This Is Us

Schoolchildren 2015

noreply@blogger.com (Jen) — Tue, 18 Aug 2015 03:43:00 +0000

All three littles had successful, tearless, awesome first days of school. Sofie and Buddy's first day was last Monday, the 10th. Yes, Buddy has moved up to the big show with Sofie. He's a P4 in Children's House this year, his first year at Border Star Montessori. Montessori groups classrooms as "Children's House" (3-5 year olds - P3, P4 and Kindergarten), "Lower El" (1st-3rd grades), and "Upper El" (4th-6th grades). Following this model they stay in the same classroom with the same teacher for three years in a row. Both Sofie and Liam started at 4 years old as P4s in Children's House.

The week before school started we were able to visit their classrooms, meet their teachers, and drop off supplies. For Sofie this was merely a reunion with her wonderful teacher, Mrs. C. She still had most of her supplies from the previous year in the classroom ready and waiting for her. She also got to meet a few of the new incoming 1st graders, since she's moving on up to big 2nd grader status this year. She was excited to see an old friend from her Children's House classroom will now be joining her class as a 1st grader. And of course her sweet little BFF, A., is still there with her this year! ;-)

After visiting Sofie's classroom we headed down to Buddy's new classroom to check it out and meet his new teacher, Mrs. S. Buddy has been semi-excited but mostly pretty nervous about going to a new school. He was happy to walk into an awesome, blue (his favorite color) classroom, with lots of nice classmates and a very sweet teacher. He really lit up looking at all the materials and different learning areas in the room, and he was all smiles even though he was pretty quiet. After we left, he buckled into his carseat, and I asked him if he was excited about his blue classroom and all the fun stuff he was going to learn from Mrs. S. Still all smiles, he quickly nodded and agreed that he was excited, but then he got super quiet and said, "But, Mommy, I'm a bit nervous." What a sweetheart.

So last Monday was the big day for these two. Their alarms went off and they both shot out of bed and were dressed, beds made, teeth brushed, and ready for breakfast within 5 minutes. The excitement continued into school, and they both went into their classrooms happy and smiling. I was a little worried about how Buddy would do at drop off, but he was a champ, bobbing and weaving his way into the classroom before I could even shout a quick goodbye to him.

My 2nd grader!!

My sweet little P4!

Children's House kiddos wear a name tag pinned to their backs in a plastic bag the first few weeks of school. This helps staff learn their names and where they belong. The bag is also a place to exchange notes between teacher and parents. I made a special, fun name tag for Sofie when she started Children's House, and Buddy got one too.

These two are looking so grown up. I can't believe they're in school together!

This was their last first day of school in this house!

Every year on the first day of school, we go get ice cream after school. It's become a tradition, and they look forward to it all day. We walked down the street to the newly remodeled ice cream store to talk about their first days. Sofie had a great first day, getting right down to business on some reading assignments. She had a big reunion with A. after not seeing her all summer, and was excited to meet some new friends, too.

Sofie and Buddy discovered that they both had the same support class on their first day, Art. They each loved hearing what the other did in art class with Mr. Van P. and thought it was really cool that they both have Art on Mondays. I was also really proud of Sofie for having a big sister moment and helping her little brother out at school.

She said she was going out with her class to recess, and as they walked by the cafeteria she looked in, thinking Buddy might be in there with his class. He was there, standing in line, and she saw he was crying. She wasn't exactly supposed to, and I think she got into a bit of trouble for it, but she went right to him to see what was wrong. He said he was sad because he missed Mommy and he was crying. She calmed him down and made him feel better. But she said, "He was crying, and sometimes when I see other people cry it makes me cry, because I feel sad that they're sad. So he was crying, and it made me sad of for him. So then I had a little bit of a fit, and I was sad too."

I said, "So you were both crying?"

"Yeah, because I was sad that he was sad."

"And I was sad, because I missed Mommy."

"Did you both feel better and stop crying then?"

"Yes."

So that happened. Really I was still proud of Sofie for helping him out, even though it caused a bit of a ruckus. It was a good big sister thing to do. They said they actually saw each other three times that day in the halls and around the school, which they both think is really awesome. It is pretty cute.

The littlest Little finally got to visit her classroom last Friday and meet her new teachers. Stella has many of the same classmates as last year, and was happy to see them. She was pretty apprehensive about the new room and new teachers, and was very quiet and shy - very non-Bitty qualities. She said she's a little scared to go to school. I think having Buddy there with her last year was a huge comfort to her, but she'll do fine once she gets used to how things are this year.

We absolutely love our preschool, and will be sad to leave it behind next year. All three kids have had great experiences there, year after year. This year Stella has two teachers, Ms. Carla and Ms. Diane. Both seem very nice and are familiar faces around the school from years past. I think she'll have a great year. She was excited to bring her school supplies in and to tell her teachers that she uses the big potty!

Today was her first official day of school. We walked onto the playground a few minutes early to play, and slowly met the classes as they started coming out. Once her class was there, I chatted with her teachers for a few minutes while she played and then gave her a quick kiss goodbye. She barely looked up from the little car she was playing with. I was so proud of my big girl!

She was full of first day smiles for me!

And silliness as usual. This is her signature face.

My sweet Bit!

That face! Orneriness!

Ready for her first day with backpack, My Little Pony lunchbox, and Lambie!

Stella had a great first day of school. She played hard, used the big potty, ate a good snack and lunch, and was napping hard when I picked her up. After we picked up the Bigs, she also got her first day of school ice cream treat. As a bonus for Sofie and Buddy, they both saw their best friends in the ice cream store, too. It was a semi-planned meeting between Sofie and A. (sneaks!) and a chance meeting of Buddy and H. He just about dropped the ice cream out of his mouth when she walked in and gave him a big hug. Dude is smitten. We're off to a great start this year. I can't wait to see what they all do!

Sofie's Birthday BBQ

noreply@blogger.com (Jen) — Mon, 09 Mar 2015 02:16:00 +0000

Sofie will be turning 7 this week! She wanted to celebrate with a BBQ today with her Nanas and Papas and Aunt Meme, so that's exactly what we did. We grilled out on a beautiful Sunday afternoon, had some Frozen themed treats, jumped on the trampoline, rode bikes, and had a fun day.

Man Of The Puzzles | Then & Now

noreply@blogger.com (Jen) — Thu, 19 Feb 2015 19:31:00 +0000

Early puzzle doing skills - circa October 2012, age 21 months. He has these 12 piece puzzles mastered.

Now he's doing 600+ piece puzzles. Crazy!!

Fanfest 2015

noreply@blogger.com (Jen) — Fri, 30 Jan 2015 04:47:00 +0000

We had a fun time at Royals Fanfest 2015 tonight! It was a sneak peak preview night with Ned Yost, Luke Hochevar, Kris Medlin, Greg Holland, and Jeremy Guthrie. Liam and Sofie got their baseballs autographed by Hochevar, they all got fun souvenirs, and Sofie got to go up on the big stage with Slugger to play a game and she did GREAT! We are ready for the 2015 season to begin!

The actual Home Plate used at all the home Royals games from Opening Day through the World Series. Buddy says, "It still has dirt on it!"

Salvy's big hit ball from the Wild Card Game.

3/52

noreply@blogger.com (Jen) — Fri, 23 Jan 2015 16:59:00 +0000

This week's image was literally a one shot wonder. I was passing by this corner in my dining room on the way to put my camera away when the morning light caught my eye. I stopped and took this lone shot and then continued on.

Being a natural light photographer, I pride myself in the fact that it's very difficult to only work with available light. Always. I never have any crutch to fall back on, and that's the challenge and beauty of natural light photography. No matter where I am, or the time of day, I have to work with what I'm given and mold it to my vision. I have to see. Really see what is around me and how it will look in the frame of my lens.

Buddy's 4th Birthday Celebration

noreply@blogger.com (Jen) — Mon, 19 Jan 2015 03:00:00 +0000

Buddy had his 4th birthday party at Lakeside Nature Center, and he picked a Ninja Turtle theme, which he actually calls "Angry Turtles."

We made "Angry Turtle" costumes for all the kids to wear, including turtle shells, masks, and bo staffs.

Kids came into the party and got some magic Ninja Turtle Jell-O to eat that turned them into Ninja Turtles.

Thanks, Nana Linda and Papa Steve for an awesome Ninja Turtle birthday cake! As Liam said, "It's perfect!"

Becoming a Ninja Turtle with magic Jell-O.

Jessa, powering up to Ninja Turtle status.

Simon and Lucas as Ninja Turtles!

Mason, morphing into a true Ninja Turtle!

Bitty Ninja.

It worked! Jessa's Ninja Turtle!

Toughest Turtle in the house.

And his silly sidekick!

Will the Ninja powers work on Quinn?

Ninja Buddy!

Let the Ninja battles begin!

Reidy Ninja!

It worked! Ninja Quinn!

She's totally ready to attack.

Ornery Ninja.

Fierce Ninja moves by Jessa.

Cousins. So sweet.

Toxic Ninja Turtle Ooze made by Kenny and the kids.

Yay, Buddy!!!!

After cake and gifts, the Nature Center gave us a private animal presentation with three really cool animals we got to see up close. The kids were all so good to sit still and be quiet to not disturb the animals. I was so proud of them. They even got to touch two of the animals, and they were all completely enthralled by it. I think the adults enjoyed the presentation just as much as the kids did.

Bringing out the first animal.

This owl was really beautiful. and we learned lots of interesting facts about it.

Liam, demonstrating how our eyes compare to owls' eyes.

Feeling an owl's feather.

The next animal was the sweet little opossum.

Next animal, and Bitty says, "Ewwwww!"

Snake!!!

Feeling a snake's skin that has shed.

Leading everyone off with snake petting.

After our fantastic animal presentation, we all went out to tour the rest of the Nature Center, which was really cool. If you haven't visited it, you really should. The kids loved it, and I think everyone had a good time.

HUGE snapping turtle!

My sweet birthday boy.

Awwwww, he's FOUR!

And he's so excited he had a Ninja Turtle party!

Happy, happy 4th birthday, my sweet little Buddy! I love you!

Buddy's FOUR!

noreply@blogger.com (Jen) — Sun, 18 Jan 2015 18:00:00 +0000

Buddy is FOUR today!! He's been so excited for his birthday this week. He insisted on helping with everything for his birthday party, and has been saying ridiculously cute things like, "Oh, I can't bewieve I'm going to be four. It's craaaaaazy." And then there was this little phone convo Saturday night on my way to work.

Me: Buddy, are you excited for your birthday tomorrow?

Buddy: Totawwy excited! I've never been so excited before!

Sunday morning on my way home from work, I stopped and got him a bunch of balloons and snuck them into his room when I came home, so he'd wake up to birthday balloons in his room. He was so excited. I slept all morning after work, but Kenny took the kids out for a special birthday breakfast and let Buddy open an early present. Then when I got up he opened the rest, a Lego table and cabinet picked out and put together by Sofie and I, a case for his new(ish) phone he got for Christmas, a classic Lego set, and a 600 piece Batman puzzle he had picked out almost a year ago. Daddy also surprised him with his own special coloring book like one Sofie has that Buddy has been admiring for a while. He was really excited about everything.

Now we are racing out the door to the big Ninja Turtle birthday party at Lakeside Nature Center. Photos to follow!

2/52

noreply@blogger.com (Jen) — Fri, 16 Jan 2015 16:33:00 +0000

I struggled with the storytelling theme. I didn't want to do something too cliche. One thing that makes a P52, or especially a P365, tough for me is that I want to always shoot inspired photographs, and for me creativity is a slow process. It's hard for me to be inspired on command with a deadline. Especially when I have much more important things on my mind each day. This is also exactly why a P52 is such a good exercise for me.

I was sitting at my desk yesterday and saw this stack of autograph books sitting there. They are my sweet trio's autograph books from our trip to Disney World, still waiting to have their photos pasted inside next to prized signatures. I've been working to complete them this week, so they can take them to Show and Share at school, and do a bit of storytelling themselves.

Party Preppers

noreply@blogger.com (Jen) — Wed, 14 Jan 2015 05:40:00 +0000

We are party prepping in full force this week for Liam's big birthday bash coming up this Sunday. I can't believe my baby Buddy is already turning four!! He decided to have a Ninja Turtles birthday party, so tonight we all worked together to make Ninja Turtle costumes for all the kids coming to the party that include turtle shells, bo staffs, and masks. They're a definite hit at our house, so I hope all of our little partygoers love them just as much as Kenny, er, the kids do!

P 52

noreply@blogger.com (Jen) — Sat, 10 Jan 2015 20:23:00 +0000

Last year I decided to embark on the lofty task of completing a Project 365, in which I joined a group to shoot one photo each day based on the theme assigned to the group for the day. It's something I've always wanted to do, but just an unrealistic task for me to complete at this busy point in my life. My P365 lasted about 6 weeks into 2014. Maybe someone I'll revisit this idea again and keep it more simple and realistic with Instagram.

This year I am going to do something a little less daunting, a Project 52, which is the same as a 365, except the themes are weekly rather than daily. It will still be a challenge for sure, but it will give me a little more time to think about my images and be creative.

I also love freelensing, and have done it enough that it comes pretty naturally now. I really love it, but it's dangerous for my equipment, and although it's all insured that's not a road I want to go down. Last year I purchased a Lensbaby composer with Edge 80 optics to safely "freelens" or pretty close to it at least. It is definitely a different technique than real deal freelensing, and I need a lot of practice with it. Both freelensing and using a Lensbaby are techniques you want to be really adept with on non-moving subjects before trying it with moving subjects like people.

I haven't taken the time to really push myself to learn to shoot with the Lensbaby, so it really has just been sitting on the shelf for the past few months. Lensbaby is sad. Let's make it happy.

My Project 52 has one stiff requirement. Every shot must be shot with the Lensbaby. I hope to see amazing improvement by the end of 2015, and have some fun doing it. CC welcome. Enjoy!

Coral Builders

noreply@blogger.com (Jen) — Fri, 09 Jan 2015 05:46:00 +0000

Liam got this awesome Connectagon set for Christmas, and they've all been having fun designing their own coral structures.

Resolute

noreply@blogger.com (Jen) — Wed, 07 Jan 2015 05:47:00 +0000

Looks like these guys are keeping up with their healthful New Years Resolutions by doing leg lifts while they color.

Christmas Day

noreply@blogger.com (Jen) — Fri, 26 Dec 2014 04:00:00 +0000

Our Christmas Day at Nana Linda and Papa Steve's started with a morning of gifts and surprised from Santa, opened by tiny hands, viewed with sleepy eyes, and finished with crazy baby bed head.

We followed that with a yummy breakfast casserole by Nana, some games, and a delicious lunch with our cousin Janette. Christmas evening we went back to Humboldt to see Kenny's aunts, uncles, and cousins, which is always a fun time. It was a full and lovely day with family. We are truly blessed.

A sippy cup for Baby Holly! Definitely a fave.

Little elves playing Santa.

The girls were SO excited about their Anna and Elsa dresses.

Then they played Secret Agent for a while with old blankets, hand towels, and creative masks. Sofie's mask is a gel mask of Nana's from the frig. Haha!

My family on Christmas. Love.

My mom has made every Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner my whole life.

Lola was part of all our festivities too!

Christmas Eve

noreply@blogger.com (Jen) — Thu, 25 Dec 2014 05:00:00 +0000

Christmas Eve we headed down to H-town for Christmas Mass and celebration with Nana Cheryl, Papa Kenny, Big Papa and Eva, Uncle Kris, Aunt Samara, Jessa, Reid, Aunt Aimee, Uncle Mike, Aunt Tiffany, Mason, and Quinn. Before we left for church we opened gifts from Big Papa and Eva. The snakes were a big hit!

Bitty is scared of the snakes, and hiding behind Aunt Meme.

Ackkk, too close to Bit Bit!

Big Papa and Eva with three of their little elves.

All dressed up for Christmas Mass.

The whole crazy gang.

Sofie and Jessa we able to join their cousins, Ricklyn, Adalyn, and some other girls as angels at Christmas Mass. They did a wonderful job, and we were so proud!

Sofie and Ricklyn leading the pack of angels.

Blessing Baby Jesus in the manger.

Beautiful little angels!

After church, we came back to find...Santa had come to Nana and Papa's house!

Santa left his big gifts to everyone in the garage, because they wouldn't fit in the house. The Trio are super excited for their new trampoline!

Bitty Shepherd

noreply@blogger.com (Jen) — Tue, 23 Dec 2014 21:00:00 +0000

After opening gifts, we had our little Christmas breakfast of cinnamon rolls, of which Bit Bit put down FOUR cinnamon rolls. Four. I don't know where she put's it. Then we packed our bags and hit the road for Nana and Papa's house. Before we left town, we made one last stop at Buddy and Bit Bit's school for their Christmas Program. Buddy wasn't into wearing his costume or sitting with his class, but Bitty sure was the cutest little shepherd I've ever seen. Adorable!

After the program, there was a surprise visit from none other than Santa himself. Bitty had cried when we saw him a few weeks ago, but wanted to see him this time. So we stood in line for 20 minutes, and then she screamed when she got within 5 feet of him. So Buddy and Sofie saw him for a second time.

Buddy and Mommy

Mommy and Bitty Shepherd

Our Early Christmas Morning

noreply@blogger.com (Jen) — Tue, 23 Dec 2014 16:00:00 +0000

We had Christmas at our house Tuesday morning before leaving town for the rest of the week. Lucky for The Trio, Santa knew of our plans, and came by our house a little early. They were so excited to come downstairs and find gifts under the tree and filled stockings. They had to check right away to see if he ate his cookies and drank his milk, which he did. I just love the excitement and joy and this age. It might be more fun for me than it is for them.

They wanted to open stockings first, so that's what we did. The littlest things thrill them, and it's great to see.

Then it was on to the big Santa gifts. They each take turns opening gifts, so we can see what everyone gets.

Bitty got some small appliances to add to their play kitchen. She LOVES them!

Buddy asked Santa for "my own phone" and a Ninja Turtle Fishing Game. We told him there was no way Santa was bringing him a phone.

But Santa surprised even us.

But especially Buddy.

And he delivered on item #2 as well.

Sofie wanted a tablet more than anything, and again we told her not expect such a large gift from Santa.

So she was pretty excited to see he came through for her.

The past couple of years, I've started setting up the camera to autoshoot these types of family events, so I can get out from behind the camera and be present with my family. It's one of the best things I figured out how to do. Here are some Christmas morning shots of us opening and sharing gifts and fun moments together.

He smells like strawberries!

Helping Bitty.

Peppa Pig!!

Showing Daddy.

Green Army Guys!

The Big Guy likes his milk and cookies.

Very hard at work building his track with Daddy.

Blending some meatballs.

Hang Your Stockings And Say Your Prayers

noreply@blogger.com (Jen) — Tue, 23 Dec 2014 04:28:00 +0000

...'cause Santa Claus comes tonight! Yep, Santa himself is on his way to The Miller House as we speak to deliver gifts to those on the Nice List. The Trio very carefully prepared for his arrival by baking chocolate chip and M&M cookies for him this afternoon, and then perfectly placing three cookies on their Santa plate. They then placed the plate on the Santa placemat, filled the Santa mug with white cow milk (after much debate over whether he prefers white cow or chocolate almond milk) and placed the mug next to the plate on the placemat. Ah, just right.

It must be perfectly positioned.

Easy, Bit Bit.

Ah, yes. That's perfect.

Then they were worried about Santa coming down the chimney and landing on the candles, so they carefully removed them and placed them to the side, so Santa wouldn't hurt his buns.

Yes, that's it.

Now we're ready.

Making Ornaments

noreply@blogger.com (Jen) — Mon, 22 Dec 2014 03:59:00 +0000

We made Christmas ornaments with the kids' little handprints. White paint on their hands, handprint on an ornament, then fingerprints made into snowmen. So cute, and we had fun doing it!

We hung them from the light fixture to dry. They thought that part was awesome.

What Do You Want, Little Girl?

noreply@blogger.com (Jen) — Sat, 20 Dec 2014 03:24:00 +0000

The kids love to play "Santa" where they take turns (if Sofie allows it) being Santa and lining up to sit on Santa's lap and say what they want. It's usually Sofie as Santa, with a really long line of stuffed animals lined up to see her, and Liam and Stella waiting at the end of the line in the other room.

Finally they make it up to her, and she says, "What do YOU want, little girl? (or boy)" Then they say in a sweet little voice what they want for Christmas, and Santa asks if they've been good or bad. The script varies widely and hilariously from there.

Buddy has had some rough days just being three lately and we've told him he needs to be nice to be sure he stays on the nice list. He really took it to heart, and he says nearly every day, "Mommy?"

Me: Yes, Buddy.

Buddy: You know...I'm really trying to get back on the nice list. But you keep making me bad. (Because we put him in time out sometimes.)

Me: Well, Buddy. You only get into trouble when you make bad decisions, and nobody can make those decisions but you. But we love you, and you're a sweet boy, Buddy.

Buddy: Well, then quit making me bad!

Me: You just have to make good decisions and that will take care of itself.

Buddy: Well, you just keep making me bad. And I'm trying to get back on the nice list. So you need to stop it.

Uh, I think he's missing the point a bit.

Awwwww the unprompted hand-holding! And the smiles! I love those elves.

That one looks ornery, Santa.

So does that one.

Points off for poking Santa in the hat.

Bear hug from Santa.

My silly girls.

Double trouble.

Snow Day 2014!

noreply@blogger.com (Jen) — Thu, 18 Dec 2014 21:38:00 +0000

We got our first real snow of the season today, about 3 inches at our house, and crazy enough, the schools closed. SNOW DAY!!!! They were so excited this morning, running about, looking out of each window, with exclamations of, "Snow! Look, Mommy there's so much snow!!"

We started our day with waffles, everyone's favorite breakfast, with a side of Christmas carols playing all morning.

Then we moved into the living room for "circle time" songs. Not that we really have circle time, even though we have enough children to have an actual circle time. ;-) I have lots of kids songs bookmarked on YouTube that they love to sing that teach weekdays, numbers, months, science and math, you get the idea. They are really great, and they actually do learn a lot from them. One of Buddy's very favorites is "Bear Hunt" and this is my little elf trio going on a bear hunt. Lola always has to be the bear.

Going through a wheat field.

Rowing on a boat.

Going over a bridge.

In the cave.

Run! The bear!

They could only hold out so long before we all headed out to the backyard to play in the SNOW! They all loved it, and it was a great snow for making a snowman and throwing snowballs, and not too cold either. Perfect snow day.

Stuck! Stuck! Stuuuuuuck!

Snowball fight!!

Buddy got nailed!

Bit can pack a mean ball for a little half-pint.

I just found out.

Do you wanna build a snowman?

Bit Bit says, "I got da head!"

In search of eyes, nose, mouth, buttons, and arms for Olaf.

Olaf!!

Sven the Reindeer (a.k.a. Lola) came out to run around like a crazy with us in the snow. She did not want to make a snow angel, no matter how nicely Sofie asked. Then Sven ate the carrot nose off of Olaf. Wah. Wah.

We warmed right back up with hot chocolate and a fluffy blanket and more Christmas songs.

Even Sven...

The Magic of Christmas

noreply@blogger.com (Jen) — Thu, 18 Dec 2014 03:00:00 +0000

The magic of Christmas is in the air here!

The Cat's Meow

noreply@blogger.com (Jen) — Tue, 16 Dec 2014 04:55:00 +0000

The Trio are going through a phase of pretending to be cats. It's funny for about 5 minutes, and then the meowing can stop. "Look, Mommy! We're kitties!! Meow! Meow! Meow!"

You've cat to be kitten me right meow.

I went through this phase, too. I remember being at my Grandma's house, and pretending to be a cat. I insisted she feed me milk in a saucer so I could lap it up like a cat. And good grandma that she was, she obliged. What a weird little kid I was. Anyway, seems like it rubbed off.

This day, Cat #1 and Cat #3 are besties. Cat #2 wasn't feeling it, and that's cool. You're the cat's meow, man.

The Big Guy In Red

noreply@blogger.com (Jen) — Thu, 11 Dec 2014 03:00:00 +0000

We went to visit Santa tonight at "The North Pole" as the kids always exclaim as we drive past Bass Pro Shop. It's always a fun time every year, with a short wait to see the big guy, and lots of fun activities. We checked right in at 6:00 pm with our pass and hopped in the long line, with Daddy on the way to meet us there. He had to hurry, because just 17 minutes later we were at the front of the line. He ran in just at the right moment to jump in with a terrified Bit Bit to see Santa. Sofie and Liam got to tell him their Christmas wishes and were super excited.

They look super thrilled to be having their photo taken. Haha!

Santa!!

Racing cars.

We could hardly pry Bit off of this 4-wheeler!

I'll never forget the year Sofie asked me if the bear was real at one time, and then after some thought asked me if they guy behind him in the water was real at one time too. Hahahaha!!

Ducks!

Aww, Mommy's babies.

Music To My Ears

noreply@blogger.com (Jen) — Wed, 10 Dec 2014 20:00:00 +0000

Last night was Sofie's very first violin recital. She started taking lessons this year at school. Yes, at school! Her school has instructors from The Metropolitan Strings Academy come in and teach music lessons to the children during the school day. You can enroll in one or more classes and choose from one or more instruments. Pretty awesome.

She's practiced here and there, and it's adorable to watch how properly she gets out her violin, knows all about it, observes a correct stance, and plays just right. She really loves it. She's always loved performing, and tonight was no different. She did SO well!! We're always amazed at how well she does on stage, no matter what it is. She loves it! She played the best we've ever heard her, smiled ear to ear, strutted off stage, and wanted so badly to go back up and play again. So proud of my Sofie!

Warming up backstage.

Ready for her big performance.

That smile.

Here we go!

Oh, my goodness. She's playing SO well!

Beautiful.

I love her.

Just perfection.

And that GIANT smile as she takes her bow.

Accomplishment

Tonight's performing students.

Still proudly holding her violin.

My girl.

Joy

That's Cuz I Wuv Her

noreply@blogger.com (Jen) — Wed, 10 Dec 2014 06:07:00 +0000

These guys, man. I was making breakfast yesterday. I peaked around the corner and saw them watching Paw Patrol together like this. Adorbs. I said, "Oh, you guys are so cute sitting there together so sweet." Buddy: "That's cuz I wuv...her." (Throws a thumb towards Stella.) Oh, mah, gah. I can't take it. Before you get too schmoopy on me, because I know you are!!!!! Here's a disclaimer: he will torment her for the rest of the entire day.