Pictures With Santa

Many times, I forget that I am not just another mom with a camera.  I am an amazing mom with a camera AND skills!

Today, I shot 700 portraits and class pictures with Santa for our school's Polar Express Day. Yes, 700 photos.  I know you are thinking that it took me ALL DAY.  Well, it didn't.  I did this in 4 hours.  I had a LOT of help from two ladies adjusting kids and set and controlling the crowd.  I just stood there taking fun pictures. 

Here are a couple of my boys, I got some REALLY REALLY cute ones from some of the kids but, I don't have permission to publish them so I won't be doing that here.  But, wow.  There were some contest winners in this lot.

First Dance

My kids have been growing up on me lately.  But, none as much as the middle one. Tonight was his first school dance/social.  Parents were not invited but, I heard from a teacher friend that he was dancing up a storm in the gym.  So, I am guessing he is having a GREAT time.

I did ask for the obligatory photo and this is what we got. I realize he doesn't look pleased but, he sure looks handsome.

Happy Halloween And All Saints Day!

Well, as is the usual custom at Scarborough House, we went Trick or Treating last night. We walked about a mile and a half when the kids began the whine about being tired. So, I didn't really get many photos (mostly because I spent most of the time talking to the adults with us).

I even got a chance to chat with my brother who brought his kiddos to our neighborhood for Halloween! It was a nice surprise.

I did manage to catch just a few photos. I hope you enjoy them.

The kids had a great time and got lots of treats and not one trick! 

First Day Blues

The day has come.  All three of my beloved children are "in school".  I can't believe this has happened so quickly.  I have a 7th grader, 4th grader, and a Kindergartener!  I love that we have moved into this phase of life but, I will have to get used to no preschoolers. It has been 13
 years that I have had a baby at home.

So, pray for me a mother in transition.  My kids handle it better than I do. 

 

I made the kids get out of the car for this photo. Then told them to hurry up and get in the car  because they were gonna make everybody late!  :D

Butterflies in my garden

 

Mondays

Mondays are what I call house blessing days.  I bless my house by cleaning and recovering from the weekend.  Today, the kids pulled their own weight and we finished up in 45 minutes! Yay us! 

My carnivore asked very politely to have a "piece" of watermelon.  I was very happy to allow it.  When I walked into the kitchen he definitely had a piece of watermelon.

Of course, the other two also needed a piece so, there went half of a watermelon.

Yummity yum yum!

Yummy Bread

I made bread (and a mess) today.  If you have ever made bread, you know that all the steps and the flour and the kneading = a big floury mess!  But, the smell of it baking, oh the smell.  The only thing that compares is watching my family savor every bite.  There is nothing like feeding the people I love the most.  Just an all around good thing.

So here is a little peek into what we will be nibbling on. 

I hope you enjoyed our daily bread.  It is really tasty and satisfying.  It better be, it took me all day to make it. 

4th of July

Well we had a 4th of July just like everybody else.  Food, loved ones, and  

Fireworks!

I have two pyromaniacs.

And one who could take it or leave it.

That seems about right.  Not sure if they will ever agree on anything. But, I got to spend 4th of July with my grandma!

Time for Dinner!

Today, I really really wanted something bold to eat.  I seasoned my steaks with minced onion, garlic, pepper, a sprinkle of salt and Lea & Perrins.  Then I pan grilled them in my trusty cast iron skillet.  Let me digress for a minute, I LOVE my skillet.  I really mean that.  I LOVE it.  It is one of those things I hope to take to my grave, unless of course it needs to be handed off sooner.  But anyway. It is my favorite cooking tool for now. 

I must also mention at this point, only one steak fit into the skillet at a time.  So, I cooked six steaks one at a time and it filled the house with a wonderful steak smoke smell.  During some of the cooking time I cleaned up the kitchen, and took out the trash and I could actually smell our steaks outside.  That was something special.

So, I served these babies up with a pile of herb green salad and finished it off with iced spice cake for dessert.

Some days, we just need something that not only "feeds the blood" but, also feeds the soul.

I never wanted to be a soccer mom.

Here is my little man before his very first soccer game.  He has never played an team sport in his life and we decided on soccer because it was indoor and really for beginners.  He was very nervous at first and shed some tears.  But, his daddy came to the rescue and got him comfortable. 

Don't you love his face?!  So serious and sports star like. He makes me laugh so much.  Just his little way.  But, since most of us don't get to see him on his daily adventures, I like to share some of it.

He did get to kick it off and low and behold--he scored in one kick! He was so thrilled by this.  He got in there and just started trying it.  He had such a fun time.  I am glad we tried soccer for him. 

Bread is Good

Here is just another glimpse into our home.  Last night I tried another bread recipe from a really old cookbook I bought for $1.99 at the Goodwill.  This recipe was worth the $1.99.  I also made a cinnamon swirl bread but, I didn't make enough to get a picture of it.  (We at it all for breakfast.)

 

This is a sweet brioche bread.  That is not what the cookbook called it but, that is what it is.  It is fairly luxurious but, one of the easier breads I have made.  I will make it again, and the cookbook isn't going to walk the plank back into the donation bin.

I am making roast for dinner tonight so this loaf will have to wait till then to cut.  It will be excellent.

Why won't they just wait a little longer...

...to grow up on me.

This is from last weekend when I took a few snaps of my 12 year old.  I figured that I needed to take a few pictures of her during her awkward preteen years.  All I remember were the horrible middle school yearbook pictures that captured all my imperfections for all eternity. LOL!

This is what came out of that session:

 Okay, so if this is her awkward stage, I am anticipating something amazing when she comes into her own.  This girl is going to be an astounding woman.  She is the whole package my friends.  She is beautiful, smart, witty, generous, loving, passionate, involved, creative, faithful, thoughtful...yes, I could go on and on.

I love her.

Class of 2013

I don't think I need to say how happy sad this makes me to see my youngest about to transition into grade school.  But, I will anyway.  I really can't believe that this part of being mom is over.  It went by so fast and it has been so hard and so great at the same time.  For the past 12 years I have had a baby to smother and well, to baby.  Well, there are no more babies in my house and I am going through my own graduation. And since, I am sentimental, you get to read about it. ♥

Here is the photo reel:

Here he is ready to walk the procession up to the podium.  He seems so tiny (like a baby).
 

These two go together because he is sitting so quietly and properly but, within a matter of seconds, he is waving at us (in true Mac fashion).

 

The moment of truth.

 

And his Pre-Kindergarten teachers.

Now you might think that this didn't phase my little bubble of sunshine. But, before my tears could even surface, my sweet boy was crushed.  He was overwhelmed with emotion and recognized what a change this meant. I am always surprised by my little man's sensitivity to his great big world.

So, Congratulations Mac, I couldn't be more proud of you.  I know that your grade school years will fly by and we will be standing taking graduation pictures of you again.  Please, I beg you, take it slow.  I love you, Mom.

I saved it!

I found these at the store, clingy to life.  So, I saved them.  ;)

Most people know that I am a scavenger.  I hate to throw out plants and it kills me that stores won't just give me the throw-aways.  I could totally make them come back if they would just give me a chance to have them. (There is an exception--I am horrible with roses...they are on their own if they make it to my garden.)

Anyhow, these next shots are of plants that I bought for less than $4--pots included.  I have lots of plants like this, when they bloom I will shoot a pic of them and share.  Anyway, my garden is happy right now.  That makes me feel good. 

But for now, I will focus on reviving the cast offs.  The seem happy enough in my garden.

Aren't they just lovely? These potted plants are typically $14-$19 at the local home improvement store.  I got them for a LOT less than that.  And here they are expressing their gratitude.    The impatiens in the background are also a rescue. I expect blooms soon. I wish I had before and afters of these things.  I will try to remember them next time.