Easter Pictures

First let me say I love having cute pictures of my kids - who doesn't really. In fact, pictures of our family/children (or the kids artwork) are the only things that hang on my walls at this point. What I don't love, in fact I don't like it at all - is getting the pictures done - there is always 1 child who is a pain in the butt and it takes about 1-1.5 hours longer than I'd like it to - makes me/us CRAZY!

Well we took the trip down insanity lane again yesterday for our annual Easter pictures. - Here are the results (some of which have been ordered for printing for grandparents & aunts/uncles/cousins):

Nate went first & wanted to be by himself in the room - just him & the photographers, we weren't allowed to watch. His smile is kinda goofy in some of them but at least it wasn't his fake clenched teeth smile.

Abbie was her photogenic self. In fact when they had her laying on her tummy they tried to get a picture of her without a smile - it was extremely hard for her to do - she finally did it, but burst into giggles immediately after.

Next up was the girls together - we did this to get Kassie used to being in front of the camera - an idea which seemed to have merit at the time - but didn't work out nearly as well as hoped.

Then it was Kassie's turn to fly solo. For being my happiest kid it sure was hard to get a smile out of her - she wasn't buying it for anything. At one point when sitting on the rock she was using it to scoot across the floor trying yet another way to escape this new form of torture mom & dad had brought her to. The frog is one that belonged to the studio - it was the only thing that would keep her in front of the camera. At one point her hair had flopped in front of the clip I had in it, after the photographer tried to fix it she started pulling at her hair - oh goodness.

Lastly we tried to get all 3 kids together. Nate didn't want to take any more pictures & then got the squirmy wormy giggles & wouldn't stand still. We finally convinced him to play along & then Kassie wanted nothing to do with it. She wouldn't hold the big kids hands & then started jumping up & down - if you look close enough you will see she actually caught air in one of the pictures, just before she tried to run away - again.

 

Finally Dan had the bright idea of the stair prop - Kassie loves to climb the stairs so why not? It worked like a charm for Kassie but by then Nate was done. Kassie was having so much fun we had a hard time getting a good picture of her without her tongue hanging out of her mouth. Abbie wanted a picture on the stairs by herself but we couldn't get Kassie off the stairs - goofy girl. And since Nate was way past done with all of it we didn't get any great pictures of all of them together - but what we do have will work just fine.  After all every picture tells a story right?

The studio we went to always does these "extras" to get you to spend more money - I almost never buy them but they can be kinda fun to look at. They one where they had Kassie's blue eyes "pop" was kinda neat.

I am grateful for having the means & opportunity to have pictures taken, but I'm also glad we only do this a few times a year - I don't know how people who go in monthly do it with their sanity intact!

Pinewood Derby and a Musical Performance

It seems that life is turning into a whirlwind of scheduled activities for us. Guess that's what happens when you have kids. As they get older I notice how much busier I am (running them here there & everywhere) and it's only going to get worse I'm guessing - but I'm not complaining - busy keeps you out of trouble & makes you focus on what really needs to be done - not much time for the junk life can send your way & that's a good thing! But I am WAY off topic...

This last week Nate participated in his first Cub Scout Pinewood Derby. It was a "just for fun" derby with 2 other cub scout packs. (The official one to qualify for districts will come in April.) Nate did pretty good. It was a double elimination tournament, and each race was best 2 out of 3 races. Nate & his "Bat Mobile" won his first set of races then lost his next. He was very sad when he lost but not nearly as hard on himself as he was a marble shoot - what a relief! Once we were able to get it through his thick little head that he wasn't out & he would get the chance race again he was much better. His 3rd race - took all 3 to determine the winner, there were only 2 races all night that took all 3 to determine the winner - the rest were done in 2. There were a couple of re-dos that were hard to call but I'm not counting those. Nate won his 3rd set of races & lost his 4th set. When he lost the second time & was out of the tourney it didn't register with him - he kept asking if they called his name yet (to race again) - not yet is all I would say - I didn't have it in me to break his heart & tell him he was out. By the time it was all said & done he was totally fine with someone else winning the champion's medal. He got a participation certificate & his car back (that I promptly, under great protest from Nate, took back away from him - until the qualifying races) and that was good enough for him. So in the end he won 2 & lost 2, learned about being a good sport & didn't that pretty well - WHEW. The qualifies as success in my book!

Some of the derby cars - Nate was in the biggest group of boys (the wolves)

Close up of the Nate's Bat Mobile

He was so funny - all the boys were encourage to line their cars up straight - Nate took it very seriously, it made me giggle (some boys were even worse than he was tho - it was very cute!)

Video of one of his races (watch fast it's only about 2 seconds long)



Waiting at the finish line

Very proud of his car

Nate & one of his best buddies' cars. They picked the exact same car design - which was funny to us moms! They didn't actually race this night - but I'm pretty sure they will at the race that qualifies them for districts, since both boys are in the same pack & pack level there will only be 4 boys to race at their level. It may be the fairest race ever since there will be no advantage in car design for either of them.

The next night Nate had his music concert from school. Usually they are asked to dress up but this year their performance was all about eating healthy & exercise, so they were asked to wear work out gear. Nate got to wear one of his favorite outfits and was happy about that. He was so excited to share "the show" with us. He would let me help him practice his "line" but he wouldn't practice any of his songs for me- he wanted it to be a surprise. The show was called FIT. It was very cute & Nate did a good job. I recorded all the musical numbers & posted them on youtube (if you want to see them - or any of our other videos, there are more from derby there too - just search for oneradfam), this song was my favorite (I missed the beginning of the song - well kinda, it's actually now a blackmail video for when Nate is older - but to avoid current embarrassment it's only in the family files for now.) It was a fun show!



Funny side note - I was replaying this video as I was working on the blog & Nate came over & said "Mom do you see some of the girls crying?" Me "Why are they crying Nate" Nate "because of their emotions" Me "This song made me want to cry too Nate - it was a really special song." Nate "Not me mom, I was thinking happy thoughts - I thought of chicken burgers, butter noodles and popcorn - things that make me happy". Oh well....

  Now for his impish grin (waiting for things to begin)

Nate & his infamous clenched teeth smile (after the show)

I really appreciate the school staff & all they do for my children. I'm glad my children attend the school they do. The both love it, but Nate especially - he really truly loves being there & talks about the staff all the time - from his teachers, to the ladies in the office to the janitor - I just think that it's great how much he likes everyone! Nate is very aware of people who are around him & what they do & appreciates them all for what they do - which helps remind us to always do the same!

My gratitude also applies to all those who touch my children's lives - not just teachers & staff at school, but primary teachers, nursery leaders, cub scout leaders, & soccer coaches just to name a few. I do my best to always express my gratitude to them for all they do. They are jobs that are not always easy & often thankless - but these wonderful people are appreciated more than words could ever express!