The Podunk Chronicles: 2011

Ike is 5!

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

HAPPY 5th BIRTHDAY IKE!

Ike, where has the time gone? It seems like you were just wearing the size 18 mos clothes that Legare trots around in everyday. You are such a big boy now and I feel so lucky to have you as my son. You are learning so much these days at school and sounding out all the words you can get your eyes on and telling me what letter words start with. I can't believe you will be in Kindergarten next year! We are loving reading Charlie and the Chocolate Factory each night before bed - I love that you tell me how you are "imagining the pictures in your head" as I read :) Just talking to you is my favorite thing to do, I love that we can talk about anything and everything from funny to serious and everything in between. I think it is so cool that I can do that with my own child, you are not a baby anymore. You are simply the sweetest, most kind hearted child I have ever run into. If ever anyone is hurt, sad or simply needs a hug or an "i love you all the way to planet jupiter and back" you are there! You love to love Legare with hugs, kisses and pats on the head even though he often doesn't sit still long enough.

I have figured out that being a parent gives your heart the ability to keep growing and growing with no limit. I didn't think I could love as much as I do as a mother and that is why we worry and protect, mother nature is amazing that way.

Happy birthday to my sweet, sweet boy. I love YOU all the way to the moon and back!! love, mommy

On Sunday night, we went with Kyle, Bing and Dana for hibachi dinner... a first for Ike. He loved it and it was the perfect thing to do for a winter birthday dinner.

This morning I went to school to bring special snack of blueberry muffins, strawberries and smoothie to Ike's class.

I took a photo of his class and they all painted their own picture frame for this photo to take home.

Our dear friend, Ashley, made Ike his number 5 birthday shirt. She has made him these shirts since his 1st birthday and he was so proud to wear it today. We are so lucky to have such wonderful friends!!

Tonight we had a little pizza, cake and presents.

Legare liked the presents and Ike opened everything in record speed :)

Ike got a zipline from Kyle & Bing, details to be ironed out but he is very excited.

cake made with love by Ike and Mommy

Legare liked the frosting!

Dreaming of ISO and aperture...

Sunday, November 27, 2011

I am always learning more about photography and the challenge of getting the images I want out of my camera and lens is what keeps me going, dreaming of ISO and aperture (literally!). Last Wednesday, I took a live webinar with a photographer I follow online who happens to live in Minnesota. It was awesome and she has agreed to be my "mentor" and I will be doing one-on-one sessions with her online in the near future. Yesterday, I took my camera out to practice with 2 of my favorite subjects... Legare and Bean.

he was so cute with the soccer ball and it makes him look so tiny :)

but, when given the option he would rather follow Bean...

he loves, loves, loves her and if she would cooperate he would rest his head on her all day long....

We are thankful for...

Thursday, November 24, 2011

... our family and health! Ike said in his school Thanksgiving play that he was thankful for "playing in the snow with Daddy" which seemed a bit odd but then this morning out of nowhere he says to me "mommy, I am really thankful for my family".

It was different this year to not have Uncle Dean and Uncle Steve here as they usually come in from the city but since they are residing in Savannah for the next year and a half they are with the family in Charleston. All my food turned out great and looking forward to the leftovers, I usually don't like leftovers but this is an exception.

trying to get their photo by myself on some scary steps, not the best idea!

thus legare is mid-wiggle :)

Ike's first time in a coat and tie (other than Dana's wedding when he was 3) and he was a bit reluctant but happy in the end about how handsome everyone told him he looked.

Legare and Henry had a great time together

Legare and I went exploring before dinner

he loves my phone and always holding it up to see if anyone is there?

a typical Legare expression as he is "telling" me something and pointing

Freddy the dog was happy for a visit

Love to all our family near and far!!

Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

This year I was really craving my mom's food and feeling a bit homesick about it so I did as she suggested and helped myself! There are many dishes I miss but the dressing is the main one. You see, in the south we don't "stuff"... we "dress" - much prettier that way :) My mom's dressing is moist, crispy on top and oh so delicious.

The base is celery, onions, and butter mixed with fresh skillet cornbread and some herb stuffing, dot the butter on top and...

...magic in the oven gives you this!!

I couldn't help myself when it came out the oven! mmm.... now if only I was cooking it with my Mom but it was as close as I could get.

We are headed to Schutz family Thanksgiving with our nearest and dearest 27 relatives so I made the turkey breast and dressing for our house - not to share :) I have only cooked a few turkeys but this came out pretty if I do say so myself.

My contribution to the big family meal is a Mrs. Hamby's veggie casserole and a big tray of string beans with almonds.

Legare, 15 months

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Weight - 25 lbs (50th percentile)
Height - 33.5 inches (95th percentile)

He is such a fun kid and really has come into his own in the last few months. He loves his Daddy, I mean really loves his Daddy and idolizes the ground that Ike walks on. Often now they all venture out together to work outside, play in the garage or out in the woods at Vineyard Point and Legare is just happy to be part of the crowd. He is working on some words but definitely can communciate what he wants. He is very good at following directions and it is amazing what he understands. Watching the 2 of them interact is by far my favorite thing, whomever wakes up first wants to get the other one up right away and of course Ike wants us all to hang out in bed together and watch cartoons but unfortunately timing doesn't usually allow for that. He is thankfully sleeping much better at night and I think that is because he finally has all his teeth (minus 2 yr molars) so he is more at peace in his crib which makes Mommy happy. We can't wait to see what the next few months!!

Family Photos

We had our own family photos done last weekend by a photographer that I found online and loved her work. She works out of Mystic so we went to Harkness Park for our session. It was so interesting to be on the other side of the camera and watch someone do what I do. Ike was a bit of a pill we still managed to get some good shots with a little bribery :) Below are the 3 that we have seen so far...

Happy Halloween

Monday, October 31, 2011

Mrs. Dantas' Class

Halloween 2011

Ike, aka Batman is bottom left!

Photos of batman and Robin to come....

I LVU

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Ike drew this picture at school today of him & Daddy and he is working on sounding letters to make words and so he came up with the caption "I LVU". I don't care that he missed a letter, this picture and message just makes me smile!

Indian Summer

Saturday, October 08, 2011

Another spectacular weather day today and Harcourt arrived back from his work week in Annapolis and Ike was SO happy to see him!! We have been crossing the days off on the calendar each night and today I think he asked me no less than 100 times "when is Daddy going to be home?". I also chuckled when I asked Ike if he thought Daddy could handle it if I went away for a week and he quickly said "no way". I am sure he could do it just fine but I love that Ike recognizes that it isn't easy juggling the kids, work, Legare's double ear infection and keeping the house running smooth. Since we had so much fun at the beach last night we headed back to Hammonasset with pizza and had a beach adventure. The light is amazing and I could just shoot forever.

Legare almost always is clutching something and carrying it around.

Now Ike begged me to take off his shirt and allow him to "swim" - while it is a pretty warm day the water is NOT warm but he has part whale skin or something and doesn't care one bit.