Today, you are four.

And this is how you sleep. You are, in a word, quirky. One of the coolest things about you is that you are your own person. You know what you like (and who), and what you don't like (and who). I wish you were a teensy bit more tolerant of the things and people you don't like, but there is at least comfort in the knowledge that you will let no one push you around. A valuable skill when you have a brother like Eddie. I've also seen you stand up to girls twice your size at the pool and they either give you what you want, or back down. I'm not sure if it's because they actually are afraid of you or admire your brazenness.

For the most part, you get along with everyone in the house, but as with anyone, you have your moments. Your brother is great to have around because he doesn't usually respond to your antics, though he has been known to clean your room for you (mostly because he cares about rewards and you don't). Mila is your biggest love hate relationship. When you get along, you are the best of silliest friends. When you don't, Katie bar the door. You are the mini-mommy to the JuJu which she sometimes likes. Sometimes, not so much.

You are a fan of bugs and Hannah Montana even though you've never actually seen a single episode of Hannah Montana (or Hannah Tanna as you call her). I was so thrilled when you chose bug cupcakes over princess cupcakes even though I kind of knew that you would. If it looks like it might be alive, you are all about taking care of it. It was you who found Fred the caterpillar, nursed him, cried when you thought he had flown away (he had actually been thrown in the trash), and then spied him on the trash can emerged from his cocoon (and dashing the secret hopes of your mother to become an entomologist).
Your first real friends birthday party was today and you went bowling. You were pretty darn good. You are the most coordinated kid in the family thus far. We used to call you the Heroes Cheerleader because you rarely get hurt (the number of bandaids on you at any given time notwithstanding), seem somewhat impervious to dirt, and can spike a 104 degree fever one minute and be perfectly fine the next.

Happy Birthday Little Anna Thunderpants.

Check out the other stuff

So, when I'm not taking pictures of little kids...I'm taking pictures of big kids! Check it out. I'm super happy with these pics. Might even let some more people hire me for weddings. We'll see.

This is how I feel so far this week

Good night this has been a long week. Eddie's first week of kindergarten has gotten off to a, ahem, rough start. I'm fully aware that roughhousing at the pool is something that boys engage in the world over. Apparently, it doesn't translate well to kindergarten when it involves punching people in the face. Teachers, it seems, don't like it. Eddie, it seems, doesn't care.

Well, it's ok because Eddie's parents will be in debtors' prison because they unfortunately owe over $120,000 in parking tickets. Either that or his mom will be in prison for opening someone else's mail (it's a Federal offense, I was informed today when I called the law office to figure out why I owed $120,000 over 148 unpaid parking tickets).

So, when my child is sent off to the local school for boys because he poked yet another child in the eye, please tell me on the visiting days at the prison where I'll be resting.

Wow, I'm behind

Between the end of the summer, many many mini-sessions (say that three times fast), start of kindergarten, birthday party planning, and various other fun family things, I've fallen a bit behind on my processing (sorry Joanna, tomorrow is ALL YOURS...we had to get through the first few days of school). I couldn't resist these though while I was out scouting a location. The JuJu loves LOVES dogs. Well, anything with fur really, but dogs are her fave.

The first one, the first day

Today was Eddie's first day of kindergarten. There were no tears, on anyone's part. He was so excited and proud, he could burst. And so was I. I know him well enough to know that if I had made a big deal of it, he would have been anxious...so I didn't. And sure enough, he went to school, marched himself up to the front of the classroom, plopped right down next to Kyle and proceeded to do what he's done all summer: roughhouse and poke each other in the eyes.

Oh, the wonder...

We went to the Dutch Wonderland today. I'm too tired to even explain what that means, but when you get there, they have a recording that gives you all of the information germane to your visit, like stay with your party (we didn't), don't bring a picnic cooler (we did), and have a "Dutch Wonderful" day.

I wasn't sure if we did, but when we left, Eddie informed me that in fact, "that was Dodge wonderful, mommy."

I love me some L glass...

Working with some new glass for the wedding I'm shooting this weekend. The 85mm 1.2L. It is super sweet. These shots were taken at 8pm with natural light coming through an east facing window (read: it was pretty darn dark).

Tomato Man

Sorry, so busy that I haven't had time to post. It's crazy over here.

This is what night time looks like at our house

"Umm, yeah, mom. Can you help me for a second?" "Dah." [Roughly translated to: "Mom, look there is something on the fan."] "JuJu is right, there is something on the fan. It go round and round." "I not do it. I dancing in JuJu's room." "Ok, so I was just slingshotting it around and it just came out of my hand." What was on the fan. Could have been worse. Could have been overnight sleeping pants.

Beautiful Boy

With much of his lunch on his face...

The JuJu

Working in the studio today...

Working to get ready for the grand opening mini-sessions next week. It's a lot of fun! Some of the kids from today.

Getting Ready for the Studio

And I took some pictures yesterday. My models are terribly uncooperative so I'm hoping that is not the case with next week's sessions.