My Star Student

Her silly pose

Her nice pose

At the end of every month each teacher selects from among their students

one Star Student. Someone who has

been an example of an

exceptional student, or has greatly improved her performance in class.

This month Ivy was chosen from her

third grade class.

I was told yesterday that she was getting the award, so

this morning I made sure to actually get dressed, and to dress the little girls.

(which I never do by the way, I'm a pajama driver)

I grabbed the stroller and camera bag, and off we went to school.

Ivy was very confused that I was there. She said to her teacher

"My moms here, why is my mom here?"

The look on her face was priceless as the Principal announced her name.

She was so surprised and excited.

I am so proud of her. She has really struggled with

school this year. I know that making the change

 from less play time to more work time has

been very hard on her. She has come a long way, and

I couldn't be a happier mommy!



the other third grade award winners.

Christmas and San Antonio

This last Christmas was an interesting one for sure. I decided to take a winter-mester class during the Christmas break. Which means 3 weeks of class, 5 day a week starting the week before Christmas. Jason was such a trooper to watch the kids all afternoon and evening till I got home. The class met from 1-4:50. Which meant me leaving at 12, and not getting home till 5:30-6. I'm glad I took  the class. I have learned more in this class than I thought possible. It really has been invaluable. I now have the skills to edit my photos like a pro. I find that so exciting.
  as for the Holiday itself. Christmas was wonderful. We had our first holiday at home with out extended family, since we were married. I hate to say I loved it, but it was so relaxing, and nice. I don't think I'd like to do it that way every year, but now I don't fear it.
We did  go over to Shawn's house Christmas night. We met up with Shawn and Janet's family, and Nikki and Josh came with the kiddos. That was just about perfect.
   The day after Christmas, we loaded the kids up and drove to San Antonio. I got us great deal on a hotel just outside in Castroville. The drive out was longer than I expected with the holiday traffic, but it was the best surprise for the kids. We didn't have any of the after Christmas Blues that we usually get the day after.
     Tuesday we took the kids down town, and saw the Alamo. We had a fun time. Jason and I enjoyed the history lesson, and the kids liked playing on the cannons. We also walked along the river walk, and had dinner at the Rain Forest Cafe. I think it was one of the best family vacations we have had. We even decided that the next time we have a quiet Christmas we are going on a day after trip again. It really was just what this little family needed. Me especially, since I only got one week off from school. Did I mention the hotel deal I got included a $50 spa credit at the hotel spa? Yea, the facial I got was WONDERFUL!

 On a walk behind the hotel

 The Alamo

 I just love taking pictures of Ivy.

 Hey honey, this is my sexy pose.

 Sweet Sisters

 Mom I love my stick!

 I know this cannon was used to kill people,

but lets sit on it and take a picture.

 The view from our hotel room

Color Photo Work

The end of the semester means an update of the work I've been doing. This semester I took a color photo class. I loved it! Everything I've done up till now has been in black and white, so the color images have been fun and refreshing. I have learned so much about what makes a good color photo, and making panoramas was super fun.
Thanks to Valerie for letting me use her clothes line for that, and thanks to all the moms who let me take photos of their kids for my final project. They turned out so great, and working with the kids was a blast. 
So take a minute, look at my work, and please leave a comment and let me know what you think. Don't worry about being critical, at this point in my schooling, I'm used to it

Color of Light assignment

Oil and Water Abstractions

 Diptychs

Color is Power assignment

 Panoramas

Valerie was kind enough to title them for me

Conervative

Liberal

Portraits

For my final I chose to do

the anti-sears portrait

No posing, more casual

candid images

!

From 3 to 4

    I have often said that 3 year olds are my favorite. I need to amend that now and say that 4 year olds are my favorite because my little Adelaidey is officially 4! I absolutely love these years. My little kids have always been such a delight to me. It is so fun to watch them make sense of the world. Lately she has been singing Praise to the Man. I don't think writing down the mispronunciations would do her version justice. I need to record her before she learns the words correctly.
   On her birthday I woke her up in the morning singing happy birthday to her. She opened her eyes, sat up and said "Yea, it came!" She has been asking when her birthday would come ever since her friend Re Ann had her birthday back in September. 2 months is long wait for a 3 year old, and the fact that Emilie's birthday came first almost killed her.
   She was a perfect little birthday girl. I loved watching her open presents this year. We gave her the "Cinderbrella doll" she was hoping for, and with grandma and grandpa Poyfair's birthday $$ we got her a new bike, which she is learning to ride in the house, cause the street is too scary; and which she has named Kayla.
    I threw her her first big kid party yesterday the 29th while the big sisters were at school. She had the time of her life. I let her pick out balloons at the party shop so each kid would have a balloon to take home. We made cake pops, which were a huge hit by the way, and we made Shrinky Dink snowman necklaces/ornaments. Addie was a little sad when all the kids left, but then she remembered all the awesome toys she just opened, and was soon absorbed in playing with them.
    She is already talking about her party next year, and who is going to come, and the thing they will do. Such a little planner, just like her mom.
     so happy birthday to my little Blondie. I love you.
  

 Making shrinky dink snowm necklaces

I love the surprised look on her face as she opens the present

A little just dance kids. I believe this was the chicken dance.

Gotta check to see if ReAnn is doing it right.