46/365 Substituted

Forgot to take a pic...

This was taken Fall 2010.

34/365 In Loving Memory Of Nana....

Almost three years...

The eleventh will be years.

I don't understand how it has been that long already.

I don't understand how short three years is,

when my heart seems to have been aching for so long. 

As the ninth quickly approaches,

I want to celebrate what would have been her seventy-ninth birthday.

Yet, with the third anniversary of her death,

my heart doesn't want to. 

Today I still miss her as much as the day she passed. 

They say it will get easier but,

part of me doesn't want it to.

(click to enlarge..)

32/365 Teatime, Brunch, & My boys

My boys absolutely love to play tea party, restaurant, 

and anything that consists the kitchen and accessories.

Today they set the table for a tea party.

Since they were getting along so well, 

I surprised them with cookies, grapes, and "tea" (milk).

31/365 One month done, Eleven to go

I was just not feeling this project today.

Since the beginning my goal has been to not use any of my snapshots for this project. 

I wanted to actually think about each photo. 

My children were awfully sweet today,

This one especially.

She has taken such an interest in her brothers cars and trucks over the past months.

Today she pushed this one all over the house, 

crawling right behind it.

While I did manage to snap 92 quick pics today, 

This one just explained my day, my month, my life perfectly.

It's all about the kids.

30/365 Jealousy, Attitude, & Yet, Still Wonderful

This little boy here can make a person want to rip their hair out, 

yet also can make ones heart fill with love.

My 5 year old has explained I "never take pictures" of him anymore. 

So I set aside some time for just him today.

Would you believe, for the first 20 minutes he just whined and made grumpy faces at me?

I did get some really good smiling, laughing photographs, 

but this one just screamed "attitude" and his unwillingness to work with me. 

My typical boy. 

29/365 Runny nose, Teething, & Still Angelic.

At least while asleep. 

Poor Bailey is still cutting her 5th and 6th tooth.

The 5th is out, just not all the way.

And the 6th will pop any day now.

I hope. 

For a girl who's never shown signs of teething,

these two are causing one hell of a nightmare.

Especially for a mom who's never dealt with teething symptoms.

Yet, despite the loud, whiny, clingy day,

She is still my sleeping beauty.

28/365 Nap time, A tired Mom, & Finger Paints

The youngest decided to throw a 3 hour party in her crib last night.

At first, this mommy couldn't wait until the little ones nap time. 

Then she realized she had two boys who do not nap.

Do this mom did the only thing she could.

The only guaranteed way to keep those boys quiet.

At least long enough to enjoy closing her eyes.

27/365 18 inches, Trapped plows, & Everyone walks.

The North East got hit with yet another winter storm. 

Most years I whine about not having boots, 

but quickly get over it.

Not this year. 

My street wasn't plowed until 10am this morning.

And then the plow got stuck. 

It was so serene seeing the entire street without a foot or tire mark in sight.

Yet, kinda creepy. 

For the first time since living here,

all the neighbors talked, and helped dig out. 

Finally the plows made it through,

but now our narrow dead end can barely fit one car driving up or down the hill.

So most people were walking.

Including me. 

26/365 Annoyed, Disgusted, & Sick of Snow.

Poor hubby just went back to work this week. 

We can't afford him to miss any work while he has it.

And today, due to more snow, he was sent home early.

Here he is just after walking in from work,

watching the Weather Channel.

I know this photo is all wrong,

and the ear chop sucks, 

but it was the best of the day....

25/365 Arts & Crafts, & Sibling Fun

Thomas stayed home today.

I braced myself for a day of fighting over toys, 

and extreme noise.

Instead of it starting right away, I found this.

Thomas had asked for the box of arts & crafts,

and since I can (mostly) trust the boys, 

I let them have it. 

I did not expect to find all three of them coloring so peacefully.

24/365 Colorful, Lost in the Crowd, & One of a Kind.

Are a few of the (nicer) words and phrases I've been called over the past 24 years.

Just like this photo. 

Of course I am mainly referring to the one oddly shaped yellow sprinkle.

Since learning I could reverse my lens to get macro shots,

I've been playing. 

My focus seems really soft with my 50 lately,

and it doesn't help I desperately need to see the eye doctor.

23/365 Family, Friends, & Celebration

Today was my birthday.

My father's birthday.

Collin's 3rd birthday Party.

We had a lot of reason to celebrate. 

As stressed as I was over this party it turned out perfectly.

This was Collin's first party with many guests.

Yet, the lest expensive party we've ever hosted.

Kids made snowglobes, paper plate snowmen, 

And played stick the carrot on Frosty.

Everyone had a blast.

Especially Collin!

To view the photo's from our special, fun-filled day go here:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=325120&id=686811487&l=ced6e0bc07

22/365 Party Prepping, Cookie Baking, & Actually Getting Along

With Collin's party less than 24 hours away, 

we've been prepping.

We changed it from appetizers to all desserts.

Who knew desserts would be so much cheaper?

Especially if you do the baking yourself.

While the youngest napped,

the boys and I baked Chocolate Chip cookies,

Peanut Butter Cookies, 

made Peanut Butter Bars,

and chilled the oatmeal cookie dough.

We were a bit upset when Bailey awoken before the oatmeal cookies were in the oven.

We were all shocked when rolling these cookies,

and placing them on the cookie sheet,

turned out to be the best part of the day. 

Yes, she stole many balls of dough off the cookie sheet. 

Yes she annoyed her brothers.

But they spent so much time giggling, laughing, and just getting along

that it just didn't matter.

This photo may be no where near technically correct,

but it is one of my absolute favorites for this year already.

21/365 Young, Hardworking, & The Perfect Future Husband

My 5 year old has a new obsession with vacuuming.

Every morning he asks if he can.

Only thing we need to work on now,

is getting him to pick things up before starting.

Which is the main reason he only likes to vacuum the living room.

Thomas here works hard at everything he does,

and he plans on being a "great husband and daddy" some day.

Apparently he wants to get married when he is "25."

He wants to "always make his wife happy."

And he wants to have "100 kids."

Isn't he the sweetest?

20/365 Relaxation, Wine, & Quiet Time

Well, I didn't drink the wine, 

but it was out during the little one's nap. 

On the Justmommies Photography board,

a fellow mommy was trying to capture motion in the form of pouring wine,

and suggested I give it a try.

Yep, I totally did spend Bailey's nap pouring wine for no one,

and clicking away.

19/365

Today was such a miserably dull day.

Those roads were pretty much skating rinks. 

It was a long dulling day and this is the best I could do. 

Doesn't even get a name.