Great things!

A new year!  A new grade!!  A new teacher!!!  Today my Ben became a first-grader!!!

I am a big fan of school.  I like freshly sharpened pencils, Elmer's glue {although, seems it's been replaced by much tidier glue sticks}, crisp spiral ring notebooks.  I love it much more the second time around, as a mother, seeing my little ones so excited about back-to-school. 

Always running.  Always.

 

Talked him into stopping just long enough for a quick picture!
Isn't he CUTE???  New shoes, new backpack & a big smile!

Led his dad all the way to the classroom. 
No directions needed for this first-grader.

Ben B. has arrived!

This morning Ben downed a huge home-made breakfast, chased it with a huge spoonful of Cookie Butter and an ice cold glass of milk--and literally leaped down the sidewalk the whole way to school. 

I'm hoping this year is stellar.  I'm praying over him, his sweet little class-mates, and his darling teacher.  Sweet child of mine--may you always have your huge sense of adventure!  May you nurture old friendships and build up new ones!  I promise to pack you a healthy lunch & pick you up every single day to hear all about your day!  And, as always, there are plenty of super-cool Band-aids in your backpack. 

"Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance."
Proverbs 1:5

Girl + Garden

Impromptu fall wardrobe modeling session in the garden this morning . . .

Love those big old chocolate brown eyes!

Outfit two, lovingly brought to you by Big Dad & Kate.

Spent the last three weeks trimming, moving, editing & hanging with girl pictured above. 
She is my right-glove in the garden.  I'm rarely lonely out there!

Added a new rock path.  First, dug out about a gazillion river rocks
to make room for the new path.  Hence afore-mentioned three weeks work. 

Growing pinecone collection.  We add a few every day, it seems.
May paint them for the holidays and add to the glittery decor at Chez Burkett!

Added Nymph White Salvia this year--may be my new favorite
{it's the tall plant in the background, about to expode with blossoms again!}

Chez Burkett {Summer 2012}

Summer{ing}

Good heavens.  Summer-time has proven to be long on activity and short on cool breezes!  We're here, I just selfishly decided to have fun with my kids instead of documenting it.  And someday I'll wish for pictures, as the memories will surely fade--but I must admit I prefer my perch amongst the activity as opposed to hiding out behind the lens! 

Magic Kingdom 2012

A favorite princess was everything she had hoped for . . .

Two of my favorite princesses together!

Turns out Greg wanted to meet a princess {or two, or three}!

Benjamin loves his Uncle Dustin!

Cameron & Snow White

I'd rather be riding Space Mountain with Coco!

The two very special people who took us to Disney World!

Jacob, Cameron, Matthew, Benjamin, Paige & Caitlin



Did y'all know Chef Mickey's has red wine?

Seriously.  These poor folks.  No idea where their kids were . . .

Paigers, Coco & Big Dad came to visit!

Love Bug continues to grow, mostly whiskers and fur now.

Still working on Chez Burkett! 

Currently dog-sitting for this Love Bug, also known as Freckles. 

Holly--looking sweet--but actually guarding her rawhide.

I couldn't summarize the last eight weeks if I tried. 

So happy a picture's worth a thousand words . . .

School's back in session in four tiny weeks, so I've gotta get back to summer{ing}.

the littlest lady

Lotion is a favorite snack of Holly's, especially if it's on my toes!

In 90% of my Holly-Girl pictures she is RUNNING towards me!

She's a regal little English Lady.  Those baby jowels!



Mischevious, always.



Keeper of our hearts, Ellie's faithful snuggle-buddy
and Lady-like, well, almost always!

Celebrating 90!

Our Birthday Boy!

My brilliant grandfather, Big Jim, is going to be 90 in a few days.  He is so dear to me.  When I was about four, Big Jim bought me a new ice cream cone after I had dropped mine on the pavement.  I'm certain it was inevitable, but I've positively adored him ever since. 

Big Jim with yet another adoring fan!

Our family met up in Dallas this weekend to raise our glasses in his honor!   We gathered in Dallas and ate fried chicken with all the fixin's.  The little kids aren't so little anymore--not a baby among us--so this year they busied themselves with soccer, sidewalk chalk and loving on Jenni's puppy, Bella the English Labrador. 

Their home is so neat for entertaining--and their backyard is nothing short of magical.  Several homes back to a huge green space, filled with giant oak trees . . .  The ground is carpeted with soft green grass and moss.  The sunlight is dappled, filtered by the trees--it's a photographers heaven!

Paige, Cameron & Ben

Smiles all around--a favorite picture of mine.

The tooth fairy visited this little angel recently! 
And her sweet momma flat-ironed her hair!  Doesn't she look grown-up?

Ben was all smiles--outside and in his element!

Cameron thought she was in Pixie Hollow!

She lacked fairy dust, but certainly not imagination!



Hunting for things to make Tinkerbell's home . . . 

Blowing out his candles . . .

Sweet Colin & Big Jim . . .  He is so loved--truly--by so many!

It was a grand celebration for an indescribeable man, a great man.  His bride of over sixty years by his side, surrounded by his children, grandchildren and five of his great-grandchildren. 

Happy Birthday, Big Jim.  Happy Birthday to You!!!

Easter Pictures

Easter morning may be my favorite photo opp.  The kids are always dressed in their sweetest spring duds, and the early spring light is gently filtered in my quiet backyard.  Fresh haircuts, trimmed fingernails--bright-eyed & bushy-tailed kiddos.
I love the combination of their clothes--a sweet linen dress, smocked and woven with pink & gold threads for her, and a cotton dress shirt trimmed with a chambray blue linen collar for him . . .  He has some new sperry's and she has darling strappy flats with oversized flowers. 

The star jasmine is in full bloom--the perfect backdrop. 

The camera is new with a fully-charged battery. 

Even the weather forecast is perfect. 

And then, just for a tiny second, the adults turn their backs. 

And this happens.

So happy about having his picture taken post-injury.

Benjamin: 0       Antique Bamboo Coat Rack: 1

And I transition from humming "Here Comes Peter Cottontail" to another childhood favorite, "No More Monkeys Jumping On The Bed". 

Truth be told, I will still take their pictures--I just won't have them framed! 

Birthday Boy!

My six-year-old studmuffin!

Still running and jumping, pretty much everywhere he goes!

Little sister attempted to drown Ben on his birthday!

It's a good thing she's cute {and she now knows Ben is not a floating device}!

Hard to find his baby face now . . . 

This little sweetheart didn't like all the backyard action.

I might have forced her to sit with me and watch the jumbo splashes.

Love!  Love!  Love them so!!

They think their momma is pretty funny! 

Make a wish, Ben!!

Cameron-girl wants to help Ben with his birthday candles.

Looks like six year olds don't need help with their candles.

That's right--he knocked 'em all out with one blow!

Oh dear.  This is not going to end well.



Someone get that poor child a piece of chocolate cake!