Levi, the Sequel

I had the honor to once again get some pictures of my friend's baby boy, Levi.

His daddy is a fisherman.

I think the passion has been passed down in the genes!

This little guy just steals my heart every time I see him!

Love, Love, LOVE the drool!!!
50mm, ISO 100, f3.2, SS500

Look! I have some teeth!!

I so love Mama pictures! 

This little guy makes it so easy to get good shots!!
He had a double ear infection just 2 days prior to this... & you'd never know it!
Such a good baby!!

Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend!!
My school semester starts up tomorrow!!
I'll be busy, busy!!

1st Grade {Fav Foto Friday}

I'm loving this idea I got off of Pinterest!
What a wonderful way to make memories!

School Day Supplies...

It's official. 

My girl is now a 1st grader.

How did that happen so quickly??

Exactly who told her she could grow up this fast??!!

Just as I did last year, I let Xandra ride the bus to school.
Then I quickly jumped in my car & met her at the school to make sure she settled in well.
Apparently, it was pretty much a wasted trip in Xandra's eyes.

The little guy next to her in the picture above (the same boy wearing the Spid*rman backpack getting on the bus with her) just might have a little crush on Xandra.
He helped her get her backpack off (above, he's picking it up off the floor for her).
He helped her get a pencil from the container.
He helped open her crayon box for her.

And this (above) is the look I got just after she asked me "Are you going home yet, Mom?"
Really?
You work your little magic on a little boy, and suddenly you don't need Mom any more???
Growing up way too fast, I tell ya!
Lord help me when she's a teenager.
I'm going to have to invest in some industrial-strength locks on the doors.
And a doberman.
Or pitbull.
Or an all-girl's boarding school.

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday {My Town}

I've mentioned before that I'm currently taking the incredible Ms. Lisa's photography class.

Our homework last week was to take pictures without people in them.

Say WHAT??!!!

But all my pictures have people- my kids!!!

So I set out to find something else to take pictures of.

I discovered that I'm very drawn to architecture, when/if my kiddos are unavailable to me as a subject.

An old building in our small downtown area that is scheduled for demolition soon.

We have a very small downtown area.

Very small.

But, a number of years ago, an incredible artist was hired to paint some murals on the sides of some old buildings.

They are incredible! 

I've always loved them, and I finally captured them.

These definitely don't fall into "artistic photography," but I still like them.

And finally, per a recent post, an addition to my current obsession with the sunset.

Bedtime Routine

I'm a big believer in routines for the kiddos.

(That does not mean I'm always good at maintaining them!)

We have a bedtime routine that we do faithfully every night. 

We usually have a toy clean up time for about 10 minutes (this is flexible based on the amount of mess they made during the day).

Then we head upstairs to change into pj's.

Afterward, we head over to the bathroom to brush teeth.

50mm, ISO 2000, f2.2, SS 160

Milo likes to make sure Xandra's brushing correctly.

Then we read books.

If Matt's home, we divide & conquer.

But when he's not home at bedtime, we pile onto Xandra's bed & read all together.

Finally, it's tuck-in time.
Milo loves to tuck Xandra into bed.
We give hugs, kisses, and wishes for good dreams.
Then it's off to bed for Milo.
He also gets a reminder of the rules each & every night (stay in bed, don't throw your blanket out of the crib, this is our last 'goodnight'- do not call mommy or daddy to tuck you in again (this is his stall method of choice the last few weeks)).

So many reasons I love the bedtime routine.
The kids always know what to expect.
So they know their little bodies need to wind down & get ready to drift off to sleep.
Don't get me wrong - it doesn't always work out like it's supposed to.
Especially when one or both decide to push the limits.
But for the most part, it works for us.
So what are your routines that are tried & true for your family?
(I'm always looking to improve things where I can!)


**Xandra let me get a picture of her loose tooth tonight!
It's the left front tooth - can you see that adult tooth already popped through behind the loose one??

IG {Fav Foto Friday}

I have not had my big-girl camera with me too much this week - "Bad Mama!" (as Milo now likes to say)!
So here are some InstaGram pics I've taken over the last couple weeks.

I've been slightly obsessed with sunsets (& one sunrise) the last few weeks.
My mom *loved* beautiful skies.
I guess she passed it on to me.
Every time I see it, I think of her, and know that she would appreciate it.

This one is just too cute not to put in here.
He'll probably be very upset with me one day for publishing this.
Oh well.
Potty training is not going as well as I'd like...
He sort of understands it, but is still totally cool with going in the diaper.
It's usually after the fact that he wants to go "try."

A certain little girl discovered a loose tooth this week.
So the tooth fairy has been busy making a special box for her tooth to go in when it finally comes out.
Although Xandra loves the box... she is petrified of that tooth actually coming out.
She will not let a soul near her mouth right now- not even to brush teeth (I usually just do a quick once-over when she's done anyway, just to make sure she got everything... but no more).
She barely lets me look in her mouth, even with my hands completely behind my back & promises that I will NOT touch.
The adult tooth has already broken through, and is trying its darndest to push that little tooth out.
I imagine we only have another week or so before it comes out, though I don't know for sure just how loose it is (see note above about the no touching!).

Bowling Fun {Wordless Wednesday}