I brought my big camera with my fancy new lens to swim practice today, because I figured it would be a good opportunity to see what the new lens can do.
These images are straight out of camera, and I'm pretty happy with them! I can't wait to save up enough money to upgrade my camera body, too; it's exciting to see the improvement good gear can make!
Isn't she funny? Last night I put her hair in twin french braids so that she could look like Princess Anna. She insisted in sleeping in the braids, and then keeping them in today.
Long sleeves in June.
Stripes + plaid.
Band-aid on knee.
Sparkly black Converse.
Goofy grin.
I love this girl.
And Daisy just swung and swung and swung.
She's pretty funny, too.
My sweet baby finally seems to be feeling better.
Then it started thundering, so we moved to shelter.
The swimmers couldn't practice in the water, so Daisy wore Caleb's goggles while he did calisthenics on the pool deck.
Silly girl!
And then the rain started. The sky opened and the rain fell down and the two coaches had to help me and my four duckies to the van. One carried Lily, I carried Eli, and one carried a giant pool umbrella to cover the lot of us. It was quite the adventure!
The day after a swim meet, swim practice is short and fun. The kids swim for about thirty minutes, and then the coaches hand out ribbons from the meet and the kids get snacks brought by a kind parent.
Today, Caleb got brown sugar cinnamon Pop-Tarts, and 5 ribbons.
The posing was his idea. Can you tell that his two blue ribbons are hanging from each of his ears?
He earned two blue ribbons: the 6&under 100 free relay and the 6&under 25 back. (He has informed me several times, both before and after earning the blue ribbon, that back stroke is his best stroke. After the meet, he told me how he "whizzed right past the life guard" during his back stroke race.)
The two white ribbons are for third place in the boys 7&8 100 free relay (he "swam up"!) and for the 6&under 25 free.
The rainbow ribbon is a participation ribbon for swimming the 25 breast stroke; he was disqualified for missing the two-hand-touch. Next time, kiddo.
But look at how proud he is!
After practice, Caleb put on dry clothes, I slathered sunscreen on everyone, buckled up car seats, handed out snacks, and drove us to the Garden. We haven't been in quite a while, so the kids were thrilled.
We got there much later than we usually do, but it was a cool day and I brought lunch for everyone. The kids splashed, we got some free plants, and a good time was had by all.
Except that Eli had a fever. Poor baby.
We got home and everyone napped. When Eli woke up, I brought him into bed with me.
We were goofy.
Then Caleb joined us, and I had a wonderful snuggle with my two boys. I can't believe I have a nearly-seven-year-old and a one-year-old, and two more in between. I don't feel old, but then I realize that I have an upcoming second grader, and I realize I am getting older quickly!
I was busy all weekend - had 3 photo sessions scheduled, and had to cancel 1 due to thunderstorms. Boo. But that meant I didn't really pick up my camera until today. We had swim practice this morning, and then we did pretty much nothing when we got home. Eli and I folded laundry together while the big kids played in the basement, and he was really clingy and lovey. He kept saying, "Mama!" and I'd reply "Eli!" and then he made a random noise. It took me a while, but I finally realized that it's how he says his name! Of course I took a video, and of course you want to watch it so you can see how my sweet boy says "Eli".
We kept playing and folding, and I noticed that in addition to the clinginess, Eli seemed fussier than normal. It was only 11:00, but I pulled him into my bed so he could have some milk and snuggles.
Ten minutes later, he looked like this:
Oops.
He napped like that for an hour, and then was totally not ready for his regular nap time.
I put all of the other kids down for naps, though, because today was a swim meet day. Eventually Eli went down for another nap, but I had to wake the younger three kids to leave for the meet. It started earlier than normal because today was team picture day.
While we waited for the team picture to be taken, our job was to stay out of the way.
Lily wanted so badly to hold Eli in her lap. Poor girl doesn't realize that he weighs just a few pounds less than her!
Then I did what every photographer hates: I stood behind the hired photographer and snapped pictures with my own camera. I know it's tacky and inappropriate to do that, but whatever.
Team picture! You can see Caleb in the bottom row, on the left side of the picture. Just a few minutes before, he actually fell into the water. It was pretty funny! Then his sweet friend sitting next to him helped him fix his hair.
After team pictures, it was time for the kickboard race! This picture fairly sums up how Daisy was feeling about her first race.
The girl with her is her friend Emma, who is a swim team member who has helped with kickboard practice. Emma has been Daisy's partner almost every practice, and these girls love each other! I'm pretty certain that if Daisy had any other partner, she would not have done her race today. She was pretty nervous!
Off she goes!
As soon as Daisy got in the water, her nerves vanished. She grinned like this the whole length of the pool.
Emma asked for a high five, and Daisy gave her a high foot. That's my girl.
Then the meet began, and soon it was Caleb's turn.
Waiting in the bullpen for his first of five events. Doesn't he look cool?
Even better, Caleb got to hang out with Grandpa! It was our family's turn to volunteer at the meet, and Dad graciously agreed to fill our job in the bullpen so we could focus on chasing after our little ruffians. Also, he kind of likes swim meets. The kids were so excited to see him! Caleb looks pained in this picture, but I think it's just the swim cap smooshing his face. Also, that's a mosquito bite on his collar bone, not a hickey.
And he's off!
Go, Caleb!
Daisy greeted Caleb at the finish line with a big hug.
After two of Caleb's races, it was time for me to take the little ones home. We arrived home to find that the UPS man had delivered a fancy new lens for me, so of course I had to try it out. Obviously lighting conditions aren't the best, but it still has me excited to play! Also, I can't wait to save up enough money to upgrade my camera, too!
Hi, Eli!
Then Eli put stuffed birds in my new leather lens case.
Chris got home later, and was curious to check out the pricey new lens.
This was his test shot. An accurate representation, I'd say!
I got behind on the blogging, but I won't get too far behind, I promise!
Today was the last day of VBS for the big kids. While they played, the little ones and I met my mom at a playground for breakfast and some water play. It was perfect!
Splashing with Grandma!
Mom caught Eli's "cheese" face perfectly!
Aren't they silly?
Then it was time to go back to watch Caleb and Daisy perform the VBS songs with their groups. Caleb had a speaking part, and nailed it! Then he got up on the stage and sang the songs with focus and animation. I was so impressed, and kicking myself for not having a camera at the ready!
That evening, it was Caleb's second-to-last baseball game of the season.
I gave Daisy my phone for a while, and she documented a few things.
Like Lily and our friend Jillian making silly faces, with their dads in the background.
I'm pretty impressed by this selfie! Those big eyes make her look like a Disney character!
While the big boys played baseball, the little sisters ran up and down the sidewalk. Eli crawled along, trying his best to keep up with the girls!
His gorilla walk is so funny!
Seriously, child. It's time to start walking.
But isn't he handsome in his shades?
(Don't mind his messy face. It's just how we roll sometimes!)
Today was day 4 of VBS, and I fully enjoyed the morning with only two children. I am so thankful for my four, and wouldn't change that for the world, but let me tell you: two children are so much easier than four, especially when they're only 18 months apart in age!
Lily and Eli played happily together for most of the morning. The played in the sandbox and I sat on the deck and drank a hot cup of coffee, listened to the birds chirp, enjoyed the breeze, and watched my new wrap dance on the clothesline in the breeze. It was fabulous.
Then we picked up Caleb and Daisy, and I made the kids popcorn for lunch.
I know. Popcorn for lunch? It's ridiculous. But they get so excited about it, and of course I supplement it with things that actually have nutritional value.
Things about Eli:
The hats. Always the hats. I remember Caleb going through this stage, too.
The climbing. Oh, the climbing. For a non-walker, the kid climbs like crazy.
The chair. We actually put away his booster chair because he refused to sit in it. He prefers to stand on a chair or a bench at the table.
Same day. Same outfit, Same 10-minute-period. Different chair.
Chris left at 5:45 this morning to join colleagues on a flight to Chicago. It was a work trip, but not for work. They went for a baseball game.
They flew back in the evening, and Chris didn't get home until after 9:00. It was a long day for him, and a long day for me, too!
My goal was to not take any pictures so that I wouldn't have to do anything computer-y.
But then the kids were so stinking cute that I had to. I made muffins for breakfast, and Lily and Eli wanted to be on the counter.
Lily begged to do "school" - a writing workbook I picked up for Daisy in the Target dollar section. Lily has no idea what she's doing, but she really likes the idea of doing school
I caught her trying to tuck a pencil behind her ear, and helped her out a little bit.
She was really pleased with the results.
Can you tell from the expression on her face that she is trying to stay perfectly still so the pencil doesn't fall? Too funny!
And Eli is totally into cheesing for the camera. I don't even have to ask him to do it, he just starts grinning like a fool and saying "CHEEE" every time he sees my camera. (Also, he had a giant strawberry for first breakfast. Can you tell?)
Then Lily tried to tuck her pencil behind Eli's ear. He was holding really still, trying to let her do it, but they couldn't quite figure it out. These kids are so funny!
And then hats. Because Eli has just figured out hats. His age is so much fun!
Today was Day 2 of VBS, take 2. It was another quiet day; the little two and I headed right back home after dropping Caleb and Daisy off, and we just played at home all morning.
Before we dropped the big kids off, Lily (whose imagination has been especially active lately)was playing Sophia the first. When I told her to get dressed, she asked to wear her fancy princess dress today. Then as we were getting into the van, Daisy found a shiny tiara for her to wear. By the time we got to VBS drop-off, Lily looked like a legitimate princess, and she got a lot of attention from everyone at VBS.
At home, I made myself some breakfast and dragged some toys out onto the front porch. The kids played while I ate and enjoyed a cup of coffee. Lily was so cute, though, that I got out my camera to snap a picture of her in full princess mode.
She was not interested in being photographed.
Eli, however, climbed up onto the bench and cheesed for the camera in a way I've never seen before.
Pretty impressive, isn't it?
Then Lily noticed that Eli was posing for me, and she squeezed herself onto the bench so that she would be in the picture, too.
From her face, you would think I was forcing Lily to be photographed against her will. In fact, the opposite was true. She chose to be in this picture, she chose to put her arm around Eli, and she chose to scowl for my camera. That girl is such a stinker!
Frowny face.
Then Eli realized his sister was being grouchy and tried to give her a hug.
Nope. She wasn't having it.
Finally, a smile!
And sweet Eli. He's getting really tan lately!
Then Lily asked for a turn to take some pictures. I put the camera strap around her neck, showed her how to look through the viewfinder, and positioned her finger on the shutter release.
This was one of Lily's first pictures with a DSLR. I love how excited Eli is about it!
I also love Eli's sweet curls.
Then I got out the bubble machine, and the kids were so excited!
Except it stopped working. I think I need to clean it out, but that's a lot of work.
Nothing happened all afternoon except naps and photo editing. This evening was swim team and kickboard practice, and the practice following a meet always ends with ribbons being awarded.
Caleb came home with this:
HIS FIRST BLUE RIBBON!
It was for the boys 6 and under 100 free relay, and he was so very proud!
He swam two other events last night, and got ribbons for all of them, though the rainbow ones are simply participation ribbons. I think these ribbons are the motivation that will keep him working hard at swim team, and I'm so proud of him!
