NEW PROJECT!

WOW! I didn't realize how AWESOME my Canon Rebel Xsi camera is. I had to take these pictures today with my old el cheapo sony point and shoot. There is such a huge difference in picture quality. No wonder I used to be so frustrated with my photographs!

I know I mentioned awhile back that my cousin was opening up an antique store in Pennsylvania. He wanted to try to sell some of my things in his new store. The store was supposed to open in June so everything I made was short sleeve and summery. I think, fingers crossed the store's new opening date is this Friday. I had to make more things that were long sleeve seeing as the weather is about to turn. Here are pictures of some of the things I am sending. I have to get to the post office this morning and of course it is pouring rain. Oh well, let's hope this stuff sells. Jules

PS-I have no clue why the second paragraph is lighter than the first paragraph. I am not savvy enough to fix that I guess!

FREEDOM....THEN WHY AM I SO SAD?

School is back in session. This is maybe the first year that I wasn't really looking forward to "back to school" time. This summer went way to fast and didn't last long enough. I am not looking forward to early bedtimes and homework and it getting dark early. I think part of my dreading back to school day is because my 5 year old started his elementary career last Wednesday. I thought I would be fine, I honestly did. In fact, I was fine until I saw his little face peeking out of the bus window as the bus was pulling away leaving me. I'll never forget the image of just his face peeking out the window with an ear to ear grin flashing me his black tooth smile (that only a mother could love) and feverishly waving to me. I waved and smiled and went into the house and sobbed. I drove to the school to make sure he got to his class okay on his first day. He was so fine and didn't appear nervous at all. He was just really proud to be sporting his new KC Royals backpack and officially declare himself a Kindergartner. My second grader wasn't as excited as his brother. He was more nervous I think.

The whole day I was fine one minute and then the next minute have huge tears welling up in my eyes. It's so hard to let go. I was worried about all kinds of things like was he going to be able to carry his lunch tray by himself? Would he be able to button his pants after he went to the bathroom? What if his shoe became untied? Would he be confused at lunch and pick out an appropriate balanced lunch? Would he find little friends to play with at recess? Do I need to get a life or what? What the hell am I going to do when they leave for college? YIKES! I can't even imagine that one. I also can't help but wonder if I did enough to prepare him. Not being home with me everyday is a BIG deal. At least to me. I honestly realized that morning that being a mom is so rewarding but also so heartbreaking. After you are a mom you just have to face a lifetime of letting go. I realize that it is a good thing to be able to let go it's just so incredibly hard!

Jules

EMBRACE THE CAMERA

It's another embrace the camera Thursday. This is the best I could do today. I know its a little blurry. My 8 year old took it. It's a picture of me and my smiley 1 year old. I love his chubby, slobbery smile. Go to www.andersonfamilycrew.blogspot.com and check out the rest of the cute photos.

Jules

SUCCESS!!!

Smashed pennies from the train track! This was a two day process. We went back the next day and there were no pennies to be found. My two little buddies were pretty bummed. We put 6 more pennies on the track yesterday and as we were pulling up to see what we could find a train was way off in the distance. My kids and I quickly put a bunch more pennies down and waited patiently in the car. After the train passed this is what we found:

I am aware that this isn't very exciting to most people but my kids thought it was really cool!

Jules

EMBRACE THE CAMERA

Okay I am finally going to participate in this "embrace the camera" thingy. There is a blog that I love and read (stalk) on a regular basis. Her name is Emily and she started this embrace the camera challenge. The challenge takes place every Thursday. Most parents are the ones taking pictures of their kids and they are never in them. I love the FEW photos I have when I was a little kiddo and my parents are in them. I love to see what they looked like, what they wore etc. I am not in alot of photos with my kids and maybe this challenge will change that. It's not about how good you look it's just about random shots with your kids so.....this is my 5 year old and I this morning watching Spongebob and goofing around. You should check out the other photos at http://www.andersonfamilycrew.blogspot.com/!
Jules

TRAIN TRACKS AND PENNIES

We are definately in the dog days of summer. The temp according to my car is 101! Why did I decide on a train track photoshoot today? I beg to ask myself the same question. I am very disappointed in my photos today. In my defense, I did most of the shots one handed because my other hand/arm was holding a 23 pound baby boy who was crying. Of course as soon as I let his little wobbly body down to walk around the rocks/train tracks-he wiped out and nailed his head. He has a pretty good bruise to prove it too. Anyway...here are some of the pictures I got today. I really wanted to shoot at the cornfield across the street but it was just to hot.I wish my boys could actually have a fake smile that looked real. Oh well.

Jake's hair is questionable but whatever.


We put 6 pennies on the track to see if a train will come by today and smash them. We are going to check it out tomorrow. If they aren't smashed I am going to have 2 disappointed little dudes! Let's hope for the best!

Jules