to travel. They have turned into really good little travelers if I do say so myself. In November we traveled to central Florida for the wedding of my friend Sarah. We had so.much.fun hanging out on the beach and swimming in the ~~freezing~~ heated pool. I look forward to the places 2012 will take us!

I Miss You
I grieved this year. Even though my miscarriage was at the end of 2010 the pain I feel makes it seem like it was just yesterday.
Shining through the fog
Like a peaceful reminder
Brighter days will come

Beautiful
Most people that see our Piper for the first time say "Oh my look at her beautiful blue eyes". I realize I choose a black and white shot but you can still see how beautiful they are. My blue eyed beauty.

Dress Up
I still can't believe that this is Piper. Her costume rocked this year! She was just such a beautiful gothic bride. Girl owned it!

Macro
I don't own a macro lens so this was a tough one for me. I did get this shot though. Just a random bug from our yard.

Holidays
This was our Christmas tree. Only a few ornaments but mostly decorated by the girls. I will love remembering this tree. The year mama didn't put up ornaments.

My Favorite
I took a lot of pictures in 2011 but this is my favorite. Violet has always been a cute kid but sometime during her 4th year she came into her own. Now she is a beautiful little, quirky, fun-loving girl. This shot of her takes my breath away.

Don't Ever Change
But she already is. Growing up and becoming a big girl every day. I wish I could keep them all my sweet little girls. I have them a little longer :)

Just Because...So There!
I love this shot of us in my yard ball.

Hopes and Dreams
I hope to continue meeting new people through blogging. Of course I hope to challenge myself over the course of the next year with new projects and I will be continuing with my selfie project. It really made me get creative and some days I just snap randomly. Mostly I hope for happiness and good health for our family and friends. Peace!

Violet's 5th Birthday - A Skate Party!

2011-12-31T08:08:00.000-05:00

This summer we were in Ohio and went to a skating birthday party. Violet loved it. That was all I ever heard from then on "I want a skating birthday party when I turn 5". Ok baby girl. I rented the skate rink on Thursday and invited all her friends to come and party with us. It was so.much.fun for parents and kiddos. I tried to get everyones picture but failed. Go figure.

Some brave parents wore skates and some didn't. (I didn't on this particular day). It is definitely easier to hold up your kid when you have 2 feet on the ground and not 8 wheels :) Look at J & P go! These 2 got skates for Christmas and took no time learning how to get around on them. I couldn't get P to look at me for anything! One day little girl :)

I enjoy this family so so much! This little boy and girl will seriously keep you laughing. I tell my husband all the time how much I love them. Visit Rachel's blog If The Shoe Fits for all things fashion and bargains. She shares the love of Goodwill that I have ♥

The R family. How I missed a shot of the dad I have no clue. Must have been because they were skating up a storm!

Seems that little K wanted in on the action too. Look at her go!

Seriously Rick put us all to shame with his mad skating skills. He was cruising around the rink like it was his! He did a great job teaching little R too because off he went in no time!

I am not sure there is anything L can't do when she wants to. I am amazed by this little girl. She got right out there and just skated. My friend Kisten who blogs at Polish Pauper knows fashion and has the most stylish kids in town! I have been lucky to be on the receiving end of this little fashionista when she outgrows her gorgeous clothes. THAT is why our Ruby looks so cute all the time. Well that and her cheeks. And smile. And personality. I could go on and on...

The D Family. Violet hung tight with them :)

Our Piperoni spent a lot of time in this position. Her skates couldn't get tightened any more. You learn quick though! Also her little friend from school. When I told her the N family was coming she quickly asked if C was coming too. They are in Awana together. I missed a shot of his sister who is Violet's age.

I am completely smitten! I just can't help myself. This baby makes me smile. How can't you when you see her?

Just in case you want to see more of my Rubyness here is her in action.

Violet requested brownies for her birthday. 4 pans later we sang Happy Birthday! I gave her the choice of a few charities and she choose our local pregnancy center to donate money too. Instead of presents we collected for that worthy organization. What a fabulous day!

Poser

2011-12-29T06:58:00.000-05:00

I am not sure where she learned this pose but, and I have said it before, this baby never stops making me smile. Pose away baby girl!

Annual Zoo Trip 2011 - with Instagram

2011-12-27T09:20:00.000-05:00

This year we went with some friends to the zoo instead of with Daddy. Why you ask? He went hog hunting. Yep, I actually said hog hunting. I am quite sure there will be a post about that sometime soon :) Anyway it was a beautiful day in South Carolina and all the girls enjoyed themselves very much.

I have to mention that when we first got there and saw the birds Ruby ran back to the stroller and grabbed my iPhone. Unlocked it. Got it turned on to the camera. Then proceeded to snap pictures of the macaws, vultures, and owls. Here is one of my favorites.

There is a fox that lives in our hood. For reals. Violet is petrified of it and afraid that one day it will unlock our door and come in. She wasn't afraid of this fox though and thankfully it was the only one at the zoo. I am not sure baby girl could have handled seeing a real one behind glass or not.

You would have thought this was the first time that we went to Riverbanks Zoo. I remembered a lot of things except cash. Miss Martha came through and paid for a train ride. Their own mama would never open her wallet for train ride. I know I am cheap right? So here is Ruby's first official train ride. Thanks Miss Martha.

Finally loving on a lion.

What a fun day and tradition!

You know you're a slacker when...

2011-12-23T11:13:00.000-05:00

I sit just 3 days before Christmas with many things left to get on my list. Presents are not that important but I like for each family member to have at least 1. Yes I would be speaking of the husband who still has nothing from the girls. Ugh.

not a single present that I have purchased is wrapped. What is happening to me?

a friend has to ask you to come over to decorate gingerbread houses. Obviously at the rate I am going this would have never been done otherwise :)
(Right to Left Piper, Violet, & Ruby)

the laundry has been sitting all week and I have not visited it one time. Thank goodness for my ~~addiction~~ love of Goodwill so that we are able to get through times like this and still have clean clothes to wear.

our tree sat with just lights and tinsel for 2 weeks with the boxes of ornaments sitting next to it. Finally the girls took matters into their own hands. The result is beautiful.

it is 6 days before your daughter's birthday party and you haven't sent out a single invite. They sit there staring at you in an envelope but the thought of looking up addresses is too much for me right now. Hello evite!

you don't send out Christmas cards. This year is the first year in probably 10 years I haven't sent them out. I tried. The girls tried. It just wasn't in any of us. Here is my make shift attempt for this post to try and redeem my slacker ways.

Monday Mingle 12.19.11

2011-12-19T08:01:00.000-05:00

Last mingle of the year! The photographer in me decided that I love the flare in my video :) Ruby likes it too. Actually she just likes seeing herself on video, or in a mirror, or a picture. Vain baby :) On to the questions...

1. Fake Christmas tree or real tree and why?
2. What is your favorite holiday movie?
3. Santa might not bring me gifts if he knew I _______________ this year.

Link up with Eighty MPH Mom and her Monday Mingles!

52 Weeks of Me - Dr. Suess (51/52)

2011-12-18T07:17:00.000-05:00

So how do you interpret Dr. Suess? I thought about throwing on a hat but then I found the book Happy Birthday to You! with the quote "Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You.” Perfect for a selfie right?

I don't love the pic very much but I have been under the weather lately and it was the best I got. Please add your selfie to our flickr pool so we can all check them out in 1 place. Next week is Togetherness and it is our last week *sniff*.

This and That

2011-12-15T11:25:00.000-05:00

Well maybe just this :) I mentioned awhile back that we have put our Ruby in speech so I thought I might update. Baby girl just didn't talk. Who knows why. I still think it is because she is so stubborn but regardless we have been doing speech almost 2 months now and I have totally noticed a change. Ruby regularly uses 3 word phrases now where just a few months ago it was 1 word, if you got that out of her. The therapist who comes to our house is super sweet and Ruby looks forward to her visits, mostly because of this ball toy that she has I think. When I asked how long they thought she would need to continue and they said at least until her birthday and maybe a little bit beyond that. Progress right?

Since she was pretty cute in her mismatched ensemble I thought I might also participate in Small Style Thursday with Mama Loves Papa. The only thing I know for sure she has on are her old Babylegs and hand me down Chuck Taylor's (from Piper then Violet. We get lots of use out of things around here). You need to visit some of the blogs of mamas who really know how to dress their babes right. Truthfully I want some of their wardrobes :)

Wayfair Winner!

2011-12-15T06:15:00.000-05:00

Congratulations to LAMusing on winning $45 to spend at Wayfair! Please respond to the email that I sent you within 48 hours or I will choose another winner. Enjoy your prize!

Wordful Wednesday - My Holiday Happiness

2011-12-14T19:35:00.000-05:00

Smiles

Lights

Our little tree

And one day

I hope.

LiveOn Memory Sharing

2011-12-12T10:21:00.001-05:00

From the minute I first looked through the LiveOn's memory sharing website I was impressed. Imagine having your memories forever being stored for loved ones and descendants to view at anytime. I can see my husband and I sitting down and doing a short video about how we met or even our wedding day. It gives me warm fuzzies thinking of the possibilities. Having lost my own mother at the age of 4 I wish there was more that I knew of her. With technology coming so far now we can all leave our families something very personal.

LiveOn works by you adding your own photos, videos, and stories to create an interactive Timeline of your life. The Timeline displays all the Milestones & Memories from your life and is available for all members of your tribe to view at anytime. You can decide who you want to include in your tribe to share all your memories with. Make it as private or social as you want. You decide! I can't wait to make my first Time Capsule. You are able to include a collection of photos, videos, Memories and Life Question responses and send to someone in your Tribe sometime down the road. LiveOn will hold on to that Time Capsule until the date you chose and then delivers it for you, even if you forget about it or can’t send it yourself. I plan on making them for my girls to open when they are 18 and ready to head out into the big world themselves. Images and videos of all their accomplishments that will surely make them smile. There is also a huge list of Life Questions that you can answer. Someday I am sure my kids will smile when I reveal to them my top 5 favorite moments. I tell you these questions really make you think.

So, for my first memory I decided to use a vacation. Our family rents a house at the beach every year and those pictures end up staying on my hard drive forever. Sound familiar? Making a memory of those pictures is super easy to do and now I have them all together in one place. For the very social you can even share your memories on Facebook. I was able to create that memory in about 15 minutes importing all the photos and then adding captions. There is even an option to add audio captions. Fun right?

LiveOn's Promise to you!

Check out LiveOn and play around. It is easy to navigate and there is an entire section of Help questions to guide you along. There are also great little videos if you are more of a visual person. I was able to figure it out in no time. A standard LiveOn membership is free but a great reason to upgrade would be to use their premium tools will add more flair to your memories. Want to try the Premium Tools? Use code HOLIDAYREWIND to receive 30% off right now to get you started!

Thank you to LiveOn for sponsoring this blog post. Please visit LiveOn to learn more about sharing and preserving your most important memories. I was selected for this sponsorship by Clever Girls Collective. Although story ideas were provided, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

My Week with Instagram

2011-12-10T10:11:00.000-05:00

I am recovering from a horrible bug this Saturday morning but I am up and eating again which is good. From about 3pm on Thursday until this morning I was barely able to make it off the couch function. Wow. Glad those kinds of sickies only happen once ever couple years (or so). Fingers crossed that baby of mine doesn't get it next. Still a busy week though and here is proof.

Girls and I went and saw the big guy at Bass Pro Shops. They love visiting with Santa and Bass gives you a free picture. There was no line so we walked right up. Sweet!

and you can't get much sweeter than this

Afterwards we went to Razoo's. I love Razoo's. They have a dish called Shrimp en Brochette which is jalapeno stuffed shrimped wrapped in bacon and grilled. Served over dirty rice with a creamy butter sauce to dip. Um Yum! Sorry for no picture but it was gone before I thought of it. I indulge at Razoo's. It has a cajun mardi gras feel to it thus the chandelier.

Sunday mornings I sit with my coffee, coupons, papers, and list to find out the deals for the week. I also had some Candy Cane Jo Jo's but shh don't tell the girls their mama gets to eat cookies for breakfast.

Our tree. Sad. Hubs loves it. "I like the shape, the size, it is just perfect." One year I will get a real tree again. One year.

We're Team Edward at The Zoo!

Look at that laugh! Dare you not to smile when you see that!

I also downloaded Hipstamatic this week so I have been playing a little bit with that. The last pic and the tree were both shot using that app.

Anticipation

2011-12-08T09:29:00.000-05:00

The kids are definitely ready for Christmas. They are beyond excited about it. We get asked constantly when the big day is. Now I refer them to the ornament. It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

I heart faces - On Your Feet

2011-12-06T10:39:00.001-05:00

My 2 year old knows how to unlock my (new) iPhone and play Angry Birds. There is also a little zoo game on there that she refers to as "Moo" that she loves to play. I have put a rule in place that she can play them at the kitchen table after I found my phone in our oldest daughter's closet. I never thought that I would be a parent who let her kid play with a phone but here I am. Another "I will never" crossed off the old mommy list.

It is rainy here and dark here today and as I was sitting next to her watching her explode pigs I thought of the iheartfaces challenge. So, I am titling this Angry Birds :)

Monday Mingle 12.5.11

2011-12-05T12:28:00.000-05:00

Hey there! Is your tree up yet? Ours is up, lights & tinsel on, but I am slack on the ornaments. It took all of my energy yesterday to just accomplish setting it up. Hubs on the other hand worked his bottom off this weekend hanging lights. Although we aren't Clark Griswwold we have lights all over the front, on our deck, and a new blowup in the front yard. Ruby says "Oooh, Ahhh" when the lights come on :) I love that ♥

Here are this weeks questions:
1. Did you do Black Friday or Cyber Monday shopping? Tell us about it!
2. Have you finished most of your holiday shopping?
3. Does your family have any holiday traditions?

Link up with Eighty MPH Mom and her Monday Mingles!

52 Weeks of Me - Moody (49/52)

2011-12-04T00:01:00.001-05:00

Just a couple more weeks girls! Some fun themes are coming up and I can't wait to see how you ladies interpret them! Here is my moody this week. I wasn't feeling well most of the week but I wouldn't say I was moody. How can you be with Christmas around the corner and all the preparations that go into making it fun for the kiddos (and you too!).

Please add your selfie to our flickr pool so we can all check them out in 1 place. Next week is Defying Gravity. I can't wait!

Wayfair $45 Giveaway!

2011-12-02T11:10:00.002-05:00

I have loved shopping at CSN Stores in the past and recently found out that they have now changed their name to Wayfair. Same great stores, customer service, and "FREE SHIPPING ON BIG STUFF. MOST OTHER STUFF, TOO". I love that about them!

With a zillion things home it would be hard not to find a dozen items right away that would end up on your wish list! Maybe you are expecting a new baby? Wayfair has a variety of furniture for the nursery that you can view all from the comfort of your home! I spent about 15 minutes just looking around and then started to dream about what I would get if I were to redo a nursery.

I would love the Stokke Sleepi Bassinet - how modern right?

But also this NE Kids crib. Decisions, decisions

Your Christmas shopping list can be completely wiped out just shopping at Wayfair. From bikes to babies for the kids it can all be found at here and most items ship for free! I have my eye on a toaster oven because I see mamas cooking lunch in them and am jealous at how easy they are to use! Add that to my list Santa!

Now is the fun part! Want to win $45 to spend at Wayfair? Of course you do! But what would you buy? Something for yourself or a gift for someone special in your life? To enter just head over to Wayfair come back and leave me a comment telling me what you might buy. Don't worry you can change your mind if you are the lucky winner. Please also leave a valid email address so that I have a way of contacting you.

Want extra entries? Of course you do!
1. Become a public follower of my blog via Google Friend Connect. Located on the bottom of my blog. Quick click :)
2. Follow @thelucaszoo on Twitter and leave me a comment telling me your twitter name.
3. Like The Lucas Zoo on Facebook and leave me a comment with your name. You can use your first name and last initials or part of your last name just something so that I can find you to verify.
4. Tweet "Win $45 to spend at Wayfair (formerly CSN Stores)! Ends 12/14/11 http://thelucaszoo.blogspot.com/2011/12/wayfair-45-giveaway.html @thelucaszoo" and leave me a comment with the link to your tweet.

That's all there is to it! Easy Peasy! I will close the giveaway on December 14, 2011 at 11:59pm and announce the winner on December 15, 2011. I wish each of you good luck!

Insta-Friday 12.2.11

2011-12-02T07:00:00.000-05:00

What a crazy week. We spent Thanksgiving back in Ohio visiting Matt's family. It was nice but I came back home with laundry and a house that smells like animal. I realize that we have 3 dogs and a cat but I don't want our home to smell like it. Suggestions? Here is my week in iPhone pics from the last week.

Is there anything better than a 7 layer salad? I could eat it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Keep it coming!

Our 6 pack enjoying a cup of marshmallows with some hot cocoa :)

I guess it was NoShaveNovember here at The Zoo. Not sure why he didn't hunt but it will be gone soon enough as MustShaveDecember is now here lol :)

This baby of mine is the most comical at night when she is the only one up. Cracks me up! Seriously wish the world could see what I see ♥

Finally, Jack has returned. Jack is an antique elf sent to us by grandma years ago. Always a hit when he makes his appearance. It is our Violetta that normally finds him each morning. In fact, she found him the first morning. In the dark! She is an eagle eye that one is!

30 Days of Thanks - Sort of

2011-12-01T07:13:00.000-05:00

I am a flake, I know this. My kids know this. My husband really knows this. So why wouldn't I screw up a 30 days of thanks? It was tough for me to keep track of on twitter but you would think I would know what day I was on by the date of November. Nope. I almost made it though :) Everyday I am thankful to be living this beautiful life that I have with a fabulous man and 3 equally fabulous little girls. They all make me smile bigger than I ever had and yell louder :) Here were my day to days.

52 Weeks of Me - Thanksgiving (48/52)

2011-11-30T07:10:00.001-05:00

This wasn't actually taken on Thanksgiving but it was sort of what I wanted to go for but didn't get around to. We were in Ohio for Thanksgiving again this year. It is always so nice to go there and catch up with family and see how the babies are growing up. Anyway, I am in the bokeh. I didn't want to be so much of a blur but that is what I got. It is sort of similar to last weeks now that I look at it but this was done with a timer and last week I tried a timer but couldn't get my baby to settle down in time lol :)

Please add your selfie to our flickr pool so we can all check them out in 1 place. Next week is Moody.

Monday Mingle 11.21.11

2011-11-21T07:47:00.002-05:00

Good Morning! Let's get right to the questions :)

1. If you were stranded on a deserted island, but you could choose one famous person to be there with you, who would it be?
2. What is your favorite snack food?
3. Fill in the blank: “___________ is my least favorite household chore”.

Link up with Eighty MPH Mom and her Monday Mingles!

52 Weeks of Me - Comfort (47/52)

2011-11-20T00:01:00.001-05:00

She comes to me for comfort but she also brings it to me. My baby.

Please add your selfie to our flickr pool so we can all check them out in 1 place. Next week is Thanksgiving. I hope that everyone enjoys theirs.

Hotpants Review

2011-11-18T20:11:00.000-05:00

I would like to lose a few pounds but have been unable to get going on doing it. I agreed to try Hot Pants because I was hoping it would boost my initial weight loss to get me motivated to continue eating more healthy and exercising more vigorously.

Hotpants increase your perspiration by up to 80% and you can feel it working as you are working out. Made with a comfortable material with bio-ceramic technology which emit far-infrared rays (heat waves) and reflect back the heat naturally generated by the body to promote deeper warming of tissue and breakdown of fat cells. They look nice on but if you are not comfortable in bike shorts you can wear some sweats over the top. That is what I did when I walked in them.

I have only had my Hotpants now for a week but I look forward to next week when I can finish my 2 week challenge! You can wear them any time of the day but of course working out gives you the best results.

It isn't just me saying how great Hotpants are. Check out Hotpants on Facebook and see what everyone else is saying. Hotpants are stylish and so far they are really working for me!

First Frost

2011-11-18T07:54:00.000-05:00

Could it be that I was so hot earlier this week I had to hold myself back from turning on the air again? That I wore shorts and a tank top? Today I dug out Piper's winter coat for her to wear to school. 28 degrees. What? Was it just not 75 on Monday and Tuesday? Then hot and humid because of the warm rain on Wednesday?

They are saying 72 and sunny again next Monday. Crazy! How is the weather where you are?

Wordful Wednesday - Getaway

2011-11-16T06:14:00.001-05:00

You would think that my overall impression of the trip would have been bad but quite the contrary. I am amazed at the amount of stuff that could have sent us into a bad vacation spiral but nothing bothered us. I am thankful that we were able to go with the flow because truth be told sometimes we do not.

Ruby cried the entire way down. Especially when I got on the phone. Shame on mama for trying to have adult interaction to stay awake.

Yay for early check-ins! Big thank you to the Double Tree for letting us check in at 10am on Friday when normal check in was 4pm. Also, cool that you had those yummy warm cookies for the girls. And me.

Boo to the Double Tree for giving me a room that the microwave, tv, and refrigerator all had issues. Seriously!

OMG Double Tree. In the same breath I want to thank you big time for a heated pool but think your heating bill would go down if the pool was actually in the sun! BRRRRRR!!!!

Mother Nature, I normally adore you but it was pretty darned windy for my dear friend Sarah's wedding. Could have done without that. Still a beautiful wedding with the sun shining bright.

LOL at the pizza cutter from Bizzaros Pizza. You had me when you told me you were going to charge me an additional $1 to cut the pizza slices smaller and you had this tourist almost digging in her wallet but then you let me off the hook and I laughed. Hard.

Oh garbage. The sheer amount of garbage on the beach made me wonder about the town and then a local told me about a storm they had. I made the girls pick some up but I could have done without the complaining.

Seriously next door neighbors? Up partying all night while my 3 girls and I had to listen. I was sort of afraid to call the front desk when it was just me and the girls. At one point Violet said it sounded like our tv was up really loud in our room. Our tv. Really? You mean the broken one?

If there are 4 bodies in a hotel room there should be 4 towels. Enough said!

Thank you to Double Tree for allowing us a late check out. By 45 minutes. I thought this meant that my card would still work in the hotel. Something work in the hotel I should have known better. I had to walk around the whole hotel with my 3 littles because my room key didn't work. Ugh!

Recap. Last stay at Double Tree. Girls were fabulous. Awesome time away. Even staying at the Double Tree.

Here we are

2011-11-15T06:00:00.001-05:00

My little family. I am happy most days but then anniversaries like yesterday creep up on me and throw me for a loop.

I can't say that the pain is easier today than it was a year ago but I have more days of not crying than crying. That is good.

My girls don't realize how they make their mama so happy and make her heart sing but they do. They are my reason for getting up, putting on a smile, and they make me live.

The pain in my heart is still so sharp. Just thinking about that horrible day last year immediately brings tears to my eyes and an aching to my heart. Still 1 year later. I thought it would be different today but it isn't. I am so thankful to have my family with me while I still grieve. A year later. I probably always will.

Let's go to the beach shall we?

2011-11-14T08:49:00.001-05:00

The girls and I headed to Melbourne Florida for a beach wedding over the long weekend. To say that it was a challenge getting there might be an understatement. We were all tired because we didn't even start the 10 hour trip until 2pm. I am normally not such a rookie when it comes to trips with kiddos but this time that was how the cards played out for us. So here is our trip in Instagram pics.

Some new tunes for the ride. I ♥ Coldplay

If this doesn't put Ice Ice Baby in your head I don't know what does :)

I love waking up to the sound of the waves and the sun on my face.

The Zoo Girls

My Sweet Ruby (at least when this photo was taken)

Her feather. Our Violet loves finding feathers. Bird flu?

Needed to stop so why not at Saks?

Play time

Look what washed up on shore

Moon over Melbourne

Hot! Had to make a late night stop after seeing that beautiful red sign.

Wordful Wednesday - Perk

2011-11-09T12:01:00.000-05:00

The flowers I received last week really perked up my week. They made me smile. My house smelled like roses for days. All from one little bouquet.

Haiku

2011-11-08T13:42:00.000-05:00

Shining through the fog
Like a peaceful reminder
Brighter days will come

Insta-Friday 11.4.11

2011-11-04T06:00:00.001-04:00

Hello, hello, hello! This was a busy week. Halloween. Kiddos are starting to come down with *something* not sure what though but should be fun next week :) Here is my week in cellphone pics.

Saturday night we went bowling as a family. We had a Groupon. I haven't bowled in years. And then I drank. We all had fun but I bowled like crap lol :) Notice blurry pic. Everything about Saturday night cracks me up :)

I will title the next shot "Perseverance pays off" Why you ask? Well I basically found 3 NEW bathrobes all by the same (Target) brand and similar design and all in sizes that fit our littles. It only took 2 months. Taking my bow now.

This little piggy went to market...

Mama's gone. Daddy made fruit punch. Daddy's do things different. Daddy's do everything different. Girls skip lunch to drink only fruit punch. Cheese!

Make your own spooky cookies. Left on our doorstep by someone. But who?

She'll go to bed when I ask her someday. Today I hug, kiss, tickle, and giggle with my sweet little late night buddy. ♥

Farmer Day

2011-11-03T09:49:00.000-04:00

The preschool that Violet attends has Farmer Day each year. The kids love it! A tractor takes them on rides, they wear themselves out in the bounce house, and they bring home the most delicious caramel apples. In prior years the girls thought that caramel apples weren't really that good so that allowed me to eat them by myself. I am not sure where they got that idea from ~~me?~~ but this year they know the combination of caramel and apple is a little piece of heaven. Oh well I guess that I really don't need to eat an apple covered in yummy caramel, m&m's, and chocolate chips. Darn it!

Her entire outfit is from Goodwill. I found the shirt this summer at Goodwill and scooped it up, the boots were Piper's from GW years back, the skirt - same thing. The hairbow from my friend Kistin. I told someone the other day that I hate telling people that I get the girls clothes from GW and she said "Jessie, you should not be ashamed of shopping there" and I said "Oh, I am not ashamed. I just don't want everyone else to take all the good stuff".

Wordful Wednesday - Thankful

2011-11-02T07:19:00.001-04:00

Yesterday I saw a whole bunch of friends start posting 30 days of being thankful. Not to be left behind I did too. On Twitter. I will probably do a whole post at the end of the month but to start off I said

Waking up each day and getting to see their smiling faces and receiving their good morning hugs and kisses is the best. It makes my heart sing! But the days of our Ruby waking up and giving me hugs and kisses (Yay!) and then immediately wanting a sucker or gum or any number of things she knows I am going to say "No" to resulting in a temper tantrum and me frazzled before 8am are tough. Hubs said I am going to miss it all. I know he's right.

Right now I am thankful for Dora so that Violet has something to do while I am writing this post lol :) What are you thankful for? Care to join along? You don't have to post it on the internet though just take a minute each day and look around. I have a feeling I am going to be finding a lot of little things I am thankful for that are overlooked.

Monday Mingle 10.31.11

2011-10-31T10:07:00.000-04:00

Happy Halloween!
1. What are your Top 3 Pet Peeves?
2. Do you lose your temper easily?
3. What is the biggest cooking disaster that has happened to you?

Link up with Eighty MPH Mom and her Monday Mingles!

I also have a fun little giveaway going on right now with a bunch of great blogs. Enter to win a $200 Toys R Us giftcard!!

"Last Minute Santa" $200 Toys R Us Giveaway

2011-10-31T06:17:00.000-04:00

I love entering giveaways and to have a big one like this on my little old blog well I am beyond thrilled! A $200 gift card to Toys R Us would allow you to check a lot of things off your list (and mine too). That is big right?

To enter is simple- follow all the steps on the rafflecopter below and your in! Easy peasy! Now go forth and enter! I want to say a big thank you to the other amazing blogs for allowing the Zoo to join in! ♥ Giveaway will run from October 31- November 11 at midnight.

52 Weeks of Me - Humor (43/52) & Mask (44/52)

2011-10-30T00:01:00.001-04:00

Catch up city! Here is my Humor shot from last week. I didn't like the original shot that I took and, well, it took me a week to get a replacement *blushing*. Please, don't whisper it just shout it out loud because I know I am a complete slacker.

This week is all about the masks. Take it how you want but I find that b/w is one of my masks. Mask my pain and hide my flaws - works for me right now.

The images resemble each other and I had no intention of that. Sure they were taken within 15 minutes of each other (remember I admitted to being a slacker) but for them to be so the same but opposite wasn't my intent. Happy and sorrow. Hiding behind something because you aren't ready to really face what you need to. I guess it sort of fits with my life right now.

Please add your selfie to our flickr pool so we can all check them out in 1 place. Let's do Vintage next week shall we? Snapity snap snap of myself and I will call it a day. Vintage shot of a vintage mama lol :)

Insta-Friday 10.28.11

2011-10-28T08:45:00.000-04:00

Hard to believe that it is another Friday already. No school here today for our Piper so girls and I are headed to the mall. To find me a dress. Or maybe pick out some boots. We'll see what strikes my fancy when we get there. I might even hop in the shower for the occasion so I smell all purdy for the sales clerk I will give my money to. I am super cheap when it comes to clothes or the like so this is a big deal for me. Anyway on to our week!

Sunday we ate at a fabulous Mexican restaurant that have the best margaritas. If I go there I want one. Did it matter that it was before 1pm?

Sunday night while the girls were at Awana I went and got a new tattoo. I have been wanting this for a long time now but had to wait until I was done being pregnant and/or nursing before I could do it. Then I had to wait until I had some help with the girls because lets face it they have come a long way but tattoo parlors (are they still called that?) are not the best place for 3 littles under 6. This was right after I took off the bandage. My wrist isn't normally that wrinkly. Yet. 3 little birds for our 3 little birds.

Riding her scooter in flip flops our Ruby is the poster child for safety. Not. Heck, at least she decided on a helmet.

Finally my girlfriend gave our girls this super fun jeep. My kids have not really had anything that goes this fast and all of them are in heaven with it. They can't stop smiling when they are driving around. Thank you Rachael and family ♥

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas at Pear Tree Greetings!

2011-10-27T16:47:00.000-04:00

As I sit here and type this post about Christmas cards it is 80 degrees outside. The thing is though for any of us who want to get out and take a picture specifically for a Christmas card we have to start thinking now. What to wear? Where should we have the "photoshoot"? Finally the most important decision. What card design do I want this year?

The quality of the card is as important to an amateur photog, like myself, as the picture itself. A perfect shot printed on cheap paper still looks bad. I will admit that I used to go to the big name stores and order 100 of the "photo cards" and sent them out proudly with sun in my kids eyes and them barely looking at the camera. As I started grasping photography more I spent a few years creating my own cards in photoshop, having them printed, bought envelopes separately, and sending them out. And then we had Ruby. If you read my blog you know this child keeps us all on our toes. Nowadays I still want the originality of a home made card but the quality from a professional printer but I just don't have the time to do it myself. I have found happiness with Pear Tree Greetings.

You don't have to love photography to love a nice card though. Maybe you would choose to be a little different with an ornament shaped card or the modern christmas letter might be more your thing. Finding that perfect card is easy at Pear Tree Greetings with so many choices. I have been attempting to be more "green" so I chose a recycled card. It shares the fun times our family had this year with everyone we don't get to talk to everyday.

So, pick out that outfit, take that picture, and then relax because Pear Tree Greetings makes choosing, designing, and ordering a breeze.

This post is sponsored by Pear Tree Greetings. Pear Tree Greetings has helped tens of thousands of customers celebrate life’s shareable moments with a collection of uniquely personal, high-quality greetings and stationery. Pear Tree Greetings offers a full line of photo cards like Christmas cards, invitations, announcements, address labels, save-the-date cards and dozens of other high-quality paper products, so you can seize every opportunity to connect with others. Custom greetings made simple, affordable, and absolutely keep-worthy.

Wordful Wednesday - Halloween 2011

2011-10-26T07:30:00.000-04:00

They are sisters. While they do enjoy the same games and many of the same playtime activities they couldn't be more different. Halloween this year is an example of just how different our girls are.

I would have made Piper a different costume but she embraced her "gothic bride". The eyeliner underneath her eyes bugs her and the white face paint itches a little but she loves this costume. Never in a million years would I have guessed that our Piperoni would choose this. Never. I am entering this haunting shot of P in our lovely WW hostesses "Something Spooky" contest. Seriously I can't believe this is my kid!

If I thought anyone in our house would be a goth bride it would be Violet. Nope. She got to choose her costume this year and you know what she picked? Mary Had a Little Lamb. I couldn't believe it and let her think about it for a day but that is what she wanted. When in the costume our Violetta exudes sweetness. She is a sweet girl other times too but come on girls got sass!

Finally baby Ruby who really can't be called a baby anymore. *sniff* I gave her the choice of 2 costumes and she picked the pink pony. It arrived while she was napping and when she got up and saw it squealed "Woo Hoo!" Ask her what she is for Halloween and she will tell you "Woo Hoo!" I love it! Rubarb surprised me by keeping her little pony hat on. Normally she doesn't like anything on her head. I guess in her head it sort of goes with the "Woo Hoo!" package.

There is Halloween this year at the zoo. I will try and get pics of them on Monday but it is difficult to get them to cooperate these days. They are mini bullheads. Obviously inherited from their daddy.

I heart faces - Let Them Be Little

2011-10-24T06:32:00.002-04:00

I was talking to someone about my kids yesterday and she asked me what has been my favorite age so far. That is hard to answer because I love my girls and while some ages are more trying than others they have all been cool for one reason or another. Some ages things just click and life is easy. Other ages you get to see miracles like walking, talking, understanding. My favorite though? Newborn. Give me a little tiny baby. I will take those all night nursing sessions. Cuddling that baby in a wrap and feeling new baby squishiness all day long next to you - bliss. I miss it. So much.

This is my favorite shot that I took of our little Rubarb when she was brand spankin new. It's on my wall and I look at it everyday and it makes my heart swell. Oh to have just that day back would be heaven to me.

The above shot has a texture applied to it I think. My computer crashed and all of my old stuff is on a hard drive downstairs - good place right? It looks pixelly to me but I think it is the weird texture I chose lol :)

Insta-Friday

2011-10-21T09:07:00.000-04:00

Soooo one of the first things I did after getting my new iPhone (oh thank you Sprint for finally getting it in our network and a big THANK YOU to hubs for buying it for me ♥) was download Instagram. Still getting used to it but I love that I have a handy little pocket camera that takes really nice pics (don't judge from mine because I am new to smartphones in general). So here we go and I am linking up with Jeannette for my very first Insta-Friday.

Only in NC would our Ruby wear a tank top one day and then have to wear hat, coat, and be covered in a blanket 2 days later. Crazy week of weather here! This was obviously the tank top day.

I had lunch on Tuesday with my favorite 1st grader. She said "Let's have lunch every Tuesday mama" Don't have to twist my arm!

My husband was tired and did not want to carve this pumpkin but the girls wanted one done so bad so in a moment of awesomeness he obliged. Notice the concentration.

The result.

Wordful Wednesday

2011-10-19T13:09:00.000-04:00

She asks for "Boom Boom Boom" (Boom Boom Pow - Black Eyed Peas) every time we get in the van to go anywhere. Her current obsession is strapping any baby or stuffed animal into a carseat before we get out of the van which takes forevah and really tries my patience. But then she runs up to me and says "Love you" and gives me a kiss (brown noser) and makes me smile again.

With her it is blood pressure up then down. Then up and then down. All.day.long! I know I say it a lot on here but that baby of mine has me wrapped around her finger.

I heart faces - Pink

2011-10-18T10:36:00.000-04:00

We dance at our house. A lot. When it is just her and I most of the time we are ballerinas. We dance until she is tired. Then we watch Elmo and have crackers. It is a beautiful life we have.

Monday Mingle 10.17.11

2011-10-17T08:19:00.000-04:00

Where has October gone? Half way through already! I have got to get going on my Halloween decorations :) Here are the questions for this weeks mingle!

1. What is your favorite food?
2. What food do you hate?
3. What other blog hops or weekly memes do you do?

Link up with Eighty MPH Mom and her Monday Mingles!

52 Weeks of Me - Props (42/52)

2011-10-16T19:18:00.000-04:00

I had ideas but it is hard to accomplish them when you don't actually get your camera out. Here are a few of the 6 pumpkins we have this year. I had to buy one more because it was HUGE and Ruby wants both Elmo and Cookie Monster. She's my weakness.

Please add your selfie to our flickr pool so we can all check them out in 1 place. Next week is Humor.

Wordful Wednesday - Goth

2011-10-11T20:59:00.000-04:00

My cousin from California was a sort of Goth girl in high school. She wore dark makeup and had a mohawk. If you aren't into the Goth scene it isn't probably a stage you dream your child will go through. Did you see the Raising Hope episode when Jimmy would only answer to Drakkar Noir? OMG that was hilarious (as is almost every episode but...)!

This year I asked Piper what she wanted to be for Halloween and gave me her normal "Let me think about it" answer she always does. I remembered a costume I got for $2 at Target a few years back when all Halloween went 90% off. The girls still love playing dress up so I scooped it up. When I showed the costume to Piper she said she would wear it trick or treating - such an easy going little girl.

She was invited to a classmate's Halloween themed birthday party this past weekend. I looked at it as dress rehearsal for the big day. Saturday afternoon I applied the makeup, fixed her hair so it was off her face, and helped her to get dressed. She rocked this costume!

So we all pile in the car and head to the birthday party. We are driving through the neighborhood and since Piper had the invitation I asked her what the address was. She told me and I continued to hunt for it but couldn't find the house. I pulled over and asked her for the paper. As I was looking at it something clicked. It said 10/9/11 and I immediately realized it was the wrong day! It was the 8th! I am normally late for everything but for this party I was early. A whole day early! So we went home and I took a few more pictures of her :)

Baby girl had Awana on Sunday night right after the real party so Violet was sweet enough to lend her the Mary Had a Little Lamb costume she will be wearing this year. Goth girls (and guys) must use some heavy duty makeup remover because it was tough getting that off Piper on Saturday. I was for sure not going to attempt it on Sunday.

We have 2 more occasions to wear this and she can't wait! The last 2 shots in this set were processed with free Ghost Stories Photoshop Actions.

I heart faces - Raise Your Hands

2011-10-11T06:00:00.001-04:00

I love that they were trying so hard to make the "heart" work.

Monday Mingle 10.10.11

2011-10-10T09:07:00.003-04:00

Here we go...

1. Are you in the Fall/Autumn cooking mood yet?
2. Do you like Pinterest?
3. What do you think of the Facebook changes?

Link up with Eighty MPH Mom and her Monday Mingles!

Hello!

2011-10-08T09:04:00.000-04:00

I was waiting for him to hop on me :) Thankfully that didn't happen. Our neighbors would have enjoyed it though.

My little baby

2011-10-04T09:37:00.000-04:00

She is sitting next to me while I write this post and I will probably lean over and kiss her a dozen times. She is eating a very cold pancake because she didn't eat it when it was hot this morning after I made it. It was the breakfast that she asked for. Sort of.

Our Ruby isn't much of a talker. I guess I haven't mentioned that much on my blog. She gets what she wants most of the time with a single word or grunt. The doctor said at her 2 year old appointment to just wait a few more months to see if she would start but she hasn't. We will start her in speech in a few weeks. All other tests that they did on her came back at age level or above so it is just her talking.

I can't help but think that a lot of it is my fault. Maybe I talk for her too much. The girls know what she wants and we all can understand most of the words she does have enough for her to get by. Maybe it didn't concern me because she is my baby. I have no idea but hopefully this will help her so that when school age comes she won't have to struggle as much.

But girlfriend can scream. The "oh my gosh I think I am deaf now" kind of scream. That's our Ruby!

The Orchard

2011-10-03T07:39:00.002-04:00

I thought it would be fun if the girls and I went apple picking this past weekend. Thought. I had visions of us walking up to trees and picking beautiful apples and getting gorgeous pictures all the while munching on a few red delicious along the way. It didn't really work out that way.

Saturday's weather was cool and sunny. Just a beautiful fall day. We slept in until 7:30 am which is quite late for us but we had a busy Friday with play dates and a late bed time. Ruby insisted on wearing a short sleeved shirt. Like threw a temper tantrum when I tried to coax her to wear something else. I knew she was going to be cold wearing that but finally just gave up. The orchard is about an hour away so I wanted to get going but had to keep telling myself "It's ok. There is no timeline that you have to follow today. Take your time. Don't stress." Before we finally got out of the house at 10:15 I had told myself that about 4 times.

We arrived at the orchard and it was windy. And cold. Oh dear, I thought, how long will it take our Ruby to get cold? The nice gentleman who ran the place told us where there were apples left. This particular orchard mainly has earlier apples. I always thought we picked in the fall back home but at this orchard the best picking was August and early September. He assured me that we would still find some apples though and to have a great time. As we were walking away he stopped me to give us our apple picker. It was like 12 feet long. So off we went. Mama who was holding her camera bag & 12' apple picker, Piper who was in charge of the bucket, and Violet who was in charge of Ruby. What a site we must have been. City folk coming up to pick apples. I can just hear them "Did you see the mama? She was wearing flip flops." *insert hearty laugh here*

It wasn't nearly as windy in the orchard, thankfully the trees sort of shielded us. We started walking and saw what the man was talking about, the apples were spent. There were tons of old apples on the ground and the ones on the trees didn't look very good. We walked around and around finally finding a decent section of trees to pick from. That would be when Ruby slipped on apple mush. It was over. Over. She cried and I tried my best to clean it up but I didn't have my wipes with me and it was difficult. Then she wanted to be held. Why did I think this was a good idea again? Our big bucket was filled with apples (I have absolutely NO idea what kind they are but they are good) and we started back. Now I am carrying my camera bag, the apple bucket (very heavy 5 gal bucket of apples), and Ruby. Piper and Violet are in charge of that apple picker that we didn't even use! That was comical to watch because one had the front and one had the back but it forced them to work together and they did a great job and only fell once :) As far as the gorgeous pictures go well there are none. The apple mush incident sort of squashed that idea. Red eyes and all. But I cheered everyone up at the very end after we paid and put the apples in the car. With a promise of a granola bar I got them to at least look at me and give me their best "Cheese" pose.

But we created a family memory. Much like the other memories we have created. Mama takes girls to *wherever* by herself. Ruby throws tantrum before leaving. Mama is stressed. Older girls fight. Mama gets more stressed. Do fun family event in which Ruby will at some point throw a fit and cry.
Mama needs a drink.
The girls and I laughed about it later that day. At least the older two find the same humor in our days as I do. It's all about the memories though. And on Saturday the apples.

52 Weeks of Me - Outside (40/52)

2011-10-02T18:46:00.000-04:00

Out back on our deck. What a beautiful cool day it was today. Much like fall is supposed to be. It was nice to grab out a sweater however to be honest I really didn't need it most of the day but I can pretend right?

Please add your selfie to our flickr pool so we can all check them out in 1 place. Next week is Rotate (take a photo and rotate it ). Thank you all for putting up with my flakiness. I am a blogging mess.

The many faces of Violetta

2011-09-28T12:31:00.000-04:00

Enough said. I guess I am once again more wordless than wordful :)

Beach Bums

2011-09-27T08:12:00.001-04:00

Every year for the past 5 years our family packs up and heads to the beach. It is our time to just hang out and enjoy each other. Now that the girls are older I wish I could say that the fighting didn't follow us to the coast but it does. We were asked by another family what there was to do in town. Matt and I looked at each other stumped because we basically just play on the beach. It is enough for us to make sand castles, swim, and hunt sharks teeth and sea shells.

Until next year...

Monday Mingle 9.26.11

2011-09-26T09:43:00.000-04:00

Hey there. Fresh off vacation so this is short and sweet. Off to stock the house with groceries. I so don't like looking at an empty fridge because McDonalds always looks better when you don't have good choices at home. After a week of vacation I need to stay clear of those distractions :) Here are the questions this week:
1. What kind of camera do you have? Do you consider yourself proficient?
2. Are you doing any holiday events on your blog this year?
3. Fill in the blank: My child is an angel, except when he/she ____________________________.

Link up with Eighty MPH Mom and her Monday Mingles!

52 Weeks of Me - Hair (38/52)

2011-09-20T09:26:00.000-04:00

Ugh, sorry! I am behind and I know it! Here is why though. Preparing for 5 people to spend a week at the beach is tough! We were leaving Sunday morning and hubs said "Do we have everything?" to which I said "We basically packed the whole house in our van so my guess is yes!" Well, we forgot the kites, chairs, and a hat for Matt.

Normally I disconnect completely when I am here but the girls are coloring quietly and I was editing pics from yesterday so I thought I would quickly post since I probably won't again until next week. Here is my hair after spending the night in a ponytail. My last cut rocked and I could totally wear it down with minimal work everyday but I don't like it in my face. Ponytail it is!

Please add your selfie to our flickr pool so we can all check them out in 1 place. Next week is Favorite Color.

Wordful Wednesday - Style

2011-09-14T10:01:00.000-04:00

Violet's style that is :) Sorry for wordless but we are busy, busy, busy today.

Just because I think that our Ruby looks like a little girl in this shot and not a baby. The only reason I know she is still my baby is the food on her face. She fights me washing it so sometimes she goes dirty. Sometimes lol :)

Blogging Burn Out

2011-09-13T07:12:00.000-04:00

It happens to me a couple of times a year. I used to feel stressed when I didn't blog. Now my husband just says "You know you haven't blogged since *whatever day*" and I say "Yep, burned out". I am not a writer. This is not my business. Quite frankly I get bored with a lot of my own posts even though they are about my precious girls. School has started and our lives, and yours I am sure too, are CRAZY! I don't have an open day this week! I find that my little bloggy breaks normally put me back in the mood to tell our story again. As boring *yawn* as it might be.

Another sad day

2011-09-06T14:27:00.000-04:00

for mama. Not for Violet. I love the preschool and it is because I know that Violet has the same teacher that Piper had, who I LOVE, and that she has the same assistant teacher as she had last year, who we LOVE, that it makes it a little easier for mama to let her little bird spread her wings. A little easier.

I called my husband after drop off and, as I was crying, asked him if it was ever going to get easier. "For you?" he said, "Probably not. But you know she loves it there". I do know that.

So what did Ruby and I do? Had coffee and a muffin with some friends. Had a nice surprise at Goodwill and got to catch up with one of my favorite mamas that I don't get to see often. Came home and picked up the house. Finally went back and got Violet. 3 hours isn't very long :)

Still long enough for me to miss her though. What am I going to do next year?

My heart is going to be completely ripped out when I leave my baby at preschool. Oh my, it brings tears to my eyes just thinking about it. Thankfully that is a whole year away.

Thankfully.

Monday Mingle 9.5.11

2011-09-05T07:32:00.000-04:00

The girls decided to join in on the mingle this morning. They were all up you know. Since 6:15 am. Matt says I will miss this. Umm, I am thinking no.

1. What are some fun attractions near where you live (farms, amusement parks, etc.)
2. Where’s the last place you and your spouse went alone?
3. Are you happy the kids are back in school?

Link up with Eighty MPH Mom and her Monday Mingles!

52 Weeks of Me - SOOC (36/52)

2011-09-04T14:58:00.000-04:00

Agh! How hard was this to do? Not screw around with my shot :) I must remember to take it outside next time but by the time I realized I forgot to do my selfie it was 2 pm on Sunday. Sorry gals I am getting later and later with my posts.

I did size it for the web though but didn't touch it otherwise. Again, so.hard.not.to.do! Please add your selfie to our flickr pool so we can all check them out in 1 place. Next week is Emotions/Expressions.

Almost time!

2011-08-30T05:52:00.000-04:00

For Rhubarb and I to spend some quality one on one time together. Piper has been in school a few days now *sniff sniff* and Violet starts next week (water works again I am sure). What are we going to do? Probably hit Goodwill (which, btw, is where I got the cutie patootie dress baby girl is wearing), maybe the grocery store, library time, the park if it ever cools down, and some days we will even have lunch with our Piperoni before we have to pick up Violet. Days will be full I am sure. Heaven knows I won't get anything done around the house though because she demands attention. Doesn't matter from who just ATTENTION *please*.

I saw this come up on my screen and (mommy goggle alert) thought "Awww" and then noticed I was shooting almost wide open and her sweet little crinkled toe is oof. Drat! Babe is a challenge though so I am lucky to get her to sit in the grass. She doesn't like how it prickles her. Don't ask :)

Monday Mingle 8.29.11

2011-08-29T07:47:00.001-04:00

Another week, another mingle :) I have sort of crazy hair as I could not find a hair tie this morning. The girls had gotten in my stash :)

1. What did you do for your Sweet 16th birthday?
2. What do you think of little girls dressing like adults for pageants (think Toddlers & Tiaras)
3. What kind of car did you learn to drive in?

Link up with Eighty MPH Mom and her Monday Mingles!

52 Weeks of Me - Behind (35/52)

2011-08-28T20:08:00.000-04:00

Late, late, late! Shame on me. I was sick with some stomach thing this weekend and then when I did feel better we took the girls bowling. Snapped this Sunday night and did PW's Vintage to try and make it more interesting. We were actually trying to call the ducks but they wanted no part of us tonight. Marley's "behind" is also in the shot. Her tail at least :)

Add your selfie to our flickr pool so we can all check them out in 1 place. Next week is SOOC which will actually be harder than you think. For me I fix my white balance in LR so I am going to have to be pretty darn spot on to show what comes out of my camera :)

Our 1st Grader

2011-08-25T07:43:00.000-04:00

I told her that she would have to go to bed when it was still light out because school starts here so early. "Ok" she replied. I told her that she would have to stay in bed all night because Thursday was going to be a very long day. "I know," she said "I can't wait!" Then my heart broke.

My girl is ready to take on the world. Or at least 1st grade.

All she had to say was she didn't want to go and I wouldn't have sent her. I would have fumbled my way until I figured out how to teach her here at home. But she didn't say that. What did she say? "I love you mama, see you tonight!"

And my heart broke again.

And here we go!

2011-08-23T10:18:00.000-04:00

No it just can't be Tuesday August 23 already. This day has come altogether too quickly. Today we will go to open house at Piper's school and meet her teacher. I blinked now summer is over and it is here. While I know that she needs to go to school I don't want her to go. Piper and Violet have been battling for the past 2 weeks over everything. A sign to me that they need some time away from each other. Now that it is here though that fighting doesn't seem so bad. Not only are the school days long but there are so many. 180. 180 days that she is away from me experiencing many 1st's and I won't get to see it. Just yesterday I might have mumbled that I was ready but I am not.

Are you ready for your first day of school? Does it get easier as the kiddos get older. My guess is no :(

I heart faces - Pets

2011-08-22T14:52:00.000-04:00

Something about Marley that I find absolutely adorable. If there is anything of the girls on the floor in the living room she wants to sleep on it. They were playing barbies and left their stuff in the living room - shocker right? You can sort of tell that Marley is laying on a Snow White outfit. She was pretty annoyed with me taking her picture today because I was taking her away from her 20 hours a day of sleep. The life of a pooch is a rough one.

Scavenger Hunt Sunday 8.21.11

2011-08-21T08:43:00.000-04:00

Behind again this week I decided to process this weeks hunt shots using Kellie Hatcher's Lightroom actions. They get me going in the right direction and I like how easy they are. Who doesn't like easy right?

Collage
This is my collage of pictures that hang in our living room. I try to change them out occasionally.

Geometry

Along the dotted line

Hanging by a thread

Brushstrokes
A million years ago I used to play with pottery. I took a class and tried to learn to throw it. This was going to be a vase but turned into a fun looking pencil holder :)

52 Weeks of Me - Night Shot (34/52)

2011-08-21T00:01:00.000-04:00

When ~~my husband an~~d I decided to co-sleep people would make all sorts of comments. "You'll never get them out of that bed!" was the one that was said the most. I am here to tell you that we easily transitioned the girls from our bed island (king w/attached twin) to their own room when I was ready to have Ruby. Now that our little Ruby is getting older I see the her wanting her own space. It is still a little way off, thank goodness, but it is going to happen. That makes this mama sad especially since she loves to cuddle :)

Add your selfie to our flickr pool so we can all check them out in 1 place. Next week is Behind.

Is this the end?

2011-08-20T06:00:00.001-04:00

I knew we still had peppers and I was going out to grab a few to have with my supper but I almost danced when I saw the tomato. I doubt we will have many more and every one will be a pleasant surprise.

Organic

These 2...

2011-08-19T13:33:00.000-04:00

have fought more this summer than ever before

have played better together this summer than ever before

have discovered Barbies and Polly Pockets and created all sorts of adventures with them

have learned how to accomplish things by working together

have become best friends ♥

Wordful Wednesday - BUGS!

2011-08-17T10:40:00.000-04:00

I remember living in Wisconsin and getting ants one year. After that I made sure to not leave anything on the counters that could potentially attract them and never had a problem again. Flash forward to me living here in the south. I kid you not I think that I live on an ant hill. It doesn't matter how clean my counters are they come. Usually it is after a dry spell and then we get a bunch of rain but sometimes it is just because. Because of what I don't know. Today I have killed 2 (yes I said killed) and haven't seen anymore but that doesn't mean I won't be infested this afternoon. Darn rain.

Mosquitos have been especially bad this year for us too. I am not sure why but each and every time that my girls are outside they come in with no less than 5 bites and they get BIG! Poor kids. The other day I came in with 3 myself. Poor mama.

Finally we have spiders. Lots and lots of spiders. Do you know how icky it is to walk outside smack into a web? Wondering if you have the spider actually on you or if it was already off the web for the day. Then wondering if it was a black widow or just a regular spider because you know we have black widows in our yard too.

Do you have bugs? Am I alone this year or is the whole country suddenly under attack by insects?

Does it run in the family?

2011-08-16T18:12:00.000-04:00

A shoe addiction that is. My husband has like 5 pairs of black shoes that look so similar it makes me laugh. In addition to those he has a collection of oxford shoes that he had during the 90's while working behind a desk. Can we say hoarder?. As for me I have purged most of mine since not working outside of the home but I still have a 20 pair shoe organizer full plus extras floating around. Mama's got to have choices right? Then there are my girls. Yep, they too each have over the door shoe organizers that on most days are full. However I blame that shoe problem mostly on me and that little girls have really cute shoes available. Ruby=addicted! She loves them! Changes them all.day.long - as well as her clothes but that is a whole other story. She doesn't need a shoe until she is in Kindergarten but when I find a pair I find myself showing them to her and then she inevitably wants them and I find myself dishing the cash. Please remember that I shop almost exclusively at Goodwill and another thrift store so it isn't big bucks but still $2 is $2 right? I know that I am not alone in this because I find almost brand new shoes EVERY time I go out in their size. Baby girl had to have these little Reefs from a consignment store that we sometimes shop at. $1. This baby loves her some flip flops. Mama loves her some animal print. Mama and baby are happy :) Sweet!

I heart faces - Beautiful Eyes

2011-08-15T01:12:00.000-04:00

Our blue eyed girl. Sassy little 6 year old. To Ruby she is "Nana". To Violet a constant playmate this summer. Those are my great grandfather's eyes and he is still with me through her. In my eyes beautiful.

Scavenger Hunt Sunday

2011-08-14T07:47:00.000-04:00

I watch in awe every week as people submit their entries for Scavenger Hunt Sunday. I sit by the sidelines because "I am too busy", "I have my own Sunday Meme". This week I decided to try to participate. It was hard and I will admit to taking most of these shots on Saturday. I need to get organized. Note to self - get more organized - oh if that was all it took :) Anyway, week 1 for me and here it is...

Against the Light - Me shooting against the eminent night

Ink

Buttons

My favorite time of the day - I had to pull this one because I had every intention of procrastinating until Sunday morning and snapping something similar but wouldn't you know it we have dark rain clouds.

Frame in a frame - stretch? Probably but I saw it while picking up the trash they left under the table from lunch :)

52 Weeks of Me - Hands (33/52)

2011-08-14T00:01:00.001-04:00

Do you remember this photo?

It was you 33 weeks ago prior to your 1st selfie! Well it was actually you until maybe your 5th selfie (for me anyway). "No, don't take my picture!" Now how do you answer that question? "OK", although you might not be the most happy with it pictures don't really bother you as much anymore do they?

Add your selfie to our flickr pool so we can all check them out in 1 place. Next week is Night Shot. I woke up the other night and realized it was a full moon. Should I get out my camera and do my night shot? Baby woke up too - nope. I can't wait to see everyone's interpretations!

Oh Facebook, you make me feel so old!

2011-08-11T08:32:00.001-04:00

There is a new thing popping up on Facebook. Have you been added to the "You know you are from *insert town here* if...". First off let me say that if you join one of those groups IMMEDIATELY edit your settings or your phone will seriously blow up! Trust me this is advice from my own personal experience. Ding, ding, ding, ding, ding, ding... Come on people are you on Facebook like all day long? Do none of us have jobs lol :)

I moved away from my hometown like 14 years ago. That sentence in itself makes me feel ancient. Sadly I don't get back there very often either to see the changes that are happening. The last time I was home was 2 years ago and I was shocked at the difference. Progress right? What makes the "You know you are from..." pages so fun is it brings you back to the simple times when you were growing up SOOOO long ago :) It hurts my brain to think back that far :)

Through Facebook a high school reunion of mine was planned and executed this past weekend. I did not go. Too much traveling for the zoo girls this summer and their mama is tired. Because I am old. So what reunion was this? Our 22nd. Go ahead and smile I did too :) I am not smiling at the 22 years of being out of high school just that our fun loving group decided rather than continue NOT having reunions they would throw together a 22nd. Better late than never. Pictures on Facebook proved that it was a good turnout and fun was had by all.

"No, it is not possible that you have a child graduating from high school!" Those high school sweethearts have them though. My oldest is 6 and my youngest 2 so I try to fool myself into thinking that I am younger than I am but my tired body reminds me everyday. Through the wonders of Facebook I see the smiling prom pictures of children belonging to old friends. Friends MY AGE! Imagine how they feel though saying to themselves "I can't believe I have a child graduating from high school!"

Although somedays I think that I would be better off just deleting my Facebook account because it sucks me in when I could be, oh I don't know, CLEANING MY HOUSE (!!) I won't. Want to know why? I am glad to be connected to those *ahem* old friends again. I love seeing their families, their trips, their idea of a fun day. For this I say "Thank You" Facebook.

How does your garden grow?

2011-08-09T11:10:00.004-04:00

For someone who generally doesn't complain about the summer down here in NC I sure have been complaining about it a lot this year. Maybe it is because the girls are getting to an age that they need to be outside but honestly it is just really hot. We get out in the mornings but then afternoons are filled with Polly Pockets, Littlest Pet Shops, and television all the while we have the ceiling fan running as well as a fan in the corner of the living room. Yes, the air is on too. I told you it is hot! Our garden, as well as many others, have fallen victim to the extreme heat and I have been dreading the day when I go out and there isn't a tomato to be seen. We had so many tomatoes and peppers grow so early in the season it is just sad that our plants are looking so dismal when it is only August. Over the past few days though Matt has been scoring major husband points. He knows me quite well and sure I love flowers but what really wins my heart? Fresh Iowa corn!

You would think that all that corn would have been it but the box that my husband came home with yesterday put a huge smile on my face. He rocks! When we had an abundance we gave our veggies away and now when so many gardens are suffering someone's is still thriving and they shared with us. Gardeners are awesome people and I am in no way putting myself into that gardening category.

My girls eyes grew wide when they saw the beans. It has been far too long since they last had fresh beans and corn but tonight we will feast! Who volunteered to help me shuck and shell? We'll see :)

I heart faces - Friendships

2011-08-08T06:00:00.001-04:00

"The best part of life is when your family becomes your friends, and your friends become your family."
Danica Whitfield

This is a repeat from June but every time I see this shot of the girls together I just want to hug it :) They had such an amazing time this year with their cousins from Ohio and none of us wanted our visits to end.

52 Weeks of Me - Negative Space (32/52)

2011-08-07T08:08:00.000-04:00

Is the year flying by or what? 20 more weeks of our 52 week project and we will be complete! I hope that you awesome ladies hang on with me until the end! So this week was Negative Space. I would say it is my style of shooting quite often but when it was me on the other side of the camera is was harder for me to figure out what I wanted. This week I am happy with the result.

and this is another make up week for me. I had a Shallow Depth of Field shot but it was of my elbow and let's just say I need to exfoliate my elbow :) So you get my hand! 29/52

Add your selfie to our flickr pool so we can all check them out in 1 place. Next week is Hands, maybe I should have saved my hand shot for that huh?

Waiting

2011-08-06T14:41:00.001-04:00

Just a shot of Marley patiently waiting for me to get her a treat :)

It has been H.O.T. and bless her spoiled heart Marley wants no part of being outside. The lake is like a hot tub and gives us no relief. Needless to say there has been no walking outside lately. No nothing outside except making our way from the air conditioned house to the air conditioned car to our air conditioned destination and then back again. I like it hot but holy cow it has been over 90 degrees forevah! Don't get me wrong though I am not complaining. I would take this over winter any day of my life it is just that the kiddos are spent in no time out there and it makes it tough to figure out activities to do with them. We have completely gone through my craft supplies and after that school supply list from Piper's school I have no money to buy any lol :) I know buck up right?

Wordful Wednesday - Hello Mr. Cow

2011-08-03T06:00:00.001-04:00

I used to be such a meat and potatoes girl. I love steak but the rest of the cow I could probably do without nowadays. Well, except for Burnin Love Burgers (Red Robin) I inhale those! Since I haven't been able to replicate them at the zoo though I dish out the almost $10 for a burger once in awhile. Give me chicken and fish and I am a happy mama. The rest of my family loves beef. When I make meals with various cuts of beef they get devoured. I believe this comes from their father :) When the hubs came to me about buying a 1/2 of a cow I thought why not. They love it and I am here to serve them *ha right*. Our 1/2 arrived and almost filled up our chest freezer. I am going to have to get really creative because chicken is on sale this week at the market. If you have ever bought a portion of a cow you know you get a lot of hamburger so I made Cream Cheese Jalapeno Hamburgers. They were good. Jalapenos were from our garden as well as the tomatoes and peppers. This is my husbands idea of a salad :)

It has lettuce right? Well after eating beef 4 days last week I am done. I am craving anything but red right now. It is my plan to cook all that grass fed beef when Matt is home and not a pound of it when he is not. I am still glad we got it because it is much better than what you can buy in the store and we know who raised it. Winter will be great with chili, roasts, and stews. Tonight though I am grilling out. Chicken anyone?

The Reluctant Mother

2011-08-02T06:00:00.001-04:00

It's me. I want Ruby to stay little. She is still such a sweet baby in so many ways that I want to freeze time and keep her at this age for a bit longer. That little one wants no part of it though. For whatever reason she has decided she wants to be potty trained. What kid initiates that? She is only 28 months old. Sheesh, I had plans of doing it once school started but really didn't want to do it yet. So am I reluctant or just plain lazy?

She is making it pretty easy I will say that though. We even ventured to Target on Sunday IN PANTIES! I like to live on the edge like that. Here at home though she goes potty about 100 times a day. The other girls cheering her on. I might use the bathroom 100 times a day if I got all that cheering for me too :)

Our crazy, sweet, sassy, lovable Ruby. I might need to take a minute right now to go and hug her. She has that effect on me.

Monday Mingle 8.1.2011

2011-08-01T06:00:00.005-04:00

Good Monday morning and wow August already? Where has this year gone? This weeks questions are:
1. Tell us 3 words that describe you accurately.
2. Fill in the blank: “Although I love my spouse, it is really annoying when he/she _____________________”.
3. What colors look best on you?

Link up with Eighty MPH Mom and her Monday Mingles!

52 Weeks of Me - Leading Lines (31/52)

2011-07-31T00:01:00.002-04:00

Here my friends is my leading lines shot. Perhaps could have been done better but it is summer and we are all enjoying it so our time doing selfies is much less than in say winter when we are looking for outlets of our energy.

I will also include my 24/32 Framing You in this weeks post. It is ~~copied~~ inspired from this shot.

Add your selfie to our flickr pool so we can all check them out in 1 place. Next week is Negative Space.

Just a little vent about school

2011-07-30T10:21:00.000-04:00

Maybe I will get it all out before school starts this year so you won't hear me complain at all once August 25th comes. Doubt it but you can hope. So my complaint today is school supplies. I realize that all schools are broke because of budget cuts but I feel that our school is sort of making the parents make up the difference. Do you remember crayons? I do but my rising 1st grader wasn't asked to bring in a .25 box of crayons but rather 2 boxes of twistable crayons. Those bad boys are $5 a box. Why do they need those? Our school supplies cost us over $60 this year and that is not including a backpack. 20 glues sticks. That is a lot of glueing and that is PER student! Then once school starts the teachers have a "wish list". Don't even get me started on the absurd things they include on their "wish lists". Here is the loot. After school started last year the teacher asked for money for snacks and also another $20 for specific things she wanted to put together that wasn't on the list.

The $15 worth of twistable crayons and pencils put me over the top. What are on your supply lists? You know just so I can stew about this some more :)

Wordful Wednesday - Our 6 year old

2011-07-27T07:31:00.000-04:00

Piper turned 6 about a few weeks ago but I have been busy and haven't officially wished her a Happy Birthday on my blog. So Happy Birthday to my sweet blue eyed girl. Where has the time gone? It happened too quickly. Much too quickly.

Summer is racing by. I can't believe that it is almost August. School starts in less than a month. I am not ready! So not ready. I wonder if I will ever be ready for school to start back up. Are you?

Monday Mingle 7.25.11

2011-07-25T18:33:00.000-04:00

Late mingling this week. Busy week with family here. So.much.fun with the cousins (and my sister in law). This weeks questions are:

1. Do you like to swim? Are you kids good swimmers?
2. Are you going to any beaches this summer?
3. What is something you purchased/received recently that you are most excited about?

Link up with Eighty MPH Mom and her Monday Mingles!

52 Weeks of Me - I love... (30/52)

2011-07-24T00:01:00.001-04:00

It has been a busy week. Family, parties, and a ton of fun. Honestly I only put 5 minutes into this weeks selfie but that is more than last week which still isn't done.

Add your selfie to our flickr pool so we can all check them out in 1 place. Next week is Leading lines.

Stone Mountain State Park (2011)

2011-07-21T07:53:00.000-04:00

Back before the girls we used to go to Stone Mountain State Park and hike. We had hiked to the waterfall and 1 time with Piper on my back we went up the mountain and then back down again but never the full loop. Friday when we saw that the weather was going to be very mild my brother in law, sister in law, and I decided to head there with the girls to check out the water fall.
We parked on the upper part of the park so it was a quick little hike to the top of the water fall.

We made our way down the stairs to see the falls from all the viewing areas.

It was very fun walking with all the kids and exploring nature. We saw the old homestead that they have at the bottom of the mountain. The mountain itself is pretty cool from this angle.

The trail that we were following was a 4.5 mile loop. It said strenuous but a 4, 5, 6, & 7 year old can handle it right? We finished up the lower part of the loop and took a bar/water break before finishing up the last half of the hike.

What are we doing? That sign says Injury or Death Possible! It does say that but from doing both hikes before I knew we would all just be tired. Unless we were mauled by a bear we would make it :)

Straight up the mountain we went. Stair after stair after stair. Addi and Piper leading the way.

Ruby was on my back. Violet and Chloe were doing their very best behind me. Up, up, up. Who knew that 1/4 mile could take this long? Climb, climb, climb. Are we there yet? We laughed that there should be an escalator. Why not?

Still more steps. They were seriously never ending! We climbed 330 stairs. Our legs were all burning. I think it took us almost an hour to complete the hike straight to the top but when we got up there it was so worth the work. I took a ton of pictures at this point because we worked hard to get here.

I remember one of the only signs saying we still had 1.7 miles to go to complete our loop and I just said a silent prayer in my head that it would all be flat :) Violet is quite an eagle eye and noticed this on the trail. What a neat butterfly.

I happened to look behind me and saw my oldest limping. It seems that her shoes were giving her major blisters and she could barely walk. What is a mama to do? Take Ruby out of the sling.

and put Piper in it :)

We did it though! Smiles on their faces still afterwards! Gotta love the littles!

My van has never been such a welcome sight. 4.5 miles took us about 4 hours to do. We took our time and enjoyed the scenery. The girls did fabulously! I wonder if our Ohio family will want to make this a yearly outing :)

52 Weeks of Me - Shallow Depth of Field (29/52)

2011-07-17T07:35:00.000-04:00

I will get mine up later today :) Again, late :)

Add your selfie to our flickr pool so we can all check them out in 1 place. Next week is I love....