Despite the fact that the kitchen needed to be cleaned like nobody’s business, this is just a nasty picture, isn’t it?  I mean how long has it been since I cleaned the dog’s bowl??  Poor Gremlin, must have been pretty hungry.  I don’t know, his father was “watching” him at the time!

(When I fixed his red eyes, he ended up looking like a demon-child eating dog food.  I just couldn’t leave it like that!)

We have family from California to Florida and Minnesota to Texas so I’m always trying to get good pics of the boys to keep the relatives updated.  I saw this backdrop at our Grizzly.com store and told the boys to pose.  I was floored that Gremlin (youngest) was actually smiling nice!  Oldman always poses good because he’s already trying to impress the ladies.

Joy!!! *rolling my big ol’ eyes*

I almost dropped my camera trying to hurry and take the picture before Gremlin changed his mind.  I snapped the shot and looked up to find Oldman’s hand in the water.  He had slipped!  The picture actually turned out better than I could’ve hoped for though.  It’s a classic.

I forgot I had this picture.  I find it particularly funny, because I wasn’t much of a doll/barbie kind of girl, but I got that extra-long-haired barbie so I could “do her ‘do”.  I was completely fascinated with french braids!  This picture also explains a little why I call my “heart-twin” Hulkman.  Every year, growing up he got something that was tied into The Incredible Hulk.  My secret Famous Bro got what every boy his age wanted: A Hand Held Video Game!!  The start of his geekiness. 

As an adult I’m glad we got a picture of us in front of that particular tree because I remember my Mum, painstakingly, hand-making every one of those “strawberry” ornaments.  She painted shelled walnuts red and glued tiny little white beads all over them.  The idea of doing that makes me nauseous.  But as a little girl I thought they were perfect.

(sidenote: I know…I’m suppose to show a picture that wouldn’t make it in my scrapbook.  Officially?  This one never really did.  Honestly!  I’m just not sure why now, cause I think it’s cute!)

We are an outdoor family.  Love to be in it and love to teach our boys all the exciting things the outdoors have to offer. There are adventures waiting to be found, bugs to hunt, streams to splash in and trails to explore. However, one of those exciting things is coming back to bite me in the rear.

They were 2 and 5 in that picture.  They’re 8 and 5 now and they still think it’s funner (or funnier) to pee in God’s toilet than their own.  Our poor neighbors.

On Tuesday, the boys had their school pictures. I could see the tension growing on my oldest boys’ face as the day grew closer.  I knew what the problem was and I couldn’t do a thing about it.  He didn’t want to talk about it, so I didn’t push him.

I gave him a very “cool” haircut over the weekend and he put on one of his favorite shirts, but when I asked him if he was ready for the pictures, he just nodded and looked down.  It broke my heart. 

What more can I say to my handsome son to help him feel comfortable about his 2 large adult front teeth?  I’ve told him that every kid goes through it.  He’s just a little faster than the rest of the kids in his class.  He’s so self conscience.  He eventually told me that he was going to smile with his mouth closed because he was afraid none of the kids would want to trade pictures with him if he smiled with his teeth showing.

What’s amazing to me is that he just looks like any other kid with gangly adult teeth trying to make their way in.  He’s been to a dentist and he’s says he’s doing fine.…just a little early on the big front teeth.  I told Oldman that he would start seeing his classmates with the same front teeth by the end of this year.

Later that day, when I picked him up from school, I asked him how it went.  He said he just sat down and smiled and tried not to think about it.  I really hope it turns out good.  I hope he’s pleased with them.  He has such a beautiful smile and his laugh is addictive.

Oldman 2 years ago…pre-adult teeth