Swing shots...

A photo shoot on a swing.  We were at the park a couple of days ago and it was freezing.  She loves the swing so I was able to get some shots and then her dad and I headed for the car while the rest of the kids played.  We waited in the heated car.  :)

I'm busy with my photography.  I have two weddings to shoot, my first ever!!!  My friends have generously agreed to let me shoot them on the beach in their wedding attire from 11 years ago so that I can try to create some shots that I'd like to get when I actually shoot my first bridal pictures on the beach.  Wish me luck.  I have no idea who really looks at my blog anymore, thank you to those who comment and share nice remarks.  This space is still very dear to me.  I love my blog.  :) 

Summer is 5

Happy Birthday to our Summer girl!!!!!!!!!!!  She is the big 5 and she is like no other.  As she gets older, she gets more reasonable and sweeter but she who she is and that is smart, aware, happy and when she gets her mind made up, it's made.  Some people call it stubborn, I call it relentless.  :):):)  But, as she gets older it is becoming a great quality because she likes to make good choices and she loves to learn.  

The morning of her birthday, which was a holiday (Martin Luther King, Jr.) all the kids voted to go to the city (San Francisco).  So we did!!!  And we had the best time going to parks and site seeing.  

This is Dolores Park in the Mission District.  Such a great park with great metal slides that the kids go flying down!

We don't go anywhere without baseball stuff or different kinds of balls.  Because they can't just slide there has to be balls involved.  :):):)

The boys are so cute.  They constantly brag about the fact that their baby brother is a "lefty" when he bats.  And they hold practice with him whenever they can.  So cute.  

I asked a few locals where I could take 7 kids to eat and one guy suggested a cute little Pizzeria on Valencia in the Mission called "Valencia Pizza, Pasta."  It was the best!!  Such a cute little place, right on the corner so the kids could see night life in the city! ;) ;)  I love being with my kids.  

I feel blessed because the older kids are so helpful and that's what makes it possible for us to go on these fun adventures.  We got an extra large Cheese and half Hawaiian.  We also got a big bowl of Angel Hair Pasta with Veggies.  And then...

we made it home by 7:30 to get to the surprise party that her dad put up for her!!!  He put up a banner, wrapped presents and had cupcakes, and it was awesome!  

Happy Birthday to our sweet Summer.  We love her so much and beyond and we had the best day with each other!!!  

The Children's Museum...

I ventured out with the kids the other day to the Children's Discovery Museum.  I've been coming here since my oldest son was 2.  So many memories at this place, it's amazing!  I have been getting a family pass for years.  It's always been worth it because we come about once a week in the winter time and in the summer time.  It's only 10 minutes from my home.  

The Wonder Cabinet is one of their favorite places inside, where they have this darling craft area with the coolest stuff for the kids to create.  This time the craft was salad spinning art.  

I did the heart.  :)  I always do the art with them because I love it.  :)

Shane made a mold of his face, can you see it?

All three boys (our oldest son goes to High School).  This is a cool hangout- that's a salt table with all kinds of funnels and scales and glass jars to pour and dump salt.  It'll keep the best of them busy forever....

Georgia likes to make sure she sees every single exhibit.  And then she likes to take me around and tell me all about each one.  I think she's so great this way.  I love that about her.  She's very curious, creative and FULL of questions.  

The older kids still like to come because they usually play tag throughout the museum, respectfully.  ;)  But, Gwyneth, of course, brings some books and sketch pads along with her when there is "down" time.  :):)

You know that story "Angelina Ballerina?"  Well, I have her living in my home, except, her name is Georgia the Gymnast.  She's driving us all crazy with her cart wheels and round offs and one handed this and twirly that...we have finally signed her up for a gymnastics class.  And I think I just came up with the name of my first children's book.  :)

Face painting.  One of the favorite activities.  Except, we need to remember to do this at the beginning of the visit, not at the end when I'm trying to get home.  ;)

My kids love this museum and they've all grown up going over and over again, and they still love it.  It will most definitely be one of those places that brings cherished memories when I think back on my life, bringing up my sweet children.