Wes' 12th Birthday Party

Last Saturday I had the pleasure of photographing Wes' 12th birthday party. When I walked in, a couple of hours before the action began, I was amazed and how thorough the party table was. Janet and Sean didn't miss a detail from the Harry Potter books, and once again, I felt so creatively inferior to my oldest sister! For example, Janet fell in love with some artificial caramel apples out of a catalogue, but was not so enamored with the price tag. In true Janet form, she found apples, dowels, ribbon, and hot glue for super cheap, then assembled them herself and painted the hot glue a caramely color. Perhaps one day I will be as crafty. One can only hope. I digress...

The party was so fun! It definitely made me feel old since I was suddenly thrust back into things like not talking to the person you have a crush on, the power of notes (I miss notes! Emails and texts do not suffice!), the awesomeness of receiving chewing gum as a gift, and being able to shove down a ton of candy and not feel sick.


































The first game was trying to guess which flavor of Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans you had. There were a few black peppers and some soaps, but the vomit ones were graciously removed before the game began. There was a volunteer to eat one, though. Brave soul.








This was followed by musical chairs, then being sorted by the Sorting Hat.

Hooray for Gryffindor!

Harry Potter Scene It followed, played in teams determined by which HP house you were sorted into.


The kids were released to the treat table at this point, and I heard my favorite line of the night..."You can eat anything except the caramel apples because they're not real!" I'd like to think that warning was unnecessary, but I guess you never know with hungry pre-teens.




The party wound up with presents and blowing out a single candle on a cupcake. Happy belated birthday to my first nephew! It's been so fun to see you grow up, Wes!

I am often guilty of neglecting the present for either the past or the future, but I'm working on being more "in the moment". This is what we've been up to lately.


There is something about boxes of tampons that just calls to Alaina. I blame the new packaging of some brands where each one is wrapped in a flourescent, crinkly wrapper. Irresistable to a two year old. I find them everywhere!


We went to go visit our newest nephew. He was very mild-mannered while we were there, but I'm sure my sister sees this face quite a few times a night!

To celebrate Anthony's last day of summer, we took the kids on a mini-hike. I found this waterfall when I was in high school, and it was often my solace when I needed some time to think. Being quite hidden, and just off the road, it was the perfect afternoon getaway. The water is freezing but very low this time of year (the pool is up to your waist in June), and the kids loved that they could splash through the cold water with their rainboots and not feel it. The rocks are much more treacherous when you're trying to guide a toddler, but it was fun!










I think Connor's favorite part was engaging in behaviors that are forbidden at home. He liked to spit at the waterfall and throw rocks at it. Boys.


"Lots watts, Mama!"


Anthony found an arrowhead. Or a rock that looks just like one.




"What's matter, Dada?"


How happy am I that fall is right around the corner? Um, not at all.




Connor was so happy to have someone finally carry him. Our little man is getting so big that I can barely carry him anywhere.


This last series of photos makes me laugh. I offered (bribed) the kids some juice if they would sit on a rock and let me take a picture of them together. This is what I got!










Tonight, as we were getting out of the shower, Connor and Alaina grabbed my earrings off the counter and insisted on wearing them. When they have the hook backs, I sling them over their ears and they eat it up. Is there anything better than wet eyelashes, dewey skin, and wrinkly fingers?