It's Great to be a Bulldog!

Ella and some of her friends debuted Friday night at the Red and White game as they caught a glimpse into their future cheerleading days!  

My kids love nothing more than going to see the Bulldogs play!  Ella was excited that this was football, which meant that daddy wasn't coaching so he got to see her cheer.  Tyler was excited he got to sit with daddy in the stands.  BUT - nothing matched the excitement of seeing a giant Bulldog statue!  

Maybe it's just me, but I think Ty's face matches the Bulldog's pretty well here!  

There are so many good kids that go to Streator High School.  It's always nice to see them getting involved outside of the classroom.  Ari and Drew are teaching some of our new Student Athletic Trainers how things work.  

And it wouldn't be right if Drew didn't stop to pose!  She's such a beautiful girl inside and out!  

Tanner and Jacob have been stalking me with Superfan ideas since last year.  After they showed up to the Red and White Scrimmage looking like this - I can't wait to see what else they will come up with!

It was great to see the involvement of the Cheerleaders, Dancers, and of course, the Football team last night!  Everyone did a great job - and the season is just starting!  

Ella has always looked up to the Cheerleaders and Streatorettes.  This was a great way to get little kids interested in cheering early on.  One of Ella's FAVORITE cheerleaders (she still misses Payton!) is Emily Gula.  She liked hanging out with her at Vacation Bible School and she was in awe when she saw her on the stage during the Engle Lane Youth Production of Aladdin.  As a teacher, there are students I have that I always hope my children will grow up to be like one day.  Emily is one of those students because she is so sweet and kind, as well as smart and hard working!  

Ella is always excited to do things with her best friends! Although many of her friends were cheering with her, she had a blast because Riley was right with her during Summer Cheer Camp, and then cheering on the sidelines Friday night!  Ella wouldn't have it any other way!  

Tyler was tagging along the whole night!  I can't wait to see him as a Bulldog!  This last picture I'm including because it cracked me up!  Riley is so sweet to Tyler every time she comes over.  Ella and Riley never exclude him (although this will change as they get older).  What's great is that they still love him, even when he's doing things like this...

Until next time...

How To Smile When Your Kids Grow Up Too Fast...

 I never understood how I could love someone so much until I had my children.  Ella, currently 6-years-old, melts my heart with her sweetness.  I know that everyone thinks their child is the most beautiful or the best behaved...I can honestly say that my little girl is first class.  This picture is from her first  day of Kindergarten LAST YEAR.  I cried for 3 weeks anytime anyone asked how it was going for her.  I took her to her classroom that first day and cried as the teacher spoke to her class.  She asked me to go to the gym with the rest of the parents.  She hugged me on the way home and told me she would be safe and not to worry.

Fast forward to a year later...I still believe she's first class.  She is kind to her peers and is always watching out for others.  She is eager to go to school and loves learning new things.  When I found out she was in a different class from all of her friends, I panicked.  Although she has (in my opinion) one of the best teachers out there, I was afraid she'd be upset without her friends.  Her response...."That's okay mom - I'm still going to see them at recess."  Another reason that she melts my heart!  Here she is today on her first day of 1st Grade!

(If anyone is wondering....yes...I cried!  I just didn't do it in front of anyone this year)

We have a couple of traditions that we do in the Park house leading up to the first day of school.  The night before we get all of the supplies ready, labeled, and packed into the backpack of choice for the year.  This year, it was Hello Kitty.  Disclaimer:  She may want something different in December.

The night before we get the date written out and I ask Ella what she wants to be.  This year is was a teacher.  Being the emotional person I am at this time of year...I wanted to cry.  Part of this was because she said she wished she was going into 9th grade so I could be her teacher.  

The first day of school, we celebrate a new year.  We make sure to tell our children everyday how proud we are of them.  There is nothing more important than praising your children.  Some people are so quick to correct their children when they're doing something wrong, and so slow to praise them when they do something right.  We celebrate with cake and flowers - and always - the words, "I'm proud of you!"

This blog has been a lot about Ella - because she is the one going to school.  With that being said...I went to pick Tyler up from daycare today, and there was a note posted to his cubby.  Now - the ladies at daycare know that I am extremely emotional about my children.  I am blessed to have them and I know that daily.  So, when I read the letter and it said he was moving out of the toddler room, into the 3-year-old room, the tears welled up once again!  How can he be getting so big already?!?!?!

So, the title of this is "How To Smile When Your Kids Grow Up Too Fast...".  Hopefully that title caught your attention - but, I have to be honest in saying that I'm not sure I have the answer that will work for everyone.  I do have the answer that works for me.  Love your children.  Recognize that even though they're growing up quickly, you are blessed to be able to watch them grow.  Some people are not afforded that opportunity at all, and some people have that opportunity taken from them too quickly.  I am a mom. I would be lying if I said I have never wanted to pull my hair out.  Those moments are FAR outweighed by the moments that my heart melts from the "I Love You's" to the kisses I get at night.  Embrace them - because as we know - they don't stay little forever!  

Keeping Active!

I went back to school this week and Ella goes back next week!  The Fall always brings a hectic schedule with it, and this year we decided to add soccer to that schedule.  Today was Ella's first game!  She got a few kicks in, and she's agreed to work on her aggressiveness and attention span;)

Ella's team won today, 5-3, and she was very excited!  I asked her after the game if she was proud of her team for winning and her response was, "I am very proud of the good people on my team, but I feel very bad for the black team because they lost."  I hope she can stay this sweet forever!

One of the funniest parts of the game was when Bryan was trying to decide who he was going to pull out of the game next to give everyone fair playing time.  He said to the team, "Who needs a break?"  Every single hand on the field went up!  

Tyler was one of Ella's biggest supporters today, as always!  Papa and Nana West and Papa and Nana Park were also there!  Of course, Tyler was testing his soccer skills on the sideline.  

After a rest for everyone Tyler and Ella wanted to go golfing so we got to show Papa and Nana how good they were.  Ella did surprisingly well!  Much better than she's done any other time out there!  

Of course Tyler continues to do well.  He steps up to the ball, addresses it (or salutes it), brings his club back, and takes his swing!  He got to see Papa West golf tonight too!

Today was a great day!  Hopefully when school starts for Ella we can continue to do the fun things with the family - after all - family is what it's all about!  

Until next time...

To make sure I am making myself flexible as a photographer, I thought it was important to try and get some Senior Pictures under my belt.  I had a great volunteer and we had a blast during the session!

As a teacher there are always those students that leave a lasting impression.  Emily is definitely one of those people.  When I had her as a freshman she walked in with a smile on her face I rarely see her without one!

 Emily has the type of personality that is admirable in anybody!   She's kind and sweet and her vibrant personality shows in everything that she does.

 During this particular photo session she was a natural.  We had many moments that were comical, from creepy people watching her out their windows to being attacked by dogs.  She never lost focus.  As a photographer I love when my "subjects" can give me sassy and sweet all at the same time.  You'll be able to tell from the following pictures that Emily is the perfect blend of sweet and sassy!

 I remember when Emily was coming into High School.  I have a friend that teaches at Northlawn and she told me how Emily was a great student and just an all around good person.  When I had her I was impressed by her ability to be a driven student and successful in the extracurriculars that she participated in.  When she's on the dance floor she demands attention and while on the softball field she is a force to be reckoned with.

 Since Emily was my first Senior Session I told her that it might take us awhile.  She was a trooper the entire time!  She filled me in on spots that would be beautiful and she went along with anything that I wanted to try.  It's amazing the number of beautiful places around Streator if you look for them!  What's even better than beautiful scenery is when you add a beautiful person (inside and out) to the mix.

There are always those students that  you're sad to see go when you're a teacher.  I've had a few of those individuals in the past and Emily is definitely going to be one of them.  From her infectious smile to her generous and lively personality - I hope you enjoy taking a walk with Emily!  

Many thanks to Annie Richards and family for allowing us to use their property!  A great big thank you to Gail Walker for the water, letting us use your property, and Austin Walker for helping with the chair!  Thanks to Lydia Kirk for being Emily's assistant in her many wardrobe changes and Kelly Coons for helping us with some locked doors!

Until next time...