tee-double-yew-oh

Today we celebrated THE MOST HORRIBLE GREAT EXPERIENCE OF MY LIFE.

(For the record, that's my old family blog.)

I have a hard time believing that was actually two years ago. And that my tiny guy who once looked like this:
Now, is a rough-housing bully of a two year old who looks like this:
And here's a better shot of that cake! Made it myself! Okay, with some significant coaching from Amber.

And no, it's far from perfect. But, it's also my first foray into dealing with fondant. Matt has requested all fondant cakes from now on... they're more aesthetically pleasing. I used buttercream frosting to hold it together, but I should have been a little neater about it. Oh well. All the kids thought it was, "THE COOLEST LEGO CAKE, LIKE EVAH!" (said in my best 5 year old boy voice.)

Some more pictures from our mini-party.
I know this is almost identical to the one above, but look at that adorable grin!!! For some reason, the entire time he sat there while we sang to him, etc, he had his arms folded like we were about to pray. So cute!
And for some mediocre and somewhat blurry pictures of the gift opening. Our friends gave him this awesome "shake up" car. He LOVES it.
And yes, he was ecstatic about the LEGOS. Matt is counting down the hours until he can buy REAL ones for him. I'm making him wait another 3 or 4 years.
What's that? You weren't sure what was in the bright green box?
Why yes, it's more LEGOS. He kept holding out the bags until I would take a picture. He was pretty stoked.

And finally, here he is. The face of two.

Reasons I don't like Florida...

In case you were wondering.

I. HOLY FREAKING WILDLIFE.

A) ants

• 1. Carpenter
• 2. Fire
• 3. Sugar
• 4. All of which are in my house.

B) cockroaches

• 1. okay, mostly in my garage

C) lovebugs

• 1. Seriously, check it out. They're mating.
• 2. They fly around like that... it's truly bizarre.

D) wasps

• 1. Again, in my house.
• 2. Also, around my house.

E) wolf spiders

• 1. especially when they've got their babies on their back and you try to squish them.

F) I'm sure I'm missing some insect form.

G) Citrus Rats

• 1. Yes, in my house. Yes, we're looking for a new place.
• 2. I like them best dead in our traps.

H) Vultures

• 1. They look just like the Disney version.
• 2. It totally creeps me out.
• 3. But they're at least useful, they help out with item I.

I) Possums

• 1. Specifically on my back patio.
• 2. But more commonly dead on the side of the road.

II. LACK OF SEASONS

A) We've got summer down pat.

• 1. Woo.
• 2. It's hot.
• 3. It's humid.

B) Fall - not so much.

• 1. Unless you count the two weeks in February when the weather gets into the 50s.
• 2. I don't count that.
• 3. You shouldn't either.

C) Winter - Ha!

• 1. non-existant
• 2. I miss snow.
• 3. I like hot chocolate.

D) Spring - You're kidding right?

• 1. Seriously y'all, it's boring.
• 2. Kill me now.
• 3. I can't stand another year of it!

III. What to do with my children all day?

A) Disney?

• 1. Have you seen this lately?
• 2. Got an extra $279.04
• 3. That's just one day for my family
• 4. That doesn't include:

• a. gas to get there
• b. parking

• 1. $10

• c. any food you might buy

• 1. really $$$

• d. souvenirs

• 1. yeah right
• 2. go to the dollar store

• 5. It's not really all that fun.

• a. you just paid $300 to stand in line for 2 hours for the Dumbo ride
• b. congratulations

• 6. Can you tell I'm not a big fan?

B) Really, there's not much else.

• 1. Everything is very touristy.
• 2. Also crowded.
• 3. Also expensive.
• 4. Thank you, Disney.

I could go on, but really, I'm just missing my seasons. Especially fall. Especially the leaves changing and the cool weather (that finally comes in January). I miss brisk evenings that leave your cheeks and nose cold and stopping in at a friend's warm home for some hot cocoa and cookies... really, all these things used to happen!

Sigh. Fall, why have I forsaken you???

Christmas Ahoy!

The route I've decided to go this year for Christmas Sessions is a fun one, so hold onto your hats.

CHRISTMAS MINI-SESSIONS - $300

You receive:
A 30 minute session for your family!
10-15 images in an online gallery
1 - 8x10
4 - 5x7s
50 Custom Designed Holiday Cards
OR
The Digital Rights to ONE image to have printed wherever the heck you want.

These sessions will be taking place ONLY on October 7th and October 14th. The location is Wekiva Springs State Park in Longwod, FL. Times start at 8:00am.

I am only offering 4 sessions per day for a total of 8 slots for this particular deal.

There are a whole bunch of details that I'll send those of you who are interested. Just shoot me an email!

Also a note that if you want Christmas pictures, I will not be scheduling any Christmas sessions after November 15th. So, if you want your pictures in time for Christmas, hurry! From November 15th through the New Year I will only be accepting maternity and newborn clients. If you are pregnant and wanting either/or both of those portraits, please contact me as soon as possible so that I can have an approximate date in mind for those new arrivals!

Scarce.

Yeah, I know. I have the same reason as so many friends.

Baby #4 is due in April!

Stay tuned for my Christmas Mini-Shoot Announcement tonight!

Finally! A picture post!

With Abbie in school all day, it provides for a lot of nice, quiet "down-time" with my younger two. I find that I don't mind playing "When Dinosaurs Attack" for about 10 minutes at a time, and I can even tolerate more than that with something constructive, like Legos or blocks.

Good thing, too. They're Miles's favorite.
And he's definitely your typical BOY.
He is shooting me with his LEGO gun. Great. He also appreciates the value of a good Lego sword.

And lest you think that I'm not playing with Anna, she's there too. She's just not all that into shooting others with large plastic blocks.
But holy smokes, look at those eyes! And really, she's just so darn pretty.
And finally, Miles has been doing speech therapy with his lovely therapist for one hour each Monday afternoon right smack dab in the middle of naptime. You can imagine how well this is going. You really have to get to know Miles before he will open up to you. For example: he doesn't say words for my best friend. Only for me, his sisters and occasionally his dad will he let loose the flood gates and make us aware that he now says something like 20 words. So, when she comes, Miles doesn't say A SINGLE WORD for her. I think she's getting frustrated. I know I am. But now I have proof.
But really, I'm considering recording him. Stubborn little kid!

Gah! Tagged.

I was so excited because the "8 Random Things About Me" Meme was passing through bloglandia and I had somehow dodged the bullet. Thanks alot Joanna and Ginger!

1. I do not enjoy cooking. Like seriously, probably my least favorite thing ever. Even more than cleaning. However, if I were to get a maid or cook... I'd get a maid. I think.

2. My birthday is next week... woot! I'll be 28. OLD. Ok, not really OLD persay, but OLD ENOUGH.

3. I'm a book cheater. If I'm reading a book and can't stand the suspense, I'll flip forward to find out what happens. EVERY TIME. I guess, going along with that, I am a terrible secret keeper and will go to extensive lengths to find out what my birthday and Christmas presents are beforehand. I think Matt has surprised me ONE time in our 7 years of marriage. It was a Valentine's Day gift.

4. I have only take 3 pictures since I returned from Utah. I'm just feeling creatively stifled.

5. I leave in 2.5 hours to pick Matt up from the airport. He's been out of town for the last 4ish days in Austin, TX attending a conference. I miss him desperately.

6. We are in the market for a new cell phone/provider. We're currently with TMobile, but aren't opposed to changing. We're considering either staying with TMobile and just re-upping our plan or moving to Cingular/AT&T. Anyone ever sign up online? We want the great web deals you get on the phones...

7. My favorite movie of all time is French Kiss. My second favorite: Return to Me. Obviously, I enjoy a certain girly genre.

8. I'm saving for a new camera. Hello, Nikon D3!

I'm not gonna tag anyone, because I think it's mostly made the rounds.

Are you so excited??

Christmas special coming soon!

I'm still here.

I promise! I'm still trying desperately to get caught up from my unexpected trip.

Abbie started Kindergarten! Yay! (No sadness here!)

Anna's driving me crazy with her constant requests to go to ______ (the park, the movies, the gym, grandma's house, McDonalds). And the only place I want her to go is to sleep!

Miles talks! Ask my sister, Rachel! He said, "shoe, cheese, more, two, hi, bye, and ball" to her on the phone tonight. He also said, "Abbie" today for the first time. You can imagine the giddyness that ensued.

I'm up to my eyeballs in laundry and dishes... anyone wanna come help? What? No takers?!