Snow!

It's been so long since we've had enough snow to play in around here, I honestly can't remember when it was. Last winter was so mild that the kids rode their trikes more than they played in the snow. Well, that changed this week, between the snow storm we got the day after Christmas and another couple of inches last night, the kids had more than enough to make a snowman, throw some snowballs, and even ride around a bit in the sled.

We're Five Years Old!!!

Today is Juli, Elisha and KJ's fifth birthday! Five years old! I can hardly believe it.

To commemorate the day Gretch, my sister Katie and I all spend the day with the kids at pre-school. All three kids got to be the leader. They passed out treats, everyone sang happy birthday to them, and as a special treat, we took the butterflies in to release them near their school.

Juli performing her leader duties, learning how to use the calendar.

Elisha was more interested in posing for the camera than making sure she was on the right day.

KJ decided to point to the year and pose.

A little story time with Aunt Kate

Some coloring time with mama.

A little sibling mischief.

Releasing the butterflies.

They weren't so sure about leaving the comfy confines of their little habitat, but we convinced them.

This one really did not want to go.

Really, Really didn't want to go.

After lunch, we sang happy birthday and the kids got little cupcakes. Thanks Aunt Kate!

Some presents from mom & dad.

Balloons and t-shirts from Aunt Kate & Uncle Steve! Thank You!

I had to tell them to smile for this one. Of course KJ cheesed it up!

Happy Fifth Birthday Juli, Elisha & KJ!

First Day of Pre-School - Year Two

The kids started pre-school this morning. This is their second year. They'll be in Kindergarten next year. Everyone did really well. No tears were shed, in fact, they were wondering why mommy and I stayed in their classroom so long.

It's amazing how quiet the house is when it's just me, the dog, the bird, and 5 butterflies.

It's also amazing how much they've grown in just one year. This was their first day of school last year:

And this is today:

Painted Ladies

Just before labor day I ordered a Live Butterfly Kit from InsectLore.com. It arrived last week and the kids were just in awe. There were several live caterpillars in two jars. We watched them for a couple of days. The kids had lots of questions, I won't bore you or disgust you with the details.

A few short days after the kit arrived, the caterpillars transformed themselves into chrysalides (cocoon like stage) that were hanging from the lid of the jar. I transferred them into the "observation habitat" and we again waited and watched.

We didn't think much was happening. In fact, Gretch and I started to talk about returning them because we didn't think they survived. I'm glad we let them be for a few more days because I noticed something different today. The first Painted Lady butterfly hatched this afternoon.

It just so happened that I borrowed my good friend Tom's macro lens this morning for a shoot that I'm doing tomorrow. I'm really glad I had it, I was able to get some photos with some really good detail. I can't wait until they start eating and opening their wings. I hope to get quite a few more pics.

The red stuff on the netting below the butterfly is normal. It's called meconium and is the left-over color and unneeded tissues from the butterfly's wing formation. (I've learned a lot about butterflies in the past two weeks).

 

Go Browns!

The kids seemed to be in a pretty good mood this morning, and since the Browns are playing their last preseason game tonight, they were all wearing their Browns gear. I figured this was as good a time as any to get some portraits of them. I even broke out the background for these!

Juli always has to add her own little flair to her outfit.

KJ is a great model. He hardly ever changes his expression while I'm photographing him.

Unfortunately this means I have less pictures of him than I do of the girls.

This was KJ's idea of changing his expression.

Sometimes test shots are the best shots.