what to do with this boy...

Jack wore his new suit to church on Sunday.

Looking quite dapper, I must say!

I had to chuckle every time I looked at him because behind this seersucker suit, crisp white shirt and salmon colored tie lies an extremely precocious & mischievous boy.

He has a charm and knows when to turn it on - like immediately after every bad choice he makes.

Last week he and Lucy team pooped (yes, in unison) in my closet. I was livid, to say the least.

Immediately he apologized and said,

"I know what will make you so happy mom. I love when you think of fun ideas for us to do on Christmas, Valentines, St. Patricks Day, Easter..."

The day previous he had had much success with this line. I was gloating all day to him and Troy about his thoughtfulness to thank me for my "fun holiday ideas", so he knew it was a winner!

Or like when he threw mud at Tim, our neighbor's house, for the 2nd time. We sat him down, talked about consequences and told him (in our most grave voices) that he would have to march over and apologize to Tim. We were hoping we'd sufficiently scared him to make the consequence really hit home. NOPE! He walked right over, looked Tim square in the eyes, pulled out his charm and with all the confidence in the world said,

"I'm so, so, so, so, so, so, so, super, super, super, super, super sorry for throwing mud at your house again, Tim. I will clean it up. O.K. (like in the tone of...we're all cool now, right) But just so you know, my friend did it too!"

I absolutely love Jack. He keeps me on my toes and I'm planning on being here until he leaves our house. Dang...I better have toned calves, that's all I'm saying! And a boy who learns to be obedient would be a PLUS too!

Grandparents, these pictures are for you. I told him to give me his best expressions. He never disappoints.

Is it time yet?

I walked outside my door on Saturday and this is what I saw.

Somebody is ready for summer.

When asked where they were headed, they responded...

"We're walking to the pool."

I'm pretty sure they are not stressed about the fast-approaching swimsuit season.

While muffin-tops are on my mind, all they are dreaming about is cannonballs and goggles.

Oh, to be a kid again!

a camping we will go

If you are a close family friend, or have ever been over to my parents' house for dinner, OR have ever dated me, then you have probably seen (or been forced to see) many Sessions family videos. More than you ever wanted to see.

Some highlights may include, but are not limited to:

"Ali skinning and gutting a deer"

"Sessions family in the bathtub with blue soap beards"

"Uncoordinated Ali doing ballet in the school talent show" (first and last time)

"Ali milking goats or chasing pigs"

"Fat high school Ali returning home after being a Congressional Page in D.C." (steady diet of cafeteria food=20 lbs)

If you haven't seen any of these, I am sorry. You are really missing out.

All I can say is that family video torture must run deep through my veins. Because I have yet ANOTHER video I've worked up for your viewing pleasure.

Making my dad proud, I'm sure!

This is from a recent camping trip. Loved every minute.

(Please watch in HD...it really is soooo much better.)

Camping in San Clemente from ali degraff on Vimeo.

Top of the Mornin' to ya....

The kids were greeted by mysterious leprechaun prints. They were still wet (with magical leprechaun slime) because our leprechaun forgot to come the night before and had to make an early morning mad dash through the house.

Jack and Lucy were bouncing with joy to see that the prints actually led to a treasure in the bushes. And let's be honest, I was pretty excited to eat some Lucky Charms myself!

(dagnabbit...there I go again spelling Leprechauns wrong on this picture. Too lazy to fix it.)

As the day progressed, I was beginning to think I had two LIVE leprechauns of my own! They were not interested in all the fun I had planned for them. Instead, they wrecked havoc of their own by throwing lucky charms cereal throughout the house, and dipping their sticky fingers into the green jello salad in the fridge. Oh well. Half the time I believe these holiday preparations are really done for my OWN fun!

Hope you had a great St. Patty's Day with out all the mischief!

easily distracted.

I am easily distracted, but you already knew that about me.

I should be:

writing a talk for Sunday on Family History (snooze)

grocery shopping - I'm already a day late and we have, well, nothing to eat.

planning a dinner for 200 people

buying paper goods and making LOTS of tissue flowers for that same dinner

Finishing a logo for Youth Conference

doing laundry, dishes, cleaning bathrooms, bedrooms, little bottoms.

Finding babysitters for busy days ahead

Really, the list goes on and on.

Unfortunately, I am doing NONE of those things. Instead, I am parked in front of my computer obsessing over my newfound talent as a videographer. (I say that with much sarcasm!) It is so fun and gratifying to FINALLY be making something watchable out of our snippets (thousands of snippets) of video footage. Two down.....hundreds to go.

Leather Soled Shoes from ali degraff on Vimeo.

here goes attempt #1

Beanies Birthday from ali degraff on Vimeo.

Much thanks to Ryan for helping me video! His are the parts that aren't overexposed or out of focus!

Amazing

I am completely amazed by the courage of this little boy. My biggest fear is that in the face of danger I would fold up into the fetal position and cry. He's my hero.

Jack and I will definitely be practicing 911 this week!

The Beanie's Birthday

Lucy is much different than Jack.

She's quiet and shy and doesn't like a lot of attention.

Jack on the other hand, LOVES friends and thrives on social interactions.

We were in question about having a party for little miss beans.

Would she even care?

Who would we invite....most of her friends are Jack's friends?

The day before her actual birthday we decided to have a party for her on the weekend.

I'm so glad we did.

Though hard to tell in her non-expressive way, I know she felt special.

Because she loves dolls, it seemed natural to have a doll party.

The Invitation

We packed 12 sack lunches for the little kids to eat with their doll/stuffed animal.

Before the party started, Jack and Lucy set up their spots with their dolls comfortably laying on pillows and tucked under the blanket.

They were ready to GO!

Menu

Chicken Salad Croissants

Pasta Salad

Fruit Salad

Chips w/ Cara's 7-layer bean dip

The kids helped me make the cupcakes.

In our house it is mandatory routine to lick the bowl! We save extra just for this purpose!

Luckily we had some older girls there to help the little ones make their paper dolls.

Lucy adores Emily and Delaney and is still talking about them helping her.

Lucy loved opening presents. Who doesn't?

Weeks before her birthday I started to refurbish a hand-me-down toy given to us by our old neighbor. (thanks fawn) I love this kitchen and it had been sitting in our garage since we moved, so the kids kinda forgot about it.

I slapped a few coats of pink paint on the legs, spray painted the sink and a few knobs silver, sewed up a quick curtain and wah-lah....an almost free birthday present!

**I bought the dishes/goblets from Target and the pots/pans/cooking utensils from World Market.

It was a happy day for lucy. and us.

(some of this day is documented on video. when I figure that out, I will post.)

psych!...or is it SIKE?

So you may be thinking, "I thought she said this blog is going private."

You're right. I think I did say that.
Truth is.... I faked the whole I'm-going-private-routine to see how many readers I have.
Now I know I'm roughly about 80 friends popular. I was hoping to reach at least 100, but oh well.

Just kidding. I'm not that crazy. Just a little indecisive.

With more thought and a few tweaks on my privacy settings, I decided to keep this blog open to all. (until the crazy sick-os come back)

So enjoy. And thanks for being my blog friend through thick and thin.

He's so fine!

Remember back in Jr. High when all the cute boys were described as "fine"?

It was like the ultimate in hotness to be described as FINE! Nothing embodied hotness quite like FINE. Not cute, not handsome, not hot, not sexy, not dreamy...only FINE!

Hypercolor sweatshirt. Oh, that's so FINE!

Pegged acid washed jeans....ultra FINE!

Listens to Nirvana.....triple FINE!

Well, I think my man is pretty fine, too!

I thought that from the first day I ever saw him, and I still think that 7+ years later!

beanies....

Today it's lucy bean's 2nd birthday!

There is so much we love about this girl!

To name just a few:

her coy, demure smiles that she makes us work hard for

she is patient...her needs rarely demand immediate attention (unlike brother...wink, wink)

she is VERY helpful & loves any opportunity to help load the dishwasher or sweep the floors

she loves babies and is very nurturing

she is tenderly shy

hearing her say "where'd daddy go" or "I don't know mommy"

watching her vigilantly try #2 on the potty

her developing opinions on the clothes she wears...especially shoes

her dance moves

her "tomboy" side that comes out around jack

the JOY she expresses when we are ALL together as a family

her amazing appetite

her juicy buns!!!

her stubborn side and current dramatic tantrums

her fear of loud noises (lawnmower, blender, motorcycles)

the thing she does with her eyes when she pretends not to see you when she's in trouble

loves dogs, cats and all other animals in general

begs to say "hello" to any caller

the way she still NEEDS and LOVES both mom and dad

She's just an all-around sweetheart.

We LOVE you, LUCY!