Chinese NY, Ellie, & the Zoo

Last Saturday we went to our cities Chinese New Year Festival and met up with our friends Diane & Ellie. We arrived really early as I wanted to see the Chinese Dragon dance through the park across the street from the indoor festival. I knew there would be few firecrackers going off but I had no idea it would last through the entire dance. My kids had their hands over their ears the entire time and were soon scared of the loud Chinese Dragon. Oh well........I tried.
Because we arrived so early we missed most of the good acts (singing, dancing). The kids became bored so we ended up running through the park across the street. When that got old we loaded up the kids and headed for the Zoo. It was such a beautiful day I didn't want to waste it at home taking a nap. I did later regret this when my 2 did a tag-team tantrum act at the Zoo. It got pretty ugly. I think Isabel screamed for the entire 10 minutes it took me to drag her out. When she stopped to take a breath Jackson would take over. They never act like this, or just not to this extreme. But overall we had a really great time. Tantrum and all. :)

You just can't help but loving them to pieces.

I know I'm his Mommy but have you ever seen a more beautiful little boy? :)

Beautiful Ellie

2/10/10

Well, so much for me being a better blogger. I wish I could say that I tried but that's not quite true. I am becoming overwhelmed with all that I need to do in order to get my children's photography business up and running. Blog, web-site, logo, i need to trash the Photoshop Elements and get the big kid Photoshop CS4, business cards, copywrite, web hosting, the list is INSANE! I had hoped to have this up and runing by Spring but I don't know that it's going to work out like that. :(
But it WILL work out. I will get it together because I want it so very badly. Now if someone could just throw about 4k my way that would be fabulous! :)

Now for the kids:
They are happy and healthy. Knock on wood, we haven't really had any illness this year other than a virus. I'm pretty lucky with the health of my kids.
They are growing in height and weight. Even Miss Iz has packed on a pound or 2. She is up to 27lbs and Jackson is weighing in at 32lbs. Height I believe is 36" for Iz and 37" for Jackson. She will be able to ride the little kid rides at the Amusement Park this year! Woo hoo!
Jackson has been in what I hope to be a very short-lived phase the last few days. He has been acting pretty nasty. I am a pro dealing with Iz and her tantrums and back talk but I am new at having to deal with my once sweet little boy. He is so sensitive and soft-spoken and has hardly ever had to be placed in time out. Until now. PLease, please let this go away as quickly as it arrived. We were late to school this AM because they were both in time out and J. was screaming at the top of his lungs in protest. His protest lasted a LONG time. Fingers crossed we will have a good day after school. It's crazy cold outside so no park or pictures but I cannot stay home. All J wants to do is drive down to the train tracks and wait on trains to go by. Not much fun for me and Iz so I'll have to see if they can agree on an after school adventure.
I hope everyone has a great week!

Zoo Friday

Friday afternoon was a bonus day for me and the kids. Kevin's parents are in Las Vegas and obviously couldn't watch the kids so Kevin dropped them off at my work on his way in to work (total tag-team parenting in our house). It was about 2:30 so already an hour or so past nap time so I asked them how they wanted to spend the afternoon. I already knew what they were going to say before I asked - The Zoo. The $100 per year for our family membership is the best $100 we spend all year long. We do still have to buy tickets for the train and carousel but still a great investment. Love it! We had a great time, the kids were very, very good which meant I was a happy Mom. :)

Jack's Pirate Party

Last Saturday we were invited to a super fun birthday party for an adorable little guy also named Jackson (they call him Jack). He goes to school with my 2 adorable little people so they were very excited. Jackson (mine) wasn't at all interested in wearing any of the pirate garb but Isabel was a different story. My girl was accessorized! She loved it. Isabel was my shy child that day while Jackson just ran inside like he had been to their house before. He was playing Hungry, hungry hippos within minutes (I guess I need to get that game). Jack's Dad had lots of games lined up for the kids to play and Isabel even WON the pin the tail on the donkey game! I'm so proud. :)

Jack the Birthday boy
My "little ray of sunshine"

Is she not the cutest little pirate ever??

I think she's flirting with my baby. :)

My handsome little guy

Happy Birthday Jack!

I think Clotilde liked the cake. :)