I am so excited that Brad is off work tomorrow.   We've had a really great weekend so far and I'm happy that it's continuing.  Just can't decide what to do . . hmmmm . . .swim, sleep, eat, shop????  So many decisions.   OR, I can work on editing pictures!!!!   That's what I *should* be doing . . . but family time is calling my name.  Work will still be there on Tuesday, so Tuesday it is.  Come on Labor Day, it's time to PLAY!!!!!!!!!

A Kasen Kutie = I was talking to Kasen yesterday, explaining how I expected her to behave BEFORE we went in the store.  I was giving her the rundown of what's good behavior and what's undesirable behavior.  Then I asked her, "Do you understand?"  She looked up at me with those radiant blue eyes, and affirmatively replied, "I un-der-stand partner!"   I mean, where DOES she get this stuff???

And what's a post without a picture???
Here's Kasen swinging and having a ball.  There are a few pictures where her whole face is showing, but this was my favorite.  Her little face just sneaking out behind her shoe . . . and the slightly scrunched up, twinkling eyes show that she is, no doubt, smiling .

See ya' later!!

We had "Meet the Teacher" night for Kasen's Mother's Day Out program this evening.  One of her last year teachers moved up to her class this year, and Kasen was THRILLED.  Lots of little girls in her class, unlike last year.  They seem like a really sweet bunch of kids.  Oh, and how could I forget, Connor was there.  Oh be still her heart.   She hugged and hugged him like she hadn't seen him in two years.  He, on the other hand, was very calm, cool and collected about the whole thing.  It was too funny.  She was missing him so much on the ride home and asking to hug him again . . and again . . . until we calmed her down with a Dairy Queen sundae.

The funniest story of the night was when Kasen and another little girl were playing with the play kitchen.  Kasen said "I need to wash my hands."  As she was pretending to wash her hands, she held her hand up to the little girl and said "Now stand back.  This is dangerous!"

Oh, and they don't take naps in the three year old room. This is going to be an interesting year.  Kasen can't wait to attend her first day, which is next Tuesday.  She'll go every Tuesday and Thursday.  She did not want to leave her new room at all this evening, so that's a good sign.  And I know she's in great hands and that calms MY heart.

See ya' later!!

Since I was sitting here working on Courtney's senior pictures, I found a few that I just HAD to share!!

HEEEEeeeeerrrrrre's Courtney ~

Normally, when I'm working on pictures, I know just how I want to crop them.  I already have the image in my mind before I ever edit them.  Well, this next one, I kept going back and forth and I could NOT decide which one I liked better . . . so I'll just share them both.

  See ya' later!

We just had time for a quick swim today, but Kasen had a BLAST.  She loves her new life jacket, but she also loves to take it off for a "swim lesson."  Brad stands away from her and has her swim towards him.  He still holds on to her, but he said that it's just barely.  She is getting so good at paddling and kicking.  We tell her to paddle-paddle, kick-kick . . and she does.  We talked about how her friend Sadie floats like a starfish . . or is that swim??? LOL  I can't remember.  Anyway, as I was telling her about Sadie learning to swim, she said, "I love Sadie.  Sadie's my best friend." Awwwww!!!!  They really are soooo cute together.  I guess we need to get them together a little more often . . . . do ya' hear that Rayne????? *wink-wink*

See ya' later!!  Have a GREAT week everyone!!

Do you ever take a picture of your child and when you look at it on the computer screen, you say "WOAH, she looks TOO old??!!" *yikes*  Well, that's what I did yesterday and I could see my toddler turn into a teenager right in front of my eyes.  It must be the hair right?!  'Cuz I'm so NOT ready for those years yet.

As I was watching Brad hold up Kasen yesterday to look out the front door peep hole, I thought, "Yep, that's my baby . . . . still little enough to be held, her toes almost reaching Daddy's knees, and her sweet toddler hands wrapped around his arms, trying to contain her excitement."  I soaked in the moment of the thrill, watching both of them waiting for the "pizza man."  I was so grateful for the reminder that she JUST turned three and that we'll still have her as a toddler for a *little* while.  But those last three years just raced by, and I can't be sure, but from that past experience, the years will fly by and she will be a teenager before we can even blink. *sniff-sniff* 

So for now, I'm working hard to embrace ALL of toddlerhood, from the sweet "I love you too sooo much Mama, to the moon and back," to the crying request of "I want MY Daddy," because he will, of course, save her from the horrible clutches of her mean ol' Mommy. LOL

Stay small sweet girl  . . . . at least for a little bit.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

See ya' later!!  Have a GREAT weekend!!!

I think the  picture says it all.

Well, bliss=Kasen
And, ache=me

Kasen was playing princess last night and we were in the studio *trying* to get a few pictures when she announced that she was going to have an accident RIGHT THEN!!  Sooooo, I scooped her up and bolted to the bathroom.  In the midst of my 100 yard dash, I forgot that I had set a basket in front of the bathroom door, because we had been rearranging furniture in the bedroom.  Well, I tried to hurdle that basket and trust me, I am NO track star!! LOL  My big toe caught the basket and as luck would have it, I did NOT win . . . . basket=1, Karen=0.  Ugh!!!  After getting doctored up, I hobbled around all night long while my toe throbbed in pain.  And even this morning when I went to change my bandage, it is still bleeding quite a bit.  So here I am, with a hitch in my step, and still having major right shoulder pain.  Whoever said that getting old wasn't for sissies, certainly had their facts straight!! LOL

See ya' later!!  And I hope that your Friday is pain free!!

Oh yeah, do ya' think she was into the photo shoot??!! LOL


I keep thinking that if we make it fun, I can just get a few shots that will be great.  And as usual, Kasen has other plans. *rolling eyes here*

We're hoping she can channel that energy into something positive . . . . .the Olympics maybe??!! :D  She's got a LOT of energy and quite a few years to make that work for her!! *wink-wink*  Now, we just have to decide which sport she would excel at - decisions, decisions!! LOL

See ya' later!!

Tonight at dinner, Kasen said "I need two of those dangerous things." 
Translation: Kasen was asking for the holders for her corn-on-the-cob. She is so funny sometimes.

At lunch today, she was asking Brad for some chips to go with her
turkey burger. She said "I need some more chips please." Brad was
moving rather slowly getting them onto her plate and she tilted her
head sideways, looked up at him smiling, and said "Awwww, come on
Chief!"

What a character!! It's a good thing she's cute because she has been a major pill lately, exhibiting some extreme attitude. So far, THREE has not been easy. What happened to the terrible twos? I think I'll take them back.

Do you know this story?  It goes, "Five little monkeys jumping on the bed, one fell off and bumped his head.  The mama called the doctor and the doctor said, 'No more monkeys jumping on the bed.'"  Well, in our case, it's one lone little monkey, but she sure can do the damage of several. LOL

Here's our little monkey jumping on her brand new, just delivered today,  FANTASTICALLY WONDERFUL, BIG GIRL BED!!!!!!!!!!!!!  She is super duper excited and as far as Mommy and  Daddy go . . . . wellllllllllllllllll, wish us luck this evening that it all goes smoothly.  I really wanted to hold off a bit longer, but we are in desperate need of moving some furniture around to have everything ready for our next little one.  Yes, it may be a year from now, but I want to be prepared!!!!!!

We picked up her new bedding last night and she LOVES it.  It's nice that it goes with my old furniture so well.  The furniture that you see in her room was mine when I was a little girl.  It has held up really well, because it's OLD!! LOL

Okay, seriously, pray for us that she does not get up at 2:00 a.m. and start wandering through the house.  It's a good thing we have an alarm system.  At least I'll know if she's trying to escape!! LOL  It might be a little tough, since we have child proof locks on all the doors that lead to freedom!!

See ya' later!!

I had the pleasure once again of taking Courtney's photographs.  We took outdoor shots in April and this time, she was ready for some fun, playful studio shots.  And let me tell you, she certainly did deliver.  She is SO much fun, so charismatic and fantastic in front of the camera.  Really, just a natural.  And I had a blast as well . . . .even though I developed a horrible case of the sniffles right before they arrived.  All brought on by the wonderful rain.  And wouldn't you know it, about one hour after they left, I felt great and was back to my normal self.  Just took a little too long for that Claritin to kick in I guess!

Anyway, here are some of my favorite shots of the day and believe me, there were LOTS!  I hope you like them Courtney. . . . and family!!

Thanks again Courtney and Diana (my FABULOUS assistant), it was great seeing you two again. 

Well, that's a wrap!!

See ya' later!!!