My Little Stars... in ALL of their GLORY!!

Brother and Sister: A Photo Dialogue

It's picture time... in Kk and Albi's new backyard that is full of trees and bright-colored flowers. Kaki has on a new spring dress and Caden's shirt is (mostly) clean and his hair is sweaty which makes styling it a breeze...

Do you think we can do it? Can we get a good picture of BOTH Caden AND Kaki? We weren't too sure but we were sure going to give it our best... and let the camera to the rest!

Turns out pictures really DO say one thousand words (or more)... let's listen in...

Really? Do I have to? With him? He's sweaty... and frankly, he smells!

Come on Ta-ki, get a little closer! You can't resist the cheese.

You're right... the cheese smell is overwhelming! I can't even look in your direction!

Tilt your head! Give 'em the weak in your knees, cheese!

No, no! You've got it all wrong. The finger prop is the weak in the knees, cheese! Try it!

They're lovin' it... absolutely lovin' it!

You're right! They are clapping and hootin' and hollerin'... we must be good!

Let's clap back...they love the kid clap!

Nope! They only like MY kid clap... you're too old! Just sit still and smile... and maybe try to open your eyes... WIDER!

You have so much to learn...squinty eyes are the new mysterious! Work it, own it!

You think we're almost done? I'm ready for my close-up.

Sure thing. I'm sure to drive them crazy soon enough.

Are you sure? Mommy? Kk? Help! He's starting to spaz!

Bah-hahahaha! I'm feelin' it now... cheese!!!

HAHAHA! Sit still?! They keep saying sit still and smile! Do they know you at ALL?

No kidding... still?! Energy like mine can't be harnessed!

What's the deal with your hands on your feet? Gonna attempt the human pretzel?

This'll get 'em... watch and learn, Ta-ki Pants... watch and learn.

Just a few more... did you hear that? They want us to get closer... holding breath now!

Aw, shucks! Don't be bashful Ta-ki... I won't bite... hard!

Snap, click, hurry! The smell... don't forget the smell!

Give 'em the model-eye... they love it!

Closer? I don't think they said Closer! No, no they said OVER! Over!

Come here you little tootie-tootie!

Oh gosh! One more... they promised... come on let's pull it together for a good one! Cheese!

This is it! The big one! Let's bring it home Ta-ki!!

Phew! Can I get someone in here to freshen me up... before my close-up.

I'm out? You want me out of this picture? I AM the picture!

Let's do this my way... mystery in the eyes? Oh no... all in the mouth!

I'm cute! I know it! So cute! And cuddly! And cute! And lovely!

I can be serious... and thoughtful... and reflective...

But I prefer a little goofy in my life... okay, a LOT goofy!

Oh my! What IS he doing now?!

He may be smelly but that guy sure does know how to make a girl giggle!

Is amateur hour over? My turn... watch and learn!

Pullin' out the big guns... Mommy's gonna love this one!

Hey, did you know I can clap?! Watch!

To which we all said, "YES, CADEN! We know you can clap! For the love... just sit STILL!!"

ELMO... LIVE... on Sesame Street

Da-Da-Da-DA...Da-Da-Da-DA... Elmo's World...

It's ALL about ELMO with a splash of Sesame Street, isn't?! It's the "Elmo Show" not Sesame Street Live in our house, but regardless of who holds King of the kid show court, we were blessed with the opportunity to go enjoy Elmo and his gang again this year!!

Nana invited Caden, Kaki and I to Belton for the big event! We were SUPER excited and I made sure to only tell Caden within one week of the actual event to be sure that I would not have to hear, "When we going to the Elmo Show? Today?! To-mo-yo?? With Nana? Nana gonna be der?" Oh my!

It was a rainy, wet morning in Belton which made it a perfect day for a show! I am ALWAYS the early-bird... over-estimating my travel time... so we were there ... OH 30 minutes early! OOPS! So the kids and I had some time to kill... in the car... with an iPhone and some excited smiles! :)

Our patience didn't wear too thin until a school bus came and parked right next to our car... which Caden feared would block Nana from being able to see us... and the meltdown began. "Nana not going to be able to see us? Move you stinky school bus!!" Oh dear!

But oddly enough Nana found us and we were READY and HAPPY to see her pull in! It was TIME!!

They added a play zone to the show this year which Caden wanted almost no part of... until he saw his girlfriend Abby on the way out and stopped for a quick pic! He is ALL ABOUT the girlfriends lately... "I like girlfriends!" He says it all the time... so I don't make a big deal about it and just let him indulge into all of his girly-flavor... including telling everyone that his favorite color is pink! :)

Nana must have had a huge sign on her forehead that only Caden and Kaki can read that said, "SUCKER!" because she bought those two kids everything they wanted! We came home with a show CD, a program which is more like a huge book and Caden's favorite thing from the show last year, TWO Zoe dolls, an Elmo balloon AND we had cotton candy and a snow cone! Phew! Poor Bop may not have gotten to eat all week after our trip to the Elmo show! :)

We are so grateful to have a RETIRED Nana to do fun things like this with us this year! It has been such a treat to spend more time with her! I must say that retirement has surely suited Nana thus far! I think it is safe to say that she is LOVING it... especially with grandbaby number 3 on the way... no, not me... Aunt Ree Ree!! Whoo hoo!! More baby lovin'!!

After the show we had a yummy lunch at Caden's favorite place... funny name... serious sandwich... Schlotzsky's! Thanks for obliging him Nana! :) And THANK YOU for taking us to the Elmo Show! We had a blast and have LOVED jammin' to our new CD on our trips around town!! Everything makes music...

We love you, Nana!!

PS: A huge shout out to Bop for allowing us to share Nana with him and for treating us alongside her! We appreciate you!