Taking a Challenge

I was just reading the latest on DP Blogs and thinking about being consistent in taking pictures. This of course lead to thinking about being consistent about blogging. I'm not real good at either. When things get hectic, both tend to get pushed to the end of my list. I wanted to be better about blogging in November, and now the whole month has gone by and I didn't write a single post. I look at December's to do list and things don't look promising. So, perhaps this is not the best time to take on a new challenge. Here's where the little bit of crazy in me comes to the surface and I'm embracing a new challenge with alacrity.

I quite honestly have not been looking forward to this month. With all that is in me I have been dreading Christmas this year. I won't say that those feelings aren't still there, but after listening to Christmas music on my way home from the airport I started to remember why I like this holiday. So, I'm going to join the December Photo Project for several reasons. 1.) it will force me to both take pictures and post something on my blog every day. 2.) It will hopefully help me focus on things I love and enjoy this month instead of just obligations. 3.) It gives me a little bit of time for two things I love-taking pictures and blogging, without feeling like I'm stealing tons of time from other things.

I like this project because from what I can see, the pictures don't have to focus on Christmas. It's just a glimpse of what your focus is on that day. So, while I'm sure there will be more then a few Christmas pictures, that won't be the only focus. I'll post my first picture later on today. Wish me luck!

This is Halloween

Wow, I can't believe a whole month has gone by since I last posted anything. I was really hoping for some cool Fall posts this month. After all, we started off October by going to Deetering Orchards as a family, Katrina had a field trip to the pumpkin patch, and we went to the pumpkin patch as a family with our church group. The leaves are changing colors all around us and of course we end up the month with Halloween. So much potential blogging material! However, my theme for this month seems to be, "things are never what I'm expecting" or hoping. Basically when I look at the pictures from all these events they just leave me feeling flat and uninspired. Hey, at least the kids had fun. Now, October is over and I'm starting off November super sleep deprived from being up all night with Micah. Here's hoping the rest of the month is up from here and I can do a better job of nabbing those photo opportunities that arise.

For Halloween we did the typical trick-r-treating thing. The kids seemed to love their costumes and have fun, which is my main goal. They got to see friends and get some candy. For some reason the whole day felt a bit hectic and rushed to me. I'm sure this will improve when I no longer have to work the day around nap times. Emily had complete say over her costume this year. Katrina absolutely loves her shirt with the skunk on it, so she thought it was pretty cool to suddenly become that picture. Micah was his usual happy-go-lucky little self. With that I bid goodbye to another October and hello to November.

Another First Day

I told myself we wouldn't do it. We had decided it would be better to wait. Then like the squeaky wheel, the drip, drip of water against a stone, you wore me down until I gave in. So, at the tender age of two, you-my sweet Katrina, started preschool.

Emily started Kindergarten almost a month ago. You've missed your playmate so much. The first week you hardly left my side. I would tell you to go play and you would just look up at me sadly and say, "I can't, Mommy." You also started asking every single day when, where, and how you were going to go to "pretty school". Since potty-training is somewhat in hand (a requirement for school) we decided to let you go.

Your first day you were very excited, although shy at the same time. Things didn't go very smoothly and so we were fifteen minutes late. Not how I wanted to start your first day. Perhaps it was for the best. By then all the other parents were gone and things were pretty quiet. We went into your classroom and washed your hands and met your teacher. You looked very nervous, but you didn't cry. When I picked you up you excitedly rattled off all the things you had done. Sat in a circle, sang songs, had snack, played on the playground, and made crafts!

I have to admit, I'm more sad about you starting school then I was about Emily. I wasn't planning on letting you go until you turned three. I think part of my sadness is because I feel like your baby-hood slipped by so fast and now I see your toddler-hood slipping by too. You are my fast paced little bundle of joy who loves to snuggle and loves to play with babies. I'm glad you like preschool. I know you are going to have so much fun there and learn lots of new things. I'll do my best to treasure all the little moments and never forget to cherish your sweet hugs and kisses.