Getting Ready For Bed.

Sometimes I swear these girls have a love/hate relationship sometimes.  Other days they can be best buds.  McKenzie and Callie were both standing on the same step stoole in their bathroom and Callie can't stand to share.  The word "share" is just not in her vocabulary yet but we're really working on that one.  This photo looks like McKenzie is trying to strangle her little sister but she was only trying to hold her head up so I could take a picture.

 

This is truly a beautiful picture of Callie sleeping.  It sometimes take a few minutes for her to drift off into dream land but when it happens, our house transforms into an unusually peaceful place.

Peek-A-Boo.

When I finished my evening shower and came out into the living room, this is what I saw.  This orange tub holds little pumpkins that Matt sells at his pumpkin patch but Callie found another use for it today.

Sand Angels.

Sand angels by Callie and Harmony at the Ashland YMCA playground.

Soccer Practice.

----- Original Message -----

From: Libbi

To: Libbi's Blog
Sent: Monday, September 29, 2008 8:53 AM
Subject: Soccer Practice.

McKenzie is playing soccer at the Ashland YMCA with her best friend, Gracie. While the girls were having their practice, I took Callie to the little park next to the soccer fields to play with Gracie's sister, Harmony. These two girls are the same age and quite entertaining to watch. Especially when they are making sand angels.

It's so hard to get a picture of Gracie without her making goofy faces for the camera. I just love these two girls and I am so enjoying capturing all the special moments these two will share throughout their school years.

Sometimes I feel like my husband feels my life is boring and I do the same thing on a daily basis but I feel like I am learning something about myself on a daily basis over the course of taking photos and documenting all the little things. I am learning something new every time. I am committed to keeping my camera with me on a daily basis. You never know when you might be able to capture that most amazing shot. I am going to capture the normal, the little things, my environment. I want to capture my daily routine, where did I go, who did I see, what did I do, what does the inside of my home look like, where do I spend the most time, etc.. I want to capture the stuff that I use everyday, my computer, my morning cup of Jo, my favorite pair of shoes, a book and maybe take a photo of myself in a mirror and the endless piles of laundry that keep building up in my laundry room. I promise not to document the dirty cat box. The list can be endless I am so looking forward to this project.

To be continued.

Jog-A-Thon.

McKenzie came in first place during her schools annual jog-a-thon. Out of all the 3rd grade girls, she ran a whopping 12 laps in 1/2 hour. That's 3 miles. I don't think I could do that. Way to go girl!! This was my second year chairing this event for our PTO and I feel so blessed to be able to be a part of my daughters school activities.

PS. She actually tied with another girl who also ran 12 laps. These two girls, my daughter and Kinsey have won every year since they were in Kindergarten. They are so competitive and it's a beautiful thing to see.

Ducks Fan.

Shot this photo of Callie yesterday.  When I came home from work, the kids were playing dress-up and this is what she was wearing.  My dad got this for McKenzie when she was three years old and now she gets to hand it down to her little sis.

Waiting For The School Bus.

This shot was taken yesterday, while Callie and I waited for McKenzie to come home from school.  Callie was so happy to see her big sister and McKenzie was so happy to see her mother waiting for her. 

What A Day!...Part 2.

 

What A Day!...Part 1.

----- Original Message -----

From: Libbi Moore

To: Libbi's Blogger Address
Sent: Wednesday, September 17, 2008 3:23 PM
Subject: What A Day!

Ok...I finished cleaning up McKenzie's room after the little tornado (Callie) attacked it. Callie and I walked down to the bus stop to pick up McKenzie. I was extremely tired today. I took McKenzie to school today, had breakfast with her in the school cafeteria. When she finished her breakfast, she wanted to play in the gym for a bit. Wish I had brought my camera to get a photo of her swinging the hula-hoop around her tiny little waist. Next time I will. Then it was off to the PTO Welcome Coffee that was outside the school on the lawn. Beautiful day for a gathering. Then it was off for home to start the piles of laundry that build up so quickly and the vacuuming and mopping of the floors. I am so thankful for the laminate flooring we put in the house. I can't imagine keeping carpets clean with kids and a cat in the house.

I love the picture of Callie with her hands on her hips looking at the huge rock pile. If only I could see the expression on her face and if I could it would read something like this..."ok...now where do I start digging?"

Callie is in love with any kind of rock, so when we were down at the bus stop waiting for McKenzie, she had so much fun looking for the biggest rock she could get her little hands on. This was it!

PS. This post was supposed to go yesterday but didn't. My dial-up is so stink'in slow. I can't stand it and can't wait to go satelite very soon.

Uh Oh!

I'm guilty.  I can't leave Callie alone for a minute.  I was doing some house cleaning and laundry when I caught you in McKenzie's room making a huge mess.  McKenzie hates it when she comes home to a disaster of a room and I don't blame her a bit.  Ok...time to quit blogging for now...gotta clean up this mess because it's time to pick McKenzie up from the bus stop.

Remember This.

My wish is for my girls to always remember this and to apply them to daily life when they are adults.

 

1.  Remember to keep smiling and dream big.

2.  Celebrate life as if you're seeing everything new.

3.  Celebrate all the moments of everyday life.

     (note:  this is why I always take photos.  I don't care if it's a photo of them eating breakfast, it's a moment I will never get back.  It's something I always want to remember and something I want them to see when they are adults.)

4.  The best time to live our lives is now.

5.  Always laugh outloud.

6.  Every day is a picture perfect day.

7.  Life is worth living.

8.  Life is always about you.

9.  Just be you.

10.  Don't forget to give thanks for everything.

 

Love, Mom

 

10 Reasons to Remember.

This one's for you McKenzie because I love you so much. I wan't you to always remember this and always know how very much I love you.

10 Reasons to Remember:

1. Because you deserve the best of me.
2. Because faith isn't supposed to be easy.
3. Because you will never be 8 again.
4. Because I have so much to offer you.
5. Because I don't want any regrets.
6. Because God gave you to me for a reason.
7. Because life is for living, loving and laughing.
8. Because I've only got 10 more years before you're 18.
9. Because you were my first baby.
10. Because I want you to remember the little things in life.

note: This photo is of you doing your 3rd grade homework in Gi Gi and Great-Grandpa's trailor.

Callie Stuff.

Some of my favorite photos.

 

and... ten things I love about Callie...

 

1.  Callie loves to make silly faces for the camera now.

2.  She loves Winnie the Pooh stories.

3.  She knows how to open door knobs now and thinks she can go outside on her own.

4.  Her favorite sandwich is PB and J.

5.  She wants nothing to do with potty training.

6.  She hates having her hair washed.

7.  She would ride her tricycle all day if she could.

8.  She loves her GiGi and Great Grandpa.

9.  She still loves the cartoon, "The Wonder Pets."

10.  She hates having her teeth brushed but the dentist gave her a perfect bill of  oral hygiene health thanks to her mom's persistency.

Bad Callie.

McKenzie was so mad at her sister today because she got into her room and messed it up.  Even though McKenzie keeps her door closed, Callie can still turn the door knob.  Matt told me today while I was at work that Callie said "I go outside and ride my trike."  She had her little hands on the front door knob and was turning it and all ready to walk out all on her own until Matt stopped her.  That little stinker.  To smart for her own good.  We have to keep a very watchful eye on her 24/7 or who knows what she'll try next.  I'm afraid to think. 

 

I don't really know what to do about Callie invading McKenzie's bedroom.  I think Callie just misses her sister while she's at school and feels comforted while playing in big sisters room. 

 

McKenzie, even though you say you don't like your sister sometimes, I completely understand and I know I would feel just like you if it were me.  I'll try harder to explain to Callie how it upsets you when she messes up your room and that we need to respect your space.

 

After I tucked McKenzie in bed, I had Callie go into her room and say "I'm sorry McKenzie."  Callie did just that and gave her sister a kiss followed by a big smile from McKenzie.  Priceless.

 

note:  These photos were taken the other day at Grandma and Grandpa's trailor.

Gi Gi and Great Grandpa.

I love it when my grandma and grandpa come up. Grandma (87 years old) was making applesauce in their trailer that is parked behind our house. The girls just absolutely love spending time there. McKenzie has chipmunk cheeks because she has a mouth full of an apple she was chewing.

I just love my grandpa (86 years old) too. My goal that I am going to achieve, is to take lots and lots and lots of photos while they are here. They will be staying with us for most of October while Matt is selling his pumpkins.

I love my grandparents so much. They have done so much for me over the years and I will always be greatful for that.

Please Take A Number.

 

----- Original Message -----

From: Libbi Moore

To: Libbi's Blogger Address

Sent: Tuesday, September 02, 2008 10:11 PM

Subject: Please Take A Number.

I love this!  I want one for my house!!  This "Please Take A Number" fixture is in McKenzie's classroom.

 

The puppy Callie is holding is one of her new favorites and the purse used to be McKenzie's.  Lately, she has to have them wherever she goes.

 

Did I mention that I love her new haircut.  It makes her look like a big girl but she'll always be my little tiny baby. 

Third Grade.

She's starting third grade. I'm so nervous, excited and overjoyed all at once. She gets to have Mrs. Gates as her teacher again. She was McKenzie's kindergarten teacher and Matt and I just loved her. She is such an awesome teacher. She is the one who got me into photography. She inspired me into making my own videos and documenting all those wonderful school memories and sharing them with all the parents in a slide show. So much work but totally worth it all. This is going to be such an exciting year. McKenzie, along with Bellview's 2nd-5th grade classes are all over at the middle school this year, while the new Bellview School is being constructed and hopefully if all goes as plan will be ready by the Fall of 2009. Kindergarten and First grade classes are all at Rivergate. I'm so excited and can't wait to post more school day photos.

As for little miss Callie... It's a whole new school for her to explore and so much larger. My biggest challenge, is that I don't lose her in one of the many rooms. She does however feel quite at home in Mrs. Gates class. She new right where to go for all the goodies to play with.