How could i not realize that I didn't post in JUNE!!!

Layla's BIRTHDAY!!! That's what I didn't post about :)

We ended up having 2 parties for the little dear. One in the park close to our home and another at my Nana's since she really can't be outside at all these days.

She got a lot of great little gifts and a lot of love all around her. My friend Jess and I made an awesome cake that I was really proud of! and the whole thing was really a time to celebrate the miracle of Layla!

John made her a tounge drum, which she thoroughly enjoyed and she got a lot of baby dolls, which are her current favorite!

SO, it's been a long while sine I last wrote...

Life has a way of keeing you busy. Which is a good thing, but sometimes it's nice to just slow way down and enjoy... ya know.

Anyway...

Lydia had her first Vacation Bible School Summer!! She really enjoyed it. All the songs and the friends. I think she wanted it to go on forever! And who could blame her. She really touched me. They gave us a CD at her 2nd Bible School of ALL the songs that they learned and she did a mini-program for us. She did all the motions and sang so pretty. They talked a lot about Jesus dying on the cross and she kept saying "This is sad, but God saved us!" and she was excited about it. It was really something to see a little 4 year old so sure of herself. She is all about Love and sharing that love with everyone she meets. I am so proud!

Besides that... John's Rock Band, Confined to Being, had their first show. It was small. But they had a great time and did the best of the 4 or 5 bands that played... and pulled in the BIGGEST crowd! It was fun seeing them play. They will be playing again in August and I intend on being there. I'm so proud of him!

And... Hmm... I know we've been up to more than that, but those have a been a couple highlights. :)

Hope everyone is enjoying their summer as much as I am!

Toddler Bound :( :)

I woke up this morning, ready for a photoshoot with Layla, my loyal little model. She just started standing and walking a few steps and I thought It would be fun to get some shots of her standing, so big... well, she had other plans. She does this thing were she stands up, pushes her chest out and yells at you in this deep burly voice ;) And she looks like some kind of gorilla. It's really cute, but that's all she would do, and she kept, literally, walking away from the shoot. I was too busy laughing to get too upset, but I put her down for a nap, the kids settled in to watch a couple PBS shows and it all hit me... that my time for swadling babies is over... at least for a while. That Layla is toddler bound and too busy to be a baby. It's exciting but a little sad too. It's odd how things hit you like that.

Anyway, since Layla wouldn't, here came Roost (who NEVER wants photos done) and he says "take my picture mommy"... which thrilled me. It was a sloppy shoot, in his PJs but it meant a lot to me. He is my cuddley one... and he seems to always know when I need a pick me up. I love my kids, I am just such a lucky Momma.

The weather has been odd the last few days. Kind of rainy, kind of nice and humid as well. It makes it hard to really enjoy the outdoors as much as I would like.

Tonight before bed, as Lydia was looking so longingly at the front yard -- see here -- I knew I had to let them play a little.

Rooster and I doodled with some sidewalk chalk, Layla made a lot of noise and Lydia diligantly weeded the flower bed of "helicopter trees" it was nice just smelling the flowers and ready-to-rain air. I live for moments like this.

got a new 'backdrop' today... a table cloth actually... and i am so tickled with it. I wish I had a grey one like this... and a nice bright teal blue... then I'd be happy! No, I'm happy now but I was quite tickled with these results!

Plus Layla is an awesome little model, that helps. I found Lydia's old hat and it "almost" fits Layla. It made a nice touch. It's only 2 photos, but I think they came out nice and I enjoyed it. She's such a fun girl. All my kids are pretty fun, I'm awfully lucky.

Cook Pot, Bathtime and Editing Practice

Thought I'd kill 3 birds with one stone today. I had been wanting to practice some of the editng tech. I have learned on Flickr.com, and also use my antique cook pot in some bath-tub shots. I figured Layla needed a good bath and since I had the time, I might as well fill it full of water and let her play and get clean while of took some photos. It was fun watching her, and she was VERY into it ;)

All 3 of the kids were awesome today. We had fun and they were really well-behaved, always a plus! It's days like this when ANYone would want to be a mommy. I'm truely blessed.

Little Friends

So after the parade Doug and Annie (our friends who live just a street or 2 over) asked us over for a cook out. They havea little boy, named Caleb who is about the same age as our Layla. They played the evening away in this great big dirt pile in the backyard. It was nice seeing them so happy. :)

I've never been one for "friends" outside of family... but, the truth is, every once in a while it's nice to just kick back and enjoy the day with great friends. People who have seen you... in a lot of times.