Stay Tuned...

I'm taking the two big kids on a grand adventure. I won't be blogging until late next week. I have so much I am behind on, and I know the trip will be worthy of several posts.

We are taking to train to D.C. Family time awaits as most of my people are in Maryland. Blue Crabs. The Bay. The traffic. It will be fun.

Monday we plan to "do" D.C. with my Dad taking us on his infamous tour. He knows "Warshington" like the back of his hand. Hoping to see the National Memorial Day Parade.
We'll be staying at a fancy hotel near Union Station that night so we can take our sweet time getting to the train Tues. morning. I am really excited to see the kids' reaction to it all.

Hoping the little ones survive my absence. Hoping Noah survives the little ones. I've never left Daniel for more than one night. It will be good bonding for them to depend on Daddy. I admit, it makes me much more comfortable knowing my mom is just feet away... just in case. But, Noah will do great. He is an awesome Daddy.
Well, until next week...

Extreme Photography Makeover!

Go to my Photography Blog to enter or make nominations!

I took photos of my kids.

It's rare I actually take photos of my kids for the sake of photography... I do snap a lot along the way, mostly to capture the moment here and there. But I rarely think about, or care, what my kids are wearing.

Our friends happen to live on a nice piece of land, and I called them last minute this overcast morning to see if I could bring the kids over and take advantage of the wild flowers. The trampoline was simply a bonus.

My Fuzzy Duck

Tonight was dress rehearsal for the big ballet performance! Lauralyn is a Fuzzy Duck*, along with one of her best buddies, Abigail.

Serious cuteness.

*Oops, they are the Cuddly Ducks, not Fuzzy Ducks. Whatever. Either way their song won't get out of my head!

Channeling Mary Lou

Remember this young gymnast from the 1980s?



I believe my daughter may be channeling Mary Lou.

Not only is she as flexible as the above photo, and does the splits in her sleep (quite literally), she now sports the same "do."



Why does she have this SHORT, albeit cute new style?



Well, a certain child has been playing with scissors (with Mama's blessing).
For days she has happily cut up paper to her heart's content.
She spent hours cutting little scraps.



But, then her older sister gave her an idea.
Why cut paper when you have HAIR on your head you can cut?
Splendid.



So, off with the hair!
She needed a good summer cut anyhow.



And the little jumping bean is adorable as always, Mary Lou locks and all.

Happy Mother's Day

I am a slacker. I didn't even figure out what I wanted to do for my moms for Mother's Day until last night. And of course, it is going to involve creative work on my part.

My husband, however, rocked my Mother's Day by making me a little movie which he put on my computer so that I would see it after they had all left for Sunday School. I boohooed like a fool because it was so unexpected and sweet (and Jack Johnson's "Better Together played in the background, which automatically makes me a bit sappy), and because I am SO BLESSED to be a mother of 4 incredible children. I forget that sometimes. That they ARE blessings, and should not be taken for granted.

If I can get Noah's permission to post the video I will do so later.

Anyhow, I want to say Happy Mother's Day to some special people...

First, to my moms! All 3 bless me beyond measure.

My mom (a.k.a. Granny) who puts up with my shinanagins still to this day (i.e. my grumpy moods and lack of patience). She supports me and knows me. And even though we don't spend a lot of "alone" time together, she is a great friend.

My MIL (a.k.a. Nanut) who raised an outstanding son and supports me from afar. I know that she is always cheering for me and praying for me, too. I couldn't have asked for a better Mother in Law... she is incredibly thoughtful.

My "adopted" mom (a.k.a. Nanet) is just the cherry on top! Most folks don't have 2 moms that are loving and supportive, but 3 moms? Unheard of. Nanet is a great friend, too.

To my Nana, who is the best grandmother a girl could wish for... and to Grandma Moran who is mama to 5, grandma to a bunch, and great grandma to a plethora.

To my SIL, Denise, who is a great mama to my awesome nephew and niece.

To my SIL, Naomi, who is celebrating her first Mother's Day as foster mom to a special baby boy.

To my childhood BFF, Debby, who is preggo with her first baby... a little princess due to arrive in September!

To ALL my dear friends who are incredible mothers...

Happy Mother's Day!

Play Ball!

The newest passion in Isaac's life.
Baseball.



His team is the D.T. Tribe.
Coached by his good buddy's dad (Coach Scott).



Isaac hit a triple.



And made it home to score.



Daniel wants to play so badly.



He scaled a 6 foot chain link fence to try to get on the field.
Noah grabbed him right before he threw his leg over the top.



At the end, he was tickled to get on the diamond.
I have a feeling in another 3 years, he will be running bases like his brother.

Another One Bites the Dust

Isaac now resembles a true North Carolinian. Just Kidding.
The other top tooth came out this morning after an orange loosened it.
Busy week for the Tooth Fairy.

Came across my favorite photo of him as a 2 year old.
This was the last time I used an slr camera... film, remember those days?
I did go ahead an edit it to make it a bit less grainy.
OH, how I miss that sweet toddler. He was maddening, just like his counterpart is today.
But, oh, so adorable.

My New Favorite Thing

Last week I ordered a large (16x20) gallery wrapped canvas of one of my favorite photos of Lauralyn. I wanted to have a sample for clients, but I am so in love with the canvas that I hope to eventually have a wall with a photo of each kid.



Here's a closeup of the side... love it.

Make Believe

Come down stairs and play make believe with us...











... because it's not everyday you can play with a princess, a unicorn, a cowboy, and Robin Hood.

The Tooth, the Mohawk, the Buzz.

Isaac FINALLY had that loose top tooth fall out. It took his baseball to break it free (unintentionally) while waiting on the girls at gymnastics on Friday. The ball bopped him in the mouth, and a minute later, he was proudly exclaiming that he would be "getting money" that night. I was relieved that tooth was finally out after two months of watching it flap in the wind.



And do you notice the trademark "hairhawk" is back? It speaks to my inner non-conformist self.

Isaac's not the only one who got a new look today.



Daniel got buzzed. And I LOVE it!



I just couldn't take him looking all hot and sweaty. Now he looks like a little macho jock. AH! I just want to kiss him he's so cute!