Shaving Cream FUN!

It started out so tidy.....

But it quickly turned messy!



Oh... this feels kinda funny!

 

Ho, Ho, Ho!

Now it's time for CLEAN-UP!

$1 Shaving Cream at the Dollar Store = Loads of fun!

Happy Holidays from The Duke

Holiday Programs at School

Mya's Lake Zurich High School holiday program:

She grabbed that gift so fast without even looking at Santa! Afterwards she said, "See, I'm not even scared."
Sure, Mya... sure.

Mya's Messiah Lutheran Preschool Christmas Party



Saying prayer- She recites this prayer every night at dinner time for the family.

Grandma Diane came to watch the program!

Luke weaved his way through all the kids and parents at snack time to find his Sissy and then kept hugging her! So sweet.

The Crappy Croup

Yesterday was a hard day all around.  News broke of the Connecticut elementary school massacre as I sat with my baby girl in the ER. All her problems seemed so minute to the horror and tragedy that those in Connecticut were experiencing.

Mya awakened late Thursday night with a horrible cough that was causing her to vomit multiple times. It was a rough night with her up every 2 or so hours. In the morning, she complained that she couldn't breathe and was barely able to finish a sentence without running out of breath. I contacted her pediatrician and was given the advice to take her to the ER. I feel like I was just recently complaining that people take their children (or themselves) to the ER much to often. So, I was reluctant. After calling immediate care to see if that was a better option and being told, "Well, if she were my child, I would hang up and call 911." Alrighty then, ER is it!

Upon arriving and getting her vitals we were told her chest was clear (hard to believe considering her breathing sounded like someone with emphysema). The doctor decided she had croup and gave her an oral steroid. She headed home for lots of rest. She didn't have much of an appetite, although conveniently, chocolate sounded great to her!  I think she ate chocolate ice cream, chocolate pudding, and a chocolate kiss. I think I was being played! She slept for 14 hours last night and seems to be a little perkier this morning. Crossing our fingers the rest of us don't get it for the holidays!!!

This felt strangely familar... same place 2 years ago with an allergic reaction! Poor baby was miserable!

fell asleep on the way home

her hangout for the day- Her 'boy'friend Aiden brought her flowers.  It was pretty darn cute!

A little perkier this morning. Strawberries and a chocolate kiss for breakfast

Need a Minute?

Calling all Moms that NEED an activity to keep their little ones busy while they get things done! This blogs for you!

Lately, I feel like I just need a minute (or 30) to get something done without the nagging, whining, or arguing of my 2 little angels. I also feel like I've been slacking a bit in the category of entertaining my children.  Granted, overall, they do a great job of playing independently or together.  However, at times, I look back at all the great activities I use to set up for Mya to work on her skills. I really haven't done much of that with Luke. Guess that's what happens when you add another child to the mix. 

Floating Cranberries:
I got this idea from Mya's awesome preschool teacher.  She simply had a water table of cranberries set up for the kids to scoop, touch, dunk, and pour.  It's such a simple concept but SO SO entertaining for the kids.  Mya and Luke sat and manipulated the cranberries for an HOUR! I kid you not.  I honestly didn't hear a peep from Luke the entire time! They LOVED it!!!!!

set-up



clean-up

Glue Paint:
Here's another super easy activity.  Put some acrylic paint into a glue bottle and shake. Your child can paint with the colored glue! Easy and fun!

And just a little side note of why I need activities for my little ANGEL, Luke!

He knows how to quietly sneak away and find mischief! While I was writing this blog post, he snuck away to his batheroom, pulled over the step stool, climbed onto the bathroom counter, got the handsoap (that I put "away" in what I thought was a safe spot minutes earlier), climbed into the sink and lathered himself with soap ALL OVER!!!! He's trouble, I tell ya!

And So She Writes....

I can't believe the transformation I've seen in Mya over the last month or so. She LOVES to learn! She is constantly asking what words start with and what sounds letters make. Not too long ago I could barely get her to focus on practicing writing her name.  Now, all she wants to do is practice! I've made flashcards, bought her games, created activities, and am constantly talking to her about the letters.  Today, on her own, she sat down and drew these pictures. I was AMAZED when I saw that she had labeled each person without any help (well... a little with Luke at the end). 

Maybe it's the teacher in me or the fact that I, too, loved to learn, but I am SO proud when I see her academic growth.

I may be "one of those" moms... but I truly believe she is really smart. ;-)

"Mom"
"Dad"
"Mya"
"Luke"

Closet Transformation

A couple months ago we got a quote to transform our foyer closet into cubbies for the kids.  We received a quote (much higher than anticipated) and decided to go ahead.  It was one thing after another with our carpenter and eventually we just stopped communicating. Although totally annoyed, I soon realized that it was a blessing in disquise.  It was much too pricey and I actually wasn't sure I even wanted the cubbies in my foyer.

As the winter quickly approaches, I realized that we do need somewhere for the kids' coats, gloves, hats, and shoes.  I decided to try to go the "poor man's" route and create one myself. My plan was to create our JUNK closet in the laundry room into a usable space! It took me awhile to work up the courage to even open the nasty closet (wish I took a picture!). Once I did, it was full speed ahead.... Rachel style!



Here's the cleaned out closet.  It had old nasty yellowish paint, banged up walls, and an old shelf with hanging rack.



Day 1- I began by painting the closet the color of the laudry room walls.  2 coats on the walls/ceiling and construction of a bench left me literally unable to walk and in tears that night (booooo for a bad, bad back!) As I was told by my husband AND mother... I over did it. Like I said, full speed ahead Rachel Style.

Day 2- Shopped for accessories- throw pillow, picture frames, and hooks.
Day 3- Hang the accessories

There you have it! The POOR MAN'S cubbie closet!! I love it! Mya is SO excited... she helped organize the bins- One for Mya's shoes, One for Luke's shoes, and One for hats and gloves.  Like Mother Like Daughter!

Baby J

Well, my precious little Great-nephew (yes, I'm a GREAT aunt) gave me a run for my money today! I knew it was going to be exhausting and challenging photographing a 16 month old, but I had no idea it would be as tough as it was! I definitely need to add to my "bag of tricks" for the little ones!

He started off a happy little guy but quickly turned crabby when he learned the real reason he was at the park wasn't to play at the playground! We wised up and ended the shoot at the playground where suddenly he turned that frown upside down.



Later Dudes... I'm OUTTA HERE!



The "R" Family

Well... I had a photoshoot with my first nonfriend/nonfamily member today. To say I was nervous was an understatement.  I was wide awake at 5:30 am thinking about poses, locations, and settings.  When "shooting family and friends" I can simply say, sorry dude.. you get what you pay for. BUT... with a total stranger, a blunt apology just won't cut it.

I left early for the park to make sure my equipment (and myself) was ready for the shoot.  It was perfect weather.... cloudy and fairly warm (at least for Nov. 10).... UNTIL it started to sprinkle literally seconds before my clients were due to arrive.  HOLY CRAP... What do I do if it rains? This family was traveling well over 45 minutes to have me take their pictures.  Thankfully, someone was watching over us (I think there actually is a very special Angel watching over this mother/daughter.) The rain stopped as they pulled into the parking lot. Phew!!

This mother/daughter pair were fantastic. The little girl was such a great listener AND was quite the poser! Here are a few of my very favorites from their session....

Remember that Angel I was talking about? Well, literally the second I pulled out of the parking lot, the sky turned dark and it started to thunder, lightning, and downpour! Hmmmm..... Someone was watching over this photoshoot! Just Sayin'.

The Baker and the Cupcake

Photographing My Parents

I had the pleasure of photographing my parents. I think they were "doing me a favor" and letting me practice and build my portfolio. However, I got more than just practice. I got beautiful pictures of my wonderful parents that I will treasure forever.