happy birthday to Madeline!

i can't believe this big girl is 3!!!!! it seems like yesterday we were walking around the park, trying to induce labor, wondering who Anna's new little sibling would be. as it is, she is the best little sister and big sister anyone could be!

Madeline started her special big day early, by announcing on Thursday that she was now potty trained!!! i was skeptical, but it is true. she kept telling me, "when I'm 3 mom, when I'm 3." by golly don't mess with a girl who knows what she wants. this is my kind of potty trainer!then, we were off to Sedona to see Grandma and Grandpa Earl and our cousins. Maddie spent her day riding the trolley, and having fun. she finished the day with everything she had asked for, a Cinderella princess cake,

and "blue stuff." this is where Anna's and Madeline's personalities are very different. when Anna was 2 1/2 she started telling me about how all her friends were going to come over for a big butterfly party on her birthday. when i prodded Maddie about what she wanted, a party, presents, cake, etc..? the answer was always the same, "blue stuff mom. blue cake, blue presents, blue toys, blue stuff!" you would think this was easier, you would be wrong. it's not all that easy finding "blue stuff." it is much easier finding Barbie Mariposa, and her accompanying dvd.

thanks to Grandma Colleen, we had the cake covered! and with the help of Aunt Tara, we got a bunch of "blue stuff."

and thanks to Daddy, we got the perfect gift. this "hula loop" seemed to be just the right "blue stuff" for our big 3 year old girl.

to top it all off, she had a second party with Grandma and Grandpa Beardsley and the Beardsley cousins 4 days later!

Madeline,

you are the sweetest, most wonderful child any mother could hope for. each day you bring such Joy to our family. we could not have chosen a more appropriate name for you my Madeline Joy. you are Anna's best friend, true and unfailing. you are Avery's hero, loving and kind. you love to play and try new things, like scooters, and soccer, and whatever else Anna is doing. you are funny and smart and teach your dad and i more than we think we teach you sometimes. you never let us forget to say our prayers, and always have the sweetest things to say to your Heavenly Father. you are loved by your friends and neighbors, and your teachers at the Gym and at Nursery. and all this at only three years old! your potential is limitless, and I know you will continue to surpass our wildest dreams as you become more of yourself in the coming years. happy birthday my darling crazy-haired girl. you are a true Joy, and I love you madly.

love,

Mommy

practice

i'm totally loving soccer!

after school

after we pick up Anna from school, the girls like to play around at the community center complex. sometimes a)we go to the gazebo to discuss the day. other times b) we hit the library. sometimes c) we just walk around checking stuff out. today, we did c.

Engaged: Misti + Jason

i love engagements. it's so fun meeting new people and learning a little bit about another couples love story. meet Misti and Jason: Misti is a dental hygienist, Jason was a patient!

this still makes me giggle. the idea of Jason, mouth wide, Misti suctioning all the gunk, sparks flying.

between them they are the proud parents of 3 lovely children.

a home full of love and laughter.

can't wait for the big day! congratulations!

Sara + Rudy

i am so thrilled to have met this adorable couple! how lucky am i that they chose ME to photograph their wedding in May.

okay, i have to be honest. meeting new clients stresses me out a little. i worry they won't like me, we won't gel. but meeting Sara and Rudy, i just knew they're engagement session would be beautiful.

i still need to get the rest of their sweet love story. so far, i know they met in college. Rudy noticed Sara right off the bat....

but she made him work for it. this is where i need some of the facts filled in. i'm not sure how he finally won her over, but if i had to guess, it must have been his infectious sense of humor.

Rudy makes Sara laugh, and that is a keyingredient to a happy relationship!

and a key ingredient to a fun engagement session!

thanks Sara and Rudy, for making my job so easy! i can't wait for your big day!

field trip

Anna and i went on a field trip with her school today to Arizona Museum for Youth (AMY). i love this place! it's full of fun hands on exhibits to re-enforce the art on display. right now, it's all about pattern. Anna got to make cool patterns with these awesome light puzzles. we did a cute doggie art craft:

i love the little garden they have there.

Anna loves to play house. she was "cooking" up a storm in there.

and playing with friends,Anna was so thrilled to hang out with me alone. sisters went with the Bates to the gym (thanks Rachael) and then we all met up for lunch. Anna and i really did have fun on our alone "date", but near the end she said, "i wish my sisters were here to see this." it was pretty cute to know that though my kids do need individual attention, they really are best friends who can't live without each other. i had a fun time with you today Anna! next time we'll have to take sisters too!

more Saturday fun!

the rest of our Saturday was fun as well. we hung out in the great weather and played golf with dad. Madeline's favorite thing in the whole world is Hot Air Balloons. she dreams about them nearly every night! her favorite color: blue. so, a blue hot air balloon is in short, fantastic! we saw one today. it was scream inducing! and here's my little soccer star, still sporting her beloved uniform!

first game!

Anna had her first soccer game today! it was so much fun for me to watch my little girl run around and kick the ball. mostly, this happened during warm ups. like here:
it even looks like she and Carter are about to go head-to-head. not so much, they're just warming up. i think Anna's favorite part of the game was this:
sitting on the bench getting her hair done by Kennedy! i have to admit, this was pretty cute. so, she wasn't really into the meat of soccer. she asked, "why do you steal the ball? isn't that rude mom?" well, yes in normal everyday situations, we Earls look down on stealing. but in soccer darling, we are ruthless. so, we will be practicing stealing (only the ball) in our backyard for family night. that way, these future soccer stars:
won't be quite so surprised by the concept. all in all, it was a really fun game. the boys are all really into it, so i'm sure Anna will catch the competitive spirit soon.
this shot pretty much sums up the game. here's the action, and there's Anna running next to the action, with a big smile on her face! good times!

art

i love art! i encourage my kids to be artistic. we should buy stock in Crayola Washable Markers! and, we should make sure those markers are always readily available, rather than the more permanent Sharpee. yes, today while i was in and out of the house, i spied the girls and some friends coloring with sidewalk chalk. "fun!" i thought, "i'm glad it's warming up, what a nice afternoon." got Avery up from her nap, changed her diaper, came out to throw it away. Anna said, "hey mom, look at the house i made.....i made lots of houses!" "those are great honey," i started before i looked. when i looked i saw this:

some rather beautiful houses drawn it multi-colored Sharpee! (that's permanent you remember) luckily i picked up some of that fantastic wonder cleaner people sell door-to-door. it completely does the trick. i just have to scrub each line with a steel brush on my hands and knees. needless to say, it's gonna be there a while!