Our last minute of sun!

I knew the incredibly warm and sunny weather was going to a mere memory in just a few hours, so I told Kallie I wanted to get out and take a walk by the lake. She was pretty excited, all dressed in her skirt, her anklets donned, her shades in tow, her huge Cinderella ring ready to go.

The lake is only a few minutes away. We got out and watched all the people fishing. We walked across a little bridge over a creek. We explored the tiny fishing dock. We watched the ducks swim. We watched the geese get out of our way. And we listened to them voice their displeasure in our appearance. We contemplated a dead frog. We avoided LOTS of goose p00p.

It was a beautiful day and I took just a few pictures (don't worry, no goose p00p).

We also stopped at a grassy field filled with dandelions. Well, they may be weeds to you and me, but to a 3 year old, they are wonderfully, beautiful FLOWERS!!!!

By the time we got home, the clouds were rolling in and the cool air was back. But it was a perfect and beautiful spring morning.

Read more...

Happy Monday!

This weather is amazing!!!! I can't believe that it was almost too hot this weekend! After complaining for months about what a hard, cold, snowy winter it was, I am now complaining that it is TOO hot! (I am never happy!)

We started out the weekend with dinner at my favorite local restaurant. Oh my. It was 80 and absolutely gorgeous in our little town. I drank Apple-tinis and dined on veal medallions. We strolled to the local pub for another drink before making our way back home. Once the kids were in bed, we enjoyed another cold beverage on our front porch while watching the neighborhood bat fly around the lightpost (yup, I AM serious). Anyway it was a PERFECT date night out.

And, as odd as this may seem, I actually spent a lot of time inside this weekend! With the whole family outside almost the entire day, inside was quite quiet! And I decided to use this quiet time to work on photos and work on my photo blog.

The only thing that is seriously bugging the HECK out of me is the amount of flies in my house!!! Where are they coming from???? It seems like as soon as the weather warmed up, they literally came out of the woodwork.

I hate flies. Blech.

Anyway, other than piddling around the house, I did get out for some pictures (of course).

The massive cherry trees in town are just losing their blossoms. Such a bummer, I wanted to get a good picture at its peak this year. Oh well, maybe next year. But they are still pretty!

The kids literally ran and danced from dawn to dusk.

And even played with their friend in the sprinkler.

But my favorite, and my "BEST SHOT of the week" would definitely be my Kallie Wallie as she "strikes a pose".

Have a good one!

Read more...

Why aren't you excited....

about your birthday Mom???

Asks my 7 year old last night. To her, it is just a completely perplexing concept - how can anyone NOT be completely excited about a birthday?

Yes, today is my birthday. And while I am not that excited about getting older and looking older (holy wrinkles and age spots! YIKES!!), I do have to say that I am probably happier at 42 (yes folks, I am THAT old) than I was at 22, or maybe even 32.

I am more comfortable with who I am. I care less what people think about me. I have a great husband (usually, LOL), 3 great kids, and a wonderfully fun photography hobby that I am slowly hoping to turn into a little career. My kids still have 2 sets of healthy grandparents along with a slew of aunts and uncles. We are all happy. We are all healthy. We are not incredibly rich, but we are not scraping by. Yup, things are pretty damn alright!

And yes, Christina is right. I should be completely excited about my birthday!!!! And, as my 83 year old Dad always says "Hey I'd rather turn another year older than face the alternative (6 feet under). True, huh?

Besides, it is another excuse to get a MUCH needed date night!!! Whoo Hooo!!! Tomorrow is going to be warm and sunny and the IL's are taking the kids for the evening so hubby and I can go out for some good food and drink. And maybe a stroll through our little town which is, btw, filled with flowering trees! Can't ask for anything more!

Oh, except another heartfelt birthday card (or five) from my kids:

(I just want to know what loving me in a "bad way" would actually be?)

Have a good one!!!

Read more...

Best Shot Monday!!! (and weekend musings)

Phew! The weekend is over!!! And what a weekend it was!

The wedding went fairly well. The day was absolutely picture perfect - 70's and sunny. It was almost HOT!! However, the bride and groom were not really interested in outdoor photos so all photos - except about 10 shots on the reception balcony - were indoor. Kind of a bummer considering I really prepared for outdoor shots (since they "seemed" they wanted them) and I even spent some time scouting the park next to the reception hall to get some ideas of where/how I would pose them. And it was all for naught.

Oh well. I am now in the process of going through the 874 photos I did take and whittling them down. Then I can start editing!! Even though I was bummed that I didn't get an amazing outdoor shots, I do have to say they did get married in a really gorgeous church which was fun to photograph. Since they celebrated Easter a week ago, the church was filled with flowers.

This is one of my church shots:

As you can see, it was a very small wedding, but a very pretty scene.

Yesterday was our BIG Easter celebration. My kids were dressed in their finest and were SOOOOO excited to get started with the Easter festivities!!!

We soon made our way to Baba and Gaga's (my parents). And then it was time for the annual Easter egg hunt!!! The kids ALL love this.

Kallie actually woke with a croupy cough and a slight fever, but after a dose of Motrin, she was pretty much back to normal and seemed as happy as any of the other kiddos.

And I absolutely LOVE this photo. It is of my niece, who we fondly call "Miss Banana". She is my Christina's absolutely bestest friend in the world. Those two love each other to death. Anyway, this photo just captures the mood of all the kiddos.

And, for the first time, I am submitting this photo for Best Shot Monday!!!

After the egg hunt, the kids played, we ate, we went to church, we came back to my parents and ate a LOT more and finally, after a very long day, we made our way back home. The kids didn't get to bed until a few HOURS after their bedtime, but we let them sleep in a bit and everyone is back to being healthy and re-energized!

Except me, I am thinking it is going to take more than one day to recover from the weekend. I am getting OLD!

Have a good one!!!

Read more...

Friday!

It was a crazy week. Christina was pretty sick Monday - Wednesday. Yup, this mom takes pictures, even when the kids feel (and look) fairly miserable.

Poor thing, even in BW her eyes looks so awful. But she was back in school and, seemingly, back to herself on Thursday.

I let her go to gymnastics last night - yes BAD mom - but, in my defense, she was so NORMAL yesterday. But it may have been a bit too much. She did just fine all day, but woke this morning tired and teary eyed and just not herself. She wasn't feverish, but I gave her some Motrin and sent her on her way. I did call school to check on her and she must be fine as they never called back to say she seemed not well.

However, now Kallie Wallie is sick. She was running around this morning like normal.

But soon she was complaining that she was cold and all she wanted to do was snuggle under a ton of blankets. A quick check of her temp and, yup, 100.7. She was tired and cranky and actually willingly was back to bed by 11:30. Hopefully she will take a long nap. but I am guessing she will be down and out for a few days. Great - just in time for our Easter celebration!!!

Now, who's next? Me? Caroline? Hubby? Ugh.

I am spending the day getting all my ducks in a row for this wedding tomorrow. I am going to the rehearsal tonight which will help. And then, tomorrow at 1, the BIG MOMENT!! Will I crash and burn? Or step up to the plate and capture a few nice shots. I honestly am not expecting complete perfection - because this is really my first official wedding, but it will be such a great experience. And, as nervous as I am, I am also really looking forward to it! Especially with THIS Saturday forecast!

SATURDAY: Partly Sunny and Mild
Winds: WSW 10-18
High: 62-68

Now THAT'S a perfect wedding day forecast!!!!!! Isn't it???

Have a good one!

Read more...

This week is NOT starting out well....

This is NOT good.....

I got a phone call at lunchtime. My Christina isn't feeling well, maybe I should pick her up from school. She didn't have a fever, but she was cold and then hot, and just tired. And my Christina is NEVER too tired for school. She absolutely LOVES school and hates to miss a second of it. In fact, until today, she hadn't missed a single day! Whoo Hoo!!!! With only 8 weeks left, I thought we may actually have a perfect attendance year!

Oh well, she came home and the fever started. She was tired, and flushed so I tucked her in bed, got a movie going, got her some Motrin and a drink and a popsicle and....

...30 minutes later, she wants to go outside to play and she is doing headstands in the family room. Huh??

She didn't go outside (much to her chagrin), as I tried to keep her quiet and rest a bit, but she really was feeling better. However, before bed, I could see a change in her as the Motrin wore off. Man, that stuff is awesome. Even in her feverish state, she still was cooperative as I grabbed my camera to shoot my daily "project 365" photo!

This is not a good week for an illness. ESPECIALLY if this illness starts to spread to other members of the family....ESPECIALLY if it spreads to me!

Why? Well, not only is this weekend our Easter, but I am also shooting my first official wedding on Saturday!!!! YIKES!!! I am so excited, yet also a bit nervous. OK, I am horribly nervous. But this is really an amazing opportunity that I could not pass up.

It is a small wedding, but in a really nice old Catholic church. And the reception is small but in one of the nicer venues around here. The bride and groom are about my age (40ish) and on their second marriage. They had asked a friend to just take pictures, but a sudden change of plans, and the friend pulled out. A friend of mine recommended me at the last minute and, voila, here I go!!!! They seem like incredibly nice people who are really up for anything. This bride seems as far from a "bridezilla" as I have ever seen. In fact, her only comment was "We really don't care, we trust you will get some nice pictures. We just want to be married." Awwww!!!!!! How sweet!!! Sounds like true love to me!

Anyway, I am really trying to get myself prepared this week, and a sick family would really throw a huge wrench into my plans. And if I get sick? I don't even want to think about THAT possibility. I will cry. Seriously.

Lastly, a funny story about my Kallie-Wallie. We were waiting for Christina's bus this morning, and she brought her purse with her. As we sat there she proudly announced - "Guess what I stole from Mimi (grandmother)!!!???" And she pulled a Little People mailbox from her purse. She was so proud! She must have snatched it during the commotion of their Easter dinner. I don't know where she learns this stuff. She looks so innocent, but I am afraid there is a raging kleptomaniac brewing inside..

Good night!!

Read more...

Crazy busy and tired...and it's not even Easter yet!

For us that is. We are Russian Orthodox and we celebrate our Easter next week. However, it is our Palm Sunday, and I wanted to take Christina to church (which is over an hour away), so we were up and out of the house a little after 7 a.m.

It was a cold, but gorgeous day, so the drive was nice and, after church, Christina got to see and spend some time with grandparents and cousins.

Now, even though it isn't our Easter, it is my husband's family's Easter. So after some time with my family, I again drove over an hour to my IL's to meet hubby and my other 2 kiddos. And the kids had some fun time with the OTHER cousins and grandparents.

Christina had the time of her life today. There is nothing she likes better than lots of play time with ALL her cousins who are also her very best friends in the world.

I took a few pictures (seriously, JUST a few). And, after an outtake or 2:

We got a cute cousin photo (minus one little Caroline who definitely was happier in the warm house - damn it was COLD today!!!!).

But as the evening drew to a close, I soon had two kids who were having one too many crying jags. And I decided we finally needed to make the trek back home (much to the chagrin of Miss Christina - I swear she could go ALL NIGHT LONG!!) .

Next Sunday is our Easter celebration. And if you know anything about the Russian Orthodox, you know that Easter is quite the celebration complete with a HUGE feast and pretty much an all-day party.

And we all can't wait!!!!!

Read more...

How I spent the start of my Easter vacation

Yup, another long weekend. Although it is actually a very short, long weekend. After all the many many snow days our schools have had, Easter vacation was whittled down to just, today.

You'd think, with a day off, that everyone would sleep in. Well, not in this house. Miss Kallie Wallie was nice enough to wake us all at 6:45 a.m. You know, all week she sleeps until sometimes 8 or later. Great.

And, if you have a little girl in your house, then you know what today is! Yup. Hannah Montana day!!!! Whoo Hooo!!! (insert a bit of sarcasm)

I promised the girls I would take them to the movie today. And having Kallie up way earlier than normal was just a cherry on top of the glorious, rainy, cold day.

Actually, the movie wasn't bad. Except for the fact that Kallie announced, during the opening scene, that she was ready to go home.

But Christina had a free movie pass given her to her from the school since she had perfect attendance and we ran into her best friend from school at the movie so she got to enjoy the day to the MAX. And I tried to keep a tired 3 year old happy for the entire 90 minutes, while also trying to explain to said 3 year old why she can't have the candy that Christina's friend is eating.

But, we went early, so Kallie in bed, and, thank GOD, snoozing! And then we are off to the cousins for dinner!

Read more...

OK, I miss my blog

I have been having the hardest time blogging over the last few months. I think I just have been setting the bar too high. That may be hard to believe, since my posts haven't been that earth-shaking, but they are still the best I have been able to come up with.

But then I think, why did I start blogging in the first place? To have a bit of an online journal! So, I started out talking about the mundane day to day stuff in my life and then, over time, I slowly started setting the bar a bit higher and higher.

I would only blog if I had a funny story.

I would only blog if I had news to share.

I would only blog if I had a great idea.

I would only blog if I had a cool picture I wanted to show off.

And suddenly, I rarely blogged at all.

So I think I need to get my roots. I know the few people who read this blog may not give a hoot about some of the stuff I am doing or thinking of, but I really started blogging for me! I met friends. I learned a lot, I just enjoyed my blogging time. And lately, I haven't enjoyed my blog much.

Today will be post #1 of the Mundane life of Irene! I will try to share more, and care less, include more photos, and just have a good time.

Let's see.....I finished the bench in our kitchen. We got a new light, I painted it white (the bench that is), we fixed the carpet, and I LOVE my new kitchen!!!!! The changes were subtle, yet oh-so-perfect.

Next maybe a backsplash? Oh, it never ends!

Christina had gymnastics today. She is becoming quite the gymnast. I am amazed at how flexible and strong she has become. And she has conquered so much fear that she is always trying new and different things. Since Daddy is a life-long swimmer/coach, he would prefer she jump in the water instead, but we can't stop her from flipping around the yard every chance she gets!

While Christina is in gymnastics, I head to the weight room. I feel like such a SLUG lately! I haven't been running as much. And I only go to the Y once a week.

And it is showing! I have to work with lighter weights. I struggle more during my runs. And I just have more of a down feeling. I definitely need to step it up. Probably more for my mental rather than physical health!

OK, the last mundane thing - (are you still here?). I have decided that I need to break my addiction to my flat iron. I have been flat ironing, my hair, DAILY, for a few YEARS now. I have a good iron, I use good conditioners/products. But I am ruining my hair. I have so much breakage it is depressing. I am going to try to wean myself from the iron. I think, next week, I will get my long hair cut to chin length (YIKES) and try to stop the daily ironing.

Problem is, I absolutely LOVE my flat ironed hair. Without it, my hair is partly wavy, mostly frizzy and overall, horrible.

This is not going to be easy.

Well, that is it for now! Hubby and I rented a dumb movie for the evening (Step Brothers). It is a long weekend so we will start it off with some laughs (hopefully) and some cold beers.

Have a good one!

Read more...

Mini me

Sometimes it just shocks me at how much my little ones learn from me. Every. little. thing. that I do is carefully observed, filed and tucked away for later use, in their little minds. It can be a bit overwhelming when you think about. Because I am far from a perfect parent and God knows how many bad habits I am inadvertently teaching my little ones.

I take Kallie shopping usually once a week while the other girls are at school. She is an angel at the store. She will sit quietly in the cart while I peruse the entire store. Her only complaint is usually towards the end when she states "I wanna go home now".

As made our way out to the store last week, Kallie insisted on taking her purse.

And, as we walked into the store, she insisted on donning her shades while she pulled her pink purse over her shoulder.

And once we got into the store, she insisted on pulling out her pink phone (which also doubles as a powder compact) and her green leaf (which also doubles as a powder puff) and carefully applied some "powder" to her face.

I swear, I have NEVER put on make-up while wearing my shades at Walmart. I swear.

Read more...

Wonderful weekends!

Oh, what a glorious day! It has been a long while since I have had a really good, relaxing, rejuvenating weekend. Usually, my hubby and I stay up later at night, only to have the kids, for some God-unknown reason, get up earlier than usual the next day. So I am often, a tad crabbier than usual.

But not this weekend!

We were up later Friday, but Saturday, my hubby got up with the kids and I slept til after 8! WHOO HOOO!! (that is a big deal here!). He then took 2 of my troublemakers for a little outing for a few HOURS and left me alone with just Caroline. I gave her a nice bath, got a painting project done, spent some time working on photos. Ahhhh. It was quiet, it was peaceful, it was BLISS.

Saturday night, again, we were up later and the kids were up WAY early today. But again, my hubby just got up with them. Why? I don't know, I am not going to question it, but I'll take it!! And today? I slept til after NINE!! Yup, that hasn't happened since...well....I have no clue.

It was a gorgeous day, so I went for a run and then we loaded the crew and went to our local bike trail. The kids and hubby road bikes, I walked Caroline, and all was well. I even put Caroline through a little photo session as I was waiting for the rest of my family.

Weekends just can't get more perfect than that!

Have a good one!

Read more...

Little Suzy Homemaker

First off - I can't believe it has been a week since I blogged! I really AM in a funk of sorts! I just don't feel like doing ANYTHING. I drag myself out to run, I drag myself around the house to get things done, I pretty much feel unmotivated to do much of anything but be a slug.

However, yesterday I was non-sluggish as I baked homemade cinnamon roll bread! YUMMMMM!! Last year, I decided that I wanted to learn how to bake my own bread. Not "bread machine" bread, but the honest-to-goodness, proof the yeast, knead for 10 minutes, let it rise twice, bread. Because nothing is better than homemade bread right out of the oven! And my bread machine never seemed to work right anyway.

The whole kneading/rising thing always intimidated me, but after a few tries, I figured it out. I mean, really, it is not that big of a deal, and, many years ago, it was the only way to get fresh bread!

So I have been occasionally making homemade french bread from HERE, homemade pizza dough from HERE, and homemade french baguettes from HERE. And they are all incredible. Couple the warm, fresh-out-of-the-oven baguettes or french bread with some homemade spaghetti sauce and a glass of red wine......and OH MY!!

But yesterday, I hit the jackpot. I made homemade Amish White Bread from HERE. After the first rise, I rolled out the dough and spread melted butter/margarine over it. I then sprinkled a cinnamon/brown sugar mix over the butter and rolled up the dough. After another 30 minute rise - VIOLA! Amazing cinnamon roll bread! A million times better AND cheaper than store bought!!! (Yes, I know this picture is sub par.) I coupled this warm, buttered bread with a cup of homemade, freshly ground Starbucks French Roast, and OH MY!!!!


You know, being a stay at home mom, we definitely don't have a lot of extra spending money. We drive old, used cars, we don't have cable TV, we use prepaid cell phones for quick/emergency calls. And we don't go out to eat very much.

But just think of this - a 5 pound sack of flour costs about $2 or even less. You can get 20 cups of flour from that. And my Amish, cinnamon bread uses about 6 cups of flour and makes 2 loaves. Throw in a bit of yeast, water, salt and a touch of oil, and that is it. How much does my bread cost? Well, maybe a buck, probably less, for TWO loaves!!

Doing something like baking bread instead of buying a $2 loaf of preservative filled store bought bread, or making your own pizza crust instead of buy a $12 pizza at a pizza shop, can really help. And you just know it just tastes so much better.

I remember watching some show (I don't remember which one) about people who were facing hard times. The dad showed how much money he had in his pocket - and said "I can't even eat at McDonald's for that!". Well, holy cow, do you realize how expensive McDonalds can be? I can barely afford to eat there!!!! I occasionally stop and get myself a sandwich and coffee and Kallie some nuggets and we are soon approaching 7 bucks. That is a lot of money for not a lot of food. Can you imagine what kind of meal I can make for $7? Even my french bread, spaghetti, red wine meal costs less than that!!! And is just a bit healthier!

Anyway, today I think I will make homemade pizza. I do feel like a 50's housewife on occasion, but oh well...my family does absolutely LOVE it and that is kinda cool.

Have a good one!

Read more...