jess and the gang: pictures

Showing posts with label pictures. Show all posts

School Pictures

I buy my kids school pictures every year not because I think they are amazingly done or because I don't have enough pictures of my kids. Really I do it because they are an adorably cheesy way to remember their childhoods. Since I always spring for the cheapest package, I let them shine and choose what they want to wear and which background and pose they want. It amazes me each time how into it they get.

I remember school pictures being a big deal as a child, but I mostly think that was because it was like the only picture we had done in the year! My family certainly didn't go frolic in some idillic outdoor location for a photographer once a year. Heck, we didn't even hit up olan mills or jcpennys once a year for family pictures. That was more like every few years. I really do cherish the fact that we do family photos every year together and are able to document our children's childhoods so well. I do hope someday they are appreciative of that ;) Even if they aren't, I know as an old lady I will enjoy looking back. And I imagine it will be fun to show my grandchildren pictures of their parents when they were young.

I really don't know how I got so far away from school pictures so quickly like that! But here is a picture I snapped of the kids when I was dropping them off at school on picture day.

Some things I want to remember about this is how Isla laid out five dresses to choose from. And how she wore wedges to school...which I thought her teacher would be mad about, but never said anything. And how Connor wanted to make sure his hair looked nice, which he never even wants it touched normally. And how he wanted to make sure he brushed his teeth extra good for pictures. It's the little details that make me smile. And make me glad I at least buy the cheap package of pictures.

you can also find me on:

bloglovin // instagram // pinterest

Little Moments Not To Be Forgotten

It's been a while since I've done one of these posts, and I'm sad because they are actually among my favorite. Capturing the everyday of our lives and my kids childhoods is what I really enjoy doing. Because, so often, it's the little things we remember and the little things that truly make us smile.

car wash // bike ride // fro yo // reading

big boy showers // frisbee // painting snails // joy

You can also find me on:

bloglovin // instagram // pinterest

little moments not to be forgotten

street performer // dress up // driving // a mid morning nap

a first coconut // sass // 100 days of school // tickles

You can also find me on:

bloglovin // instagram // pinterest

C-H-E-E-S-E

You guys, toddlers are hard work. But, they are also so incredibly adorable. This little guy slays me on the daily with his little antics. His latest thing is the cheese face. I don't even tell him to smile. I pull out my phone or camera and he poses. It is hysterical. He usually backs up against whatever he is standing near, tilts his head to one side and gives me this toothy smile. It just slays me, I tell ya.

And here's the thing, dealing with a toddler may be physically exhausting...not only will they wake up endlessly while getting molars, they also will empty the contents of your tupperware drawer ten times a day. But, they aren't to the mind games yet. They unabashedly come to you for a hug. They lay their little heads on your shoulder. They still prefer you over mostly everyone else. They really are great little people and toddlerhood really is a sweet, sweet time.

I obviously say all this while having to deal with the bigger kid problems that come from school. Just as some day I will probably be yapping about how second grade is a walk in the park compared to junior high...oh junior high. That is literally the time of parenting I fear the most. Such an awkward stage as a person, so I can only imagine having to be the parent of someone going through that.

But toddler cheese smiles, those are pretty dang awesome.

You can also find me on:

bloglovin // instagram // pinterest

Father's Day

Thankfully no one was crazy sick on father's day, like mother's day, so the show went on as planned. On Saturday evening, my parents and brother came over for a bbq and swim time to hang out and celebrate my dad. On Sunday morning, we went to church, then went home and chilled for a few hours...put Callum down for a nap, did stuff around the house, etc. Then we went and took the annual father's day pictures before heading out to Ian's parents house for a bbq with his parents and brother's family.

Annual photos on various holidays are kind of becoming my favorite. They are an easy and fun way to watch everyone grow and change. Plus, I love watching their personalities shine through in the group shots. Cough, cough, hello Isla! I will definitely be taking these pictures and every other cheesy one out there until the kids flat our refuse to get in the shot...but then I'll give it time and restart the tradition, because we all know the stuff we find lame and corny as teenagers we totally love as parents ourselves!

You can also find me on:

bloglovin // instagram // pinterest

little moments not to be forgotten

fistfuls of noodles // still small enough to sit on his legs // preschool dad party // bath time // quiet play time // helping with the laundry // her version of posing with her craft // sink baths are fun

Like many out there, I am guilty of always looking forward to and placing more emphasis on the big events in life. The vacations, day trips, school parties, gatherings of family or friends. But, the reality is, the bulk of our life is spent in the everyday mundane. And really, those everyday calm moments (because, in the sincerity of being honest, the chaotic ones make for a great story, but are usually pretty dang stressful) are just as important to me.

I want to remember how Isla put earrings on her craft she made at school, but said she doesn't want them until she is a "redult" because "they hurt". I want to remember how much Callum loved sink baths and throws water all over, but it makes him ridiculously happy, so I just let it happen. I want to remember how at seven years old, Connor is still small enough to sit on his legs in the chair at the table. I want to remember what it looks like to walk past my kids rooms and see them quietly playing. I want to remember how Callum loves playing in the laundry and dumping it over his back.

Though I will have, and want, plenty of big memories with the kids, it's the small ones I really want to remember. Because those moments, really end up being the most beautiful.

You can also find me on:

bloglovin // instagram // pinterest

On Getting in the Picture

It's no secret that I like taking pictures of my kids. I have so incredibly many pictures of them. And, believe it or not, I look back through old pictures more often than you would think. I love how a picture can take you right back to that time and place. Even the setting of the photo elicits memories. Little things that aren't necessarily forgotten, but just not thought about, resurface instantly as soon as I look at a photo.

But I realize my kids probably won't enjoy just looking at photos of themselves all day long when they are grown. I certainly love looking at old pictures and seeing my mom when she had hair that went all the way down her back. Seeing pictures of my dad wearing shorts that are now deemed way too short for men to be wearing in public. Seeing us playing on the swing set my dad built for us. Or seeing family pictures from vacation.

I really want to get better at making sure Ian and I are present in pictures with our children. I want our kids to look back at photos and remember the love and joy that was present in our family. I want them to be able to make fun of us because of how much styles have changed over the years. I want them to remember us being there. Us being there for so many moments, both big and small. I really hope they will be able to look back at pictures and be flooded with happy memories from their childhoods.

Now, here's to me trying to step out from holding the camera from time to time and getting in the picture with my kids. Even if it means the picture is less than perfect…I need to shove that control freak in me down so my kids can look back and laugh at my glasses and my hair. And remember that I was there with them.

you can also find me on:

bloglovin // instagram // pinterest

Three Kids

You guys, I was actually taking pictures of Callum and the light was so good, I called the other kids in the room and had them climb up on the bed with him. I am so glad I did because this second picture is like my favorite yet of my three munchkins and I am totally going to print it out for our house.

Anyone who knows me, knows I am honest about my kids and their relationship. In fact, I kind of get tired of moms declaring their kids best friends that never fight. Connor and Isla spent their first years at each others throats. It's only been in the past couple years they can actually interact without fighting…and there is still plenty of fighting, but they can now actually interact at times without fighting. I don't wear rose colored glasses around here and tell everyone they are best friends. But, I will say, when they are playing together peacefully, it's utter and complete bliss…of course, I am not sure it that is due to the quietness I get to enjoy or the adorable sibling relationship.

Enter Callum.

The kids are obsessed and he always rewards them with the biggest smiles. They are always up in his business and manhandling him, so why he smiles so big for them is beyond me. Yet, I can't help think about the firs time Callum punches Connor in the face for always getting up in his face. Or the first time he grabs a fist full of Isla's hair. Or the first time he gets into the kids toys and destroys them. Then again, they also may enjoy getting to relive some of their toddlerhoods, playing with their long forgotten baby toys with Callum. I guess one just never knows how things will turn out. I will know soon enough. So, for now, I will just enjoy Callum rewarding the kids with the biggest smiles ever when they get all up in his face…and leave the worrying about all of them annoying each other for future Jessica.

You can also find me on:

bloglovin // instagram // pinterest