I will blog!

The frenzy of the season has caught me off guard but I will not let it over come me - HA! Yesterday I enjoyed a snow day with the kids as LPS was closed and therefore the Montessori was closed. Do you know how long it takes to get 3 kids and 1 adult ready to go outside sledding. By my count it is somewhere around 20 minutes from start to finish! The downhill walk path next to our house was a sheet of ice and made for some great sledding. Eli even enjoyed it as one of his older sister's would hold onto him. We also got one round of Christmas cookies baked. I'm afraid they are going to be gone before we get more done!

I'm WAY behind on Christmas this year. I really have no clue what to get for Schuyler. It's usually McKenzie who I struggle with. All the ideas I have would be more suitable for her bday in April. I don't really even have any ideas for myself! I think the fact we have no presents under the tree is bothering Schuyler b/c she made "pretend" presents yesterday and put them under the tree. After dinner we had to open them all. Really quite clever. Mark got Husker hats, I got a bracelet and socks, Mack got a Barbie and Eli got a ball. You can tell she actually put thought into her pretend gifts = )

I'm also behind on pic posts as well. Anyhow, here is a little guy I did in April. Look how he's grown. He's graduated from Linda's (where Eli goes) and is now 18-19 months! Such a handsome little dude!

I'm a big boy now!

Wow! My poor neglected blog. We have been plaqued by colds and sickness, as I'm sure many of you have as well. Eli ran a fever last week from Monday night until Thursday night and then got a rash afterwords. Mark got a case of the stomach flu. Schuyler had what we thought was a UTI but luckily it turned out negative. (I did get the pleasure of sitting with her and Mack for 45 minutes in the bathroom at the Dr.'s office until Schuyler was able to pee in the cup!) My rash/hives that I have had for over a month can now be attributed to something. After an appointment with the allergist yesterday, we have found I'm allergic to mold and dust mite. At this time, I will continue my normal diet and there are no significant changes other than a double dose of Allegra for a weeks time. I'm thankful it's not other food allergens or our dog!!

Ready for some big news, well at least for me. This is my last week of being a full-time employee. I have been given approval to go part-time, for now, at least 36 hours per week! Yeah!

The Christmas spirit is really hitting me. The tree is up, but no lights or decorations yet. I have a girl's xmas party this weekend and a couples one next week. I have only 1 present purchased so I need to get going!!

Here's our little climber in action...

There's a walker in the house...

Well, last Monday it became official, Eli is up and walking. Sometimes he is a bit of a drunken sailor but walking no less. It can be 4-5 steps or 10-12. This little man is obsessed with all balls... golf balls, soccer balls, footballs, squishy balls, etc... It was his first word, clear as day "ball"? He's got dada down but still waiting for mama.

The girls had dentist appts last week. It was Mackie's first. She may have some crowding on her upper teeth that may eventually require ortho work but we'll see how her mouth continues to grow and address that when she's older. Mackie is also a teeth grinder and if you ever sleep next to her it may drive you insane - it does Mark. This is really common for children her age and they can grind very aggressively and still not damage there teeth. So, ear plugs for anyone sleeping next to her = ) Otherwise, healthy teeth and no cavaties for either!

I'm slowly wrapping up photography for the season (with the exception of 2 potential newborns). Still have a lot of proofing to do though!!

Here is my beautiful God child and her twin brother who turned 1 in October...

Doctors, Dentist, Conferences and Halloween

Whew! I have a lot of updating. Where to start.

Last Thursday was Schuyler's hearing recheck. Thankfully, she can hear just fine. However, the Dr. did remove a yucky, black, waxy thing from her ear. Could be from the time her friend from school dumped dirt in them when they were playing Dr. Yes, we had a little chat about that! All kids received flu shots. Mackie was the only one with issues. I'm afraid she takes after her mother in this area. Just as the shot was going in, she looked over and instantly freaked out. She moved and I was unable to hold her and the needle got stuck and some of the vacine shot out. Luckily, we got enough in her we didn't have to repeat the process. This is good sense there would have been no hope at least that day.

Monday, I got my flu shot. Why is it the day I get it I always feel yucky. I had to go to bed early. Mackie had her first *injury* at gymnastics. She jammed her fingers and we decided not to finish the class, just as a precaution. She is fine. Then, it was off to conferences. Both girls are doing well. I have mentioned that Schuyler is very into reading. She is also learning about animal classifications. Mackie is creating her sound book.

Tuesday, I had 4 fillings. Yuck! My mouth was numb until about 10:00 at night. Nitrice is such a wonderful thing. I have no doubt that with out it, I would have fainted, maybe even multiple times!

Halloween was great. We had 2 beautiful princesses and one tiger. Mr. Tiger was VERY tired. He made it through the block but fell asleep in route to see relatives.

Thursday was another visit to the Dr. - this time for me. Saturday was the start of an itchy rash. Originally, I thought it would go away. Then, I though possilbe poison oak or poison ivy. But my rash didn't fit the qualifications. So, off to the Dr. I am having an allergic reaction to something I ate or inhaled. Nothing to worry about at this time unless it repeats. I was on an antihistamine but am now on a low dose steroid to kick it in the butt!!

Here are the halloweeners and one of our kindergarten student. One last thing, I got a new wireless mouse and I LOVE it.

right brain or left brain?

In my blogging travels, I came across this site.

Which way is this dancer spinning: Clockwise or Counter Clockwise?If clockwise, then you use more of the right side of the brain and vice versa.

Most of us would see the dancer turning anti-clockwise though you can try to focus and change the direction; see if you can do it.

(I wish I could get these to display side-by-side by I can't).

LEFT BRAIN FUNCTIONS
uses logic
detail oriented
facts rule
words and language
present and past
math and science
can comprehend
knowing
acknowledges
order/pattern perception
knows object name
reality based
forms strategies
practical
safe

RIGHT BRAIN FUNCTIONS
uses feeling
"big picture" oriented
imagination rules
symbols and images
present and future
philosophy & religion
can "get it" (i.e. meaning)
believes
appreciates
spatial perception
knows object function
fantasy based
presents possibilities
impetuous
risk taking

I see her going clockwise!! I have stared (too long) to get her to go the other way. Finally, after concentrating one her feet long enough, I got her going the other way. But the minute I look away, she's back to clockwise. Very interesting, I see me being a blend of both brains. Isn't it funny how my day job is so left brain and photography is so right brain!

Which way do you see her spinning? Were you able to make her change directions?

As for family happenings, Schuyler is continuing to blossom educationally. She can count by 10's, 100's and 1,000's. She is astounding us in her reading ability. She has been wanting to write sentences and make "books". So, I wrote out several sentences the other night and she read them and copied them to her own piece of paper.

The school had parent observation this past week, which is always great from a parent stand point to watch your child in the classroom setting without he/she knowing. McKenzie is a "fast and furious" worker. When I began, she was eating snack, them she went to pumpkin scrubbing. I'm surprised the pumpkin had any skin on it after she was done she was scrubbing so hard and fast. Then she mopped some of her mess although I'm not sure how much she got mopped up for as fast as she was going. Next, off to painting. It's amazing she can paint with out looking as she socializes with her friends!!! Meanwhile, Schuyler was enjoying some geometric/matching work (not easy for me to explain), then some reading with Mr. Time (imagine that), and then reading with a friend.

Disclaimer: The above is not intended to be bragging rights but merely to inform everybody what the kids are up to. I have no idea if where they are is considered average, above average, or below average. I am simply a proud mom amazed at the ability of children to learn new concepts. (Maybe a bit envious it comes so easy to them=) Anyhow, I apologize if it comes off any other way then intended.

And, what is a post with out pictures. Remember how I had strep a couple weeks ago? Prior to me knowing it was strep I took pictures at the Montessori. I was able to get one of the girls - without having to wipe their mouths, debugger the noses or comb the hair. The Director was a wonderful assistant for me!

Just 2 more adorable classmates...

sneak peak for my aunt!

After the Huskers had a very depressing loss on Saturday, I was able to lift my mood some by shooting my cousin's senior picture. It was very dreary and in fact misting so I was somewhat concerned how they would turn out. Here is just a quick peak of Justin. (I just picked 2 to show for no particular reason).

JR - I had so much fun! Thanks for letting me be creative and try some fun things. I hope you like the end result! Our kids LOVE you too - silly cousin Justin! And, during wardrobe change, I was able to snap a few of the kiddos.

I went to the dentist on Monday. Add yet another cavity to my existing 3! Ughhh! This is what kids will do to you (among other things)!

Mackie had a little incident last night. She was running up the stairs and tripped and got her lip. It sure bled A LOT. Somehow she got it in her hair, on my shirt, and her shirt. Of course it happens at the most inconvenient time as Mark is getting groceries and Eli has woke up and is SCREAMING. All is better this a.m.!

Photographers busy time

It is the official busy time for all photographers. People love the fall time and no doubt are starting to think about Christmas, both presents and cards. I have been extremely busy! However, I have been forced to slow down with a serious case of strep throat. I am resting (something which can be hard for me) and am starting to feel better.

Monday was supposed to be a fun day for Eli and I but I had to call Mark home b/c I felt so bad. I didn't even make it to Eli's 9 month appt. (Note: I have NEVER missed a well child visit for any of my kids). My father stepped in to help and took Mack to gymnastics. Tuesday my hubby forced me to go to the Dr. I have not seen a regular Dr. for 3 years!! (Many of you have heard me say this before but I don't like Dr.'s). With a little help from the antiobiotic and some much needed rest I am on the mend!

Sunday was Schuyler's last soccer game. She scored 3 goals!! She is bummed it is over but we will be playing in the spring again. Hopefully, with some of the same girls and the same coach.

Eli is doing great. He is climbing! He is still 97% for height and 60% for weight. Oh, speaking of Eli, let me give all you mom's or dad's out there a friendly tip. Do NOT cut your child's hair! The long hair around Eli's ear's has been bothering me. So, I decide it needs to be cut and can't wait. (Again, this is while I'm in my sick state). Well, I knicked his ear with the scissors. He didn't even yelp or cry. I barely got it but I felt terrible!!

Mark enjoyed a round of golf this weekend with a little tournament at Quarry Oaks. They did good. The winnings paid for the round plus some. That's the best kind of round in my book!

Here is a little of what I've been up to....

I had not done a Newborn for a LONG time. Then, lucky me, I get 2!

Okay, friends, family and clients, if you are wanting a fall session, please contact met ASAP as I will be taking limited appointments. Also, all Christmas card orders need to be placed no later than December 1st to allow time for printing and shipping. (Assuming you want them delivered by Christmas = )