Ava's Cristmas recital 2011

Ava's Halloween Sing

Ava had her Halloween sing, parade and party on the 27th of October. It was too cute!! The kids were all shy except for the girl to Ava's left. If it wasn't for her we would've been just starring at silent kiddos! lol!!

There's only 5 kids in her class and they all get along so well. There's 2 teachers (Mrs Palmer and Mrs Lyons) for these 5 kids! It's kinda like having their own private tutor!

They sang about 4-5 songs then they went off to parade around the school. They finished with a Halloween party in their classroom! It was a great day. I really like her teachers :)

Ava was a witch for this Halloween party.. During the Halloween season she was a witch, barbie, Ariel and was Snow White the day of Halloween! Needless to say, I went to the local resale shop to get a lot of their costumes!

Design For 5

So, I've started a new blog...Design for 5 which is sort of an online journal of all my design ideas. I'm LOVING it! Now everyone else can see what is going on inside this design mind of mine! I'm going to have someone design it for me after the Holidays and then make it more public!

Check it out:
http://jessica-designforfive.blogspot.com/

Halloween 2011

The weather here in Chicago was great this Halloween which makes it much more enjoyable for the kids! Besides Christmas this is there favorite Holiday! Alexa as Belle and Joe as the cutest little blue monster I've ever seen!

John was SuperMan but we had to tell him he was SpiderMan or else he wanted nothing to do with it! He made it about 2 houses before he saw the crowd of kids and decided this was NOT his favorite Holiday! I tried to find an Oscar the Grouch costume for him (I think we all know why) but no luck :(

Vampire! This was his 3rd costume!!

So, I'm cracking up right now, I wish I would've captured this on video! The people at this house went ALL OUT! They had 3 or4 people in scary costumes walking on the sidewalks scaring people and the man from the scream movies answering the door giving out candy! As you can see Ava left absolutely horrified!! I was busy taking pictures and didn't realize what was going on but luckily a couple girls helped her safely down the stairs. Click on pic to get a closer look...Ha!

I'm not sure what she enjoyed more...talking with everyone or getting candy from everyone!

She had a blast!!

Happy Belated Halloween!

Ava's first day of preschool...officially!

Ava's first official day of preschool started yesterday August 30th 2011! She is now going to "Jack's school"! She couldn't have been more excited!! Seriously, it was too cute!! She is 3 1/2 so we signed her up for multi-age. She's going to class with mostly 4yr olds and will be doing reading, math and letter recognition at their level! I can't wait to see what she does with this challenge! Exceed expectations is what I'm thinking, as Ava always does!!

She has Mrs Palmer, same teacher as Jack had. Same Pre-k 3 teacher they will probably all have!!

We got there 20mins early because she was so anxious to" go to school!"

Jackson starts kindergarten

Jackson started kindergarten Monday August 29, 2011 at Ascension where he also attended preschool. He was acting a little goofy so I asked hm if he was nervous and he said "YES"! I was impressed he could express that! He went in with a big smile and looking a bit sleepy, it's hard for him to get up by 7am! So, I think it's official.....He's a BIG KID now!!!
Jack and Ava's school! I've been told winning the Blue Ribbon award is a pretty big deal! Guess that's why they have a Huge sign advertising it!!
Jack as always had Ava there to witness his big milestone! She was just as excited for him as I was! She wasn't as sad this time I guess because she was starting preschool the next day! On his second day of school she insisted on coming after all, how could she miss his 2nd day of kindergarten??! So, she was there in her bright blue mermaid pj's, "crazy hair" and her new black mary janes on the wrong feet!
After dropping Jack off, I was fine! I always think of these milestones as new adventures and exciting times for them, ok so I shed some tears his first day of preschool! For the most part, I try to stay cool and collected and act excited so that they're excited! A couple hours after dropping him off I checked Amy Tripple's blog for photog class info and instead came across her post about her daughters first day of kindergarten! She was not fine! She mentioned how when she watched her child going into kindergarten what she saw was her daughter when she was about 2!! This made me think back to when Jack was little! So, now scroll down with me and reminisce, it goes too fast doesn't it?? That's what they say and I can now say the same :(

Best Friends from the start!!

March 17th 2006. So cute and precious! Who would've known he'd spend the next couple months screaming his head off! Those of you there are laughing and nodding right now!!

Jack about 6 months old, not crying anymore and such a Joy too be around! Still is!

Jackson did everything early including walking before 10 months! You can slow down now Buddy! This year like last year will probably go by fast and before you know it you'll be reading a post about Jacks 6th birthday (already have that planned) so I'm giving myself advice right now.....slow down and enjoy every minute of it!!

Look Mom.....I'm Growing Up Before Your Eyes!!

Jack was sitting on the front porch watching his new friends on the block Emmit and Cullum riding their two wheelers! Shortly after, he came racing in to tell me what he had witnessed... .he was VERY upset and determined! "They're 5 just like me" he said!!

I tried to explain to him that riding a two wheeler was something that took a lot of practice and that he would probably fall a couple times! Jeff was at work so I told him he could practice this weekend when daddy was home! This apparently was unacceptable to him! I turned around to capture Alexa (what else would I be doing) and when I turned back around I heard Jack yelling..."Mom are you watching?....I'm doing it!

I have to say not much shocks me anymore but this definitely did!! I was so happy for him and incredibly proud! I don't know of too many kids (actually none but I'm sure there are) that have taught THEMSELVES how to ride a bike! AMAZING!!

Baby For Sale!........

Ok, so Joe's not exactly for sale but his pictures are! Amy from Amy Tripple Photograpy was looking for 3 babies to model for a site she submits pics to and we were so excited she picked Joe! Here are 3 pictures that are for sale on istockphoto.com! This is a site, from what I understood that other photogs and advertisers go to get really cheap photos/videos and they even offer some for free? We got nothing but the pics from this deal and if advertisers buy his photo we still get nuthin!! We did get free pictures though and I'm grateful for that. :)

We have a session booked with Amy late September so be on the lookout for more pics! Amy is my photographer mom inspiration. She's the one I've been taking photog classes from. Check out her amazing website/blog amytripplephotgraphy.com

photography practice...

I'm having so much fun taking there pictures. I'm thinking I really have a shot at getting this photography business going! What do you think?? Click on the pic to see it larger.

Summertime Fun! Part 1

Ava was having so much fun with the sprinkler Grandma B bought the them!

Cutest baby EVER!!

Alexa finally made it in the pool! She's not a huge fan of water!

John loves the water but getting in the pool HAS to be his idea...pretty much like everything in his life!

LOVE!

Love this pic of Alexa!

Even Joe LOVES poppy! Stand in line Joe! You'll have to fight John and Alexa first!!