Flashback

This scanned photo is my mom (age 19!) changing me. I love how hip she was dressed as a young mom. My grandma had those fantastic curtains and painting (she did) up for many years. The changing table was eventually replaced with a vanity that I have in our home now.

Photo Shoot

We had an exciting day at a photo shoot.....the shocker is that Ben was much more interested than Isabel was.

Stickers and Ghouls

What a fun day yesterday! In the first photo is Ben in the early stages of being 'stickered' by his sister. The second photo shows the kids near a display before we began the spooky trail--the funny part is that 2 seconds later it moved and made noise and all of us jumped....and Ben cried.

Coffee Crisp love from Germany

Who knew such a tasty treat existed? My friend from Germany

sent two of these to me (the only evidence of the second one is the tiny crumb) and I think I am already an addict. I must find a local supplier.

Fancy Nancy and Funny Faces

Isabel discovered Fancy Nancy at the libray and requested some pretty flowers and butterflies for her hair....while taking some photos of her hair for daddy, we started playing on the bed and taking photos of our 'funny faces'

How do I choose?

Favorite moments and it is only 1:00: Listening to Ben sing ‘My Little Pony’ in his bed at 7:00 a.m.? Playing ‘eat the blocks’ at 7:30 am? Being silly with Ben at the grocery store while Isabel is at Gymnastics? Listening to them sing on the way home at 10:00 a.m.? Decorating pumpkins and watching them? Or when Dom came downstairs excited to show them a glorious red tree next door and we had to rush outside to look? Oh, wait, what about when they tore the skeleton off the door and then chased each other around with its' head?

Dam Building

Daddy used a part of our yard to teach the kids about building a dam and about the mechanics of flowing water.

Adoration

The talented Mr. Domingos: walks in the door at 6:15, eats his dinner quickly (as we did not wait as kids grouchy), changes his clothes while children hanging off his pant legs going upstairs....comes down to listen to me vent about hard day while the dishwasher begins to leak....plays with kids for 30 minutes, fixes dishwasher while I start bathing process...comes up to complete bathing process....gets kids into bed, reads to and lies with Ben then enters Bel's room as I depart...comes downstairs at 8, cleans up counter, then as he enters family room to rest, listens attentively while I explain how I am too tired to get eggs, milk and toner....puts on his shoes, grabs my list and off he went...I need to show my appreciation more often. You are a loving soul Mr. Leal. XO

Pure Joy

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Playing in the Cave

While cleaning the garage, Dom found a small flashlight so I made a 'cave' under the kitchen table and they are looking at books-priceless.

Checking for freshness

Ben decided it was time to clean out he spice drawer and sniff for freshness. He voluntarily threw some in the garbage.

The Family at Sunset

Before the Show

Last night, Dom and Isabel went to see "Disney on Ice' while Mommy and Ben had a date for diner. This photo was taken just before Bel went to the show. It was a great night.

The Lovely Snow White

Sit-n-spin...with attitude

Prima Ballerina

A new school year and a year of Gymnastics begins. Isabel loves her new leotard that she chose.

First Day Pre-K

Back to school!

Yogurt Face

Ben was having fun while feeding himself yogurt.

The 'Face'

I made the mistake of interrupting Isabel to take a photo...Needless to say, she did not have to speak a word for me to understand her feelings.