she skates!

At the end of her very first ice skating class: "Why did I have to get off the ice, Mama? I wanted to keep skating"

An hour or so later: "Mama, I have two problems. My bum hurts and I am kinda sleepy"

She took quite a few tumbles, but she got up with a smile each time and by the end of class she could make it across the rink without falling. It would seem she is going to like ice skating.

the wish list

My second post for the entire month of November and instead of being about the many, many things I have to be thankful for this year, it is a wish list? Classy. But in my defense, my mother requested it (hi, Mom!). And this year it is all about giving this stay at home mom turned photographer some much needed style.

After six long years I no longer have children in diapers, which I think is a milestone worthy of a new bag. I am loving all the pretty, shiny things over at Kate Spade this year. I especially love the lines of this bag.

Necklaces, bracelets and earrings. Not the expensive stuff, but fun every day stuff to dress up my jeans, platinum rolex and basic black. Like the many oh so pretty things at White House | Black Market and Banana Republic.

Idole d'armani. Because it smells real pretty. And I like to smell pretty.

The Phillips iPod Docking Table Radio. Because our home is in need of more music, and this little guy is an iPod dock, CD player and radio all in one good looking little package.

The Sephora gift card. Simple and oh so fun to use.

And because my list would not be complete without a couple of photography related items:

The Nikon 50mm 1.4 lens. An upgrade to my beloved 50mm 1.8, offering better glass and all the potential of 1.4.

Since I have a bad habit of leaving my bulky, heavy and not so stylish camera bag filled with gear unattended in parks and on beaches while I shoot, I am thinking a shootsac would be a good investment. And that black and white cover is just plain adorable.

And because no list would not be complete without one ultimate fantasy item, the D700. A full frame pro camera body with insane high ISO capabilities. Isn't it just so pretty?

where have I been?

Has it really been over two weeks since I last posted? Yikes.

In my defense, I have been busy over here, posting pictures of other people's kids.

Halloween was also a big event around here. Much bigger than it ever was before kids, and I think this year was the most fun yet. We spent the week decorating the house inside and out with spider webs, lights, pumpkins and ghosts. The girls each had parties at school, treat or treating at Daddy's office and then finally on the big day, a pre trick-or-treat pizza party, the actual trick-or-treating and then an after party. Claire wore the pink cat princess costume that she spotted in a catalog back in September and was determined to have. Abby, after years of princess costumes, went with super girl this year.

I would post fabulous pictures of them in costume at these various events here, but I did not manage to get a single really good picture. Or any pictures of them actually trick-or treating. Heh. Some photographer I am. And also kind of funny considering that on Abby's first Halloween, I snapped a picture of her at each and every door.

Instead, a few random snap shots...

pink cat on parade

super kindergartener

on the big day, ready to party

a day in the life of a stay at home mom

7:45 "Look Mom, my tooth fell out!" "In my banana!!" Proceed to remove bloody tooth from banana.

8:25 Pull out last years winter coats for school. Even though it is October. Gahhh.

8:54: Run back into preschool with a sweater for Claire unearthed from the trunk to make her look more presentable for school picture day. Why do I always forget picture day? And also, the fact that I found an appropriate sweater in the trunk? Pretty much proves that cleaning out your car is overrated.

9:05 Walking down the elementary school corridor when the bell rings and I jump out of my skin. Good lord, it has been a long time since I have been inside a school.

9:35 At school office copier chatting with another mom as I run off copies of letter T related worksheets for Abby's Kindergarten class. Strangely relaxing.

10:00 One whole hour to myself before preschool pickup.

10:45 Packaging up a photo order.

12:00 Making soup for dinner with the preschooler while waiting for the bus.

1:27 At the doctors office. There is no record of my appointment. Can I come back tomorrow?

3:15 In the car on the way to the salon to get Abby the manicure promised to her when she lost her first tooth: "Mommy, can I get my hair styled too?" Um, seriously kid? You are FIVE.

Proudly showing off her manicure. Our deal: when she lost her first tooth, I would take her for a manicure and she would then stop sucking her thumb.

4:49 On the couch with both girls vegging in front of Nick Jr. In sweats. Ahhhh.

5:50 CRISIS SITUATION #$%! Tooth is missing!!!

5:55 Tooth recovered.

5:56 "Mommy, are Santa and the tooth fairy real? Megan and Katherine at school told me it is really your parents that do all that stuff." Curse Megan, Katherine and their worldly older brothers.

6:15 The home stretch--bath time!

6:35 DADDY IS HOME!!

7:05 Fight breaks out over who gets Daddy to "do them"(read bedtime books) first. One of these days, they will realize that going to bed first is not a win.

7:45 Both girls officially in bed. Is there anything in the world sweeter than a sleeping child??

abby sings

WARNING: this link is posted for grandparent enjoyment only. All others, believe me when I say that Abby inherited her singing talent from her grandfather and this is not a good thing.

you know it is october when...

...the house is decorated with ghosts, the costumes have been selected, the gummy eyeballs have been purchased for the Halloween punch, mom has forced you to pose for what feels like one hundred pictures with pumpkins, you have taken not one but two random rides through farms on hay filled wagons and candy is falling from the sky.

If I did not like summer so much, October would be my favorite month of the year!!

on my happy list today

Discovering underwear that is both comfortable and sexy. And also reasonably priced enough to buy in bulk.

A series a coincidences that brought new friends into our lives that promise to become great friends.

Two and a half hours to myself on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. Just enough time to do a pilates workout, take a leisurely shower and enjoy a bit of me time on the computer before getting big "I am so happy to see you again Mommy hugs" from both my school girls.

Cheddar Corn Chowder. The perfect fall meal.

Two twin sessions this weekend. Newborns and three year olds. Because I like a challenge.

A spur of the moment train ride to the Boston Children's Museum this week with nothing but a small pocketbook in hand. No diapers, no stroller, no heavy camera. Just a beautiful afternoon enjoyed with my girls.

The promise of a beautiful fall afternoon with new friends that are quickly becoming old friends.

A birthday party with pony rides. Does childhood get any sweeter?

two weeks later...

Two weeks of getting ready for school everyday-- no more part time preschool schedule.
Two weeks of a new school with new rules and new teachers.
Two weeks of making new friends.

Today when she got off the bus, this is what was waiting for her...

Her very own fast scooter, just like the big kids.

And this is what the rest of the afternoon looked like...

The highlight for me was the spontaneous hug and the "Thank you Mommy, Thank you sooo much" that I got an hours after the box was opened.

We are proud of you Abby!

advice for victums of hand me downs, from Claire, age 3

Has this ever happened to you?

You walk out your front door in a new dress chosen from your closet. The eight year old across the street exclaims "Aw, you look so cute. I remember that dress!" Her five year old sister chimes in "Me too!"

Apparently in addition to your sister's hand me downs your mother is also dressing you in the neighbors hand me downs. Your "new" dress is third hand!

You hold your head high because, well, you are cute and you just adore your eight year old neighbor, but still, something has to be done.

Well, I am hear to tell you how to get a brand new wardrobe on a three year old budget!

Do you like the color pink? Puppies? Cars perhaps? Then why wear anything else?

Personally, I am a big fan of cats, so I put my foot down. From now on, only cat clothes.

It all started when mommy bought me a couple of shirts with cats. They were my absolute favorites so on vacation this summer mommy bought me a dress with a cat on it and some really cute cat socks.

Then my Oma took Abby back to school shopping and even though all I really needed was a pair of pants or two, she bought me everything in Gymboree with a cat on it, including a cat pocket book, cat tights, a cat skirt, cat underwear, a cat nightgown and cat knee high socks. I placed my hands firmly on my hips and declared only cat clothes when ever any one held up a non cat item for my review.

Now my mom is getting calls like this "Hi Beth, it's mom. I am at Target and I found a orange Hello Kitty shirt with a cat and a moon. Does Claire have it yet? No? Okay, I am buying it and will bring it by for her tomorrow."

Second children with dotting grandmas and mom's who love a shopping mission, you don't have to settle for hand me downs! Simply put your foot down and make your demands known.

And soon, you too will have a closet like this:

that would be nine cat shirts for anyone who is counting, plus the one I am wearing at preschool as my nutty mom takes pictures of my closet

cat socks, seven pairs, four of which arrived yesterday in the mail because they are only available from Gymboree online-- my mom really goes the extra mile

and of course pajamas, eight pairs of cat pajamas

All brand spanking new. And just wait until I show you my room!!

xoxo
Claire

for her portfolio someday

What happens when my five year old picks up a camera and starts shooting. Also, rare photo evidence that my children really do have a mother.

school, week two

One full week of school down, and it would seem that we are settling into a nice little routine around here.

Claire gave the following report following day two of preschool: "Mommy, I did not cry this time because I did not miss you!! I did all the parts and I made a new friend who was wearing a cat shirt. She stood next to me in line." And better yet, two full days with no potty accidents!!

Abby cracks me up on a daily basis with comments that I can't seem to manage to write down. Things like "Don't worry. I am wearing a great shirt, so it is okay if my hair is a mess" in response to "You need to brush your hair before school".

She loves her new teacher and pretty much everything about going to school. I think the routine was sorely needed after a summer of freedom. And when she is not in school or at soccer, Abby can be found roaming the neighborhood with her pack of girls. Aside from the occasional dramatic meltdown, life is good.

As for me, I have volunteered to be a room parent for both girl's classes (a decision I am fairly sure I will end up regretting), my October is pretty much booked up with fall photo sessions, my house is strangely well organized (for my house anyway) and I am very happy to be cooking up soups again.

And finally, because no post is complete without pictures, apple picking. It just would not be fall without it.

hello school

So with potty training down, it was off to school this week.

Abby was a little disappointed that she does not have the same teachers that she had the past two years for preschool, but very excited to ride the bus for the first time.

Here she is in her carefully selected backpack, matching brown dress (apparently it is very important that the dress match the backpack) and the sensible school shoes that I forced upon her.

And here she is, very excited to be on the bus at last.

About fifteen minutes after she left, my husband called "How did it go? Any tears?", he asked.

"No, she did great!" I replied.

"No, I meant you."

HA HA

But the truth is, I sent my first born off to Kindergarten with no tears, partly because she was so very ready and so very excited to go and partly because I had a three year old loudly demanding my immediate attention.

In all honesty, I thought it was the next day, Claire's first day of preschool, that would be hard for me. After all, when Abby started preschool I was a wreck and this was my baby. My last baby. My shy, just potty trained, not so excited to start school, baby.

Thursday morning came. I dressed her in her oh-so-cute red school dress and sweater with apple buttons, matching pony tails and new school shoes. I loaded up her brand new hello kitty backpack with a change of clothes and off we went.

As we neared the classroom door that she knew all to well after two years of bringing her big sister there, she grabbed on to me. The teacher brought my terrified little girl into the classroom, where she stood for a few minutes in terror before starting to cry. And cry. When I finally left fifteen minutes later she was still crying. Or crying again, I am not really sure.

The strange part? I was not panicked. I was not crying. I was chatting outside the gate with two other moms I knew from Abby's class. Turns out it is just plain easier with your second child. I know she needs this social interaction. I know she will have fun. I know she will grow in so many ways from this experience. I know she is at a great school with great teachers.

When class was over, she summed up her day as follows: I cried three times. I watched on the playground. My teacher read a story with a monster, but it wasn't a scary monster.

Her teachers said she was very quiet, and mostly watched. My little people watcher. And I know that within a couple of weeks, she will open up and be her happy, chatty, charming self.

Phew, what a week though. And did I mention I am sick already?