End of Summer

The end of my summer is officially here. And I am so very sad about it. I almost wish I worked 8-5 Monday through Friday, so I wouldn't get these breaks and realize how fabulous they are to have. For those who don't know, I have this amazing job with an amazing non-profit organization with an amazing schedule. I work with schools across Middle Tennessee in advocacy and fundraising. What this means is that I usually have a school-like schedule, without being a teacher :) It is the absolute best job to have with kiddos, and even better than a teacher's job, because if need be, I can work from home a day or so. Trust me, it can have its bad days, and come February (heart month) its downright stressful misery.

However, because of my fabulous schedule, once summer comes to an end, I get sad. I felt like an "almost" stay at home mom for a few days this summer. I was able to take them to the zoo, to the park, to the pool, and participate in playdates, which I have never done before. Last summer they were only about 6-8 months old, so it wasn't so bad. But now that they are (yikes) toddlers, it makes leaving them all the harder.

On the flipside, I love working and balancing SAHM vs Working Mommyhood. Having twin toddlers can be a rough day, especially those days where napping doesn't seem like much fun. So, it is nice to get that separation sometimes too. I think I will always battle the decision to stay-at-home and work, and thats why I think I have it pretty good now. I have a pretty good balance of both. It doesn't mean I don't miss them like crazy when I'm at work. But, its nice to work too.

So, Summer, I bid you adeiu. It was nice playing with you and Josh and Jules. I loved the sunshine. I loved introducing the babies to Elephants and Meer Cats and Pink Flamingoes and Goats. I loved working with them on letters and numbers, shapes and colors. I loved letting them meet other kiddos their age and for me to meet other moms in the area. Sigh...back to the grind.

Until next year,

Mandy

Wordless Wednesday - Walking in Mama's Shoes (all around the house)

"Hey, What about me???" - Josh

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Sweet Shot Tuesday - fun at the zoo aquariam

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Steppin' Out Saturday - Flyte Celebration

Saturday night was super fun! Sorry for the late post. Jake's sister Jennifer and her new hubby Scott hosted their post-wedding celebration at Flyte, a super elegant restaurant in Nashville that he owns (also frequented by the likes of Keith Urban, Nicole Kidman, Taylor Swift, etc, super fab place). their wedding was actually in a sweet little winery in Napa, but hosted a party here to celebrate.

And, it just so happens it was also my first photography gig! Trust, I know zilch in the form of photography, but I was so very much enjoying being able to do this! And the more the night went on, the more, (ahem) wine I drank, the photography just got more fun and more fun, lol!! So, although there will be no baby pics this week, there are tons from the party! Thanks so much for allowing me to take pictures, and congrats on a wonderful marriage and welcome to the family Scott! and p.s. Jen if you read this, its only a sneak peak! I took tons more...Did I ever mention I like to take lots of pictures?

On Moi: Dress: Steinmart Shoes: Aldo Hair: Chi

Sweet little Ava.

Jen and her mom, Vicki

Jen's shoes. Yes, you are allowed to be very jealous of the Louboutins. I was.

Scott giving a toast

Sweet couple

Scott singing with his "band" at the end.

Circle of Moms top 25 feature

Today Circle of Moms debuted their round-up interviews of bloggers of the Top 25 Parents of Multiples. The Fabulous Baby Striblings was #15, and we're super proud! Here is our interview, and please go here to read about the other 24! Thank you so much Circle of Moms!

I Heart Faces - EYES

Another fabulous theme for this week's I Heart Faces's photo contest. This week is eyes, and I just love this picture of Josh. He and Jules were playing in their ball tent. He is eating a ball like the little dog that he is. I think its just the blue shirt, with the blue ball that makes his eyes just POP in this pic. (and the static hair is just irresistible as well )

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Computer Update, Prendre Trois and Why I love slide.com

So, I went to the computer place and picked up my sad, sick little laptop. I basically threw in the towel after they told me the hard drive was unfixable. So, I had them put a new one in and they sent me on my way, broken hearted and empty with the thought of of my lost pictures, memories, book, programs, etc, etc, etc.

So, I went home and started backing up. I knew it was going to be a long and painful process. I have pictures online from months 4-12 (I had backed up everything from 0-4m, and still had all pictures on memory cards from 12m+) so I was just going to find them and right click and save. Sigh...was not looking forward to it.

So, I have pictures first off on snapfish.com that I save "sort-of" regularly. However, after going there, I discover they won't let you download pictures that you uploaded. Crazy, no? They WILL, but for a fee of like $.50/picture of something like that.

I saved facebook for last, because I only post there sporadically. I had just begun to use flikr, so knew I didn't have a lot to work with on there.

Next was http://www.slide.com/. As you all know, I love my slideshows and have been doing them since the beginning. Its a great way of posting a bunch of pictures in one post without taking up the whole page. And since, I take a TON of pictures per month, its easier this way. Slide.com is this really cheesy little website though, kind of for fun only. Its certainly not a way to backup pictures, for crying out loud. Well, imagine my utter surprise and Dee-wait for it-Lite that downloading every picture from each slide show was as simple and a couple of clicks. It let me download each slideshow in a compressed file to my computer, in full size and format that it was originally uploaded. Can I get a WHOOHOO!!!!???????? And the pictures are already organized by month, since I do each slideshow that way anyway.

Isn't this the most fantastic news ever??? YAY http://www.slide.com/!!!!!!

In other good news, I have photoshop back and running, as well as my ever-so-missed actions that I love so dearly. As much as I was grateful to Picasa and Picnik in the meantime, boy have I missed photoshop. However, still no good news on the book front, but oh well. You pick and celebrate small victories. The babies were most important, and slide.com was one of those fabulous victories. Hurrah!

So, now I still have pictures like these, from 9 months old, just playing in a box, with Jules trying to stand up, and Josh just hanging out.