A quick note to let you know I have just a couple of openings left for the October 4th Xpressions Sessions in Austin.  There are also some spaces left for the December Xpressions in D.C. and Richmond. If you’ve been thinking about it, you’ll definitely want to snag one before it’s too late.  I’m making an exception for the D.C. and Richmond Xpressions: I will do them for families of up to 5…you’ll just need to pay for additional people.  Please contact me if you want to talk more.  If you’ve already booked, I’ll be in touch with you soon to finalize all of the details.

How do you like this pic my hubby snapped of me and the girl at the Wildflower Center?

Today, we went here:

In an effort to:

like…

and…

or…

…and…

This made me proud:

These made me giggle:

And this made me cry:

It was a much needed dose of sanity and love before the holiday season takes hold.

He turned 4 this weekend. For the first time in his little life, I watched him *really* enjoy his birthday party. He was a most gracious host. A few more party snaps:

Make a Smilebox slideshow

 And then, a few pics of my little ballerina:

(FWIW, I have absolutely NO business blogging right now.  Let alone, blogging about my own kids. I should be put in time out.  In my own bed. For the next 8 hours.)

My husband’s bro and his wife are expecting their second baby. A little girl. Sigh. Amry is very excited to meet her little cousin so they can team up against the boys.  This was such a beautiful evening!

If you wanted to follow along on our homeschool journey.

Prepare yourselves for a series of totally unrelated images. First up, we got all dolled up the other day to go out to dinner. I think she literally looked like a doll.

Logs (AKA The Middle Child) has taken such an active role when it comes to his baby sister. He loves to help feed her and the other day, I was lucky enough to happen upon him reading one of his favorite stories to her. Sigh.

The second set is Amry with her Pop. Truth be told, I’ve been dying to get a shot of Pop’s hands (they’re just so cool) next to baby skin ever since I found out we were having our first child. Pop (Virgil’s dad) is pretty elusive, though, and managed to escape me…until I snuck these in this weekend!

Speaking of sneaks, here’s one for you, D!

And finally, a look into what has consumed our entire summer.  It’s been all things butterfly in the Anderson household. Collecting, humidifying, mounting, displaying, mapping, classifying, drawing, reading.  Tristan knows all of their scientific names, geographic origin, and the types of plants upon which the corresponding caterpillar feeds. It’s absolutely amazing!

Would you like to hear about "My day?"

T asked me if I would go with him to take the dogs for a walk tonight. Much to his surprise (and my own) I said yes.  I’ve been so wrapped up in work and baby girl, that it’s not often that I get to spend one on one time with either of my boys. I’m not sure who enjoyed the walk the most: T, me, or the dogs (who never get any attention from me these days). Such a lovely evening with golden summer sunset light. I know I must have been grinning from ear to ear.  Of course, I did secretly wish I could have walked with him *and* had my camera, but it was nice to just be.  It was nice to just be with him.  And listen to him, for real.

He’s really grown up a lot this summer. His passion for butterflies and the thirst for knowledge on all things butterfly is incredible. I had intended to start a blog about our homeschooling adventures–you guys wouldn’t believe the projects the boys have been working on this summer; I’m so proud of what they’ve accomplished–but I’m actually finding it difficult just keeping up with this one.  Plus, it wouldn’t be very conducive to my new approach toward work and family these days:

Live more. Blog less.

(Twitter sometimes).

While packing up for tomorrow’s session, I came across this hat. I thought I’d pretend it was cold here today.

Updates and random ramblings:

1. There are only 6–count them–6 holiday session openings left.

2. I have two birth photography session openings left for 2009–one for October and one for early December.

3. For those of you that have contacted me about mini sessions or getting together during our Washington, D.C. and Richomond, VA trip, I’m pretty sure I’ve got a plan worked out.  I will be sending information out in a week or so to let you know what’s going on.

4. We spent yesterday at the Snake Farm and the Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch.  Snake Farm–hot and a little scary being in a room full of the world’s most venomous snakes. Wildlife Ranch–amazing…an absolute blast, but be sure to watch out for rogue ostriches.

5. This morning, we realized that yesterday would have been Virgil’s first day back at work.  I like homeschool. ;-)

6. We’ve also realized that we’ve been very busy homeschooling all summer long.  I’m working on a blog to chronicle our journey.  I tried to get it posted this week, but by the 7th interruption (Amry needed a new diaper, Logan was stuck on a puzzle piece, Tristan wanted a new brush to use in Photoshop), it was a futile task. Maybe we’ll have it up by the end of the year.

7. Falling asleep at keyboa…

I finally got around to doing her monthly photo session today (8 mos!!!), and had to share my little blue-eyed angel.  Last pic – she learned to clap tonight!