Busy, Busy, Busy... A Mother's Work is Never Done!

We have been super busy around here.  I can not believe that Christmas is in just one week.  Every year I say that I will take a step back and relax, but once again it didn't work out for me.  Fortunately I was able to get a lot of things done early as far as the shopping goes, so the fast pace of this season has been bearable.  I  have put less thoughts into gifts this year.  It's not that I don't care, but the truth is in the past I have stressed over getting everyone the perfect gift and that is just down right silly.  Besides, isnt it the thought that counts? 

Anyhow, this week started off crazy.  I was sick. So sick that I took two days off work.  I was down for the count on both Monday and Tuesday.  I usually feel guilty when I have to miss work, but this time I am so glad that I did.  I managed to sleep quite a bit and it was exactly what my body needed for a speedy recovery.


Jasmine's Awanas (church version of the scouts) Christmas party was the first task on the agenda this week.  It was Wednesday night.  Jasmine had a ball at the party, especially making cupcakes with her friends.  The kids also went nuts in a relay game where they were allowed to wrap the leader like a Christmas tree in a boys versus girl contest.  I had never seen that game before.  But the kids managed to have laughs and a great time using simple decorations and teamwork in this game.  Kind of makes you wonder what else kids would enjoy if we took all of the conveniences and electronics and hig tech gadgets away from them. 

 Cupcake Table

 Decorating the cup cakes

 Jasmine getting in on some relay action!

          Team of the wacky girls!

                                         

                                    Jasmine and her friend Grace                                

So after being sick on Monday and Tuesday, then volunteering at the Awanas party on Wednesday night, I had a night off and then it was on to the next event.  Next on the agenda was the Christmas Concert at Jasmine's school.  The concert was Friday morning.  Jasmine and her classmates sang their little hearts out and it was a delight to see them perform.  Somehow that never gets old. 

Ms. O'Rourke and the second graders before the concert.

                                          

 Jasmine and Ellie

The second grade chorus

Later that evening, my mom, Aunt Pat and Timothy babysit the kids so that Ken and I could go my corporate Christmas party.  It was also a lot of fun.  Nothing like seeing your coworkers get hammered and make fools of themselves.  Unfortunately I could not stay as long as I would have liked to.  It was one fo those moments that I realized that Ken and I can't party like we used to.  We were back home in bed by 10:30 PM.

Ken and I before the party. 

And if it did not seem like my week was busy enough,  I woke up the next day and worked at the MAC once more as a photography apprentice.  It was like waking up and being right back into a party.  Doing the photography gig at MAC was a lot harder this second time around.  Last week we had 80 children.  This week we had 120 children who needed photos with Santa.  Before I started to get paid as a photographer, I did not understand why the professionals charge such high rates.  All I can say now is that they deserve every penny (within reason of course.)  People sure do expect a lot at times.  It seemed like all the moms wanted the perfect photo.  I felt bad for Santa.  However, it was worth it.  The best part was seeing the looks on the faces of the young children who truly believe in the magic of Christmas.  At the end of the event, we sold 100 photo packages.  Not bad if I do say so myself!!!

After the MAC photography gig, I went home and rested for about two hours with my kiddos and then got dressed for my niece Kailyn's first birthday party.  This was something that I had been looking forward to all month.  Simple kid parties are always nice.  And it is always nice to celebrate.  Jon and Ken stayed home while Jasmine and I attended the party which was a blast. 

 Kailyn and her cousins and brother Cameron



 Kailyn

 Kailyn and her favorite Aunt Cara

 Jasmine and her cousin Kai

 Me and Cindy.  Jas took this photo.  LOL

My princess on her special day.  What a cutie! 

Like I said earlier, this week was busy, busy, busy.  What a week.  What a great, busy, exhausting, rewarding week.  A mother's work is never done.

Its Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas!

Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas and feel a lot like Christmas around here.  I have been super busy the last few days.  Today I was fortunate enough to work as a photography apprentice at the Missouri Athletic Club's Breakfast with Santa.  In the past I have attended as a guest.  It is different to be there as hired help.  LOL.  It was a lot of fun working with the children and getting them prepped to take pictures with Santa but  it was a lot of work.  People definitely have an idea of what they want.  I was grateful that most all of them were satisfied.  Apparently I did a good enough job because I was invited to come back next week and be an apprentice all over again.  :-)


On the home front, it is beginning to look a lot like Christmas around here.  We (I) have completed putting up all of the indoor decorations and most of outdoor decorations.  Although I love having a ton of outdoor decorations,  I think that we may pass on our Santa and snow globe inflatable this year.  I cant bring myself to have the energy to deal with it.  It's been very cold and the idea of getting it all set up is not appealing to me.  I am also passing on decorating the game room and play room area.  Hoping to keep it simple but nice.  Below are a few photos of what we (I) have done so far.

                   The exterior lights, minus the inflatables.  The dear husband did hang the lights.

                                             Our "grown up" tree in our formal living room.

                                                     Jasmine's Christmas Themed Bedroom

Jasmine's Christmas Quilt

After decking the halls (the house) the kids and I even started to work on some Christmas crafts.  Even little Jon got in on the action.

                                           Jon getting some coloring done in the family room.

                                            

                                         

                                         Jasmine painting some ornaments for family and friends.

This holiday season is passing way too fast.  I cant believe that we will all be celebrating in just two weeks.  Fortunately we are all in relax mode. All of the shopping is done.  Christmas cards were mailed last week.  Now off to enjoy the festivities and coast into the holiday.  Something that I am truly looking forward to.  

Making Room for the Home Studio

Photography is my hobby.  Photography is my passion.  In many ways photography is my life.  I enjoy life.  I enjoy capturing moments.  I have been a serial snapshot taker since my kids were born.  Like I have said before, I rarely leave home without my camera.  You never know when you will need it or when it will come in handy.


After years of being obsessed with taking pictures of my kids and carrying around my camera like a third child, I have finally decided that I need to do something with my hobby.  My love for taking pictures is no secret to those closest to me, as I am usually the person who has no problems with taking photos of my friends for their Christmas cards.  I have also been known to take birth announcement photos as well.  And even in a moment of desperation I stepped in and photographed a small wedding.  Yea, I know that all sounds crazy considering I didn't get paid for any of it.  But I would have to say that I enjoy all of it.  I enjoy being trusted with special moments and milestones in people's lives. 


With Christmas fast approaching, many people have asked me what I needed.  I cant really think of anything that I need, nor can I really think of many things that I would want.  I live a simple life and there isn't much to me. 


After pondering for days what would be most useful for me, it all came back to photography.  There is always something that I would like to have but in the past has never been a priority.  Now that my baby is six, I am finally at a point where I do not feel as guilty about doing things for myself.  After talking it over with the dear husband, he has agreed to allow me to have a small home portrait studio.  Saying home portrait studio makes it sound fancy.   However, it probably is best described as a home portrait corner which happens to be in our game room.  Its nothing to brag about, but its mine and I will happily take what I can get. 


Picking up this photography hobby isn't exactly cheap.  So far I have invested in studio lighting, a few inexpensive backdrops, some diffusers, and a couple of props.  This is more than enough for me and it more than meets my needs.  My plan is to take photos of my kids in lieu of spending money by taking them to a portrait studio.  So at the end of the day I can save money and improve my technique.  Sounds like a win, win situation to me!


Below are a few pics that I took of the kids in our new home studio.  They are far from perfect.   I have some slight shadows on a couple of the images.  I also have to learn how to better prepare some of the backdrops by steaming them and securing them a little more tightly (Im not one for the wrinkled backdrop look) and increasing my light source, as a couple are under exposed.  But I am proud of myself.  It took a lot for me to branch out into uncharted territory .  I'd say it was a success.  It is is pretty darn cool to be a part of the memory making process.  My kids were happy and they felt like I was doing something special just for them.  Even little Jon had a blast rolling around on the backdrops.   And the best part of it all  was that I was able to get some my favorite poses developed for a whopping $2.  Below are a just few of my favorites from the shoot.

                                                                      

Jasmine in her Mrs. Claus pose. 

                                                                    Jasmine cheesing it up!

 When you need a prop, go grab something from under the tree. 



My handsome little guy!

                                    Jon absorbing all of the attention and loving it!                                                          

Jasmine wanted to pose and Jon wanted to play.  Guess who won?

After spending a couple of hours as the subject, Jasmine asked if she could "get on the Nikon."  I thought for sure that the dear husband would pass out and to be honest I am never a fan of allowing a seven year old to use expensive equipment.   At the end of the day, fairness won out and I let her shoot away.  Here is one of the pictures that she took of me.



Needless, to say we have been having a lot of fun around here.  There has been a lot of learning and a lot of goofing off  which equates to good times in the Bouckaert household.  As an added bonus, my mother in law,  gifted me tuition for a professional class taught by area photographer Donnell Probst.  That is something that I am truly looking forward to!!!

Parties, Parties and More Parties

Jasmine had her annual breakfast with Santa yesterday at Visitation.  It is always nice to do it the Viz way.  There is limited space which means that everyone has the chance to sit on Santa's lap.  No lines, no pressure, equals a very happy me.  Anyhow, it is also always nice to see the faculty and other students at the event.  Viz is small enough that everyone knows everyone .  So far this has been a good thing.



At this year's Breakfast with Santa I decided to try something new. Rather than go by myself, Grandma Phyllis and I took Jasmine.  I think it was nice that Grandma was finally able to meet a couple of Jasmine's classmates.   Margaux and Allison were the only other second graders that attended the the event this year.  I notice that interest seems to dwindle as the kids get older.  But the thee of them together was enough and the girls had a blast together. 

                                               Jasmine creating a Christmas Greeting Card

                                         Margaux, Allison and Jasmine before meeting Santa

                                                                    Jasmine and Santa



After Breakfast with Santa, Jasmine, Jon and I headed out to the AT and T corporate Christmas Party.  I was excited about the fact that the event was casual enough that I could bring Jon.  Due to the more casual environment, Jasmine had a wardrobe change.   I didn't mind it because it gives me the chance to encourage her to be less of a tomboy and more of a little lady.


I was also excited that I would be able to work with Lionel, a family friend who is a professional portrait photographer.  After hearing about my love of photography and desire to improve my technique, Lionel has agreed to mentor me and teach me the art of taking great photos.  Below are a few photos that Lionel allowed me to take using his equipment and backdrop.

 Jon is thinking...Oh no, not again.  I love it!

Jasmine telling Santa that she has been nice and letting him know all of the things that she would like for Christmas

My two goof balls.  They were so happy to see Santa.  I love the expression on their faces, only to look over at Santa and see his look of pure exhaustion. Poor Santa. :-)

Jon loving him some Santa this year.  What a blessing that he is able to be a part of it all!


After partying from sun up to sun down on Saturday, we all woke up to see a new day which was equally as busy.  First order of things was Sunday service.  Church was wonderful!  Knowing that I would be gone later in the evening, I took the kiddos out for a couple of hours to do a little Christmas shopping.  Christmas shopping this year has been much easier than in the past.  It is nice to be able to make a decision and move forth.  This year I promised myself that I would not obsess over trying to find the perfect gift for people.  Of course I will do the best I can, but no driving myself nuts.  So far so good. 

  

After and afternoon of shopping ,Jasmine and I pressed forth and went to our church's first annual Christmas party. The theme was joy to the world.  There were activities created for the children that represented countries throughout the world.  The appetizers were also multicultural themed.  The party was a hit and of course I managed to snap some photos to document the day. 

Jasmine ready to go in her new boots and  jacket from Old Navy.

                                                      The two of us after making crafts

                                        One of her many finished products from the day.

 Jas trying to break the pinata.  She didn't break the pinata but surely did her best.

Jasmine was smart enough to hit the floor when it was busted and ended up with a lot of loot.  Apparently they fill them with peanuts in Mexico. 

                                                   Jasmine with our friend Mr. Davis. 

So we survived three parties and other activities in two days.  Man am I tired.  But is was worth it and I am grateful to be tired.

First Reconcilation

Since I was not raised Catholic, I was kind of casual with helping to prepare Jasmine for first reconciliation.  I understood what it meant to talk to the priest, but I did not place to much emphasis on it.  Most of the second grade girls were very afraid.  I figured my lack of knowledge would only make it worse.  It was a challenge to get Jasmine to come up with sins.  What was humorous was that many of the second graders had a hard time coming up with sins.  But I guess in the eyes of a seven year old that is a difficult task.  Jasmine and I talked about various sins.  She struggled with the proper one to talk to the priest about.  Some she felt were boring.  But in the end it all worked out OK.    Below are a few photos of the Jasmine at home the morning of First Reconciliation

Once we arrived to the school, I could see that Jasmine was not the only girl that was nervous.  Many of them were.  But they seemed to take comfort in relying on each other.  And once we arrived to the school, all was well.  Below are some portraits of the second grade class at the breakfast.

And lastly with the support of the teachers and the Head Of School Mrs. Rosalie Henry, all of the girls were just fine.  Below is Jasmine being photographed with Mrs. Henry.

Later in the evening, Jasmine, Aunt Karen and I went out to dinner.  We were actually looking at a possible place to host the rehearsal dinner for Tiffany and Mark's wedding in September.  Of course Jasmine made it all about herself.  And Vin de Set is quite the place.  Great dinner, great ambiance.  Great times.