Jack's Orange Shirt Pictures

Only a FEW weeks late this year. At least we weren't sick like we were last year for these.

So. A little about 2 year old Jack- he is OBSESSED with "choo choos". Daddy is his first word in the morning, that is closely followed by "choo choo". He lives, breaths, sleeps and eats trains. I think we've watched Polar Express a thousand times in the last 2 weeks and it NEVER gets old. Everything is a choo choo-

Jack is still SUCH a happy boy. He loves to make us laugh. He still has his dimples and I pray he keeps them forever. He loves to jump as high as he can (he actually gets impressive air for a 2 year old that is the size of a 3 year old) and shake his booty to music.

Jack wears a size 5 diaper and 2t clothing is getting snug. He hates having his teeth brushed, getting out of the bathtub and having his diaper changed. I'm dreading potty training but I will be happy when I don't have to alligator wrestle him into a new diaper and pants.

We also have one smart little guy on our hands. He knows how to count to 5 and sing ABCs with help. He is starting to repeat EVERYTHING. His favorite word (besides CHOOOO CHOOOO) is "no". It is his answer for everything. "Jack do you like candy?". "No".

Sleeping had been better until we went home for Thanksgiving (figures!). He takes a 2 hour nap every day...I have tears in my eyes as I write that. A 2 hour nap EVERY day. Thank you LORD. Getting him down at night is becoming difficult- he loves to run away and scream "nooooo". One of us has to lay by his crib until he falls asleep (sometimes up to an hour+). But it is getting easier. He won't need us forever so we are trying to be patient and sleep on Jack's time. He DOES sleep until 8am, God love my late risers.

Jack's favorite person in the WHOLE. WIDE. WORLD. is "sissy". He cries when we drop her off at preschool and get's SO excited when it is time to go get her or when he gets to wake her up in the mornings. They are starting to play more together. Most of the time they push, growl and throw things at each other. But I know that means it is true love. 

And here is a picture of Layla. She helped us get J's orange shirt pictures by running around the kitchen with a chicken finger in her hand so the dogs wouldn't run in front of the camera. LOL. 

 Flash back time- here is the crappy storyboard I have yet to finish editing-

 And his 1 year picture-

And here we are at 2 years old- 

We love this boy so much. I can not imagine life without our baby Jack.

Family Pictures 2014

I feel so behind right now. We got these done in October...or maybe it was September. The fall is a total blur when you are a photographer haha.

The kids were a little crazy for this. All they wanted to do was run around, we were "those" clients. Paybacks I guess. I still think we got some really great shots and the kids' personalities were really captured (the good, bad and ugly...we left a few out).

Happy Halloween!

It's that time of year again! I hope they let me dress them as a duo for the rest of their lives but, sadly, I think this may be the last year. It was Layla's idea to be Mario and Luigi and I think the costumes turned out adorable.

I thought the mustaches would be an issue but L LOVES wearing one. LOL. Jack, not so much but he does love wearing his hat. They also like to wield their plungers as swords. Oh boy.

L is SUPER pumped for trick or treating. J doesn't get it. We are trying to teach him to say "trick or treat" but I think he'll end up just telling the neighbors "more more more!!!" when he sees the candy. Who could say no to faces like these?

First day of school 2014

School is back in session and we have one happy little girl. She really, REALLLLLLY missed her teachers this summer. I'm not sure what we are going to do when this school year is over and we have to explain to her that her teacher next year will be different. I'm already dreading it!

ANYWAY...these first day of school pictures were super rushed and I feel terrible about it. I got whatever illness the kids had last week and I was feeling like death that morning. :( I still managed to get a few-

Layla says she isn't really sure what she wants to be but she knows that she wants to be a Mommy "for sure". :) 

Poor girl didn't sleep well the night before. I think she was just so excited for school! So after pictures on the porch she asked Daddy to carry her to the car. 

Here she is, all ready for school with a big smile on her face. 

It's funny to me that our kids will be at the top of the alphabet. Layla had the first hook again this year...Mommy was always the last in class. LOL. She knew just what to do!

She was a little anxious and held my hand for a minute before she was off to play. She has a much bigger class with some different kids this year. But once she recognized a friend from last year (a little blonde curly haired girl...her twin) she was off and happy. 

Poor sweet Jack really missed "sissy" that morning. He walked around the house calling for her. I had to go blow my nose and went back into the playroom to find it empty. I couldn't find Jack anywhere! Then I peeked around the corner and saw him in sissy's bed playing with my phone. :) 

Layla had a great first day and Jack gave her a big hug when he saw her. I wonder how long that enthusiasm will last?

Layla's First Ballet Lesson

Oh boy. We may have created a monster here. We've been putting off dance for awhile because of the "ballet class of 2013" fiasco. We took her to a free class right after Jack was born to see if she'd like it...she ended up rolling around on the floor and following the teacher barking. Not. Ready.

She also didn't love the gymnastics class I signed her up for pre-Jack. The only thing she wanted to do was the balance beam. If there is one thing we've learned about this girl over the last 4.5 years it's that when she doesn't want to do something, she doesn't want to do something. There is no convincing her otherwise.

I've been building her up for dance for about 2 years. Seriously...2 entire years. It started with going to her BFF, Maddie's, dance recital after "ballet class of 2013". We told her "See?? THAT is how ballet is supposed to be". She told us she didn't like it and wanted to dance to "Lady Gaga". Ok so she wasn't ready.

So since then we've been reading books about dance, listing to some classical music and encouraging her to "do what I do" during our dance parties. It totally worked and she was FINALLY excited to start dance this year. YAAAAAAAAYYYYY!!

I wouldn't consider L a girly girl but she was ROCKING her hair bow, leg warmers and tights the day of her first lesson. She was so excited to "go to ballet"!

I told her to give me her best ballet pose...this is what I got-

Then I told her to "be serious" and she did THIS. Oh I love this kid!

Layla gets to do her lessons in the library auditorium, the same place where her recital will be. PERFECT for this girl. She was a little nervous going into things...

She seemed hesitant when they first got started. I think most of the girls where in class last year so they were familiar with the format. Layla's teacher seems super sweet and really good with the girls. She moves quickly which I'm hoping means L will pick up her pace. :) We shall see! 

She was all smiles after class and said she "REALLY LOVED BALLET"! She can't wait to go back this week. :)