loving my new camera...

...and these faces!  Our camera croaked about 6 months ago, and we finally got a new one!  YAY!  What's even more exciting is that my kids are beginning to be willing to smile for pictures!  I am a little biased, but girls don't come any cuter - or sweeter - than these two right here.

fimmin like a fish!

Maggie and William just finished their 2 weeks of intensive swimming lessons.  They both LOVED it.  It took Kirby a long time to get used to the water, so I was a little nervous when we started, but I could not have been more wrong about how they would react.  Their excitement made it SO fun!

They can't stop talking about swimming...

"I blow bubbles!"

"I float a back!"

"I slide!"

"I got a succer blue!!"

"I wanna go fimmin!"

"Ms. Michelle.  She soooooo nice!"

"I fim like a fish!"

reminders

We had a wonderful Christmas - full of family and friends and fun.  On Christmas night Maggie and I chatted while we were playing.  Our conversation went like this...

Me:  Mags, Did you have a good day?  What was your very favorite present?
Maggie:  Ummm...I don't know.  You know what?  Baby Jesus.

I am not making this up.  I was shocked and touched in a way I can't explain.  I don't really think that Maggie understands the gift of grace and love that God gave when Jesus was born in the manger so long ago, (right before this I asked her what color her pants were and she said "D" :)), but there is no doubt in my mind that God was using my sweet baby girl to remind me as I sat in a sea of toys and wrapping paper that His Son is the most precious gift of all!  I am so thankful for this reminder and all of His blessings!!

Santa Claus is Coming to Town!

family photos

My mom thought I was ridiculous for paying someone to take pictures of our family, because these days getting all three kids to look/smile at the camera is next to impossible.  When we left the session, I'll admit that I thought she was right - the kids were AWFUL - we left the session and needed a drink.  Who am I kidding - we needed several!  But guess what?!?  She got some good ones!  Well worth it!!  Check them out below!

Studio Bloom Photography

Soccer girl!

Kirby is playing soccer this year!  The jury is still out on whether she likes it or not, but she sure looks cute running up and down the field, and we've had fun cheering her on!  The real reason she wanted to play has more to do with her desire for a soccer ball for her charm bracelet than the game itself!  I'm glad she's trying something new, but it won't surprise me if soccer doesn't turn out to be her thing - she informed me last week that she "loves flowers and butterflies and rainbows...and ALL the girly things!"

I don't know why she didn't make contact with the ball!!  

1st Day of School!

All 3 kiddos started school this week!  I can't get over the fact that M&W are old enough for school and that Kirby is in Pre-K.  Blows. My. Mind.

Kirby started on Tuesday and seems to love it so far!  She has the same teacher she had when she was 2 who is super sweet, so I think that's made the transition back into school a bit easier for her.  She also has a room full of all new friends!

I can't believe how much she's changed since she started at St. Luke's 2 years ago!!

2009

2010

2011

 I love my babies - even if they're not really babies anymore!

Maggie and William started today with the teacher Kirby had when she was 3.  The had a great day - they weren't overly sad when we left them this morning and were super happy when I picked them up this afternoon!  YAY!

Maggers was super excited about "cool" this morning!!

 

William grabbed his bag and walked right down the hall!

 I'm so glad things went well today because our "meet the teachers" last Friday didn't start off so smoothly!  I'm sure all the parents in the room were beyond shocked when I barged in literally dragging M&W kicking and screaming.  William broke away and bolted down the hall and once I got him back in the room I realized he needed a diaper change...and diapers and wipes were in the car.  All of this was going on and the parents with their one little kid quietly playing with the toys just stared at me with eyes as big as saucers and jaws dropped to the floor.  If it weren't for my screaming kids, I'm sure you could have heard crickets chirping.  As you can see, things did calm down :)

Happy Labor Day weekend!!