Maybe she will be a chef...

Yesterday, Kennedy decided that she wanted to make dessert for mommy & daddy. She wanted to create her own recipe. It started with milk, sugar & graham crackers. Doesn't sound so bad.

Then she decided that it needed something else. So she added pickles & pickle juice.

Still not right, so she added sprinkles. Doesn't it look delicious? She added some more ingredients after I stopped taking pictures. She added hot sauce because "daddy just loooves hot sauce". Then she topped it with a dab of whipped cream & sliced bananas. I told her it sounded so delicious but unfortunately I couldn't eat it because I was allergic to pickles ; ). "oh well" she said "that just leaves more for daddy"!

while i am waiting for my dumbass computer...

to finish whatever it is that it is doing, i thought i would talk your ear off for a bit. I seriously hate this computer. and i dont hate anything or anyone( not that there isn't anyone who deserves to be hated by me, it just isn't my style!) I wonder if anyone finds it weird how passionately I feel about "things". If it were possible, i would totally make out with my camera & my iphone. Maybe even at the same time if I was feeling extra frisky! I would also choke my computer until it turned blue, let it go & then do it again just for shits & giggles. You know how they say when children torture animals it can be a sign that they will grow to become serial killers? I wonder if this means that I will grow into one of those crazy old ladys who talks to inanimate objects? Whatever, i'm weird & i'm fine with that!

Speaking of crazy old lady's, last night when I was at Super Walmart (don't laugh it's awesome!) I had a very serious 10 minute conversation with the 60-something year old check out lady about Twilight & Rob Pattinson. I am admittedly obsessed with the Twilight series. I never saw the appeal of Rob Pattinson before reading the books. Then I got it. And then it grew much worse when I heard him sing. Go ahead, click the link & then try to tell me that isn't one of the sexiest voices you have ever heard. It's like a mix between Van Morrison & John Mayer(douchebag). And, he is amazing on the piano & the guitar. I could continue but you get the point. Now, I am growing quite found of Taylor Lautner. He's only 17 & i feel like a dirty old woman so I won't say anymore about that! I will be one of those nerds standing in line at midnight when the new movie opens. I will try my hardest not to paint my face white & wear black contacts though, I wouldn't want to embarrass whoever goes with me! The movie isn't even that good but a lot of it was filmed in parts of Oregon that I went to with Tavia. And anytime i see photos of those places I start to feel all warm & fuzzy inside!

Now on to something else that has been on my mind alot lately. My last cancer screening came back as only "midly abnormal" so there was no need for another surgery and I didn't have to come back for 6 whole months! While that is great news, it freaks me out to think about waiting 6 months to get checked again. If it was up to me, I would be there once a week just to make sure everything was ok. One of my scars has started to become raised & itchy. It's super ugly but I kind of like to show it off. I like when people ask me what happened so I can hopefully scare them in to wearing sunblock & stop baking their asses in the sun. I get so pissed when I see people do that. And I was the WORST when I was younger. I slathered on the baby oil and layed out all day long all summer. And i was a regular at the tanning salon. My best friend used to lecture me about wearing sunscreen (in the nicest possible way of course). I eventually listened because she has the most beautiful skin of anyone I have ever seen and she NEVER tans. (i'm sure those of you who know Tavia would agree with me on that one). It didn't matter though. I was diagnosed with Melanoma & just a year before I had no signs of it. I was lucky we found it early. It wasn't quite deep enough to need Chemo or Radiation but it wasn't far off. Just all the more reason I would like to try to convince my doctor to move in with me & stare at me naked all day. Plus, she's super funny & I like funny!

Hi there

It has been over a month since I have posted. I have been SUPER busy with work, which is awesome. Then, i had some computer issues. All of my files seem to have been "misplaced". I do back my work up so I figured it wouldn't be a problem, I just need to plug in my external hard drive & retrieve my files, right? WRONG! For some reason, that isn't working either. Yeah, it sucks & I have been trying really, really hard not to lose my effin mind for the past few days. She is being tended to by my very generous friend who has a networking company. I emailed him with a short explanation & he said something about the programs they use to find child predators & that my hard drive hasn't been erased so it should be no big deal to find my shit. Let's hope so because I have a buttload of work to do! Keep your fingers crossed, or I might be sleeping on your couch soon!

I am sick of summer. I think the older I get the more I hate summer. Actually, it is just the heat & humidity that I hate. The beginning of summer was fantastic, I don't think we even broke 82 degrees until the past 2 weeks. But now it is gross & disgusting & I can't even walk to my mailbox without breaking a sweat. And I don't sweat! Plus, I am ready for the kids to go back to school. Kennedy will be in FULL DAY kindergarten this year! And Hayden will be in preschool 3 days a week for a few hours. That means me & the Moose will finally get some alone time.I don't think we have had that since she was born. Sounds dreamy, doesn't it?

Most, or all of you know that I am a photographer. I have a lot of camera equipment. There is one thing that I have been wanting more than anything lately. This. I don't have a skinny little point & shoot that I can carry around & just take snapshots of my kids with. GASP... a photographer that wants to just take snapshots on auto mode without having to worry about exposure, shutter speed, editing or creating beautiful shots. I think that is one of the things that I hear pros say the most. Obviously, we love our jobs and feel extremely lucky to be getting paid good money to do something that we love so much that we would probably pay you to let us do it while other people slave away at jobs that they are miserable at. ( i swear, i am not trying to rub it in). But, the (self-inflicted) pressure of always getting that perfect picture is exhausting sometimes. Anyway, that's enough rambling from me for one day. Mason just dragged out a pack of diapers to me so I guess she is trying to tell me something. I will leave you with a few recent snapshots from my beloved IPhone.

Mason & a mullet wig.

Taking a break on our walk yesterday. This is Hayden's new favorite way to wear her hair. I did it as a joke one day but now she makes me do it like this everyday. Oh, and check out her Michael Kors shoes. I don't even wear Michael Kors shoes. But, Marshalls has adorable kids stuff for really cheap. Aren't they cute?

I peaked in the playroom & saw this the other day. It was way too quiet for way too long so I thought for sure I would find them doing something mischievous. I love that they are best friends!

Boo Hoo!

Call me a heartless bitch but am I the only one who isn't all the sad about Michael Jackson's death? As far as I'm concerned, the MJ I loved has been gone for a very long time. I will not mourn the loss of anyone who harms any child. I know it has never been "proven" but come on! I'm sad that his children have lost a parent but that's about it. In the end, they are probably better off.

SHOCKER!

why are people acting like this is really that shocking? Nothing more sexy than a disease-infested shot in the eye!

Happy Birthday Hayden!

Today, Hayden turned 3. If you ask her how old she is, is will tell you four. We celebrated her birthday last weekend with a "pinkalicious" party. Although, we did have another cake today! As I was going back through old pictures I couldn't believe how much she has changed over the years. Enjoy:


Just born:

One:

Two:

And the big 3:

7 on the 7th

It's that time again. Click here to donate.

Perfect Mothers Day Gift

What better way to thank the mother of your children than with a nice pair of sperm earrings?

Cutest Baby EVER!!!!!!!

I am sitting here going through photos from the birthday party and I had to stop and post these. I LOVE THIS BABY!!!!!!!!! She sooooo beautiful and so happy. I could take pictures of her all day. Thanks for coming Tav, I wish we had more time together. I miss you guys and love you lots.

Happy Birthday Baby Girl!

I can't believe my first born is 5 today! This morning she told me that since she is old now she wants to call me mom instead of mommy, wants to watch the news instead of cartoons in the morning and she drank her oj out of a wine glass because she is "too big for kid cups"! Tonight, Bobby and I are taking her and a friend to Fuji for dinner. Tomorrow, we are having a party for her and Hayden with 30 of their closest friends. Sunday-mommy will be drinking herself into a coma!!!!!!!!! Her a are few pics of the last five years. Enjoy!

Newborn:

One:

Two:

Three:

Four:

And today:

waiting for Kennedy to get off the bus...

She isn't special , she just really likes baseball!

I want to blog...

really. i think about it all of the time and feel guilty that it has been over a month. i don't have anything super interesting to write about. ( i could tell you all about the biotch parent of one of the kids on my tball team but I am above that!) so, how about a few random thoughts thrown into a blog post so I can stop feeling like a lazy ass? here goes:

1. i try not to keep a lot of sweets in my house. if they are here, i will eat them all. and there is a good chance that i will eat them all in one day.

2. i have 2 empty McDonald's hot fudge sundae containers on my bedside table. there are also a few traces of caramel in them as well. see, i told you i had a problem

3. i made an appointment with my doctor because i have been working out 5 or 6 days a week for 1-2 hours a day for 3 months and haven't lost ONE SINGLE POUND!! (i have also been watching what i eat with the exception of those last couple sundaes)

4. i have been having an absurd amount of sex dreams lately. if i didn't know any better i would think i was pregnant.

5. my baby is turning 5 on Friday.

I decided to only invite our closest friends and the kids she plays with on a regular basis instead of all the kids from her class like last year. there will still be almost 30 kids here!

6. my other baby is turning 3 on may 10th. i can't believe it

7. nothing is really going on with my other baby but i felt guilty leaving her out. she is wildly funny and makes me laugh all the time. she makes this face every time i pull out my camera. oh, and she is starting to potty train. YAY!!!!!!!

8. I am amazed that people actually want to pay me good money to take pictures for them. Grateful..but amazed.

9. um, i think that's it. I have been staring at the screen for a few minutes trying to think of something else but i can't. anything you would like to share?

NEW BLOG

I HAVE A NEW BLOG. CHECK IT!!!!

Cinco de Friday

1. my new less-complicated-than-my-blackberry cellphone. I had to have the Pearl and I hated every minute of it. Yesterday I got a free"upgrade" and it is so nice!


2. Photoshop. I learn something new everyday and could spend hours upon hours playing on photoshop.


3. My new cowgirl boots. They're dope!

4. My new favorite word-"dope".

5. Your mom.

Kids R Funny

Cut and paste these questions and ask your kids their answers....it is a RIOT!You have to put the first answer your child says...By: Kennedy-4 and Hayden-2

1. What is something mom always says to you?
K- I love you
H- I love you

2. What makes mom happy?
K-when I make funny faces
H-mommy's happy? no!

3. What makes mom sad?
K- when I hit her
H- hayden stopped participating at this point

4. How does your mom make you laugh?
K-when she makes funny faces

5. What was your mom like as a child?
K-she was like me

6. How old is your mom?
K-500!

7. How tall is your mom?
K-67 inches

8. What is her favorite thing to do?
K-do work

9. What does your mom do when you're not around?
K-sleep

10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?
K-for daddy

11. What is your mom really good at?
K-doing cartwheels

12. What is your mom not very good at?
K-not good at taking a shower

13. What does your mom do for a job?
K-sell houses

14. What is your mom's favorite food?
K-spaghetti

15. What makes you proud of your mom?
K-nothing

16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?
K-spongebob

17. What do you and your mom do together?
K-play barbies

18. How are you and your mom the same?
K-we have the same eyes

19. How are you and your mom different?
K-because we don't have the same eyebrows

20. How do you know your mom loves you?
K-because she is my mommy

21. What does your mom like most about your dad?
K-when they are in love

22. Where is your mom's favorite place to go?
K- the Outlets

Hoooooot!

Have you ever seen something so sexy?

The Friday Five

I lifted this idea from another blog (although I am not sure which one). Every Friday I will list 5 things that I am totally digging right now.

1. Percocet: had some more surgery this morning and thanks to that special little pill i am feeling pretty good!

2. I am thrilled that we finally got a decent snow. I think we got about 12 inches! But, I am happy it is warm enough for it to melt now.

3. My Canon 50mm 1.8 lens. It was my vday present and it totally rocks!

4. Ace of Cakes: I love this show!!! I wish I could make cakes like that!

5. The IRS: That's right, I said it. This is one of my favorite times of the year. We get a nice refund!!!

$7 on the 7th.

I am sure most of you know about Matt & Maddie Logelin and his foundation. Just wanted to encourage everybody to participate in $7 on the 7th. Donate $7 on the 7th of every month and make a difference. Please post on your blogs and websites and social networking sites and encourage others to do the same. Thanks!

hmmmmm...

so, hayden is naked (as usual) and she came and sat down next to, spread her legs, showed me her um..."button" and told me she had Santa Claus in her whoo-whoo! I can't even begin to guess what she is trying to say. anyone?

People Never Cease to Amaze Me...

Did anyone else read this? I mean really? This is why I believe people should be implanted with birth control when born until they can prove they can be a good parent

A ? For All You Real World Watchers...

When the heck did Katelyn (the transgender girl) get the ghetto accent? I was just wondering.

psst...

hey guys, look over here

Too Funny To Get Mad

I was working hard at finishing one of my online classes the other day. Kennedy was out with my mom, Mason was napping and Hayden was sitting next to me. She got up to throw something in the trash. A few minutes went by and she hadn't come back. I yelled to her and asked her what she was doing. Her response was " give me a minute mom". (never a good sign!) So I went into the kitchen and this is what I found. She had taken the box of baking soda out of the fridge, dumped it on the floor, stripped down and started making snow angels! I am so glad I had my camera in hand. She did have to sit in time out but I'm sure she didn't take me very serious because I couldn't stop laughing.

(please excuse the black bars but you never know what kind of weirdos are lurking around here!)

3rd of the day

I got the idea for this post after reading the comments on Loras latest blog entry. I am fascinated by dreams and nightmares. I have alot reoccurring nightmares. Here are a few

1. when i was living in Philly i had a reoccurring nightmare that there was a tidal wave in the Delaware River that leveled the whole city.

2. after 911 (still living in philly) i dreamed that there was a terrorist attack on the subway while I was on it and I couldn't escape

3. i have a lot of dreams about bees flying up my nose

4. when I was a teenager, a bug crawled in my friends moms ear and she had to have surgery to get it removed. I had nightmares about that for years.

5. the most common one that I have is about people breaking into my house. I had this one just last night. In my dream, I was pushing all of the furniture against the doors and windows before i went to bed just to make sure no one could get in.


What are some of your dreams/nightmares?

Here is a fun site about dreams

Where do kids come up with this stuff? (some people may find this offensive)

School is out today and Kennedy has her friend Lauren over. We love having her over because she is a really sweet kid and they play great together. I just finished giving the girls a bath and this is how the conversation went:

Lauren: Miss Nicole, can I borrow some of Kennedy's clothes?

Me: Sure. Go upstairs and pick something out.

Kennedy: Can you get me something Lauren?

Lauren: I'm not your maid!

Kennedy: Well you look like a maid!

Lauren: Just because I look Mexican doesn't mean I am a maid! (she is half white and half Korean)

AHHHHHHHH

Hayden is driving me nuts! She has been whining since she woke up. I am trying to get her dressed and she doesn't want to wear anything I pick out. She keeps telling me she wants a ferris wheel! WHAT THE EFF DOES THAT MEAN? Toddlers can be so frustrating sometimes! I might need to spike my coffee this morning

Two Five

I have also been tagged a zillion times with this meme. I am supposed to tell 25 random facts about myself. This might take a while, I'm pretty boring!

1. I am terribly claustrophobic. I hate driving through tunnels. My heart even starts to beat faster when I see people on TV in tight spaces.

2. If I could take everyone I loved with me, I would move to Oregon. I love it there.

3. My all-time favorites movies are Almost Famous and The Goonies.

4. My celebrity crushes are Chelsea Handler (hot & funny-can't beat it) and Andre Benjamin- you know, the weird guy from Outkast. My husband thinks I'm crazy. He is not even that good looking but there is just something about him.

5. I think my husband is the sexiest man on the planet. (even though he needs a little smacking around sometimes)

6. My dad passed away when I was 14. I miss him more today than I ever have. I didn't have a traditional wedding because he wouldn't be there to walk me down the aisle. I hate the my kids will never know him.

7. When I was younger, my dream was to be a photographer for National Geographic. My dad use to keep every issue of the magazine. I could sit there and flip through them for hours.

8. I hope my three girls stay best friends their whole life. Watching them interact (when they aren't bickering) is such a joy. It makes my heart do flip flops!

9. My two best friends mean the world to me. I am so inspired by both of them. Tavia is a fantastic mom, wife and friend. If there is anyone on Earth who is just all all around fantastic person, it is her. Tesa is one of the strongest people I know. She does it all. She has a successful job, runs her house and still makes time for lots of girl-fun with me. And, she is getting ready to go to dental school. I don't know how she does it!

10. Another place that makes my heart skip a beat is the Florida Keys. I use to go twice a year and every time I get on that two lane road in Key Largo, all my stress melts away. And I cry every time I have to leave!

11. Since becoming a parent I have become a total sap.

12. I bite my nails and I kind of enjoy it!

13. I have about 11,000 pics on my computer right now. And that is after it crashed once and I lost everything

14. I miss developing my pictures in a real darkroom. Don't get me wrong-digital photography is amazing. I learn something new everyday. But, I miss the smell of the chemicals, the glow of the red light and watching that image first appear. I turned my bathroom in my apartment in philly into a make shift darkroom. I would stay in there 8 hours sometimes developing pictures and listening to music. I still have all my equipment and would love to set it up again when my kids are all off to school.

15. this is starting to get hard- I was a gymnast for 14 years. And I was really good. I never placed below 2nd. I am still really flexible.

16. I have a small shoe addiction. I have definitely passed that trait along to my daughters. They might have more pairs of shoes than I do.

17. I am also addicted to blogging. I think I have 41 on my bloglines that I read regularly.

18. I am in love with technology. If it were possible to make out with it, I would have an orgy with my camera, laptop and ipod!

19. I hate running with a passion but would still like to run a marathon one day.

20. I have always wanted to sky dive. The thought of it scares the snot out of me but I swear I will do it one day!

21. I miss living in Philly and going to the book store late at night when I had nothing to do and looking at all the photography books.

22. I also miss sitting in Rittenhouse Square with my Pub girls between shifts on fridays.

23. One thing that always makes me cry-when I see a child crying out of happiness.

24. I did it at the Southernmost Point in The US and got caught by the cops. Luckily, we didn't get in trouble!

25. I love watching my kids grow but it terrifies me at the same time.

Wordle

I Feel Like I Am In The Twilight Zone

For those of you that don't know Kennedy, I will just say she is a little needy. I am pretty sure someone snatched her in the middle of the night and replaced her with a look-a-like. It is 1:00 and so far, no tantrums. A little while ago she told me she was going to play in her room. She called me up 20 min later and her entire room was SPOTLESS! I mean, she organized, hung up her clothes and made her bed. Usually when she cleans her room everything just gets shoved in the corner. Then, she made her own lunch, gave herself a bath and helped put the dishes away. Every time I bring up a finished basket of laundry, she gets all her clothes out and puts them away. Now, she is sitting here with me eating spicy pretzels and drinking ice tea(which she poured herself). This is weird, but I like it!

Remember Them...

There is a man who lives in Chestertown that puts a little white flag in his yard everytime a soldier dies in the war. It is pretty incredible. Today, I was able to stop and take pictures and I thought I would share them with you.

I can't help but wonder: how does he cut his grass?

Not What I Expected to Hear

Last week I went to my dermatologist to have some moles removed and biopsied. No big deal, I have had it done before. My doctor called me yesterday to tell me the results: Melanoma. What? I have skin cancer? I can't believe it. I doesn't even sound real when I say it. When I hear the word cancer I think of old people and smokers. Not only do I have skin cancer, I have the most serious kind of skin cancer. If it progresses it will have to be treated with chemo and radiation. My doctor says I am lucky because we caught it very early, it is very small. I have to go back in Wednesday to have some more removed. Keep your fingers crossed that we don't find anymore.

Did I tell you I broke my tailbone on New Years Eve? I did. So far, 2009 gets a big, fat thumbs down!

(it isn't all bad. I got accepted to be a photographer for Operation: Love ReUnited. I am super excited about that!)