Happy Holidays!

The delightful darling wearing brown, front and center, is my joyful angel. It was such a heart-felt moment to see her singing so cheerful with all of the other preschool children, as the moms and dads were watching and recording this moment for eternity. I am so, so proud as I watch her happy smiling face in celebration of the Christmas holiday:

Oh wait, nevermind. Bah humbug!

Halloween 2012

Even Hurricane Sandy's downed power lines, power outages, broken tree limbs and flooding couldn't keep Jake and Ali from trick or treating this year! We had to go over to Mema & Papa's neighborhood in Mamaroneck during daylight hours to collect our loot, but the kids were happy to ring doorbells and scamper up and down the street. Eastchester postponed our trick or treating until Saturday, so Jake got twice the trick or treating in this year!

Here is Anakin Skywalker (who had just lost a tooth to a Milk Dud!) and Princess Ali:

First Day of School!

This year, Jake started 1st grade. He is in the same school he attended last year. It is only Kindergarten and 1st grade at his school, so now he's one of the "big kids" at school and on the bus. Ali started preschool in the 2's program at the same school where Jake attended the 4's program. Here is a picture of both of them on their first day. So far, everyone is enjoying their school and their new teachers.

Greetings from Dutch Wonderland!

Jake, Ali and I met up with Peepa to spend a fun afternoon and evening at our favorite kids amusement park in Lancaster. Humid but fun! This was the last ride of the night.

Ali's 1st time on a pony!

Peepa just sent this from Dutch Wonderland. The kids are out visiting Geedah and Peepa since school is over but camp is yet to start. Looks like they are having a blast so far! Well, judging from Ali's face, I think the jury is still out on her opinion of pony rides. She's not screaming to get off, so that's a plus. She broke my skin with her fingernails when we were at the zoo on Tuesday and a tiger walked right by the glass. So my fearless girl does have a few fears after all!

And for comparison, I just looked up Jake's first time on a pony four years ago. He doesn't look thrilled either!

And both of them as a comparison:

Jake Golfing

Ralph took Jake to the driving range over the weekend with the new golf clubs he got from Geedah and Peepa for Christmas. Here he is in action:

My babies this morning

iPod

"Not much, just chillin' on my changing table, learning my letters on mommy's old iPod, textin' my peeps. What R U doin?"

Doll, baby, dog.

A moment later Alex decided to lick her baby too.

Watching the game together

Sharing a chair, watching Mamaroneck beat Eastchester 17-0. Love how Ali always leans her head on Jake's shoulder.

Hope your Easter is a scream!

Happy SIXTH Birthday Jake!

My favorite boy in the whole world turned SIX years old! I can hardly believe it, he's growing up so fast, despite all of my efforts to keep him my tiny baby boy. I couldn't imagine being more proud to have such a wonderful, loving, funny, gentle, silly, beautiful, amazing boy as my son.

Eating Ice Cream in Ocean City last summer

I have tons of videos of Alex eating. Because she loves to eat. And I love to watch her eating. I often wonder why I don't have many videos of Jake eating as a baby and a toddler. And then I remember it's hard to make videos of a sight so rare.

Beezie chasing geese last summer

I've been doing a lot of backing up of all my files here before wedding season gears up again, so I thought I'd share some oldies but goodies. This is one of my favorite videos, even though it's nearly a year old. My little busy bee was chasing and yelling at the birds at the park in Mamaroneck, after she tired of the playground.

Jake swimming, for reals this time.

This winter, I signed Jake up for his first-ever swimming lessons. Today was the last of his 7-week course. He liked it so much and did so well that he's ready to move up to the next level. I'm very proud of how far he has come, considering he had no swimming ability just 7 weeks ago.

"I'm Melted Batman!"

Or, my son is going through the goth stage much younger than normal.

Batman at McD's

Ali counting

Ali getting her hair braided by Geedah

Happy 2nd Birthday Ali!

What a difference a year makes! (same skirt)

I love you so much my little crazy-pants sassy, silly, sweet baby Beezer! You complete our family and you are a complete joy. You are so smart and capable and creative already. You make us laugh so hard, you make us yell, you make us tear our hair out, and give us heart attacks. You are spunky and wild, but also sweet and kind. You love your brother more than anyone on earth, and it is the sweetest thing to watch the two of you together. You have a mind of your own and you know what you want. You are tough and strong, but also gentle and tender. You are my sweet little girl and I am so happy to be sharing a birthday with you! Happy Second Birthday Alexandria Mary!

Happy Valentine's Day!

I took the kids out in the back yard today (two separate sessions) to get some fun pictures on Valentine's Day while they were all dressed up. They were both their sassy silly selves and I enjoyed getting to photograph my babies again (loving the off-season right now!)

Snow Day!

It only seems to snow on the weekends this year, which is fine with me, because that means Ralph is home with me and the kids to shovel the driveway and sip hot chocolate. We've had a very mild winter, but I was checking my CF cards before a shoot the other day and I came across these snowy images from last month. Enjoy!

Our big helper:

Our two favorite snow bunnies :)

My little free spirit:

"Happy Birthday to Pizza!"

...said Alex. Jake and I laughed, and I turned around to see the "cake" she had made out of guacamole and taco shells:

Hockey

Jake, watching college kids play hockey, way past his bedtime

Jake's first time on the ice!

It took bribery and coercion, but I got Jake out on the ice!!

Our little artist, 23 months old

I just handed Ali a box of Lego pieces and when I looked back down a minute later, she had put this together.