Jennifer Paradee Photography

The ladies in my book group recently went to a local event, Cocktails Curing Cancer. I decided, fairly last minute, to donate a session to the cause. It occurred to me that I should take a picture of my GC, brochure and business card, in case they change over the years :)

Maggie May

Every once in a while, my kids will do something that stops my heart. That makes me tear up and just stop what I'm doing to just stare. And appreciate what amazing children they are...

I found Acadia reading this morning, which she does most days, so I didn't think much of it. But I went to check on her anyway and found her reading to my mom's dog. Not just reading to her, but covering her up with one of her baby doll blankets. Seriously. It might just have been the cutest thing I've ever seen!!

She's reading The Kissing Hand and putting her kissing hand on her heart - could that be any cuter?!

Just kickin' back

Sixteen

That's how many months I nursed you...

And I know in my heart we're through...

You have gone a week without nursing and I'm finally ready to say we're done.

You have no idea how special this past year has been for me. How much I have loved nursing you. Those special moments - throughout the day, early in the morning and even late at night when everyone was sleeping but us. I would stare down at you and marvel at the miracle you are. Your little hands...your little lips...your eye lashes. You would look at me with your big eyes and your hand would find mine in the dark. We would hold hands together, and were as close as two people can be to each other...and I just want you to know, that I have loved every minute of it...

Princess Acadia

One of my best friends has a little girl D, who is Acadia's best friends. They LOVE, LOVE each other. Acadia asks about D all the time - they have sleepovers and any time we get together, they ask if the other can spend the night. D told Acadia at the last sleepover that she wanted her to be her sister :)

D's mom, Miche and I had lunch one day and the girls were playing downstairs like they always do. Miche went down to check on them and came up a few minutes later with a serious look on her face, but she was trying not to laugh. She started with, "Ok...don't get mad....and they're both ok....BUT" LOL! That's never good.

They had gotten into my make-up! And I must say - they did a pretty good job with it. LOL!

Happy anniversary

Another amazing year with my best friend...I wish we had as much time as we did 5 years ago to tell each other how much we love one another...I wish we had more nights alone together to just sit and talk over a quiet dinner...I wish we had the energy at the end of the day to have a glass of wine together every night...

Do you remember when we used to sit and talk over quiet dinners and glasses of wine about our future? How many children we'd have? What their names would be? Where we would live? We'd have candles surrounding us and we'd talk about our dreams and wishes.

Can you believe that we're living our dreams now? We have everything we've always wanted...everything we've ever wished for...Acadia...Emma...us...our home...our friends...our family...life is good...and it's only going to get better...

I love you yesterday, today and forever...

Working girl

Don't bother her - she's working...

Daddy!

Matt has been renovating our bathroom and the kids - especially Emma! - can't understand why they can't play with him in the bathroom while he's working. They hear him talking, see him, and just want desperately to be with him. We had to put a gate up so Emma wouldn't go in but she wants to SO badly!!

She got me!

Playing Hide and Go Seek with a 3 year old is pretty funny, because in their world - if they can't see you, they think you can't see them. So she's done a lot of curling up in a ball in the middle of the room with her eyes closed, hiding under the covers with her entire body sticking out, etc.

But today, she actually got me!! Normally when I say, Acadia! Are you in the bathroom?? As I'm looking in the bathroom, she'll say, No! I'm in my bedroom under the covers! LOL!! Today she didn't utter a word and it took me FOREVER to find her!! It was so funny - it was literally the first time I really honestly had NO clue where she was!

I don't know if you can tell by the pictures, but she's in her room in her hamper in the closet :)

Acadia's first soccer practice

We decided to sign Acadia up for soccer this year :) I'm crossing all my fingers and toes that she loves it so she can wear the #5 jersey on the field some day. My mom met us at the first practice and it was actually pretty fun! They worked on some skills, learned the rules of soccer and played a few games (Red light, green light, etc.) I think it was more fun for mommy, daddy and Grandma though! Maybe next year...

Acadia's first day of Preschool

That's right. Acadia had her first day of preschool today. Even as I'm typing it out, I can't believe it. I was reminded of this post this morning while getting her ready for school.

I went over everything with her again, like I've been doing on and off for the past few days. Remember to stop talking the minute your teacher starts talking. Remember to share. Remember to wash your hands when you get to school and before you have snack. Remember to put your jacket in your cubby. Remember to be kind to your friends. Remember to sit quietly during story time. Remember to say please and thank you.

But what I didn't say...what was going through my mind the entire time...was all the advice she would need later on in life. Her life flashed before my eyes and I saw her when she was 23 instead of just my little 3 year old.

Don't make friends with someone who finds it funny to make fun of people.
Only let kind words leave your lips.
Don't ever date anyone that you wouldn't introduce to your Grandmother.
Don't ever believe anyone who tells you you can't do something.
Never get into the car with someone who has been drinking.
Be nice - especially to those kids who don't have a lot of friends.
Dream big.
Marry someone who makes you laugh. Someone who would do anything for you.
Do something you love and the money will follow.
Get a dog. They will love you unconditionally.
Be good to Emma...you don't realize this now, but she will be your best friend some day.
When you have your first child, try not to sweat the small stuff. Just enjoy them, because it truly does fly by.
Be a good person.
Be kind to others.
Remember that you can do and be anything you want to be.
Remember how very special you are.
Remember that mommy and daddy will always love you.

And have a great first day of school...

First day of school

I can't believe my baby is in preschool!! We absolutely love her school and teachers!! And all the children seem so sweet - it's been great getting to know them and their parents :) I don't know why blogger isn't letting me move the pictures around, but they're not in order. Her first day went really well - she was so excited to get to school and find out where her cubby was, play with her new friends and have circle time. It was so much fun for her!!

Reading "The Kissing Hand" at circle time

Photo album they have at school for the kids to look at at any time during the day

The snack time cup. The children are supposed to find their name on their own stick which is painted to look like them. Once they have had snack they are supposed to put their stick in the can so the teachers know who has and hasn't had snack

Making her first wood project

Playing at the food table

Dress up!

Making her name tag

Signing in - she will do this every day she gets to school


Miss Dawn showing her where her cubby is

Getting to school

Getting ready to leave for school!