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and they’re off {back to school}
After a really fantastic summer, I was actually pretty sad this morning to send the boys off to school. I decided this summer that there would be no camps, no schedules, no ‘real’ activities other than the beach and pool. It could’ve gone either way, but it ended up being fantastic. I feel like they’ll only be able to do this once or twice in their lives so I thought we’d make the most of it while we can. And it was seriously great! Sleeping late was really nice, too! As was the Carvel pretty much every night.
But all that came to a screeching halt this morning, getting up at 7am (ugh), making lunches and getting everyone to school. They are all looking forward to a great year with the big boys in 7th and Timmy in 1st. Its nice for them all not to be the littlest fish in the pond this year.
They all look so big. Waaaaa!
The big boys both had nice schedules with good teachers and some friends in their classes. I think they’re looking forward to seeing a bunch of their 6th grade friends in their school this year. They’ll be playing on two baseball teams this fall (one travel, one town), the school football team, they will be in religion, doing a bunch of community service, want to join Jazz band, Patrick wants to start a school newspaper, homework, etc. It’s going to be a busy one! 
And Timmy going off to 1st grade? Unreal! He has Mrs. Powers who I just adore and know he’ll have a fantastic year with her! Patrick had her for first grade and we all thought she was wonderful and Timmy’s so excited to have her. Plus, his BFF Jack is in his class along with Ms. McClain (Jack’s nurse). Really, can’t get much better than that! Oh, and we’re trying a new lunchbox for Timmy this year to help be a little more green. The Goodbyn is pretty cool and Timmy was excited to use it. Maybe he’ll eat his whole lunch! (one can hope). His backpack was pretty heavy with the lunch, water bottle and school supplies- he was having a bit of a problem standing upright. 
The house is eerily quiet and I miss my boys. However, the beds are all made, counters wiped down, dishwasher emptied and reloaded, already one load of laundry washed, dried and folded (with more to go…always), phone calls made and returned, emails answered and sent, house picked up and grocery list ready for me to hit the stupid market. And it’s not even 10:30am! I forgot I could be so efficient!I can’t wait for them to get home so I can hear all about it!
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hewitt 5th grade graduation
A few of the graduates from the 2011 5th grade class. Parents, you should be receiving an email with the link to the album with all of the graduates photos. Hope you enjoy them! Congrats to all the graduates, enjoy your summer and good luck at the middle school next year!!
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timmy’s kindergarten graduation (& after party)
Ok, so I’m a little behind in blogging this but last week my little guy graduated from the BEST year in Kindergarten, ever. Not only was his class terrific, and all the kids got along so well, but he had the best teacher (Ms. Jackson) and classroom nurse (Ms. McClain) and it all made for a year that I hope he’ll always remember.
Timmy learned so much this year, is a huge & excellent reader (hope he follows after his brothers in this) and is still one of the happiest kids I know. So proud of our Timmy!
And can you die of the hat?
Singing Katy Perry’s Firework. So, so stinkin cute!!!
I don’t know what pearls of wisdom Patrick was relaying to Gavin here. Maybe some advice on being a great big brother? (Sharon is due with #3 this week!!)
Grandma & Grandpa
With Ryan & Sean.
Grandma & Grandpa, and torturing Daddy. 
My smart boys! Jack & Patrick blew off their 8:15-10:30 school day so they could come to Timmy’s graduation. Such great big brothers they are!
Timmy & Olivia.
Love my littlest graduate. Cannot believe that Kindergarten is over and that he’ll be going to 1st grade next year. This year flew by and it makes me a little sad. Just want him to slow down a little. 
Timmy & Jack. Never far apart these two.
They asked to take a picture by their brick. 
Jen & Brian hosted a graduation party for some of us at their house. Fun!!
Mateo & Jack.
Happy Summer!!
And in all honesty, I think I was/am more excited that school is over than the boys! -
10 for Tuesday
I’ve got lots to share today, so here goes:
1. I know I have quite a few clients, prom attendees & their parents, graduates, etc waiting for their photos. I’ve been up until at least 2am pretty much every night and am working as hard as I can to get your pictures out to you. Summertime is always a little slower on the editing process as I don’t have the whole school day to myself to work, everything has to get done at night. So, just to keep you all updated, here is the order in which your pictures should be appearing on the blog. One post per day and figure a few days in there for personal posts while I edit the client shoots. Order is subject to change as well, but it’s a general outline.
Erin’s 40th
Alexis’s Bat Mitzvah
Hewitt Graduation
Elizabeth’s prom
Adam’s graduation
The Kelly Family
The Tepper Family
The Griffin Family
The DeMilt Family
Adam’s prom
2. It seems impossible that there can possibly be the sheer volume of laundry we have in this house. I’m doing at least a load a day (more like 2-3) and there is always more to do. The worst part? The freakin socks. The multiply, then divide and do some square root thing that I couldn’t calculate and ends up being 3 socks in a pair. I give up.
3. At the beach yesterday, it was a mini Ms. Jackson’s class reunion. (credit to Mary T. for the photo- thanks Mary!!) Luke (not pictured- he was in the ocean), Timmy, Mateo, Ali & Kristen. They were so glad to see eachother even though they’ve only been apart since Friday. It’ll be a great summer at the beach!!
Also pictured, Patrick with his huge sandcastle he built with Robert last weekend. They built another one today but I was rushing to make it to Adam’s on time and couldn’t take a picture.
4. John’s nasty leg and belly rash are back with a vengence. All the doctors he’s seen are saying it isn’t cellulitis again (thank god) but they don’t know what the hell it is. So they took two samples to biopsy to try to figure it out. He’s an itchy mess and I wish they could just fix it once and for all.
5. Had a date with Timmy to SushiYa and we had a great time. He chowed down on the yellowtail (it’s his favorite) and the beef teriaki (with no sauce and no sesame seeds) and rice with soy sauce. And I also spotted this awesome van in the parking lot. The name on it was Dharma Deliveries. Omg, I miss LOST.
6. Some recent flower shots. Some with the big girl camera, some with the iphone. Just cause they’re pretty. Still have to take some shots of my hydrangeas in the backyard (blue ones).
7. My friend Valerie started a blog about mom’s and their business ventures and she was nice enough to interview me for it! You can find it here: momunition
8. Spent the day Sunday at the beach with my great friend Celeste and her girls. They moved down to Georgia a few years back and the girls spend most of the summer up here with their grandparents. We all had such a great time and it was so good seeing the girls and my boys getting along so well, so quickly. They haven’t seen eachother in forever (at least 3 years) and after 10 minutes of weirdness, it was all good. They’ve known eachother since they were 3 months old and we met at Gymboree. I do love long time friends.
(ok, just ignore the fact that I’m way blurry).
9. Just so happy it’s summer! I made an executive decision a few weeks back that we weren’t doing anything this summer. No more schedules, no more waking up early with an alarm clock. Now, this has the potential to go really well or really, really badly. I’m hoping for a relaxing, fun summer with lots of last minute plans with friends, lots and lots of beach days and pool days. So far, so good. Except for some attitudes, rolling eyes and yelling (the yelling part is me) we’re doing really well. And even though it’s only been since Friday that school’s been over, Timmy has already asked when Ms. Jackson and Ms. McClain are coming over to visit him.
10. Just wanted to thank everyone who left a comment, emailed me, called me, facebooked me or told me in person on the great feedback on the birth shoot. I was already contacted by 2 expectant moms and I’m hoping we can work it out for another bunch of birth sessions!
Happy summer to everyone!! Stay tuned to the blog- lots more pictures to come!!
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joseph’s graduation
One of my favorite bsquared clients with the best smiles around graduated from St. Agnes (8th grade) earlier this month. I was so happy I was there to capture his day for his family. There are some familiar faces in the crowd, too.
I think he looks pretty proud of himself, as well he should. Off to Chaminade next year!
My across the street neighbor and a previous bsquared client. 
The twins I photographed a few weeks ago. 
Getting their last minute instructions. 
With a very proud mom and dad. (this was my first time meeting dad, which is pretty funny considering I’ve known mom for about 9 years!)
Receiving his diploma from Father Bill. 
Neighbor and one twin receiving theirs, too. 
The whole family. 
Joseph’s always all about the ladies. 
It only took 2 times to get these shots. Love these- my favorites. 
Congrats to you Joseph and good luck next year! I know you’ll do great- you’re just that kinda guy!!!