Siblings

Today's Shutter Sisters challenge is to share photos of either our own or our children's sibling relationship . . . my two favorite subjects in a single photo! I know that my own relationship with my sib (younger sister by nearly 2 years) was rocky for quite some time while growing up. No doubt I was an aggravating older sister that bossed and she was an independent younger sister determined to set me straight! My parents remember a time when we were little when we played well with each other -- best friends, they say. Junior High and High School were brutal. And now, in adulthood and with children of our own, we're friends. I so enjoy and appreciate that.
My two are in an in-between stage -- they vacillate between hugs and holding hands and tattling and general ickiness. This morning, for example, they've been upstairs getting dressed forever. Running up and down the hall, giggling, being silly. They like each other this morning. Lots of hugs all around.
They are so different. My son is sensitive and artistic. A little hesitant. My daughter is a sprite. Needs to be in charge and will go toe to toe with us all if she deems necessary! They are beautiful and sweet. I hope we can help them avoid the strife that seems to mark so many sibling relationships. That they can be each other's most loyal friend.

Festive

I haven't taken nearly the number of pictures that I want to . . . I'm ready for the holiday break. A more relaxed schedule to appreciate the festivities, color, lights, and giddiness of children! Much like the afore mentioned children, I'm counting the days down 'til Friday. Until then, I'll partake of a visual appetizer. A little snow flake, white light delight to hold me over:)

Ballet Class

This past Monday was Sis' last dance class of the term. Parents had been banned from the classes, if you'll remember, but on this, the last day, we all got to sit quietly on the bench and watch our little ballerinas.
They were adorable! Very serious as they ran and jumped and slipped and slid all over the room. At one point, they were all sitting on their bottoms and spinning in circles. Now, I've never taken ballet or dance of any sort. Those of you that have, what move is that exactly? :)
Here she is rolling on the floor. Um, not sure of that move either. They had a blast making up their own moves to a diverse selection of music. They clearly adored their teacher who was fun but kept all the little muchkins well in line.
At the end of class, I bribed Sis to go back to the bar and do a little this and that so I could take pictures. So cute. I seriously considered joining an adult class. I'm not sure they have classes elementary enough for me . . . I mean, I can sit and spin or roll with the best preschoolers. Anything much more than that, and I may do myself injury.
I've been suggesting, hinting, begging my similarly dance-inhibited spouse to take lessons with me for years. Perhaps his refusal is my saving grace. Neither of us have done much more than a little boogie when no one is watching. We'd likely tangle ourselves up in a knot, impede the learning progress of our classmates and cause our teacher to kindly suggest private lessons. I'm just saying . . . it could be that bad.

My little girl will not suffer the same inhibition. She wiggles and dances with the best of them. And to be honest, I rock out with her when nobody is looking;)

Trying My Hand

I was inspired by Rita's practical post on natural light portraiture so we took a time out from tree trimming and grabbed a black blanket and -- ta da! 
I struggled a bit with over exposure so will need to do some fine tuning with metering but overall, I love the results. 
Did I tell you that a friend has asked me to take pics of her daughter? Yep. I'm a bit ambivalent about it. Photography is very much a sanity-saving hobby. I do not want to intrude on those skilled professionals that make their livelihood taking pictures. We've agreed she can make me cookies . . . that seems like a fair trade. Besides, I'm afraid I can't guarantee the results:) 
While on the topic of vocation and avocation . . . I'm doing some tough thinking about the work I do and its sustainability. I've been flirting with burn out for weeks and now, I think I'm there. Its not unexpected. This particular position feels a bit like being an ER doc or a fire fighter -- running from one crisis to another. And I don't drink, so there goes that coping strategy:) So I'm laying low this weekend, thinking about my options, hoping that I can work out something doable with my supervisor 'cause I really like working with this level of intensity but I need to keep the long view. 
The holidays are both a hindrance and a blessing as I try to sort this out. A hindrance because with the holidays come a pressure to decorate, shop, entertain and be generally jolly. The blessing is the time spent with friends and family, enjoying their company and the diversion that all that decorating, shopping and entertaining can bring. 

Now off to the couch, in front of our beautifully decorated tree with my book and coffee. Hubby and kids are rattling the legos around as they build something, I'm sure, spectacular. Eventually I'll have to figure out what's for breakfast and make plans for getting something done with the day. For now, I'm just going to absorb the quiet of the morning. 

Tree, with more pics.

Never fear, the tree posts will continue as tree trimming and lighting occurs. I bet you can hardly wait!

Tree, likely to be one of several parts

We got our tree last night! Hubby left work earlier, rushed to pick up Sis while I got Big D and then we headed into the hills. Which is literally out our door and a drive of maybe a couple of miles. Not exactly "over the hills and through the woods" -- we're lucky that way! We arrived close to sunset and tramped through the tree farm, examining trees and then moving along, looking for just the right specimen. 
I brought along my camera and new lens. I'm in love. Just love. It took such bright pictures despite the deepening dark . . . At some point, it was too dark to capture my little elves who were in constant motion without significant blur. Especially Big D. Hence a lack of pics with his sweet little person. 
Sis kept finding trees just her size. Wanted to take them all home. Perhaps make them pets . . . which is a prominent play theme these days:) But this mama had a different vision. A tall, full tree framed by the bay window at the front of the house. Lots of lights. Ah. 
This magical tree farm had a "snow" machine and every 5 minutes, "flakes" of soapy bubbles would fill the air. My kids were fascinated. Well, until Big D made a connection between the bubbles and what he remembered about spit bugs. He announced it was "disgusting -- maybe they have a hundred spit bugs in that thing." We got to see beautiful clydesdale horses pulling a lit wagon full of happy people -- we weren't some of those happy people as they were charging the equivalent of your first born. There was a train display and a cute shop of Christmas ornaments and the crafts featuring the lavender from a nearby farm. 
It was a lovely experience. A tradition that I value from my own childhood. Of course, it was complete with my own very human children - Sis had herself a little tantrum of ugliness. You wouldn't guess it looking at her sweet face in the pics. She's a sprite. I keep reminding myself that I'll be grateful for her strong will when she is a young woman, making her way in the world. She will not be a victim. She will pursue her dreams with determination. We just have to survive her childhood:) 

As I type, she is dancing in her Christmas pj's while Big D tells daddy an endless story . . . they are anxious to get on with the day. They want stories, to decorate the tree and I'm not sure what else. Perhaps we will start some baking or finish up some crafts. Enjoy the day!

Bare Necessities

Heading back to work today . . . been away a week, how come I don't feel refreshed and rejuvenated? :) We all know why. 'Cause we're the women of our households. Responsible for creating and supplying the holiday experience to our families. What may be a vacation for the other (male) adults in our lives, is a labor of love on our parts. No, I'm not bitter. Far from it actually. I've had me some good conversation with smart women that I love and whose advice I value . . . The reality is that I can not reproduce the holidays of my childhood. For one, they were orchestrated by my grandmother who had no children at home and didn't work. And for another, I am my own unique person and will create my own unique set of traditions and rituals to mark the holidays for my children. So here's my list of bare necessities that I believe that I and my family will need on a daily basis for a happy and successful holiday . . . 

1. Good eats -- sometimes healthy:)

2. Exercise and fresh air

3. Rest

4. Loved ones to do the above with . . . 

Everything else is gravy. I wish for myself and my family a simple holiday. Ah, already feeling more zen about the coming weeks:)