summer so far!

So far this summer has been pretty low key, finishing up different sports, and still jus tgetting into the swing of things. Jolie had her recital this past Sat! She did such a great job, she was in 5 different dances and even managed to do her costume and hair changes all by her self (sounds simple, but costumes can be challenging especially fishnets) I will be doing her pictures this week, and can't wait to post them! I was appalled by the cost of the pictures through the studio, and am so glad I didn't do it (I have seen others people's and they were not special.) Zachary just finished "regular season" baseball with his little league team , they have a tournament starting this week, they played hard and were rewarded with an undefeated season!! 15-0!!!! Grady is still along for the ride, but having a blast!


Grady "hanging out" while his brother plays ball! They were playing at Security service field (where the Sky Sox play) because they had raised the most money in a fund raiser.


I love this picture of Jo! She loves dance and gives it her all!!!


Zach batting! He lives to play! This was a awesome hit, I was just too slow to get the ball in the picture :)

Jolie gets her braces put on this week(which she is excited about) and can't decide what color bands she is going to get first!!! It could be the biggest decision ever, like bigger than what candy to gget from the candy isle:)and I think we are going to Water World tomorrow!!!! not sure about those pictures, I wouldn't want to harm anybodys eyes.

WOW!!! I'm awesome!

So I just looked at my blog because I know it has been forever since I did anything with it, turns out it has been almost exactly a year!! My last post is about the end of Kindergarten and 1st grade, and wouldn't you know that yesterday was the end of 1st and 2nd grade!!! I have 800 excuses for why I never keep up with this, but I really want to make an effort to blog at least once a week! A quick update from me and then it is off to my glamorous life before I do something fun with my boys (Jo is at girlscout camp)I have finally decided to take the leap and fallow my passion for photography! I ordered cards a few months ago (and have been a wiener about giving them out) I purchased my domain name (and am in the process of setting up a website)and I set up a facebook page (last night)I don't know why I have been so timid (I think it can be hard to put yourself and your work out there for others to see and judge) but I am doing it!! full steam ahead! I am ready, I love doing it, and I look forward to sharing this (not so silent anymore)journey with all of you!!

Ps - my business name is: Simple Clix - Photography by Teresa Howe

The last days of K & 1st...

As always life has been a bit crazy, and I am once again way behind on the events of our lives. Here is a quick peek into the last week (or 2) of school for the kids. Keep in mind that my kids attended different schools because, being different children, they have different needs. We have enrolled them into the same school for next year in hopes that it is a good fit for the both of them. ((fingers crossed))

Field day at Zachary's school...
this is not his sport (AT ALL) but he had a blast anyway!

haha... could they get any further apart?!?

Field day at Jolie's school...

the entire class playing with a parachute.

Zachary won the Science Award!!!!


Zach's class had a party and "Graduation" on the last day of school.

Jolie's class had a game/play outside day on the last day. Girls vs. boys... and athe girls win!!!

9 MONTHS OLD!!!!

This sweet little baby...



has become this beautiful boy...



Grady is 9 months old today!! I can't believe it! This morning at his well check he weighed in at 24lbs 3oz (he has dropped to the 75th percentile) and 31.5in tall/long (still off the charts), he looks great (even his ears!)he has 6 teeth (4top and2 bottem)and has taken his first unassisted steps (not really walking yet, just a step or two then he falls) he can also say 5ish words! Grady is a very energetic, loving, and inquisitive boy. He keeps me on my toes constantly, he loves water (bath, glass of water he can dump, dog water, toilet, he won't descriminate) and the refrigerator is easily his favorite "room" in the house with the pantry and bathroom coming in at a close second.

Raiding the fridge...


and the pantry...


and if you can't find anything else to eat, water colors are pretty yummy!!

WAHOO!!

I have internet again!! Sorry I have not posted in a while, but the only internet access I have had was through my cell phone. So today I came upstairs and the kids were on the computer, not only the computer but playing on Disney Channel's website (this is their home page, and no they cannot "surf the internet" with out a password). I don't know how they did it, but I have internet again!!!!!! What smart little boogers they are :)

You Know You're A Mom When-sDAZE

This is one I had to participate in.

You know your a mom when...

-you don't really have an answer to the notoriously annoying "why" questions so after the first few you answer "because that's how God made it."

-you are walking out of the Y and your 5 year old is throwing a fit, instead of grabbing said child and whisking them away to your car you mention "if your gonna get in trouble for throwing a fit you should probably do a better job." Said child stomps foot and make guttural/growling noises at you. "No buddy more like this" stamp foot way harder than child is capable of and in a good loud whiny voice "but I don't want to, it's not FAIR!!!" Child is staring open mouthed (as well as many other Y patrons) he quietly proceeds to the car. (just want to mention that I WON!that right, I am not above beating a 5 year old in a whining contest.)

-you can name off almost every bathroom in the zoo. (and various other child friendly facilities)

-you hear a loud bang in the front room/ "formal living room" (you know, the one with the basketball hoop in it) and your response is "bring me what broke and the super glue"

-you carry snacks, drinks, crayons, diapers, wipes, etc... in your purse, but never anything you need like a pen or any feminine supplies.

I am pretty sure I could go on forever, but I need a shower and the baby is sleeping (so I have a very short window of oppertunity)

It's coming...

summer that is. And with the start of summer comes the activities!!! Little League opening day was this past Sat, this year Jolie decided to go with dance (I think she will still play t-ball in June/July, but she wasn't so sure about competative softball) and Zach decided the competative league is the way to go (I think he will do t-ball with park and rec too since Little League ends the first week of June). Zach plays with the Hooks and is #7. He played an awesome game and was a great sport on Sat. I was so impressed!


Jolie at the batting cages.


Grady at the first game of the season!


Zach got a hit! On his way to first base!


The bigs watching daddy in the batting cages.