tea time

Mother's day tea. Possibly my favorite preschool event of the year. And a big day in our house that involved Claire and I getting dressed in our fanciest clothes under Abby's supervision.

Claire's favorite thing about mommy, as read to the class by her teacher? "Sometimes Me and Mommy go to McDonald's when Abby is at school"

April Vacation, Day 5

April vacation, Day 5. A day at the zoo with friends. Posted on May 7th.

So much for the idea of posting a picture a day for five measly days to get me back into the swing of updating this blog.

I have been busy sprucing up my photography blog (thank you Rita of CoffeeShop!!) and posting plenty of cute kid pictures over there though!

sick day

Snapped in between serving popsicles, making smoothies, loading up movies and spoon feeding a certain someone her breakfast.

the leprachaun trap

Now all we need is some green beer!

love notes

"I want to give this to my boyfriend so he can come over for a playdate. Do you think it has too much lovieness??"

"Yes, sweetie, I think that it just might"

I am no six year old boy, but I am guessing he might not want to come over if he thinks he will have to walk arm and arm through a field carrying a basket?

Just guessing here.

And also guessing that she is going to scare off a number of boys in her day.

*****

also, some recent baby cuteness over on the photography blog

february at the beach

I spend a lot of time doing things that do not make my three year old happy. Hands on her tiny hips, she glares up at me and declares "YOU. DON'T. MAKE. ME. HAPPY.". It is often hard not to laugh, since the offense is usually something along the lines of denying her a second bowl of ice cream or passing a vending machine without buying her a pink lemonade.

This week, however, I managed to do something that actually made Claire happy.

For weeks she has been asking to see what the beach is like in the winter and finally we went.

It was a balmy 40 degrees or so, which in no way deterred her from taking off her boots and running up and down the beach for about half an hour, splashing in the water and collecting shells.

A true beach girl!

just another winter day

I would say this pretty much sums up life here lately...

the big sister attempting to escape the pestering of the little sister

Raining. Cold. Suck inside. Mom running out of ideas to keep everyone entertained.

And did I mention February vacation starts next week?

yeah, the girls still have christmas trees in their rooms

This morning as my husband headed off to work, he asked what my plans were for the day.

"We are going to work on organizing some things around the house," I answered proudly, running through a mental list of all the things I hoped to get done.

Take down the Christmas trees in the girl's rooms... clean up the playroom for Abby's upcoming birthday party... have Abby write thank you notes for presents already received... take pictures of toys and baby gear that I want to post for sale on craigs list... it was going to be a productive day.

An hour later...

Five hours later...

And the chores? They will get done... eventually.

december, in review

So... the month of December? Let's see.

On the 2nd we celebrated our 9th wedding anniversary with very little fanfare and a vow that next year's celebration will involve a plane and some place tropical. Kids may or may not be included. I did however treat myself to some new costume jewelry, a spray tan, a manicure and a blowout for the weekend's parties and felt absolutely fabulous.

On the 17th we celebrated Abby's 6th birthday. Despite a day of special activities at school and a trip to the aquarium and dinner with Mommy, Daddy and Claire, she insists her birthday is not over yet since her party will take place in January. The fact that my baby is now a sassy, independent six year old who is suddenly able to read and write is a topic worthy of an entire post of it's own that I may or may not get around to before this month long birthday of hers comes to an end.

Claire was in a preschool holiday show, which was just adorable. It was wonderful to see how much more confident she has become in just a few short months of school.

We got our first big snow storm, which was of course big excitement for the kids.

The two feet of snow and resulting snow day were not so exciting for me, but all the same I did manage to get all my photography orders out, get my own Christmas cards out, buy presents for everyone from the milkman to the preschool student teacher and get all the food prepared for the big day.

And finally, Christmas. After the pain staking advent calendar count down and the daily search for Elfie, the big day finally arrived. I would say Abby was more excited this Christmas than she has ever been. Santa and letters to Santa were very serious business this year. There is no question in my mind that she believes 100%. In the end, the big guy came through with the things both girls wanted most- a Nintendo DS and a gooey ball for Abby and a trampoline and lots of lip balm for Claire.

We enjoyed a wonderful day with family and are currently living in the aftermath of new toys and left over food.

This week will bring several more get togethers with family and friends, my birthday (35, eek!) and New Years Eve plans that include lots of Chinese food, good wine, good friends and six kids with party horns and confetti.

Until next year!

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!

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.

it's official!

On this hot August morning, hours after my husband left for work in the big city, I was woken by the sweet face of a three year old, inches from my own.

I made pancakes from scratch with blueberries from our recent blueberry picking adventure. Bate, Bate, bate chanted my two helpers as they mixed (that Dora... so educational).

I got dressed, tended to a lovie emergency and boo-boos so serious that they required multiple band aids. Dora band aids of course.

Finally, I made it over to town hall with my two assistants in tow.

Did I have my EIN number from the IRS? Sure, right here in my bag between some dried playdoh and an extra diaper.

And so it was that this stay at home mom officially got her business license.

There it is in Abby's hand, with an official stamp on it and everything.

Photo taken with Fuji point and shoot camera. Heh.

Beth Miga Photography is officially.... official.

To celebrate we had lunch at McDonalds, chosen because 'they give you a toy mama!!', followed by a little pre vacation shopping spree at Target.

In addition to the above piece of paper, there is also an official website:

bethmigaphotography.com

A blog and a fan page are in the works. So much done and so much yet to do and learn!

I can honestly say that when I left my corporate job just over three years ago, I had no idea that I would end up here. Turning my passion into a real business. And yet here I am. I can't wait to see where life goes from here!

well, hello again

My latest excuse for not blogging? My poor computer has been sick. Very sick. So sick it needed to be rebuilt (side note to anyone considering building a self hosted blog: you get what you pay for from places like blue host that leave absolutely all site security up to the user).

The brief run down of what we have been up too:

The weather is finally hot. Yay for beach weather!

Claire is still not using the potty. Not even close. I tried the running out of diapers threat and lost. One month to go until preschool, which requires potty training, starts.

Abby has a loose tooth. She fills her days wiggling it, asking me to wiggle it and giving me the run down of all she has learned about losing teeth. Angela lost one tooth and it didn't hurt... Toni lost one and there was blood... that girl at the playground today has lost eight teeth... and so on.

And as for me, I have to say I have enjoyed this forced break from my computer. I think I will continue to keep the blogging light through the rest of the summer and simply enjoy these last few weeks of lazy days with my girls. Photo updates will continue over on flickr!

so it turns out starting a business is hard

Has it really been over two weeks since I wrote a post? Yikes. Why is it that the longer you go without posting the harder it is? I can't write about the funny thing one of the kids said today because I still have not posted our 4th of July pics. But seriously? It's July 18th. What is the point of writing about the 4th of July now? And so it goes...

The biggest reason for the lack of posting? All of my free time lately has been devoted to my growing business.

Back in January, when I boldly announced to my husband that I wanted to start my own photography business, his response went something like this:

That's great. You do realize it's going to be a lot of work?

Ha.

I knew I had a lot to learn. And I have learned a ton. About camera settings. Lenses. Photoshop.

I have also learned just how much non photography related stuff that there is to know and do to get a business up and running. Website design, logos, packaging, props, how to collect money, taxes... and on... and on.

I have learned that editing 400 client photos takes a lot longer than you think it will. And that it is not really as fun as editing pictures of your own kids. Even simple things like throwing together a story board and scheduling sessions take longer than I expected.

I have also learned that beach sessions are really and truly fun and being a photographer is a great way to make new friends and become better friends with the friends you have.

So basically, my husband was right.

It is great. It is a lot of work. Harder than I expected, but also better than I expected.

I am up late into the night with ideas buzzing around my head. Patience is not my thing. I want my sessions all edited. I want a fabulous website and blog. A portofilo that reflects all the amazing pictures I envision taking. Beautiful packaging. Gift certificates. I want to get it all done now. If only I had more hours in the day. Or did not need to sleep. Oh, what I could do with those eight (okay, six) hours.

But alas, I am only human. And a mother first. So I am doing the very most I can in those few precious hours when my precious children sleep.

All of which has left my poor blog here a bit neglected. So in an effort to catch up and get back into updating more regularly, here is a quick recap of our recent activities...

The 4th of July. Parade, Cookout, Fireworks. And balloon hats.




Beautiful beach days...


Pool days...


And backyard days...


More summer fun to come!

hello... and welcome to my world

I bought my Nikon D90 mostly for it's picture taking capabilities, but I also loved the fact that it could shoot video. How fun to be able to catch funny little clips of the kids, especially since the last thing on our video camera may be the girls taking their first steps?

So how is it working out? Well, I am shooting pictures mostly in RAW, often in full manual and occasionally even with a kick ass $1700 lens. But my video of Abby's preschool graduation? All people's feet followed by quick glimpses of the kids before the camera clicks off.

Time to break out that camera manual and learn the difference between the record and ready to record lights.

I will spare you the graduation video, but here is today's attempt at some footage of the girls and I hiking at World's End. Abby is wet from an incident in the marsh and is insisting on walking with her boots full of water to keep a scrape on her leg wet. I could try to explain further, but it would not really make any more sense...



So I am guessing video can only be shot horizontally? Even so, it is somehow a pretty good representation of my everyday.

And since I am posting, I thought I would also cover all the other topics I have been meaning to blog about but have not found the time to blog about.

Claire had a playdate. Her first real play date, scheduled especially for her with a friend her age and not simply the younger sibling of her sister's friend. This is a milestone that my firstborn reached at about four weeks of age, but my second born had to loudly demand at age three. She was very excited waiting for her friend to arrive, then hid behind the chair and meowed like a cat when her friend actually arrived. I would say it went well.

Abby's hair. It has gone from long to cute little bob. She was completely against getting any sort of hair cut at all until her friend happened to be getting her hair cut and Abby happened to have a chance to go along. I am loving it. So is she. Daddy liked it better long, but he is adjusting.

Abby's preschool graduation. She looked cute. She sang cute songs that I failed to capture on video. She was named the class writer. Come September she is off to Kindergarten. She is excited and I honestly think she is more than ready and will do great.

Claire's crib. It is gone. She is currently sleeping in her brand new big girl bed. I am a little anxious. And a little sad that after six years, our nursery is no more.

They are growing up so fast, these crazy kids.