The Beauty in Fall

I have been reeaallly sick this week. So sick, in fact, that I haven't gone into work the entire week :( I have 25 students this year and usually that would wear me out, but I LOVE my students so much! They are so enthusiastic and eager to learn. Love em'.

I digress. My photog mentor has been giving me assignments. One was to find beauty in something that I would usually overlook. So I got down on my big belly :) and took a pic with his Canon Mark 5ii... this pic is SOOC (straigh out of the camera)... I am proud of it.



After I worked with him a while, I practiced some new tips on Paige. I loved the fall colors and I love the fun she was having. If you can't tell, I am IN LOVE with
this child :) No way, you say? ha ha! Hey, everyone needs a number one fan in their corner, right???







What? Don't look surprised Miss P. I'm your number 1 fan...always!

Recap of Halloween

I was so very happy that my school district had parent/teacher conferences on the day of Paige's school parade. Our school opted for a flex schedule and had the conferences days prior, so we could leave a 1/2 day on Friday.

It was so bittersweet to pull up to Paige's school and know that it would be my very last Halloween party/parade. I am so happy that squirt is growing up and becoming an independent, self-sufficient, young lady. However, part of me wishes for the times again where she needed me and mom to help her into her costume, fix her hair, put on her make-up, etc... When she was little, she would wave and wave to us in the parade and now, well, let's just say, I had to practically scream her name so she would even look my way. She was too busy being "too cool for school" and socializing with her buds.

The parade and party went on without a hitch and a great time was had by all. Afterwards, Paige and I went to see the Michael Jackson movie "This is It". It was sooooo good!!!! I laughed, I cried, I relived my childhood. Paige could barely stay still in her seat. Her head was just a bobbing. I certainly don't agree with things that Michael Jackson got involved in, for sure, but I have always LOVED his music.

Halloween night we didn't break tradition. We went to our dear family friend's house. My mom is close to the grandma, I am close to the mom, and Paige and Olivia are inseperable. We always go over there and eat yummy soups and eat appetizers and gossip while the men take the girls trick-or-treating.

Perfect Halloween in every way!

This is photo heavy...sorry!

Paige and friend Annika in Kindergarten...awww


Little Princess with her first "boyfriend", Noah. They were a school joke. They walked around kinder holding hands! ha :)





...and NOW...

Paige and bff, Olivia


Paige and Gracie


The Vampiress, The Fashion Police and Cake Boss :)


Paige and Mrs. Pursley


Paige and Gracie


Before Trick or Treating

Pictures, assignments and bulletins

I promise not to keep talking about my photo assignments, but this one was too fun not to. My photog friend and I are working on composition and finding the light. I really am trying to work on using natural light so that I don't have to use off camera flash that often. I have so much to learn, but am having SO much fun doing it.

Let's do a little bullet post, shall we :)

• Paige is doing so well in fifth grade. Academically, she is pulling her own weight, even though she has made some lower grades this year. She made her first "average" grade (as she refers to it). It makes me laugh, as I was always praying for that average grade. Paige, on the other hand, is a perfectionist. Always striving to be the BEST! She is dancing 7 hours a week and I keep telling her that it is all a BALANCING act. She is starting to ease up on herself. Bless her little sensitive heart.
• I am having fun thinking about Christmas...yes, I said Christmas. I am so excited to start shopping and wrapping and baking and ... It is my favorite time of the year.
• We are getting together with my brother and sister-in-law this weekend for dinner. I just adore my brother and I have to say, it has been hard having to share him with someone else. Anyone else feel that way when their brother got married? I do enjoy my SIL, though, and think we will be good friends.
• I'm excited to start planning a summer vacay. We are thinking of spending a week in Cozumel. Anyone been? Any tips for travel? We usually go to Destin, Florida or Hilton Head and we really want to do something different this year.

Well, that about sums it up for now. I plan on blogging more. I am still compiling email addresses for the blog when it goes private. I've already received some emails from people asking to continue to follow. I just have to say, if you don't have a blog or I don't know you, don't be offended if you don't get extended an invitation. I am starting to feel really protective over little bit and don't want to infringe upon her privacy.

Hope everyone understands! If you are on my side bar or have a blog then you are as good as in :) Hope you all have a GREAT week!!!

My little spook

This Halloween was fun, because the weather was perfect! It was crisp and cool, a little overcast with the leaves rustling around. Paige dressed as a Vampiress. She loves the movie Twilight (particularly Edward), so she decided to be his counterpart.

I am currently working with a photographer in my area and it has been sooo much fun and sooo much work. He gives me tutorials and then sends me out on assignment. I have really stepped out of my comfort zone and am loving it.

This pic was to be "moody". That was the assignment. Paige was walking towards me, not posing and didn't even know I was going to snap this, but she looked the part. I felt the 'tude, if you will. I'll be anxious to see if this is moody enough for him :) lol!

Hope you all had an amazing Halloween! I am already getting excited for Christmas!!!

Happy Halloween!

I hope your ghouls and goblins have a safe and Happy Halloween! I'm opening my blog back up until I compile all of the addresses for the private one ... too much going on right now (in a good way :)

私用, Prive, Private :)

I am going private, my friends! I love blogging and the friendships I have made, but am totally creeped out by some things that have gone on in the recent days. My blog is ultimately my scrapbook and I want to be able to blog about whatever and post any pictures that I like, without fear of them being stolen. That said, if you'd like to continue to follow my blog, please leave me your email in my comments section or you can email me at : sissy2paige@yahoo.com

I'll be closing up shop next week! Hope you all have a fantastic weekend!

Oktoberfest fun!

This weekend we went to Oktoberfest and had sooo much fun! We have a lovely Historic Germantown and it has so much charm and character. Paige and I needed a fun day, as we had an interesting Friday. My mom had a health scare and I was a wreck. Once again, life can shake you up when you least expect it. I'm glad that God had his arms wrapped around my sweet mom!

Don't you just love my new blog header??? Well, I certainly do! I saw several people getting blog makeovers with these darling sketches and I was ready for a new look. I contacted Stephanie and told her a bit about Paige and this is what she made...the balance between princess and tomboy! The hearts signify my dad. I LOVE it and couldn't thank her enough. If you are looking for a new look, please think of using Stephanie...she is sooo sweet and talented AND is possibly going to be a new mommy this week (she is awaiting her referral)! Good luck, Stephanie!!!


The beautiful Catholic church in the historic Germantown district.


This picture has brought about MANY laughs!!! When I took it, I didn't think a thing about it. Then I uploaded it to Facebook and several of my friends brought to my attention what it looked like was going on in this pic... LOL!!! The man had a mechanical monkey and the little boy went up to pet the MECHANICAL monkey. The girls faces were a RIOT, as was the man's. Classic pic :)




The girls at Germantown Cafe with the city skyline behind them.


Precious friends! Olivia, Paige and Caroline


This better be the ONLY time these lovely girls are behind bars :)