Well, that line is probably more directed toward myself ;-). In spite of my careful planning, everything seemed to hit all at the same time AND I’m back to full-time mommy status until the kids start pre-school next month, so I’m so very behind right now. (Makes me *really* appreciate everything the hubs did for us when he was out for the summer.)

So, for those of you waiting for an e-mail response or a proof set or design work, please know that I haven’t forgotten about you, I’m just trying to dig myself out from under this mountain of “to do’s” right now.

(This pic is an oldie from last spring, but I like it.)

Warning: Snapshot Alert!
Before you go any further, please know that even photographers get tired of taking pictures and can feel too much pressure to perform…even on family vacations. These aren’t masterpieces, that’s for sure, and the quality is horrid, but I think they will serve their purpose of preserving some wonderful memories.

We were fortunate enough to escape to the San Antonio Riverwalk for a few days of some *much needed* recooperation and family time before the hubs goes back to school. I intentionally did not take Big Bertha (the 5D) and instead, dusted off the old Rebel XT. Kind of a mistake, but in a way, it was good for me to NOT feel like I had to capture every single beautiful moment/thing on camera. I took a few snapshots, battery died, and that was that. So, here is how we spent the last few days of our summer vacation. (I just LOVED watching the boys clutch their little suitcases in the hotel lobby. They were so into it!)

Within the first 5 minutes of arriving, we had a potentially major disaster: T dropped his prized marble off the balcony. We watched it in slow motion, PRAYING it didn’t hit someone in the head. Whoa, that was scary!

My absolute favorite picture from the trip. I was bound and determined we were going to sleep in one morning, order room service, and watch cartoons. Room service was such a forbidden and a very rare treat growing up (not like we traveled a lot and I had it maybe twice?) but I desperately wanted my kids to experience it. And we did. And it was a blast!

of the latest Babycakes of Scottsdale catalog. How cool is this?????

You may have noticed a push to go greener with my business over the last several months. From moving into digital files and online proofing (less travel, less pollution, less paper) to creating online brochures and info packets to trying to reduce the amount of printing/paper I use in general—well, I don’t know if it’s the pregnancy talkin’, but I sure like the idea of cleaning up this place just a little bit more. I’m not claiming that I’m going to save the world here with just little ol’ me, but they always say every little bit helps, right? 

Now, I’m thrilled to introduce my new *pink*green bags. (I’m such a geek!) Instead of packaging your CD’s and products in paper or plastic bags that typically get tossed, I will be delivering your Pinkle treats in these nifty little reuseable *pink*green bags. I’ve recently gotten into the habit of using green bags myself and I just LOVE it.

Want more?
Of course, I had to invest in a large number of bags and I don’t think I’m going to need them all. So, if you’re in the Austin area and would like some of these cool *pink*green bags, you can nab a set of 5 for $10 + tax (free shipping). To all my previous clients: I’ll add in an extra free bag with your order. This is less than cost, but I don’t care. I want these to see some use!

A contest!
And, to help get you into the habit of using these bags, I propose a little deal:

1. If I see you out in public USING your *pink*green bag(s), I will waive the Creative Fee for an ‘09 Pinkle Toes photo session.

2. Or, e-mail me a pic of you (or the kiddos or significant other) in a public place USING your *pink*green bag(s) and you’ll get $10 off an ‘09 Pinkle Toes session for EACH *pink*green being used (up to $100).

Easy as pink pie.

A little tip: the trick is *remembering* to take the bags into the store with you. I started keeping mine in the passenger seat of my car. I rarely forget now.

Terms and Conditions
- offer and contest good through 12/31/08 OR while supplies last
- prizes valid 3/09-12/09
- prizes are not transferable or redeemable for cash
- one photo entry per household
- one prize per household
- offer valid in Austin area only.

Please let me know if you have any questions and good luck to ya!

For fun
While we’re on the subject of pink, we should find out soon what we’re having…

Just got back from our favorite little family vacation spot. Silly me, but I think it’s so cool to have an annual trip and visit the same place every year.  This is our 6th year and even before that, my hubby and I visited this place when we were still in college. It hasn’t changed much at all.  And I like that. Pretty much the only things that have changed over the years are 1. The size of my belly and 2. The size of our family. All I could think of this time around was that next year, there will be three kids.  THREE kids!!!!!  Oh. My. Dog.

An endless supply of sand and H2O AND a real front-end loader.  It was like all of his Christmases had come at once.

My little L chasing “sea otters.”

Thanks to my sis for snapping this family pic for us! 

This is my sis. And my cute little mommy.

Anyway, it’s going to take me a little bit of time to return all of your calls and e-mails, but hopefully, I’ll have all my t’s crossed and i’s dotted by the end of the week. Happy 4th, everyone!

Gee. I’m not married to a science teacher or anything. The animals are home for the summer. From left to right, top to bottom, meet:

Sumo - the pacman frog; he’ll grow to be about 6 in in diameter someday.
Pat - albino bull snake. he’s a sweetie pie.
The Scorps - 2 emporer scorpions
Shaniqua and Oreo - axolotls
koi - no names; they just are
Poncho - bearded dragon (he’s quite a character and my fav pet of all)
Storm - Siberian Husky
Kona (not pictured) - Also a Siberian Husky who didn’t want to be photographed

It takes the hubs and the boys about 30 min. to feed all of the creatures every morning. The boys just LOVE it! They are such big helpers and so fascinated by all the different ways they eat.

This strange little creature greeted me in the kitchen this afternoon. I guess I don’t need a girl to pass along my dress up stuff to afterall.

“He’s a maniac…maaaaaniac on the floor…”

The softer side of the glove-footed creature.

In truth, the gloves are *actually* for serious firefighter work, as demonstrated above. The iPod headphones (R.I.P.) are his “radio.”

And, he’s off in his “firetruck” to fight a fire.  Austin’s finest, ladies and gentlemen.

Dear Katie, thanks so much for meeting up with me today and for all of the wonderful cupcake gifts.  As you can see, we really enjoyed them ;-).  Congratulations again and I just can’t wait to see what great things you do with all of your talents as you begin your journey into the real world. You are smart, creative, beautiful, and ambitious–look out world!!!!

The T-man insisted I take a picture of his picture.  He’s saving it for his girl friend.

Over the last 4 years, I have come to realize that I am the perfect parent. I don’t know how I got to be so lucky, but I have yet to make a single parenting mistake in the raising of my two perfect angels.

So, in the spirit of giving back, I thought I would impart some of my inherent parenting wisdom on any less fortunate parents out there. If I can help just one parent, then my job will be done.

The following lessons were learned in just the past 24 hours. [Yes, even I amaze myself at my super parenting skills.]

Lesson #1: The children are never to be considered “tucked in” until eyes are closed and you can hear snoring.
So, we “tucked in” the kiddos last night (went through the whole bedtime routine) and retired downstairs to catch up on some work. We felt perfectly safe and secure that our angels were resting peacefully upstairs until a loud *THUD* followed by a heart-wrenching cry rang through the house. I raced upstairs to see what had happened. Hubby was already there and from the look on his face, I was terrified to look at my little T who was sobbing on the bed. Finally, I took a glace, just long enough to see the HUGE, golf ball-sized purple knot forming on his forehead. I started to cry and left the room to get ice. (Note to self: I wouldn’t count on me to be the calm one in a true emergency situation–I don’t know what it is, but seeing your child hurt is utterly terrifying.)

Well, I thought I was being brilliant by forming neat little ice pack out of frozen blueberries. While it worked well and did the trick at bringing down the swelling, I didn’t realize at the time it would lead to Lesson #2.

Everything turned out to be okay. He was apparently jumping into his bed when he lost his footing and hit is head on the dresser. He’s darn lucky he didn’t hit his eye or nose or knock out a tooth. There was still evidence of the injury today, as seen in Exhibit A, below (see faint purple outline on left side of forehead):

My son’s fixation, however, on what would happen to the bag of frozen blueberries after we were done using them as an ice pack leads us to my 2nd shining moment as a parent.

Lesson #2: A child never forgets.
So, after we were sure there was no need to rush him to the ER, we put the kids back to bed (it’s after 11:00 p.m. now) and I threw the bag of somewhat frozen blueberries back into the freezer in case we needed them again.

I forgot about them. T did not.

In the morning, hubby and I were awakened by the grinning, blueberry stained mouth of our youngest. Great. They found the blueberries. But as we walked downstairs into the kitchen, the blue handprints on the wall (see Exhibit B below), should have tipped us off that it was only the beginning of a very, very, very bad thing.

I wish I had thought to take a picture of the state of our living room carpet, but hubs and I were too upset. The boys had literally turned it into a war zone, using melting blueberries as ammo. They had blueberries on their faces, on their feet, the once white carpet was polka-dotted with purple and blue, and there were blue handprints and footprints everywhere. It was like some sort of freaky, fruity horror film.

We all got to work on trying to get the stains out of the carpet…a frustrating task to say the least. Hubs finally gave up and decided to make breakfast.  He tossed some bagels into the toaster, which leads us to…

Lesson #3: Never, ever, ever, ever, ever put an iPod in the toaster.

Yeah.  No kidding.  Those things really should come with warning labels or something to notify parents that iPods are not toaster-safe.

To be honest, I can’t for sure blame the kids for this one as being the genius parent that I am, as I ever-so carefully stored the iPod on the wood shelf pictured below…

…which happens to be directly above the toaster.

I know. 

You might want to jot that one down.

Needless to say, the iPod is toast.

Well, I hope I was able to enlighten you all a bit on what it’s like to be such an outstanding parent.  Lord knows, I’m only going to get better when #3 arrives, so watch out world!