Memorial Recap

I hope everyone had a great Memorial Day weekend... ours was certainly action packed with picture taking, shopping, swimming, and bouncing.

My husband was sweet enough to indulge me with some photo taking.  We took the kids to nearby shopping area where I snapped away to my hearts content.  Here is one of Addison and I'll be posting more over the next few days.

We swam Sunday and Monday afternoons at my parents house and Monday morning we took the kids to Bouncin' Bears where they bounced to their hearts content.  It's an easy outing for Mom and Dad and the kids have a blast and WEAR themselves OUT!!  BONUS!!!

We are still very much in the "gross out phase" and nothing makes them laugh more than the word "Poopie"!!!  Hilarious!!

Best Face Photo May... People's Choice

It's the best face photo for May (People's Choice) over at I Heart Faces... Check them OUT and head over later in the week to vote for your favorite!!!

Kaylee playing dress-up in one of my scarves... she was sick and had to breath through her mouth.

Color Me Happy

I have been fighting a cold the last few days and am on my way to lay down, but thought I'd bring some color to your world...

Addison and Kaylee... My Lovely Girls

I'm Grosser Than You!!

1st... Thanks to those of you who have taken the time to vote for us via the button at the top.  I don't have TONS of followers but I love the followers I do have, so I think it's TOTALLY AWESOME that this little blog got 80 votes!!!  It's not close to 3000+ blogs, but hey... it's my 80 and I love it!!  

Ok, onto other things....
The kids are so funny in that they don't miss a thing and when they hear something new, they quickly try to work it into their vocabulary and social exchanges.

Jadon: "Look at this!!! It's cool dude"
Addison: "I just can't take it anymore"
Kayee: "That's ridiculous"
Cody" "I'm gonna give you a knuckle sandwich"

Some more favorites:
"That's disgusting"
"Oh yea, big guy"
"Oh no... not again"  - This is Addison's favorite.... whenever ANYTHING doesn't go her way.

Of course, we have also started a VERY ANNOYING phase.  The gross out phase.  While it can be funny because they crack themselves up sooo much.  I really don't like it.  Essentially, they like calling each other "you're a poopie head."  They crack up.  "No, you're a super duper poopie head."  Oh, hysterical laughter. "You're a stinky poopie head."  The laughs continue.  While at home they are being kids and playing (and it is kinda funny), I don't want them saying this at school.  Hence, we are trying to curb the behavior.  Of course, it doesn't help when Daddy is cracking up with them!!!

Oh such mixed feelings...

Yesterday was the kids last day of preschool for the year (as posted previously they attend Tues/Thurs mornings and will go Mon/Wed/Fri next year).

I'm feeling sad because it REALLY seems like just YESTERDAY that we were meeting their new teachers for the 1st time.  Like yesterday that we dropped them off to start a new year.  HOW THE HECK can the year be over already????  It makes me sad that time is going by sooooo quickly.

I'm feeling ugh... because now I have them 24/7 without time to grocery shop, run errands, go to the doctor, or any number of things....  Their entertainment falls on my shoulders for the next three months...

I'm feeling some relief... now I don't have to make school lunches and drag little bodies out of bed.  I feel like we are always running somewhere.  It's been Jadon's therapy on Mondays, school Tuesday, swim lessons Wednesday, and School Thursday.  By the time Friday rolls around, I'm just soooo glad not to be trying to rush out the door.

Three months really sounds sooooo overwhelming, but each year it goes by pretty quickly.  The kids will have 4 days of summer fun camp in June and one week of Vacation Bible School in July.  Then we have another beach vacation planned in August.... so the time will pass...

but then I look back at their 1st day of school and realize the time is passing all too quickly.


Ok, on the photography front, I've been trying to get back to flash.  I have an off camera flash (the SB600) which I used to use quite a bit mounted on my camera with the Gary Fong light diffuser (great product).  But, over time as I began shooting 100% manual I started moving away from flash.  Well, I recently read a post at I Heart Faces "Don't Be Afraid of Flash" that inspired me to pull the flash back out.  I purchased a stand and umbrella and have been trying to practice.  The two shots below were both taken with flash....  what do you think???  It really is a lot of trial and error as I work to understand how to manipulate the flash power and it's relationship to shutter speed and aperture...  When I post photos taken with flash, I'll try to make note of it on the blog!!

I Heart Yellow

Ok, I've posted this picture before, but I still think it perfectly captures this boy. As always... be sure and check out all the other FAB photos at I Heart Faces.

How to build a pool... week ??

Ok, I don't know how many weeks we've been at this... but it feels like months.  Despite the stress, unforeseen issues and surprises it is coming together.  This is a boring post for most, but something I want to capture in the "story of our lives."  Hopefully, something more exciting tomorrow.

Fix It Friday #99

I've never participated in I Heart Faces Fix It Friday given my blog is to chronicle our family's life and isn't a photography blog.  But, most of my follows are fellow photography lovers and I really loved this shot... so I thought I'd jump in and share an edit....


1.  In adobe raw, I increased the exposure and brightness and corrected the color
2.  In Photoshop, I softened skin using Coffeeshop Powderoom 2 and adjusted to taste.
3.  I added a Soft Light layer and masked off skin at 70% and masked off areas where black details were lost.
4.  Brightened eyes with a curves layer.
5.  Removed color cast from lollypop using MCP Reflective Color Cast Vanisher from Bag of Tricks
6.  Brushed on a little rosy glow to cheeks
7.  Increased red and blue color saturation and masked off the skin...
8.  A touch of sharpening...

Done!!

Wearily Wordless....

Too tired for words tonight and I still have to see who gets voted off American Idol tonight... so I leave you with a picture....

Changing Your Perspective

When Cody was born, I had three 21 month year old babies and that's when it hit me... I can't do it all and I need a break.  That is when I began exploring pre-school for the triplets.  A few months later they began attending pre-school two mornings a week and at first I felt guilty.  I'm suppose to be the stay-at-home mom that does it all.  I didn't think mom's were suppose to NEED a break from their kids.  I felt GUILTY.

I later realized that I wasn't the only one benefiting from the break.  Yes, I could grocery shop, go to doctor appointments, run errands... but the triplets LOVED school and they soon began to amaze me with their newly gained knowledge... months, days of the week, octagons and numerous songs....

As Cody got older, I felt guilty that he wasn't going to school, so when he was almost 2 years old I signed him up and he is THRIVING!!!

So, since the triplets were almost two, I've had two mornings off a week to get things done....  BUT....  I've realized two mornings is no longer enough...  When school registration came around this year I signed the kids up for our standard Tuesdays and Thursdays, but this week I talked to the school and they can still make room for the kids in the Monday, Wednesday and Friday class....

So I made the move to 3 days a week!!!!  Feeling a twinge of frustration that I need more time, but more I'm feeling a sense of relief.  It's virtually impossible to get anything done when you have to push TWO carts to get through a store and they are both filled with kids.  I continue to struggle with our long term educational decisions... but for now... I know this is right....

Have You Ever Noticed???

Just a thought... I mean have you ever noticed how the Mommy is often missing from Disney movies?

Snow White: Evil stepmom
Cinderella: Yep, bad stepmom
Jasmine: Where is Mom?
Ariel: Um, Mom?
Belle: Once again... Mom is MIA.
Pocahontas: Um yea, no Mom
Bambi: Mom gets shot

But... can't say Disney is totally anti-mom...
Dumbo: Where's Dad
Lion King: Bad uncle takes out Dad

And they seem to be coming around...
Tangled: We get a big happy family in the end....

Regardless of the oddly missing mothers in the Disney flix... we still LOVE Disney!!!!  In fact, we took the kids to see RIO Sunday night.  The triplets seemed to enjoy it, but it was a bit too complicated for Cody.  We are now looking forward to Cars 2.

Just Stuff

I think we are on the road to recovery... as I mentioned in a previous post we've had sick kids (all but Jadon).  Well, they overcame their illness, but we soon discovered all the congestion induced ear infections.  Unfortunately, each child complained about their ears on different days.  I took Cody to the clinic 1st, but he was sent home with just fluid in his ears... no infection.  A couple days later, he went back with an infection.  Two days later, Kaylee visits the clinic with a double ear infection and then finally yesterday, Addison went to the clinic.  Her infection is so severe we have to watch for blood.  Her eardrum is close to perforating, but I don't think that will happen.  She apparently has a pretty high pain threshold given she didn't complain about her ear until Saturday night.

The pool is progressing slowly and just when I think all is going well, new problems pop up... we will survive, but I'm ready to be done.  I'll post more pictures of the progress soon.  We did let the kids in the  (empty) pool one at a time yesterday and I took a few pictures (below).

Sorry if this is full of typos... I'm just too tired today to care....

Baby Get Your Zen On

Sometimes you just need a zen moment.  A moment to step back, take a deep breath and hhhhuuuummmmm.... (Like when blogger starts deleting posts... still hoping they restore my last post).  But I'm more specifically talking about when your two year runs up with no pants on and says "his pants are wet" meaning he tee tee'd in them and wants new ones.  As he walks away and you see brown smears on his cute little bottom, you quickly realize... his pants are more than wet.  Of course, he doesn't have pants in hand and you don't know where the missing pants with the pile might be???

First priority is to clean the little cute bottom before the cute little two year old decides to sit down somewhere or perhaps scratch his bum.  While you are doing this you are hoping the three 4 year olds don't find the missing pants...  you can't stand it and yell to them, "IF YOU FIND CODY'S DIRTY PANTS DON'T TOUCH THEM" but in the back of your mind you know telling them this will only intrigue their interest and deepen their desire to touch....

Fortunately, when missing diaper was found, it's contents were all well contained.  Once cute little bottom was once again clean and covered and missing pants were tucked into the trash, I felt the need for a zen moment.  A need to sit down... take a few deep breaths... to relax for just a moment...

The need was there, but unfortunately not the time....  I immediately started hustling 4 wandering little bodies to their shoes and to the car for school.

Addison found time to get her zen on...

Time to Make a Splash

Today I bought the girls swimsuits.

My Mom and I left the boys with my Dad and took the girls to Walmart for their fittings.  When you shop this early in the season they actually have 2 in most sizes.  Try shopping in the middle of the season and forget it... all the sizes are picked over.  We started off with size 4/5 since the girls are 4 and half seems logical.  Now, their suits from last year never quite fit correctly.  They were just too big so I thought they'd fit this year, but no.  They are baggy in the body, but too short in the length.

So, this is how the fittings went...

Size 4/5 two piece:  Way to big
Size 3/4 two piece:  Too big
Size 24M one piece: Too short in length
Size 3T one piece:  Too short in length
Size 4T one piece:  Perfect length, but too baggy in body and leg opening
Size 24M two piece: FINALLY, the perfect fit.

I can't believe I had to buy 24M swimsuits for my 4 and half year old girls!!!  Needless to say, they look adorable.  I was sooooo glad I had my Mom with me given all the trips back and forth for new sizes.  THANKS MOM anddddddd  THANKS DAD for staying home with boys.  I've just got too much on my plate right now and it was a HUGE help!!!

Three Little Piggy's are Sick

This little piggy has 102 fever (Addison)
This little piggy threw up (Kaylee)
This little piggy was up all night w/an ear infection (Cody)
This little piggy has nothing wrong (Jadon)
This little piggy cried "no, no, no, no" all day long.... (Mommy)

Yes, once again I'm juggling sick babies. Well, all but one... Jadon is fine for the moment.

My Healthy Child

How To Build a Pool: Week One

Day One: The Planning


Day Two: The Dig


Day Three & Four: Rebar and Gunite

WATER THE GUNITE THREE TIMES A DAY FOR 7 DAYS

One Week Later: Cut and Fit Coping

Mother's Day Recap

Saturday morning I enjoyed breakfast in bed. Each baby came in carrying 1/2 a donut and Daddy led the team with a glass of milk. Mother's Day at home was slipped up to Saturday because Sunday we had a super busy day celebrating Mother's Day with my Mom and Grandmother. Later Saturday afternoon I attended a Studio Lighting class which was a lot of fun. I attempted to capture a "high key" and "low key" photo of our beautiful model (below). I was gone about 4 hours then rushed home to spend the evening at the neighbors house grilling out and letting the kids bounce on their new trampoline.

After a while Cody came over to greet me and I noticed his eye looked swollen....

Me:  "Jerry, does his eye look swollen"?
Jerry:  "Oh, you noticed..."

Upon closer inspection his eye was swollen and black (the black was initially hidden under mounds of blue sidewalk chalk.  The kids had colored their faces blue and looked like they walked off the set of Braveheart).  He apparently took a spill on some playground equipment earlier in the day...

Sunday, we got the kids ready for Church (they each had a Mother's Day card for me), picked up my folks and headed to my grandmothers Church to celebrate with her.  We finished up with a fantastic lunch and then it was back to work for me...  Another's Mother's Day gone....

Here are the shots from my Studio Lighting class:

A Post To Let You Know I'm Still Here....

Goodness, I've been sooooo busy there just hasn't been much time for blogging or photo taking, but I did pull out the camera today and took a few shots. This is the only one I had time to edit. When I finish up all the wedding photo edits... things should get back to normal... I Hope!!

Let There Be Art

And there was... All over the house

Beautiful masterpieces are created several times a day in our home. Jadon is into abstract art. Check out his piece entitled, "Mommy." If I look hard, I might catch a glimpse of myself. Perhaps he was trying to capture my many moods?? I asked him if it was happy Mommy, sad Mommy or mad Mommy and he said happy... whew.

Kaylee is more of an enhance with color kinda girl (she must take after her Mommy). Dora and Diego... a bit bland but with purple hair it just says WOW!! If I could only be so bold.  Also, note the addition of blue sky and a sun within her work (look close).

Addison wants to create her masterpieces from scratch. Just a plain white piece of paper and bugs atop purple flowers and green grass unfolds. She has also mastered the art of using text in her work... can you make out the words "Cody, Addison, Jadon, and Kaylee"?

Take a moment and soak in the wonderful colors and emotion in their work...

Here is "MOMMY" by Jadon and "Color Me Happy" by Kaylee

And here are some samples of Addison's work (she LOVES to draw).  We have "Bugs", "Animals", and "Names."

Do you like M&Ms???

Ok,  yes... we have picky eaters.  That is a known fact.  After all, Jadon is in "therapy" to improve his eating which I happy to report is going well.  Last week he actually ate two helpings of broccoli and he ate raw celery.... shocker.  But some of the things I deal with... Really??

Addison doesn't like bananas, only Jadon likes PB&J, Cody doesn't like green beans, Kaylee doesn't like corn, Addison doesn't like vienna sausage, only Jadon & Cody like raisons, only Cody likes mashed potatoes, Addison likes garlic bread, Jadon like crescent rolls, Addison like lunch meat... etc.

Ok, we all have things we like and don't like... but when it comes to dessert.  Are you kidding me???

Addison doesn't like Jelly Beans and Kaylee doesn't like M&Ms....  Seriously, WHO DOESN'T LIKE M&Ms???????