Simple Moments MINI Photoshoot

Simple Moments Photography did a mini-shoot for us Halloween weekend. We got all these fabulous pictures taken in less than 40 minutes. I was so impressed how well she captured our kids' personalities and we didn't have to fight with them to do it. Amy is fabulous! If you are interested check out her blog/website for contact info!

C is growing so fast! Look more like a little man every day!
He is also to the age that he can smile for most pictures and get a good one!
That is just AWESOME!

Not sure what it is but this kid just has a twinkle in his eye and Amy caught it.

Sweet Sassy! I LOVE THIS GIRL!

Can't believe our baby is 2 TOMORROW! Where does the time go?

Such an A2 face!

The man I LOVE! He is such a good sport putting up with me and all the pictures.

"Llano's" 2010

Miss Kristi can only cut my hair!

Sassy has been asking for months if Miss Kristi could cut her hair short. I have been fighting it and fighting it. I like doing the braids and fun stuff in her hair. And she has FABULOUS hair! Well, little miss thing finally won. Cheeto said it would grow back and I would do braids again. So off to see Kristi we went.

Ta da!

She looked in every place that would give her a reflection for the next 24 hours. Then the next day she said... "Mommy, I want my long hair back." I told her there was no magic button that made her hair grow back other than just wait.

A2 even got a trim. her hair has so many different lengths. She was so good to sit still while Kristi trimmed her hair. She refused to smile for me though.

Cedarock Park, Alamance County Field Trip

The boy's field trips at school are starting. I know I say it every time but I'm appreciative for Cheeto's parents to help so much so I have these opportunities to spend time with the boys. I love going on field trips with them! This trip took us to Cedarock Park, Alamance County, North Carolina. It's a little restored homestead of John and Polly Garrett from the 1830's.
It's a neat place that I keep forgetting to take my parents to when they come for a visit. It's a farmstead with lots of neat "old" stuff.

K took this. I gave him the camera for a little bit. He was one happy little guy!

Mr. Tony was telling the kids what kind of chores they would be given back in the day. One thing was that the children would collect corn cobs and clean them up and put them in burlap sacks. Can anyone guess what they would use them for? The kids just found out what they did with them in the picture above. It was hilarious to see them all say, " EW..... that's disgusting!"

Yep.... corn cobs would soak in water in the outhouse.

That was... what shall we call it.... their "toilet paper".

There was a donkey that was there when I went with Cade 3 years ago. She was really old then and they said she just passed away a couple weeks ago. "Bonnie" and "Clyde" the new barn residents were young and very skiddish with all the kids. K was very brave to go pet her. Mr. Tony said the day before he took Clyde out for a walk and Bonnie got so jealous that she jumped that stall. Yes that stall that reaches Mr. Tony's chest. She started getting jumpy and I started getting nervous. I could have done without knowing that they could jump the stalls. I am SO not an animal person!

Not sure why he jumped at the last second but it turned out to be a funny picture.

Garrett House Well

The "expensive" house

K insisted on taking pictures of me.
This one didn't turn out too bad. So I will allow it to be posted. ;)
I look so old and tired sometimes!

Field trips are just so much fun!

questioning my job....

So we were out with some friends on Saturday night and had a mini discussion that has really got me thinking. I have been working/helping a friend that is a photographer. Since Cheeto has been without a job I have been working weddings, shooting preschools, engagement and romantic shoots with her. I have also been gone processing and proofing pictures. I feel like I have been gone a lot and I have really missed the kids. Cheeto has been fabulous wearing the "mommy" shoes. This discussion got started because even though Cheeto has been doing a great job there were things around the house that I would have normally gotten done but he didn't, little things- nothing major. Our friend feels like being a stay-home-mom is a cushy job in some ways. But if you ask any stay-at-home mom they would definitely beg to differ! Then the question he asked that has REALLY got me thing was this.... How would you feel or do things differently if you knew that you would be getting reviewed on your workday? Where should I even start? Would I speak to my kids differently knowing I would be reviewed on my behavior? Would I make sure the house was always REALLY clean? Would I leave the bed unmade? Would I clean first or interact with the kids first? Would I make sure there was always a well-balanced cooked meal every evening? Would I make their lunches with a little less attitude? Would I leave the laundry unfolded for a week sitting in baskets in my bedroom? Would I test the babies diaper to see how much it could really hold? :) Would I do my girl's hair EVERY day instead of trying to do it a specific way so i could get 2 days out it? Would I not give up and call it a day as soon as the kids are in bed? Would I put the endless movies on for the kids just so I could craft without being bothered? Would I still make my workout time MY time, asking the kids to really leave me a alone for that one hour a day? Is it ok to ignore them for that long?
I'm not sure what is right or wrong. Is it too much to ask for a sample of the review sheet to see what types of things are acceptable or not? Or ask who would be doing the review? I am proud to admit I'm a stay-at-home mom. I do know one thing for sure, that unlike the workplace, there is no instruction give or someone to guide you. There are no set hours. We are on the job 24/7. No paid vacation, no holiday! Even on vacation we really aren't on vacation. No pay raises. Not much thanks either. Not many other adults to interact with. Never do get to feel quite like your own self. Always having to wear clothes knowing that someone is going to wipe their nose, sticky hands, and spill something all over you. However, the benefits are superb! Well, most days. :) I wouldn't trade Cheeto places for anything! I love my family! I know there is A LOT of room for improvement. I felt like I accomplished a lot today even if the house and kids don't show it. I really had that question stirring in my mind and I think it has really changed the way I look at what I do day in and day out.