Glamorous!

Ayla was pretending to be glamorous tonight. She pulled out the jewels and shades to put on a bit of a show. She's following in big sis's footsteps with all of the femininity.

Birthday Recap

Decorations handmade by little sis, dinner with family, presents, "Happy Birthday" sung by great friends over the phone, and cake! What better way for a 9-year-old to spend a Tuesday evening. Ay's wish for tomorrow is to load his iPod Shuffle with tunes. That's a wish that will likely come true.

100th post on a beautiful day!

Finally we're heading into good Spring weather. I am soooo ready for it! It was a busy day with work, Ayla's 18-month check-up (with shots), and some playtime at the park. I did get the chance to work on photos tonight, too!

You can tell who took up the lens again today.

Oh my...look at the time! Happy Birthday, Ayden!!! I'm up way too late, so it looks like I encroached upon your birthday!

My birthday boy and his sisters...

Ayden's birthday is Tuesday. Although he has made no official plans for a party with friends (we're working on it), he's excited about receiving gifts from us. Ayv bought a gift for him tonight with her own money. She was so proud and so was I, so I gave her extra points for being so thoughtful and not selfish enough to spend it on herself. I hope that continues and that Ayden chooses to do the same this fall for his sister.

Since I don't have pictures from that act of kindness, I'll share some I snapped this weekend.
Some of Ayden's random artwork. I love this piece made from glue and beans.Ayla last week after a day of the stomach flu...

A new week.

It has been a nice week. I am enjoying working 4 hours a day (well, really 3 hours, 50 minutes). Today I got to do more hands-on of what I will ultimately be doing daily. The kids have started at their new school and really like it. Ayden has made some instant friends from the sound of it, which I predicted he would. Ayvarie loves preschool and Ayla is starting to warm up to those in the daycare. We've been able to run some errands in the afternoons and today the girls and I went for a walk to my sister's house. They thought it was fun and it's just great to be so close again! Depending on the weather tomorrow, we might try the park for a bit when we get home. Here is a pic of Ayv helping Aaron while he assembles his new shed.

Here are the first flowers in my parents' yard this Spring.I don't know how many of you have tried this, but I had fun with it. Didn't realize I could type so fast. I remember years ago thinking that 40 wpm was amazing! Here's what my score was...

67 words

Speed test

Ayden's last day at M.S. Elementary

Mrs. W and the rest of the third grade class threw a little going away party for Ayden yesterday. He recieved many handmade cards, balloons, a book, and Cuddles, one of the class teddy bears. It was a rough day for me. His teacher is wonderful and we will both miss her.

Thursday was my last day working for the County. It was bittersweet. To be closer to my family will be wonderful, but I will miss the friends I made and the job I held. It was so rewarding! I was presented with various cards. My office gave me a mini decorated teapot (to add to my collection of teapots) and this cake. I couldn't hold back the tears...

Tomorrow we're heading out and on to new adventures. I start at ISU on Monday and the kids are planning to make new friends at their new school. It will be nice having the whole family together again.

Bonehead

Ayla was digging out all sorts of accessories at G'ma & G'pa's this weekend. The kids loved when Levi would wear this; they could call him a "bonehead" without getting into trouble.

Ayla's First Campus Visit

Many of you know and some of you may not yet know, but I have accepted a job with Iowa State University in the Office of Research Assurances. I start there on March 31st, which is approaching quickly. NOTE: This is a part-time job, so I can still focus on my family and establish my photography in the area. Since we were "home" today, I took Levi & Ayla up to see where my office is. Ayden & Ayv didn't have interest in going today even though they were excited about it yesterday. They stayed with G'ma & G'pa while we were out.

Ayla really enjoyed the many sidewalks and just running around outside. It was a gorgeous morning and she made a precious model! I am excited to get the entire family up for a campus photo shoot as there are so many wonderful photographic opportunities there.

I can't believe she's already 17 months old!

It's LOST!

Really...it is! Ayvarie called me at work a week ago to tell me that she had a loose tooth. According to those at daycare, she reacted much like she would have if she met a dog she didn't know. That meant she did not react well - cried almost inconsolably for a while. However, when I picked her up that afternoon, she acted as though it was cool.

Today Ayvarie called me at work again, but this time to tell me she lost her tooth. It really is lost! It was missing when she arrived to daycare and I didn't pay enough attention to her this morning (I know, bad Mom) to notice it was gone. We have scoured the bed and can't locate it, so we're assuming it might be moving through her digestive tract. Needless to say, she is sure that the Tooth Fairy KNOWS when a kid loses a tooth, so she should find money in the morning. I'm sure she's right...

My new niece

Not really, but it's the closest thing I'll get to one in a while (or ever?). This is Ros's new addition, Bling. She's awfully spunky and the kids love her...especially Ayla.

Wii...

Between the Wii and the Sit & Spin, the girls had a good time while Ayden was at school. Ayla insisted that Ayv help her spin, but she has since found her personal freedom with it. I'm actually surprised at how fast she can go by herself now. Boy do babies change in only a week!

Look at all of that hair!

Happy Valentines Day!

Our day is filled with parties, candy hearts, and I'm sure a plethora of other sugar options. Here are the valentines we created this year. They were so much fun to create.
Enjoy the excitement that comes with the day!

Baked Ziti

It was sooooo good! The kids (including Levi) really like it and I like it because it's so much like lasagna. Layers include: penne pasta - sour cream (I use light) - blend of provolone, mozzarella & parmesan cheeses - marinara sauce with added onion and ground beef - more penne - blend of cheeses - sauce. Baked for 30 minutes - YUM! Ayla decided to wear hers...

(Actually, Ayla ate two servings and only wore the sauce.)

I remember when

my sister and I would wake up on Saturday morning and wait anxiously to watch the Smurfs....or watch recaps of Friday Night Videos that we taped on the VCR (and I am sure I still have some FNV on tapes somewhere in this house of mine). So, last week when Ayden was stuck home with strep, I got to see the kids get up with some energy in the morning (you read that right - strep didn't keep Ayden down). But it wasn't to watch cartoons, it was to play video games. The Wii kept them busy! Here they are with bed-head and all!
Ayden is still taking the pink stuff...And Skeeter has gone crazy. He was digging in this basket after Ayla upheaved everything in it to the floor. Too cute!

I've edited some personal shots...

I have been working on editing wedding photos the past couple of days in addition to tending to a sick boy. Ay isn't acting sick at all, but it has been verified that he has strep throat. The first time he's had it from what I remember. It's bad enough that they want him on antibiotics for 48 hours before returning to school. He thinks he's in heaven and having a break from ITBS this week. Meanwhile, the kids and I have had fun hanging out while Levi locks himself in the bedroom for work.

Last weekend I caught Levi & Ayla napping on the couch. Ayla has been snuggling with the blanket I knitted for her - makes me proud. Yesterday, Ayla had so much fun wrapping herself up in Ayv's sleeping bag on the floor. Oh, I remember those days... My sister and I would zip two together and play in them.
I messed with some reflection in the microwave in this picture. And as you can tell, some texture, too!