Is This Nuts?

I cannot recall having a single friend with a nut allergy as a child. I don't remember knowing anyone who couldn't be near peanut butter. I had never heard the phrase "peanut dust." But recently a good friend's son was diagnosed with a serious nut allergy and I thought to myself, where the heck did all these nut allergies come from?!? I have zero medical training or scientific proof, but I have to wonder, are we anti-bactierializing, anti-bioticing, and generally over-cautioning ourselves into these things?

And just as I was thinking on all this, I read this. So now I can't have nuts on planes? Like at all? I understand that there are some kids who are no-joke desperately allergic, for them I'd do anything. My beef is where the "uncomfortable" mention comes in. Really? Uncomfortable on a plane? Aren't we all? What about the person who overflows into your seat? Or the person who is oh-my-gawd-sick right next to you? Or that person on every flight who hasn't seen the inside of a shower stall in lord knows how long?

But let's focus on the allergy thing. Someone in the article makes the comparison between this and an allergy to dogs. Unless I missed something, dogs can still fly in cabins on planes. There were plenty of dogs on our recent flights. I know more people who are allergic to cats, which this article didn't mention at all. In fact, my better half is allergic to cats. About two years ago we were on a flight with a crazy cat lady. Yes, I called her a crazy cat lady because not only did she give her cat sedatives before a cross- country flight, it appeared that she had snagged some for herself as well.

And I have to stop for a second and say here that I've seen plenty of people fly with pets so well behaved I didn't even realize they were on the plane. But much like children, I now look at the pet-person with trepidation knowing it could go either way. We presume bad behavior until we see otherwise.

So back to crazy cat lady. We'd barely achieved liftoff when this lady pulls her cat out of it's carrier. Wait, let me explain that better. We'd barely achieved liftoff when this heavy-lidded, word-slurring lady dragged her drooling, mewing, head-bobbing cat out of it's carrier. Then she proceeds to "comfort" this totally oblivious cat. I'm sure if the thing could have spoken, it would have yelled to be put back and left alone. Anyway, you could see the fur start to float through the air. Que sniffling. For the next six hours. And that's saying little about the noise factor.

While I'm lucky not to share my better-half's cat allergy, I am extremely sensitive to perfumes. I have always been bothered by strong smells (the incense at church always sends me running), but since having kids it's gotten awful. You know how when you're pregnant you get crazy nose? Like you can smell what people are cooking a zip code away? Yeah well mine never went away. In fact, I think it got worse with each kid. So that leaves me with a terrible headache if the person next to me has done any more than dab the pressure points. I've been to conferences that are "fragrance free", will airlines follow suit?

Makes you wonder what flights - and life in general - will be like when our children become adults...

**Sorry for the stream of consciousness rant, just been that kind of week!**

I Heart Faces: Play

This weeks' I Heart Faces challenge is "Play". I had TONS of pics I could have used for this one, but I just had to go with this one. I guess you could call it "play gone wrong." I wonder who won...

Don't forget to head over to I Heart Faces to see some of the other great entries!

The Great Return

Our vacation is over.

Sigh.

Really, is there anything more depressing than coming home from vacation and knowing that you will have to wait a whole year to again achieve that level of relaxation? Ok, sure there are things that are bigger bummers. But still, it stinks. And while I think that late May/Early June is just the best time to be at the beach, it's ROUGH to know that summer hasn't even really started and already we're out of vacation. We're going to try and plan some long weekends just to have something to look forward to, but I can't believe we have to wait a whole year for our return to the beach.

I never would have considered myself a "beach person". I'm not a huge fan of sand, no longer relish sitting in the sun and hate, HATE, putting on a bathing suit. But when we go to NC with my family, the hose is never far away, Daddy always sets up two giant tarps and no one cares if you run into the ocean in shorts and a tee. The boys love playing in the ocean with Chief, looking for shells with Nanny, setting off fireworks with their Uncles, and building castles and forts with Daddy. It really is a kid's paradise. And all that makes it a parent's paradise.

This year found Finley totally over his distaste for the sand. He was all about digging and building. And the swimming lessons the boys took before we left seemed to make them frighteningly confident in the ocean - they both wanted to run full steam ahead into the waves! Dash enjoyed staying closer in to shore and kicking the waves while Fin preferred to head out as far as Chief would take him - even body surfing in once! They both impressed their uncles with their video-gaming ability, spending hours playing and building boards in Little Big Planet. Chief was up fishing just about every morning and I was quick to usher out anyone awake to watch. Dash got lucky and watched Chief catch a small shark. Poor Fin slept in that day and was greeted with "I got to touch a shark and you didn't!!" Sigh.

Kell loved the ocean too - but only when strapped to daddy. The Bodyglove carrier and the Ergo were our life savers this trip! He also learned some new tricks - waving and saying "hi" in the cutest voice you can imagine. And while we have no crawling yet, he is becoming a master at pulling himself up on things and rolling anywhere he wants to get. He's even able to go from rolling to sitting back upright. I don't remember if the other boys learned that before crawling but I don't think they did. Then again, I know for sure that they've ruined my memory...

Woob and I had a great time too. I think he started to relax as soon as the plane landed and I know his relaxation was complete when he had his first drink in hand. Not having to drive ANYWHERE for two weeks is bliss. I managed to take 1000 pictures - yikes! Which thankfully I was able to download in shifts on Woob's computer which he brought with us. And I swear next year I will remember that I need only ONE decent outfit and more crappy shirts and lax shorts. For me and the kids. I will not overpack. Yes, I am aware I say this every year. Also, we will never fly the Delta connection through Atlanta again. Ever. And I mean that. I feel as though I could have stayed at least another week before feeling the pull of home. Maybe someday.

Now it's back to the grind, the end of school this week and the continuation of the never-ending thousand degree t-ball season, countless pool trips and summer camp are on the horizon. Oh, and endless days of sun screening 4 people who may not even go anywhere.

Which reminds me, It's barely June and we've killed two bottles of sunscreen. Seriously? Why doesn't my insurance provide sunscreen?!? And should I invest in one of those giant tanning caves for easier group application...

Sports, Pants & Travels: A Boring Update

You were warned...

Sorry to be such a lazy blogger. I know I'm sure to get a kick in the pants note from BlogHer any minute now. We've just been super busy around here with all the minutia of life. Here's a quick sampling, you know, in case you have NOTHING else to do.

Fin and Dash just finished swim lessons. They do them boot-camp style out here - 30 mins a day, every day for two weeks. That's a lot of sunscreen, changes and schlepping for us. But so very worth it. Fin can swim just about across the pool and even graduated to trying out some "freestyle arms" by the end and Dash, well, Dash learned to keep his mouth closed under water. And THAT made for some terrifying diaper changes let me tell you.

Happy Swimmers

Fin has also been keeping us busy with Tball. I have to say that I LOVED football and REALLY enjoyed soccer. Tball is just not my bag. The games move slow, the field is hot and the season is long. Just to keep things interesting, Brooks is also coaching this season. We weren't sure there would ever be this level of planetary alignment allowing him the time commitment and so far it's been wonderful - I know it will be something Fin always remembers. And if he doesn't, you better bet your hiney we'll be there to remind him how his Dad gave up every Friday night for practice and got up at the crack of dawn every Saturday for his games. Snicker.

Happy Playahs

Dash is eager to do all the things that Fin is up to with one notable exception. The kid could care less about the potty. I know his general schedule, so to speak, and if I make him sit on the throne, he will deign to fill it. Otherwise? Doesn't care. That stack of underwear I tried to bribe him with? Sitting there. The stack of toys in the garage I told him would be doled out for clean-pants days? I don't even remember what the hell is out there anymore. I guess he'll do it when he's good and ready. But that better be soon.

Big boys are learnin' up a storm too - Fin has a renewed interest in all his "homework" books and will sit and do page after page. He's also asking more for us to help him read his books. All good things, but with his planned extra year in Pre-K, I'm in no rush. I know he'll learn it all in plenty of time. Dash is working on learning his colors. So far he has mastery of blue, pink, and purple and occasionally he'll pick out green. Anything else is black. That kid cracks me up. When Fin sits down to work, he asks to work on his "homework" too. He is beyond excited to start school next year and will get his first taste of everything when he does camp with Fin this summer.

Kell is sitting like a yogi and shows little interest in crawling. And who can blame him, he has four slaves who will bring him anything at the slightest hint of a whimper. He's loving all foods - and will get extremely jealous if he isn't offered tastes of everything the big kids are enjoying. He's a pretty happy little guy but still demanding of everyone's attention. He loves his brothers like nobody's business and is finally happy sitting and playing with them for stretches. I still get sad seeing small babes in arms, but I look forward to seeing how his personality fits into our family.

Happy Sitter

Brooks and I have been keeping ourselves busy too. Work has taken off for him and it's nice to see him coming home excited about what he's doing. We're also in the midst of the Couch to 5 K (C25K) challenge. The idea is to get those of us who think running is pointless and boring off our hineys. We're on week 7 now which has us running 25 minutes at a stretch. And what I mean by that is we're SUPPOSED to be on week 7 and SUPPOSED to be running 25 minutes at a stretch. Brooks thinks that the three-times-a-week-work-your-way-up workouts are for sissies. He prefers to just jump in when the mood strikes. And because he's NUTS, he goes with sharp inclines and hand weights. I'm following all the rules and hoping it gets easier soon. All this has of course inspired new attire and gadgetry. We both now don our Nike+ fancy shmancy tennies to do our runs so that we can track our progress through our i-devices. My first run I was reminded to "calibrate please." And this was a reminder for me that, although "the device is calibrated to average running stride", my stubby stumps are SO not average. The damn thing was a 1/4 mile off!! I also realized that while wearing your pants a smidge larger then necessary is comfortable, not so much when you'd like them to stay up while running. So I grabbed a pair of the tightest ones I could find off the rack (literally, I think they were called "super tight") and a size smaller than I'd prefer. I got them home and couldn't get them past my CALVES without doing a shimmy. I'm stubborn, so I finally got them on and started my run (hoping to regain circulation below the knees with some movement) and do you know what? The damn things STILL fell off my waist. But not my knees. Picture me running in bloomers. Yeah. So if you have a favorite pair of running pants, help a sister out.

So that's the update. We head out for our annual beach pilgrimage this weekend. I can already feel the sand between my toes...

Happy Mothers Day...

Young Her, Then Me

This week's challenge at I Heart Faces is Young Me, Now Me. If you want a good laugh, head over to this site to view the inspiration. I really wanted to play, had the Young Me photo all picked out and everything. Then I lost momentum and got too wrapped up taking pictures of the boys. So I decided to cheat. Since there's no prize or judging this week, I'm playing anyway.

The beauty of this entry is that it is totally unstaged and accidental. The first shot is of my mom as a girl. The second shot is of me in high school. When I found the photo of my mom a few years ago, it was just too familiar. I thought it was a Dejavu deal where I imagined there must be a similar photo of myself. Nope. I was right. Almost creepy...

Don't forget to head over to I Heart Faces and take a look at the rest of the entries!

My Favorite Things: Family Room

Our family room is generally a disaster area. Our couch and chairs are college-era Ikea. There are several competing colors of wood. The builders plan for the room itself is a bit of a mystery. It's really too big to be all family room and yet if you shoved any type of dining room furniture it would look like you'd tried to cram two rooms into one. We have neighbors with the same floor plan who use the non-family-room space for their piano. That looks perfect. But our reality is kids. Many kids. Kids who are rough on furniture. Kids with many toys. And suddenly the room is maybe not too large to be all family room. And there's something to be said for furniture that doesn't make you gasp when a child jumps on it. When you throw in all those toys, furniture and a treadmill (yes, we have a treadmill in our family room), I guess it almost makes sense. I think my mother fights off a coronary every time she walks through the front door. When I was a child we had all of our toys in a trunk in the garage and could only bring them in one or two at a time. (Yes we did also have a basement for big-wheels, but you know what I mean.)

I love this antique ice chest. We bought it at tiny antique store just outside of Mammoth. Brooks wasn't sure we'd be able to fit it in the car. I said we'd make it work. The poor dog (yes, we had a dog, no we don't anymore, don't get me started...) had to ride on top of it the rest of the way home. When we called a friend to help us move it into the house, his response was "You paid for this? An old, used, refrigerator?" Both our parents have one in their homes, so it was love for both of us. Now it happily holds a mess of junk etc. happily between the treadmill and toys.
For the life of me I was unable to get an accurate picture of this window. There are actually two of them. When we moved into the house, it was just one of many "why did the builder do this?!?" questions we asked ourselves and each other and anyone who would listen. Why so small? Why so high? Again my Mommy came to the rescue. She suggested that we find stained glass to hang over it. It took a few years, but she finally found a store back east with some great pieces. We bought these, shipped them here and then I sanded and painted the outside wood to match the room. Brooks hung them and suddenly the little windows didn't look so random - it's like they were made for eachother!
Ahhh, plantation shutters. I've always loved these, and was finally able to talk Brooks into getting them, all through the downstairs. We even got the slider in the kitchen. And I can't even put into words how much I love them. Not only are they pretty, but they keep the house amazingly cool! Which saves us a bundle in the 100 degree days of summer. When we go through the open houses on the weekend (we love doing it, even the kids enjoy it, I know, we're weird), I light up when a house has them. I don't know if I could live without them now.
This table still has the old sewing machine inside it. It warmly greets anyone who comes in our home and is happy to hold incoming mail and outgoing bills as well as extra blankets, the baby monitor...Yeah, this room could definitely use better organization :)

My Favorite Things: Kitchen

There's been talk of moving lately (don't worry, we're not going anywhere for at least another year). But it made me realize that if we did move, there are many things I'd actually miss about this house. Things that, for one reason or another, would be impossible/unreasonable to duplicate in our next home. So I decided I'd do a photo-doc of the things that I love in and about this house. I started in the kitchen. Because it was lunch time. Hope you enjoy it!
I cheated a bit, this is an older picture. I always loved this pitcher. Then Brooks brought me these flowers and I feel even more in love with it as a vase. It's from a set of antique china that my late Uncle Tommy collected. He gave me a tutorial on how to start collecting it myself - once I had any money to spend on it :) Knowing how much I loved it, my mother bought it from my aunt when Tommy passed away. A beautiful thing, connected to the memories of a beautiful person, filled with beautiful flowers = bliss. And toss in a bit of serendipity - what are the odds of china that exactly matches my kitchen?!?
Brooks and I got married 3 days after Christmas. My Uncle Bud and Aunt Beverly gifted us with a beautiful box filled with magical ornaments to begin our holiday collection (more here). This flying frog was in that box, but I just thought he was too adorable to only see seasonally. I've always had a fondness for frogs. On a whim, I had Brooks string him up with fishing line. And now he hangs over our dining table. Just to make me smile.
I adore everything in this picture. The lizard was just a spur-of-the-moment purchase at a roadside stand somewhere near Fillmore. I laughed that I liked it and Brooks bought it. And we laughed about where the heck we'd put it. I love memories like that. And I like how he hangs and watches me cook. The box is an antique repurposed as a recipe box. My mother gave it to me filled with all of her favorite recipes and those of Brooks' mom. Yes, she even laminated them so that I don't get them all grubby as I cook. I love having that little piece of her close at hand. Although I should have the phone next to it since I am completely lacking any culinary instinct and must call her at each step of the cooking process. The salt and pepper shakers are new. Brooks bought them for me at the La Cruset outlet on our way back from Palm Springs. He wanted to buy me a pot, but I just don't cook enough to justify that expense. These were just too cute to pass up.
Wow, I guess from these photos you'd think I had a thing for animals. Or even animals with inappropriate wings. I found this at a little local boutique a few years ago. I loved that the bow matched my kitchen. He's made of stone and is supposed to bring me good luck. Oink.
My apologies for the awful faux panorama. I had intended to use only one of the three photos I took, but then they just didn't tell the whole story. The entire border of the kitchen is decorated in antique kitchen utensils - with green handles. I can't take credit, it was my mom's idea. But I love it.

I think I'll always have a green kitchen...

Shoes Night Out

After a long absence, I took my boys to the mall this week to walk around and shop a little bit. Before I realized it I had been sale-suckered into buying a pair of super high Steve Madden heels (let's say it involved a few scratch-n-save cards and two very enthusiastic scratchers who were elated to discover a 40% off coupon). Upon returning home and posting news of my new additions on Facebook, a conversation commenced between my stay-at-home mom friends lamenting the fact that we never seem to get the opportunity to wear our fancy footwear. And an idea was born. Shoes night out. Boxes were pulled from the top of closets, shoes were dusted off and out went the Mamas! We had such a fantastic time - this will definitely become a new tradition. Here are some of the guests of honor and a shot of the Mamas :)

End of an Era

I've really been wrestling with something lately that I've felt compelled to write about.

As my friends and the salvation army already know, I've been cleaning house and getting rid of most of the baby stuff. Gone is the floor gym. The swing has been re homed. The baby books have gone onto more ready-to-be-fertile pastures. And by now I'm sure the majority of the baby clothes have found other babies to warm. Even the baby bucket has left the building.

That's right, this family has reached capacity.

I'd be a liar if I said that it is an easy decision. I always envisioned myself having four children. But these little men arrived at such breakneck speed that the mere thought of adding another one terrifies me. And yes, we thought about waiting and having another at some point down the road, but I see what good friends Fin and Dash are and I know that Kell gets closer to becoming their partner in crime every day. Waiting and adding another child to the mix just doesn't seem fair - to have one that was always left behind? And then I do have days where I think that maybe I could handle the demands of one more little man. But like I say to my kids (and people who wear their clothes too tight), just because you can doesn't mean you should.

If I'm going to be honest, and let's face it, I always am, realizing that your child-bearing years have come to an end is kind of like the first time you start to face your own mortality. It means that so many of life's burning questions have been answered. You know where your life will go, where you'll live, who you'll marry, how many children you'll have and what they'll look like. The questions that you now face are mostly hinged on your children - who will they be? It feels like the first glaring streetlight to "Old Town".

I cleaned out my closet this weekend, post-partum fat clothes be GONE! I started to get down my large containers of maternity clothes but I just wasn't ready for that. Any mother will tell you that it just might be the wardrobe equivalent of having your tubes tied. No one, NO ONE wants to recreate the maternity closet - especially in CA where it's not even seasonal. I have a friend who will be in need of them soon, but not yet. I'll hold onto them just a little longer. Who knows, maybe I'll even change my mind in the end.

Then I look at my four boys, cuddling in bed with me watching a movie, and I think my life is so very full of love already.

Wordless Wednesday - Teacher Appreciation Edition

My Bucket List

I've been meaning to start a list like this for a while. Maybe by writing these things down, I'll actually get to do some of them! I'll keep you posted with any additions or hopefully, any achievements...

1. Travel to Australia.
2. Photograph a birth.
3. Photograph a wedding. - DONE! 10/14/12
4. Learn to play the guitar.
5. Be a foster parent.
6. Be a "Room Mother".- DONE! 2011-2012 (Finley, Kindergarten with Mrs. Caudillo)
7. Travel to Greece.
8. Travel to Hawaii.
9. Write a novel. Even if it's just for my children to read someday.
10. Live by the Ocean. For a month at least.
11. Learn to surf.
12. Finally lose the last of the baby weight.
13. Go on a shopping spree with no limits. Just once. Hopefully after completing #12
14. Complete a half marathon. Preferably running.
15. Take my boys camping.
16. Learn to sew. Well.
17. Take cooking classes.
18. Drive a car that can only hold two people. On a regular basis.
19. Take photography classes and/or apprentice with a professional.
20. Volunteer for Habitat for Humanity and help build a house.
21. Learn to play golf.
22. Ride a horse on the beach.
23. Spend a whole day at the movies.
24. Have a nicely decorated bedroom. - DONE! 2011 (just need new lamps...)
25. And a big bathroom. With a stupid big tub. - DONE! 2011
26. Be a "Team Mom"
27. See something on Broadway.
28. Go on a week-long vacation with my husband and ONLY my husband. - DONE! 2011 (Paris for our Anniversary)
29. Take my boys skiing.
30. Teach my boys to drive.
31. Teach my boys how to treat a lady.
32. Drive cross country one last time with no time constraints.
33. Have a room of my own to use as I'd like.
34. Take my boys on their first big roller coaster.
35. And drive them on their first date.
36. Go to Paris - DONE! 2011 (for our Anniversary)

To Kell at 7 Months

My Dearest Baby Kellan,

I was diligent about writing notes to your biggest brother Finley and then somewhat regular at writing them to Dashel, but the three of you keep me so very busy that I haven't found a free second to write one to you!

Part of that is because you are THE MOST high needs babe on the planet! You can't stand to be put down for more than a few seconds (you are, in fact, sitting on my lap as I write this). I never thought I would look forward to a child learning to crawl, but if it gives you a sense of independence and gives my arms a rest, I will welcome it! When I'm not too busy holding you, I'm taking your picture. Your cuteness thrills me to no end. Truly, I apologize in advance for what your future girlfriends will have to endure.

I wish I could say that you are sleeping through the night, but you're still waking up and often more than once. It's a good thing that you're so cute otherwise you'd be in trouble! We tried to stop swaddling you a few weeks ago and it didn't go well AT ALL. So for now you're still a swaddled babe. We were in Palm Springs last weekend when an accident ruined your only swaddle blanket and Daddy tried to wrap you up in the extra hotel room blanket. It was pretty funny but mostly did the trick!

You're still taking all your meals "at the bar" but are anxious to try any foods mama is eating too. I can't wait till I see your first teeth so I can share more with you. You LOVE those baby yogurt chips and puffs too. We're trying to get you on a schedule of eating babyfood every night before bed too, I'm hoping that might help you to sleep better. But overall I'm trying to enjoy each moment of your remaining babyness. I've gotten rid of the swing, the bouncer, and most of the clothes you've outgrown. It's hard for me to know that I'll never bring home another new baby of my own, but the three of you are enough work for this mama! Rest assured, you will always be my littlest baby.

You're babbling up a storm, but so far Mama is the only real word you have - and only then when I've allowed someone else to try and hold you. Which means that so far I've only gotten to hear it as a pathetic wail. Hopefully more words and better circumstances are around the corner! You laugh easily and often and you seem to think that your brothers are the most hilarious people on the planet - you just can't wait to go play with them! You've finally mastered the art of sitting and I think that crawling will be right around the corner. Now if only I could get you to do it all without the spit up :)

That's your life right now, Kell. As long as Mama's holding you, you roll right along with everything your brothers have on their schedules. And don't tell your Dad, but I'm ok with your needy baby self. I know that you'll be independent in the blink of an eye and with that all my baby days will be behind me. So for now, I'm just going to enjoy it.

All My Love,
Mom

Card Drop #1: Palm Springs, CA

Sharing Sunshine

On Wednesdays Fin goes to Lunch Bunch at school. Despite the name, Lunch Bunch doesn't actually entail lunch. I guess the kids who stay over from the morning have lunch or a hearty snack, but Fin goes to get an extra hour of playtime with his AM buds before school starts for him in the afternoon. Because Fin is the slowest eater on the planet, we have a standing tradition of eating a quick lunch at Whole Foods on Wednesday (Bonus: their prepared foods are on sale on Wednesdays!). I was in such a rush last week and ready to be grouchy, but when I pulled into my parking space, I saw this:

And it totally made my day. It also reminded me of something I've been meaning to do. They're called Card Drops and what an awesome idea! Really who couldn't use a little pick-me-up? And if you click on the Card Drops link and nose around you can even find these ready to print pages. I printed some off on card stock today. I'm hoping the boys and I can put them to good use this week :)

I'll keep you posted!

I Heart Faces * Week 11 "Bundled Up"

I had a few I really wanted to use for this week's challenge, but I kept coming back to this one I took of Dash this weekend...

There was a Farmers Market open after Fin's football game and they had these stuffed-animal head hats that made us all laugh. So I had to buy some. And the kids wouldn't take them off. And I wouldn't stop taking pictures. I was stopped at a red light and I quickly, one-handedly snapped a few of Dash. He was not pleased. But this face?! Really?! He is such drahhhmahhh! If you want to check out the rest of the pictures (or the rest of the hats!) they're here.




Hop over to I Heart Faces and see the other inspirational entries!

Sweet Briar

I bought this fabric for a project but had a nagging desire to use it as a backdrop - I knew I'd love the colors layered with some beachy vintage washes. But I didn't think my boys would appreciate the florals, so I had to borrow Briar :) I just wish I'd had time to iron the fabric - live & learn!
And my favoite...

P.S. Like my watermark? I'm SO not a pro, but it's still fun to play :)

Wordless Wednesday

A Warm Welcome...

Look who arrived today...
So glad they're here! I promise we'll name them later, but it was about to rain hard and we wanted to make sure they got "watered" so we put them out straight away :)

I Heart Faces * Week 8 "Hands-On Fun"

This week's challenge was hands. And while I immediately knew that I wanted to play, I had a REALLY hard time picking a photo. I take so many photos of the boys and often I find myself wanting to document their hands as the grow. I had a great one over here of my big boys holding hands. But I really really love this one. Kell's hands were beginning to find eachother and I caught it. To me that's what photography is all about :) Hop on over to I Heart Faces and take a look at the other entries - such amazing inspiration!