Fulfilling my passion

So, I love to take pictures.  Thanks to a few friends that have allowed me to "borrow" their children to practice!  Here are few pics of the photo sessions.  

Minnie pants

I am in love with a new pair of pants. The Jcrew minnie pant!  Stretchy, little higher waist and just downright comfortable!
Minnie Pant-but I got them in royal blue! And at the outlet so they were much cheaper!!

Circus Circus

In one day on Kelley's Island, we accomplished the following...

watched a circus tent be raised by elephants

rode a camel

rode an elephant

went to the park

went to a sandy beach

played putt-putt

ate ice cream

swam in the pool

went to a circus

bounced on a moon bounce

ate cotton candy

...we were exhausted!

Later in the week, we got to spend some time with our new little cousin, Ema.  Emaline wins the prettiest baby in the family award and she is full of sweetness.  We couldn't get enough of her cheeks!!!

His big debut!!

After 5 weeks of summer piano camp and mom making him practice everyday, our little man is a performer!!

Besties

I hope they always stay this close.  Our days have been filled with endless superhero fun and imagination.  I guess having them only 19 months apart wasn't so bad after all.  Today they made a "bat camp" outside that included a miniature fire pit and a pond made out of a yogurt container.  They fought off bad guys in the "jungle" (our over grown garden) and they hid in the bat cave located in Charlie's room.  

Bikeman

My little man can ride a bike!  This is huge, he is free! He was so proud and so were Mama and Dad!  Dad was the true driving force and he kept him going strong.  A few crashes later, he was up and rolling.  Way to go Charlie Bear!!

Settling into summer!

We are one week into summer and loving every minute of our freedom to explore, learn, play and relax!  So far I have started each day with some sort of learning activity (poor kids have no other option with a mom as a teacher).  I have not quite put my finger on Mary Kate's learning style.  She does better with a little hold of the hand, small step away and then a hold of the hand.  She doesn't dive right into activities like her brother but once engaged she is proud to finish! Charlie on the other hand begs for more "Numbers" as he calls it and whizzes through his reading!  I have had to let go the constant mess and clutter that comes with being home but it is a lot easier to manage my home in general being home. Swim lessons will be the first two weeks and Charlie will start Piano camp next week.  The Shenandoah Conservatory Arts Academy is the best little place on the corner of Winchester for Music/Art/Theater and Dance!  I am really excited to dive into their programs this summer and then maybe continue this fall.  I thought a camp with other kids may be a motivating way to start using that right-side of the brain for my little man!

On another note:

I did not blog about MK's dance recital and mostly posted to facebook.  It was the most precious event! She is in love with being on stage, the sparkles, the flowers and the overall attention.  I don't know how long this Girly Girl thing will last, but I am loving every minute of it.  I was not Girly growing up, so it is a new world to me.  However, she does have one tough side to her.  She is constantly defending herself from her big brother! She can certainly hold her own!