Day ThreeHundred-FiftyThree

What do you get when you mix two little girls, a big heart, a box of chalk, a rainy afternoon, and an empty garage?

Day ThreeHundred-FiftyTwo

Beginning eight years ago yesterday, I was in a room at St. Luke's Hospital, working to meet my first child, a daughter named Alison Noelle.  I continued to work to meet this child for 31 hours, finally bringing her into this world around 10:30pm the following night (8 years ago today).  Never could I have imagined what kind of girl this baby would grow into.  In front of me today I see a smart, creative, artistically bursting, curious, sensitive, caring, beautiful - and forever unique,  eight year old little girl - and now can't imagine what kind of pre-teen, adolescent, young adult and adult she will grow into.  I'm not one of those that likes to sugar coat the realities of parenting, it's not all pretty and fun - and I'll be one of the first to admit this and discuss it in full sarcastic detail- but it IS an amazing journey.  My husband and I, WE, created this freckle-faced wonder.... and every so often it is so important stop "time" and remember, how blessed WE are to have created such an amazing human-being.  I look forward to watching her grow over the next 8 years and 8 years after that....and 8 years after that....and....

Happy Birthday to the "first" inspiration behind MoeCakes, Moe herself.

Day ThreeHundred-FiftyOne

Remember when tp'ing a friend's house was a great way to show that you cared?  Let's face it, getting up int the middle of the night to (basically) vandalize a friend's house - now THAT is true devotion!!  So just consider this a division of that same concept.  I mean, what better way to show your child that the entire day is about them then with a streamer wrapped doorway??  Maybe next year I should go back to the basics with toilet paper!?  Will that say "I Love You" even more??  All joking aside, Moe loved it!  It was a great way to start the morning with a well deserved smile.

Oh, and I must thank Pinterest.  You are a never-ending wealth of ideas that allow everyday Mom's to kick themselves and say "I should have thought of that!!"  but appear to those around them NOT on Pinterest to think they are REALLY creative!!!

Close up of the sleeping birthday girl.

Day ThreeHundred-Fifty

The next few days are pretty much centered around one thing...and that would be a special little girl's 8th birthday.  Tonight was the birthday party.  The birthday girl, four friends, one sister, and a WHOLE LOT OF giggles and shrieks, it was a "good ol' fashioned" slumber party - complete with swimming, dancing, board games, cake, presents, movies and best of all - A PILLOW FIGHT - I'd say it was a success.  Oh, and you may not be able to tell, but under that pile of giggling girls, is Dad.  :-)

Day ThreeHundred-FortyFive

Between Facebook and 365, I may be giving away my possibilities for this year's Christmas cards, but do you blame me?  Not that I'm biased or anything, but how cute are my girls???

I started the prep work yesterday for today's "Holiday Mini-Session by MoeCakes" - got them new clothes, talked up the fun we would have, curled hair and yes, threatened them just a bit -- that this would go well and we would have a good time....but you know what?!  We DID!  (Insert note below from Moe following shoot!)  

Both of them at dinner tonight told me that their "high" was the photo shoot with Mom!  How cool is that?  And the pictures really show it.  Selena Gomez in the background, crisp fall weather, and just a fun morning all around.  

Pictures shared earlier on MoeCakes Photography -- Facebook.

Goodness I love my kiddos.  Could look at these pictures a thousand times over.  That's when I know - I have some fabulous shots.  And that's why I LOVE photography.  I want to remember these moments - these mornings - these feelings - these faces.  And you should too, of your own loved ones and of your own life- if it's not me, make it another photographer or make it yourself....just capture these moments.  Freeze time.  Hold it close.  Look at it often.  It's beautiful.

Day ThreeHundred-FortyFour

What happens when you get to spend the day with Ms. Tami while Mom is out of town and Dad is at a football game?  Holiday nails - that's what!!!  I'm telling you, this woman works wonders with nail polish, acrylic paint and a toothpick.  

Day ThreeHundred-ThirtyFour - Grey's Spoiler!

(I'm not sure what to even type b/c I just watched the Premiere of Grey's and I'm at a loss.  Sigh....)

But ok - onto today's pic.  (Sloan?  So unfair.)  I have a song playing through my head for this past week which is "I get knocked down, but I get up again - you're never gonna keep me down"...but it's the opposite "I get up and get knocked down again - I can't seem to keep my kids up".  Cakes is finally back up (doing her make-up work) and poor Moe is back down.  Upper respiratory and ear infection has struck.  Poor baby.  I think she would prefer the vomit.  This mom is just ready for this week to be over! 

Oh, and I have three shoots over the next three days - all of which are supposed to have rain.  Can someone please do a rain dance for me? (Of course it can't be McSteamy).

Day ThreeHundred-ThirtyTwo

Moe's costume arrived today -- that's both girls ready for Halloween over a month early.  Talk about being on the ball!!  Impressed?  I know I am, it very rarely seems to happen these days.  And in a house full of puke and the such here recently, I thought this picture was such a pretty contrast.

Day ThreeHundred-TwentyFour

School is back in session, and right here in my kitchen.  Moe decided that if she had homework then Cakes needed some too.  After realizing maybe Math wasn't the way to go, I suggested she pull out the Alphabet flash cards.  If I only had a recording of this "tutor time" as well.  Let's just say Moe is a definite stickler when it comes to her teaching methods!!

10 days and finally caught up...Phew!!

Day ThreeHundred-TwentyTwo

Today was Moe's first day of dance class.  From "Ally's Dance Camp" this summer, to her constant improv routines, it's something she's been begging to do for months.  So then 10 minutes into her first class, when I looked up and saw her in the back of the room wiping tears away I thought, dear lord help me.  A child with such talent, spunk and unique-ness, she can break down and withdraw in a matter of seconds.  Nerves and embarrassment had gotten the best of her.  With no patience for (another) paid activity that we would not participate in,  I didn't leave much wiggle room.  She had two choices: Quit the tears and do this OR go home and be done for good.  And do it she did.  Made it through ballet with a smile on her face as she walked out the door.  But -- I think Dad get's to take her next week, not sure this mom can handle another week of tears (which I know there will be).  Oh, and before you go feeling too sorry for her, she proceeded to sing Bruno Mars karaoke style later that night in front of our entire neighborhood block party (50+ people, MOSTLY strangers).  Love that darn girl but grrrrrr......

(Back-dated, Saturday, Sept. 15th)

Day ThreeHundred-Sixteen

This picture just makes me laugh.  Didn't use it originally because of the people in the background, but Moe's true joy and Dad's goofball mug frozen in time...well, it's the essence of my motto "moments captured", and I smile every time I see it.

(Back-dated Sunday, Sept. 9th)

Day ThreeHundred-Thirteen

So, Moe came home today and showed me this little piece of paper.  It was the "digits" to a little boy in her class.  No ordinary digits, but the ones that would link her and him to their Dragonvale games (thanks Grandma!).  As I wasn't really concerned, since obviously these won't work, I was a little taken aback.... did Moe really just get her first digits from a boy??!!  Wow.  Sorry Dad.

Oh, and she made me promise not to "show" anyone.  Told her I was just taking the picture to show her Dad.  So don't tell her you saw this.  :-)

Day ThreeHundred-Five

Sixty days to go with 365 and this is about how I feel.  Part hallelujah and part ahhhhh!  However, this really is a little glimpse into the energy that these two have come home with every day this week.  And it doesn't end until they fall into bed!  Obviously, school is treating them well!

Day ThreeHundred-Three

Couldn't go with a single shot today for obvious reasons.  It was a big day around here, for those going to school and those staying home - by themselves, in a quiet house, with no kids....Ahhhhhh.  I went the entire day working on MoeCakes website with no tv, no music, no sounds.  Let's just say "It was NICE!"  And I plan to do it all over again, tomorrow!!  As for these two munchkins, after the pain of Mommy leaving the classroom (for Cakes), it all went wonderfully.  Only smiles unloading from the bus.  I'm not one to get too emotional at occasions like this, but I will say, knowing I no longer have kids at home -- well, it did pull at the heart strings just a tad.  :-)

Day ThreeHundred-One

Now here is a crew.  Not often that all nine cousins get to hang out, but with Aunt Mary and Uncle Hans in town it was the perfect excuse for some fun in the sun.

Day ThreeHundred

How did you spend your last weekday of summer?  Moe spent much of it dancing, twirling, and adding to her "Ally's Dance Camp" repertoire. 

Day TwoHundred-NinetySix

After a discussion this past weekend with their Dad about where cotton comes from, what it looks like, how clothes are made, etc. he came home from work with a "bouquet" for each of them.  (Honestly, I don't know if I've ever seen fresh cotton this up close and personal before!)  At first I thought "Awww, he brought me flowers!".... only to soon realize what it actually was.  Don't tell Dad, but in the end, I think this really is just as sweet and thoughtful as flowers for Mom.

Day TwoHundred-EightySeven

Obviously not taken by me, but it was the only picture taken yesterday and I don't get shots of myself very often.  It was a surprise early birthday gift to Moe from her Grandma and Papa, and I was lucky enough to be part of it.  Her first broadway musical, The Lion King, was absolutely FANTASTIC.  A couple hours following she asked me if we could do it again....soon.  Guessing she like it. 

Day TwoHundred-EightySix

When it comes to imaginative play, Beanie Babies are at the top of the list.  Hours and hours of entertainment.

Day TwoHundred-SeventyEight

This are how each summer morning begins.  Two-little girls and one big Ridgeback in bed with Mom.  Spoiled much?