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jack & patrick graduate 8th grade
Well, they sorta did. Last week was all of the middle school graduation activities. First was awards night where some of the 8th graders received different awards for both character and academics. The boys both won an excellence in Spanish award (which is really rather ironic as Jack will be taking German next year, and Patrick Mandarin Chinese). As it turns out, that was pretty much their last event of graduation week. Thursday Jack went to the graduation party/dance as I took Patrick to an after hours doctor to be diagnosed with pink eye. In both eyes. So needless to say, he wasn’t going to the dance. The next day was graduation and earlier that morning Jack started with a raging stomach virus. So instead of infecting the whole school, they missed graduation. Which was a big bummer (at least to me) and a big disappointment that their names weren’t even announced at the ceremony (even though I did call that morning to let them know the boys were sick and wouldn’t be able to attend the ceremony). I picked up their diplomas yesterday and letting the whole event go. Moving on to high school next year and sooooo excited for them and all their new adventures.
And I think they grew again overnight. Pictures from awards night.
Patrick.
Jack.
Their friends (and Royals teammates) Johnny & Anthony both won citizenship awards. Great job by great boys!
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timmy’s turn for baseball
All the baseball on the blog seems to be for the big boys, today is Timmy’s turn. A compilation from a few of his games. And yes, he’s just as into it as his brothers and his dad.
Timmy’s BFF Jack.
My Jack helping out. 
Danny.
Someone’s got his game face on. 
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timmy’s communion- the party (aka the communitzvah)
We ended up with a fabulous day (thank god) with tons of family and friends with amazing food, gorgeous decor and a happy communitzvah boy. The party theme was vintage baseball. What else would it be?
The lighting was kinda horrible to work with, but since they’re my own pictures and not a clients (and I was not busting out the lighting) it went into the category of it is what it is. The amazing “focal table”, all designed and implemented by the fantastic Jenn Evans from Jennifer Evans Events. 
The food was beyond delicious (especially the appetizers- always my favorite!) and the service was outstanding, all provided by the amazing Fran Klier. Not only a fantastic chef, but a good friend and Royals family member. 
Centerpieces. My favorite!
Vintage straws and coke bottles. 
The drink table welcoming guests as they arrived.
The focal candy table in parts… Including Mommy’s Marshmallows. 
Jenn wanted to do a special signature cocktail for the party. This is what we agreed on. 
Baseball card graham cracker cookies and baseball cake pops. 
Amazing cake (with three different layers- all different flavors) by The Cake Don.
“Forked” baseball iced oreos (stuck on a little tiny fork). 
Some games for the kids.
Baseball wreath from baby toes on Etsy. And potted flowers from my friend Heidi. Which I’m happy to report I haven’t yet killed. Give it a few more weeks though.
Under the baseball big top. 
Me and my girlies. Jen & Sharon. 
Timmy and his besties. Liam & Jack.
My photografriend Shira who left her family party to come over for a few minutes to take some pictures so I could be in some. 
Tricia and two of her three girls. 
John and his crew. Ray, George, Nelson & Jim. 
Me and Maureen all the way from Michigan. 
Jack & Timmy.
Do not even ask me, cause I don’t know. 
Karen, all three of my boys baby nurse. She used to be able to hold them both at once. And lived in my house for a total of 4 weeks. I still love her so.
Any guesses who?
Timmy and his godmother. As you can see I didn’t go crazy with the camera/picture taking during the course of the day. Was trying to be in the moment and enjoying the day as much as I could. It was a nice change of pace for me!
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timmy’s communion- church & portraits
Finally, finally getting to edit and post the pictures from Timmy’s communion. Gotta take care of all the client sessions first! We lucked out like crazy on the weather which was a huge factor- being that about 100 people were coming to our house for the party. Timmy’s allergies were pretty bad but he managed to suck it up for the day.
Some of the boys while waiting for their mass to start. 
My friend Debra and her handsome son Thomas. (who did a reading during the mass and did a great job!)
Chris (my friends Melissa & Mark’s son).
Patrick (my friend Liz’s son) bringing up the gifts. 
Timmy on his way down the aisle, with partner Annie. Love that they are the same size. 
My handsomes after church.
We surprised the boys yet again with a visit from Connor. Maureen is Timmy’s godmother so she came in from Michigan for the weekend (thanks again Maureen!!). We told the boys that only Katie (my goddaughter) was able to come with Maureen cause the boys had hockey and baseball. But Maureen worked it out so Connor could get away for the weekend. They were soooooo happy to be together and got about 8hrs of sleep the entire weekend. Too much catching up to do to sleep. 
A big thank you to my photografriend Shira www.shirazphotography.com who came for about 15 minutes to take some family pictures so I could actually BE in some of them for a change. She had a family party that she left to come quick to our house for a few photos. Now that’s a good friend!
Me and the hubs.
I’m wearing little heels and standing on a teeny tiny incline, but I think Patrick is just as tall as I am now if not taller. Sigh.
No kisses.
More pictures to come tomorrow of the party and decor. Can’t wait to show you! -
10 for Tuesday (on Wednesday)
So I’m a little behind…not new news.
1. Timmy made his big commercial debut. This was the shoot we did up at an elementary school in CT (that it took us 5hrs to get to) for Carhartt. It was a really fun shoot and the resulting commercial is super cute. Timmy doesn’t get a lot of airtime, but there’s still some of him at :08 and again at :30.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxNrET6eL54&feature=player_detailpage
2. I posted on my bsquared Facebook page, but I know not all of you are on Facebook. bsquared will be in California and Arizona this summer. Here are the dates, please shoot me a message if you’re interested in a session out that way. I’d love to photograph a few families out there- totally new scenery and locations make me happy!! (you know, if I survive the flights!)
San Francisco 8/3-5
Los Angeles 8/6 daytime only
San Diego 8/7-8/8
LA again 8/9 (may not be available this day. plans still not settled)
Phoenix AZ 8/10-123. Feeling the need to do something for the families in Oklahoma. Thinking about what exactly is the best way to donate, but I think I’ll send some $ or gift cards. Does anyone know of any direct-type contacts out there? (a church or other local organization?) I don’t like sending to the Red Cross as I want to be sure the donation goes directly to the people who need it. After the whole Sandy experience here, I’ve heard from a lot of people who were in need of help didn’t get what they needed from the RC. If you have any direct contacts or know of any local places that are accepting donations (and are trustworthy) please let me know? Thanks.
4. Yeah, this was from Fathers Day of last year. Figured I should get it posted before this year’s Fathers Day rolls around.
5. One of my bsquared friends let me know that the Jake is born video isn’t working anymore, so I re-uploaded it and here it is again.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zt_7eFVwKj8&feature=youtu.be
6. So, Jodi Arias. She is either some kind of evil genius (saying she wants the death penalty and then she doesn’t. So maybe using reverse psychology will get her whatever it is that she actually wants.) or is bringing the game of crazy to an entirely new level. I have yet to decide. But that allocution yesterday was….something.
7. And here is a snapshot from last summer’s town fireworks. Hanging at the Firehouse after shooting a wedding. And again, figured I should post it before this year’s fireworks have come and gone too.
8. I have 4 senior sessions booked in the next few weeks- 2 girls and 2 boys. So excited to rock these out in some cool locations with awesome graduating high school seniors. I will post the pictures just as quick as I can once the shoots are done. Now if the weather is cooperative, that would be a huge step in the right direction.
9. Some older ones of Timmy and his crazy hair (I think these were from January or so. When he still had teeth.). The kid consistently cracks himself up. I don’t know if you saw the conversation between him and Patrick yesterday that I posted on Facebook. But it was worth repeating, so here you go:
kids are funny. Patrick’s watching Timmy and his friend outside and the conversation goes:
P: Let’s make a deal (on what to play)
T: No, no deals! (being bratty)
P: Watch it Timmy or else I’m going to make you go upstairs and sit in your room alone.
T (to me standing in the door): Can he even DO that??
10. Can’t even believe that the school year is almost over and its time for the beach. We’re setting up the locker this weekend for our 14th summer at Sun & Surf. Just hoping the weather cooperates. I need to get out of the pollen-ridden town and head to the pollen-free beach for a few hours at least. My eyeballs are miserable.