JFP photo blog

2.0

Guess who is turning 2 tomorrow??  I can hardly believe it...he's not so tiny anymore.  So in order to commemorate the momentous occasion I decided to take some photos.  Wished we could have gone outside, but considering it is basically monsoon season around here, I settled for warm and dry inside.  Big hugs little man...can't wait to celebrate with you on Wednesday!

So those ones are very sweet and all, but I personally enjoy the goofy, personality shots the best!

The lovely, fake, for the camera smile.

Well, you know how I feel about hats....

I get this look a lot...especially when he thinks I am being ridiculous.  Clearly, he is telling me the right way to do it.

Another look, questioning my sanity.

 

Love the pout.  And you can bet your bottom dollar that there was a cookie immediately following that face!

Humorous story for your morning.  I have encouraged the little man too call me Cookie from the very beginning of his existence.  Now that he is becoming so verbal, he is picking up on it...ya for me!  However, sometimes it comes out sounding much more like Chuckie.  And sadly with the uproarious laughter and encouragement from my children (horrible little bad example setters) I feel resigned to being known as Chuckie from here on.  (Though truthfully, I don't mind what he calls me....as long as he still loves me!  Besides, it sounds too cute coming out of his little mouth in his cute little voice)

Happy birthday big guy!  We all love you to pieces and wish you your best year yet!!

Martha vs. Target (the eternal Halloween debate)

The eternal Halloween debate continues.  Proof is in the pictures.  I give you exhibit A...Martha crafting at her finest:

Doesn't hurt the fabulous costume that the young man is sporting the Max-iest mischief on his little face!

Don't hate my sister because she is uber-fabulous.  I wish at this time I could list all her dreadful flaws in an attempt to raise our drooping spirits.  Sadly, none come to mind...

I, on the other hand, went strictly Target this year.  Cute-ish costumes, luckily it's the cute kids that make the costumes.  That concept doesn't hold any water with the last costume though...you'll see.

A witch with attitude.

 
 
 

 (Alright, the boots are about 4 sizes too big, but they're PERFECT otherwise!)

 

Last year Henry stayed on our front porch in full freaky, ghoul costume, making spooky noises and firing off his fog machine.  (Needless to say, we didn't get many small type trick or treaters).  He is gearing up for a similar scenario this year, though he has promised a "toddler detour" to encourage the smallest of candy getters.  I'm not sure that will be enough when that is sitting on the front porch....

Have a happy and safe Halloween and be sure to sneak the best kinds of candy out of their bags after they are asleep!!

 

More Spooky Fun

The continuation of some super cute Halloweeners.....

 

 Sorry for my lack of commentary this morning.  I put my back out yesterday and somehow that manages to turn my brain completely off.  Hopefully all these little munchkins know how much I enjoy them anyway!!   Aren't they just the cutest??? 

Fingers crossed that my back cooperates with my plans for the day...one final Halloween post for Friday??  Will be shamelessly bribing my own children/nephew into their costumes for some snaps.
 

Spooky Boo!

Last week I had the best time photographing a PEPs group worth of costumed kiddos!  Some of you will recognize these munchkins as I snapped their photos last year in costume and again with cupcakes for their 1st birthdays.  Little different this time around....very mobile kiddos and no restraining device (a la the high chair).  I definitely got a workout in that morning!  Anyway, here is the first installment of the sneak peeks in the order in which they were photographed...part deux on Wednesday...

Remember the little naughty voice in your head that tells you it's ok to have another cookie?  I'm pretty sure she looks like that...how could she be as convincing as she is, if she wasn't this cute?

Her nemesis....and sister....

Sweetest angel EVER!!

 

Love that shot! 

(I'm pretty sure that's how my cookie conscience works...devil up front, angel lurking around in the back!)

Love the serious expression!  I am a sucker for a cute lion!

I am pretty sure I have firmly established myself in the "will be a complete idiot for a smile" club.  Turns out I can do a pretty funny chicken...love her little giggle and her cute little hands!

More on Wednesday...
 
 

A Little Bit Misty

Today my baby is SIX.  And, I  know you will not be surprised to hear that I got a little teary this morning thinking about the day she was born and bringing her home from the hospital....therefore I will be treating you to a stroll down memory lane this morning.  Ummm...I just went back to last year's birthday post for her and it is virtually identical to what I had picked out for this morning's post, so in the interest of making school lunches GO HERE to see how cute and tiny was when she was born...and her cool mohawk!  I can't even begin to tell you how fabulous and funny I think this girl is.  A few of my favorite Annie-isms:  she knows the lyrics to most songs she has only heard once (note to self:  be very, very careful what she hears!!) and if she doesn't actually know the words, she will make some up...some of you may remember the "I'm Your Venus" fiasco.    She is the most outgoing/friendly/confident of my kids...to the point that her teacher has already had to ask her to "quiet down", "stop chatting" and (my all time favorite) "no yelling at school"....all this as reported to me by the guilty culprit.  Pretty sure that has never happened with the other two until WAY closer to the end of the school year.  Can't wait for her parent/teacher conference in two weeks!!  Anyway, enough rambling on and on...here is what you are here for...isn't she big?  Be sure to check out that hair.  (These photos were taken immediately following her last haircut when she asked for her hair to be smooth.  The fabulous Anna proceeded to blow her hair out and than flat iron it...talk about smooth!!)

and with her buddy who came to help out on the shoot!!  How cute are they!!

"Monk Loud"

Alright, so there has been a shortage of posting this week.  Sorry...it has been a busy week. I have apparently volunteered for a few more things at school than I realized....hmmm.  Anyway....here's just a little funny story/photo that cracks me up!  This is my funny little nephew.  You all know him but he hasn't been seen around these parts for a while...any guesses why??  Could it be that he has entered that mobile to 3ish year old set that don't terribly enjoy being still for any length of time.  Well, he went to the zoo with Grandma and the most impressive part of the trip for him were the super loud monkeys....back then, he was doing the cutest thing where he would just say the first syllable of the words.  That works when you are talking to Annie and you call her Anne, kind of funny when it is Hen or Mad.  (Sadly, he has since moved on to big boy talking...boohoo.)  I'm pretty sure he told everyone within a 20 mile radius "Monk loud" and covered his ears for the next 2 weeks...funny little monkey!  Here's my attempt at freezing that moment....

Miss you buddy and I can't wait to see you next week!  Hugs and kisses from Cookie!

P.S.  When did your eyes get so brown?
 

It Takes One to Know One

I case I haven't said it enough...I have the most spectacular husband in the universe.  I know you are thinking that I might be exaggerating just a teeny tiny bit...but I'm not.  Proof:  for my birthday he researched (and by that I mean he e-mailed my friend) and found and organized the purchase of MY DREAM CAMERA!  Yay hubby!  But that doesn't quite sum it up....he knew how badly I was drooling over this camera and he also knew that I wasn't quite brave enough to bite the bullet myself....so he just took matters into his own hands.  He is the most supportive guy around and always makes sure I have the time and gear to follow my bliss!  One more time...YAY hubby!

As for the "Takes One to Know One" title....I'll just say, he clearly is the one for me.  80's t-shirt theme party a few weeks ago:

Jam Master J

There's no half way about him when it comes to either 80's music of costume parties...love that!!  Sadly there was not a decent photo of me rockin' my Michael Jackson t-shirt with my awesome side-pony.  Clearly we were destined for each other!  Wonder twin powers ACTIVATE...in the shape of mega-geeks!

All that to say I am now the proud and giddy owner of the fabulous Canon 5D Mark II.  Woohoo!  And a big, fat thanks to all the camera contributors/my fan club.  You guys are all the BEST!

Happy Friday!

Wild Pandas - Captured

Well, almost captured....it turns out that toddler pandas can be just as hard to photograph as human pandas.  Sometimes they just feel like running around in the wild and not sitting nicely next to their sister for photos.

Alright, they aren't REALLY wild pandas, but aren't they the cutest pandas ever?

Their mom has a firend who is starting her own Etsy DIY costume site and we were taking a few shots for her site.  This is just in time for all you crafty Halloweeners out there.  You must go  here immediately and check it out. (If you don't know what Etsy is, go get a drink and a snack ...you're going to be sitting in front of your computer for awhile)  I love her idea for costumes!  Remember back when your mom used to actually make your costume...ahhh, the good ol days.  Well, this is the best middle ground EVER!  You get to be crafty, but super easy kind of crafty, and your kiddos get to wear something warm and super cute that actually made, sort of!  Let me just add that as much as I adore the pandas, my absolute favorite is the shark.  If only this had been around when Henry was still young enough to do the costume thing....he would have been all over the shark!  Anyway, here are a few of my favorites of the pandas...enjoy and be sure to go check out this great site...and of course, if you actually end up crafting a masterpiece, you must send me a photo or let me take a photo, or maybe we should have a contest...hmmm, my brain is spinning now!

 

Hmmm, don't those pandas look excited about having their photo taken?

 

 

My Boy

So today my baby is  ELEVEN.  I can barely stand it.  Therefore you will have to bear with me while I tell you all about his fabulousness and show his absolute adorableness (though I'm sure he will be most displeased with me for referring to him as adorable...luckily he's not much of a blog follower).

First of all, he cracks me up.  He has the best, though quirky, sense of humor, and the most contagious laugh.  And don't you think his grin is to die for?

He has this sweet and thoughtful side that is on the unusual side for 11 year old boys.  He is the best with his 2 little almost 2 year old cousins and our younger neighbor boys.  He has even been known to a nice thing or 2 for his sisters.  And from what I hear, the girls in his class actually like him...I think he is well socialized to females and isn't quite as jerky as some other 11 year old boys. 

He is a super talented artist.  He leaves my stick figures in the dust.  He is a great athlete.  Soccer, snowboarding, skateboarding, and biking top his list of favorites.  This year he has started saxophone lessons.  Since he has been teaching himself piano and flute, he is picking up the sax awfully quickly.

Just a little perspective fo you.  He and I wear just about the same size shoe now.  He is going to be taller than me soon....don't know quite how I feel about that.  I am happy he will be tall but don't need any mammoth 16 year old asking me for the car keys.

Look at those lanky legs...oh my!

Who has a lot of hair?  That is one fight I am not going to pick and I actually love it shaggy!  Though I do love him with a buzz too...makes it easier to see his fabulous eyes!

LOVE this one!  LOVE him too!  Happy birthday kiddo!  I couldn't be prouder!

Major Milestones All Around

Well, it has been a big couple of days around here.  All the kiddos are back to school and everyone has something to brag about.  For the first time EVER, Henry has actually told me (and more than once!!) that he thinks this might actually be a fun year!  Wha?  Such enthusiasm is rare from him!  Madelyn lucked out and got Henry's third grade teacher...this is a total boondoggle as she knows this teacher pretty well through Henry and didn't really freak hardly at all about starting a new year...yippy!!  And Annie, well she started Kindergarten today.  That's a pretty big deal.  Now, she goes to the "big kid" school.  I think this is going to be a great year....not only is this the only year that they will all get to go to the same school together, weirdly enough, Henry's and Madelyn's classes actually have the same lunch and recess.  I am pretty sure that Madelyn is going to thoroughly enjoy publicly tormenting her brother!  Anyway, here is a little documentation of the big days....

Above:  how she really feels about starting a new year

Below:  how she feels about seeing all her friends everyday

Above:  how he feels about first day of school photos...barely tolerable.

Below:  how he feels about being free from evil-mom-lady for a few hours every day.

think she looks thrilled now?  just wait....

 

That was all yesterday...today was Annie's big day and trust me, she was EXCITED.

Awesome new green Converse....that she can finally wear because they are school shoes, don't you know, and you can't wear them until school starts!

My sweet big girl.  How can she be big enough for all of this already?

With her buddy, who thankfully, is in her class this year too!

Lest you think I will just be sitting home eating bon bons from now on, rest assured that I will be taking many thousands of photos as the busy season begins tomorrow!  Woohoo!