A lot of the littles.

I had the white screen out a while ago and was goofing around, trying to decide if I like studio-ish photography. I don't, really.  Unless my studio was huge and my kids could move around more naturally.  But I digress. I do like the little people that I live with. I couldn't bear to photoshop out the blemishes, I like them just the very way that they are.




Penelope is the sweetest, naughtiest, messiest, happiest, maddest little lady I've ever met.  I swear she's going through puberty or something, and has been for the last year.  I'm waiting for it to subside, she's just so sassy.  But what if it doesn't go away?  She's still so wonderful. She's adjusting to having a new baby around the house.  About to start an official preschool this year-- one with a classroom and a teacher and lots and lots of new friends.  She makes friends with ease, pretty much everywhere we go she makes a friend.  She needs lots of loves and kisses to survive. She absolutely thrills when someone mistakes her for a princess and then she will act royal for a week. She begs Ken to marry her every time he comes home from work, and he gladly agrees, dancing her around the living room while she beams a hundred beams of pure joy and pride.













Avery has grown up so many years in the last year.  I am so proud of her.  I took her out recently for a mom date for cupcakes and a manicure/pedicure to thank her for being my right hand the last few months.  I'm not exaggerating when I say that I have needed her desperately since this baby has been born.  She holds him when I need her to, cleans up the front room when someone calls and says they are about to drop by, helps me to entertain the kids.  I'm trying not to ruin her life, but I really appreciate the little lady she has become.  She loves school, can't wait for it to start again (maybe because I've been using her as my personal assistant lately) but tells me every day she will miss being at home all of the time too. She's going into first grade and is a reading champ.  She loves artwork and I'm suddenly one of those moms who saves everything.  I've got a huge pile on my desk in the hallway and I just can't bear to get rid of it.  She cut her own bangs (see photo above) because they were getting in her way (they were SO CLOSE!!!! to going into a pony tail, sigh).  She has since (since these photos) lost her front teeth, it's so adorable.  Her face reminds me every day that these years are so fleeting and I hope to not look away for a minute and miss a thing.

















This boy.  I wrote a post about Corban lately, so I'll try not to repeat myself.  This boy is funny and naughty and sweet and salty.  And boy does he have pretty eyes.  :)  I have to remind myself that even though he's a rough and tumble boy, he is still a little boy and needs so many loves and kisses and needs lots of compliments to help him stay on the right path. He cries when I get after him which is sort of a new thing and a blessing because it reminds me that he's naughty on the outside but so so soft on the inside. He's starting kindergarten in the fall, I'm broken hearted and also thrilled to pieces at the same time.  I cannot wait to see him take off.  I have no doubt that great things are coming for this little tenacious boy.









Guys, I shouted at them to get them to sit down for these shots. I was tired and pregnant and they were getting so antsy. My kids individually are the sweetest but you put their superhero powers together and they are explosive. I spend my days trying to harness this energy (and steal some).  They rock my world and they are so.so.so.so. lucky to have each other. They are learning important lessons in sharing, loving, forgiving, saying sorry, and sacrificing a little for the greater good.  I hope we are doing well by them. Some days I'm not so sure.  And then I look at pictures like these and I can see it in their eyes.  We're doing just fine.