Suzanne McGrath Photography

Six on Sunday

Hello!  I hope you had a nice weekend.  No more chit chat.  Let's go...

1.  We had SIX soccer games this weekend.  And no, none of the girls were in a tournament!  #4 had a game early Saturday morning.  #3 had a game Saturday afternoon and two more on Sunday!  (She is sort of double rostered.)  And #2 had a game both Saturday and Sunday.  (She guest-played today.)  That's a TON of soccer.  And I'm totally ready for a break.  Thank goodness next weekend is Labor Day.

To celebrate making it through this weekend the hubby went to Sonic for half-price shakes.  It was very much needed!

2.  #2 got braces!!!  Yes, that deserves three exclamation marks.  Isn't she cute?

She was so excited because she doesn't love her crooked teeth.  I am excited for her.  But I am not excited for the bill.  Ugh.  Two down and two to go...

3.  We're back to making school lunches.  Gross.  If I win the lottery I am totally paying someone to make the lunches every day.  For reals.  

We've been doing a lot of soups, leftover mac-n-cheese, cheese quesadillas, popcorn, and sandwiches.  Here's an example of a "good" lunch:

Every lunch has this same combo:  Main item (cold grilled cheese and tomato soup), a fruit or vegetable, and a "fun" item - in this case pretzels.  That's it.  For the littles at least and sometimes the big girls make their lunch.  (However, I told #1 I'd make her lunch if she'd start doing her PT exercises for her shoulder again.)

4.  The hubby and I joined two other couples to go to the Oddball Comedy tour on Friday night out at Starlight Theater.  We all really enjoyed it!  Here's the line-up:

It got over quite late thanks to a 25 minute rain/lightning delay but it was worth it to stick it out to the end!  Amy Schumer was great and Aziz Ansari was unexpectedly hilarious.  I'd definitely go again!

5.  We made more bathroom progress this past week.  I finished grouting the tile walls.  (I'd much rather install tile than grout.  Grouting is gross and messy.  And I don't like to get my hands dirty.)  I also managed to get the claw foot tub painted.  The hubby and I flipped it over and tried to hook it up to the faucet but of course that didn't work out.  

The tub was built back in 1901 so of course today's pipes don't fit.  That means we need to make a special trip out to a plumbing store.  I don't really even know what we need!  I'm hoping we can get it installed soon, though.  I sat in it and it really is the perfect angle for which to enjoy a nice, relaxing bath.  I can't wait!

6.  I'm going to end my list this week with some really sad news.  My niece and nephew lost their dad (my sister's ex-husband) this week.  Todd died in his home.  I received the news from Aimee on Wednesday night.  I really feel this situation is a true tragedy in all sense of the word.  Todd was way too young and now my Sydney and Grant are without a dad and they are only 8 and 10 years old.  So if you're at all religious, send up a few prayers for the kids.  If you're not religious, send them some good vibes.  

My girls wanted to do something for their cousins so we delivered some flowers and brownies today.  And the kids were having so much fun we brought Syd and Grant back to our house to play.  The cousins are so good together and just love each other so much!  It's really fun to watch them all play.

The worst part of this whole day is that we had to quit playing at our house and go watch #3 play her soccer game!  (According to the kids, that is.)

Sorry to end on a sad note, but I know quite a lot of my family and friends who knew or met Todd read this blog and I didn't want to post tonight as though everything is normal.  That just didn't feel right or legitimate or something.  So with that, I'm going to sign off for the week.

Thanks for reading and hope you have a great week.

 

Six on Sunday

Hello!  I feel like this will be a rather short entry tonight.  I only have one picture and I'm pretty worn out from a long weekend.  Regardless, here goes...

1.  We had four soccer games over the past two days.  #4 played one (thankfully, they are only 35 minutes), #3 played two games:  one for the Rangers and one for the Attack, and #2 had one game (those are long - 75 minutes!).  So, we've had a lot of soccer.

I will say, they were all fun to watch in their own way.  #4 dances around the ball but doesn't really like to get in the middle of the pack.  She smiles so it's all good.  #3 is FAST.  Lightning fast.  And today she figured out how to play her position a little better.  They are fun to watch.  And #2.  They have several new girls and today was our first time to watch them.  They look great together!  And some of the girls look like they've grown a foot over the summer!  But really, they had a fabulous game and played great soccer today.  

2.  My sister and her family came over last night for dinner.  The cousins hadn't played together in a long time and it was really great to have a lazy evening for just hanging out.  They played outside for hours after we kicked them out the door and no one was ready for it to end.  Those are my kind of nights.

3.  Next week begins all activities in earnest.  It was so great to have #1 home with us these past few weeks but that will all end this week.  She starts her full swim schedule which means she will no longer be able to eat dinner with us.  That makes me sad.  For real.  I am a huge proponent of family dinners and I cook nearly all our meals.  But, she'll get home earlier at night and that will be good for her.  It will all work out.

4.  The first full week of school went really well.  All the kids seem to have acclimated to their new schedules.  They all like their teachers.  And #1 has transitioned seamlessly into high school.  I went to her back-to-school night last week and I really loved all of her teachers!  I am excited for her this year.

5.  The hubby and I are going to a comedy thing out at Starlight Theater next Friday night.  It should be a blast!  Amy Schumer will be there along with a whole slew of fabulous comedians.  We're definitely looking forward to it!

6.  The hubby and I spent some serious time in the bathroom this weekend.  He was able to hang all three lights above the vanity and I heart them very much.  So pretty!  He also put our sputnik chandelier on a dimmer switch and changed out the ugly bisque colored switches for white.  Be still my heart!

I spent the last two days tiling the area around the bath tub.  I just got it in done in time to watch #3's soccer game tonight.  It feels so good to cross that off my list!  Next weekend I'll grout and then we'll be able to install the tub.  Can't wait!  

So what do we have left?  Let's see, a few things...

• Install a threshold piece between the bath and master bedroom.  
• Install the faucets in the vanity
• Install the mirrors
• Stain and poly the shelves above the toilet
• Paint the crown moulding
• Paint the doors black

It looks like a long list but they are minor projects.  I can't wait to be able to soak in my new/old tub!  That will be the highlight of the bathroom, for sure.

And that's it, folks!  That's all I've got tonight.  Have a great week!

Six (times two) on Sunday

I'm back.  (How many times did I say that this summer?!)  We were in South Dakota last weekend and I was just too busy Sunday night to blog.  So here I am...

1.  Two weeks ago (tomorrow) I took Grace's senior pictures.  She is gorgeous!  However, I have failed to get them edited so I have a date with my computer tomorrow night.  I don't care how late I have to stay up, I WILL finish them!

2.  Our bathroom has made major progress in the last two weeks and I can't tell you how great it feels!  We are this close to having it done.

We hired a couple guys to tile the floor after we prepped it.  It took them about 4 days but it was absolutely money well spent.  Then, just yesterday we hired a couple guys to carry up the really heavy stuff:  the double vanity with marble top, the cast iron bath tub, and the mid century china cabinet.  Seriously, that was the best $200 I think we've spent on the whole renovation!

Yesterday and today the hubby installed (or re-installed) the baseboards in the bathroom and closet.  I painted all the baseboards and trim in the bathroom today.  I'll get to the closet next weekend but they need to be prepped to paint first.  The vanity is in - it just needs the faucets.  (Which I still need to order!)  Hopefully we can get the sconces and mirrors installed this week.  I am so close to being able to move my toothbrush back upstairs.  I can hardly wait!!!

The toilet is installed and it's great not to have to walk down the hall again.  (Mostly because the little girls's bathroom is gross.  Just messy and gross.)  Plus, it's a "magic" toilet so the little girls love to use it.  You just wave your hand in front of the sensor and it flushes.  It's the little things...

The bath tub will get painted next weekend but I can't install it until I get the tile done first.  I've got it all measured out and ready to go; I just need to find time to DO IT already!

Here's an in-process update:

3.  I took the big girls and #1's friend, Hannah, to the Walk the Moon concert a couple weeks ago.  It was so much fun!  The band was fabulous to watch live.  They are a little reminiscent of an 80s band which of course I love!  Plus, the venue was outdoors (Grinder's downtown) and it's small and cozy.  What's not to love?

4.  You know how I offered $150 Photo Sessions?  I've had such fabulous luck I am ready to order my camera lens.  I'm getting an "L" series lens and I couldn't be more excited.  I think it'll be the perfect vacation lens and I'll get a ton of use out of it!  Paris this fall, Yellowstone next summer, and Hawaii the following winter.  An "L" series is the Canon professional line which will be my first in the series.  I am just stoked!

I'm going to set aside a few weekends and start schedule all those aforementioned photo shoots.  I'll start reaching out this week!

5.  Last weekend we headed up to Sioux Falls, SD a day before my family reunion so we could hang with my grade school BFF and her family.  We generally only see them once a year but it doesn't take the kids more than 3 minutes to warm up and play like they've been hanging out all year!  I love that.  

We were able to take the kids to Wild Water West on Friday and had the perfect weather!  

I'm not sure where the boys were when I snapped this picture but you get the idea?  

There is something to be said for someone you've been friends with for over 30 years.  Our history is rich and full and we can jump right in and be ourselves with each other.  I look forward to this trip every year and I know my kids do, too!

6.  Our family reunion was just as fun this year as last year.  It's always a great time seeing everyone and getting to catch up.  I wrote about the reunion last year, too.  

Here is my mom and her brothers and sisters:

# 7, Mary, died last year after my dad died.  She was a beautiful Southern belle!  #11 was out at the farm giving someone a tour.  (He now lives on the farm where they all grew up.)  And #13, Dan, died before I was born.  I went to high school with his son, my cousin, Chad, though.  And my mom and dad have the best stories about my uncle Dan.  My dad was actually the best man in Dan's wedding.  I wish I would have met him.

We played golf, shot the shit, ate, drank beer, hiked, had water gun fights, enjoyed a bonfire, and just generally had fun!  Here's an example of how we had fun:

That's my cousin, Scott, showing us his hoola hooping skills which were surprisingly good after a few beers!

Here's all the kids I managed to round up who were 14 and under:

These kids are all second cousins to each other with a few who are actually second cousins once removed.  (Basically, they are my cousin's kid's kids.)  Crazy, huh?!

It really was a great time and I'm so glad we made up north again to enjoy the weekend!

7.  This year we tried something new for the family reunion.  We stayed in Camping Cabins.  Basically, they are cabins with AC and electricity but no water.  (aka no bathrooms)  I was a little hesitant but the location is really unbeatable since they were less than 5 minutes from the reunion.  Our other choice was a solid 20 minutes away.

They were great!  We had a vaulted bathroom right outside our cabins.  

1. Vaulted bathrooms are just like fancy port-a-potties
2. We had to rent two cabins to fit all six of us.

Here's a couple snaps I took of our cabins:

We just brushed our teeth off the side of our decks using bottled water.  And the showers were clean and totally acceptable.  I would stay there again.

8.  Our kids started school this past Wednesday.  I wasn't ready.  They weren't ready.  Thankfully, we all survived.

#1 on her first full day of high school.  (She went for a couple hours the day before school started - just to figure out where to find her locker and how to get to her classes.)

 

#2 on her first day of 7th grade:

 

#3 on her first day of 3rd grade in Mrs. J's class.  Both #1 and #2 had Mrs. J so we are all pretty pumped!

 

#4 on her first day of first grade in Miss Lowman's class.  #3 had Miss Lowman so we are feeling good here, too!

9.  #3 had her first soccer game yesterday and it was fabulous.  First, a little background on her team:

She practices twice a week and there are actually two teams within one big team.  All the girls are U9 - so the same age.  But there is a Division 3 team, the Attack, and a Division 4 team, the Rangers.  (#1 played in this same manner when she played for KC United so we're used to it.)

They roster fewer girls on the Attack because those girls are not allowed to play "down" in Division 4.  However, the Ranger's are allowed to play "up" in Division 3.  #3 is rostered on the Ranger's team.  It's a good call and where her skill set is at right now.  However, she was asked to play on the Attack team this Saturday and the girls were so fun to watch!

Like, the girls actually played great soccer!  They passed the ball really, really well.  And some of the girls have amazing foot skills - they were so fun to watch.  The coach takes a very hand-off attitude with the girls during the game which is new to us but really cool to see.  He does not coach from the sidelines.  Meaning, he does not tell the girls what to do during the game.  He simply lets them use their head and figure it out - or make a mistake.  He'll talk to them when they sub out or during halftime, but other than that he is quiet.  Basically, he is letting them learn to think for themselves and not have to rely on someone telling them what to do.  It's a new philosophy but I kind of dig it!

And the best part of all?  #3 fit right in and had a blast playing soccer.  She was pretty nervous before the game because she hasn't learned everyone's names yet but her nerves didn't stop her.  And she is FAST!  She played defense and got caught too far up the field several times but man, can she haul ass back to the backfield.  So cool!  

Anyway, all those words to say we are really excited for her soccer season.  Should be a fun one! 

10.  I took the girls to Scheels today (my first time at the new store).  We had a blast!  The little girls each found cool tennis shoes.  The big girls each found a pair of black running shorts for gym class.  And I even found myself an awesome pair of leggings - with leather around the knees - for Paris.  Who knew?  Clothes for Paris at Scheels?!  

11.  We have our crazy schedule figured out.  Just to let you know why I am frazzled, running late, forget a kid somewhere, forget what day it is, here is a glimpse of our schedule:

We trade driving #2 to school every other week with our neighbors.  And, I drive one morning per week to help out the little girl's carpool.  Totally manageable.  (Thank goodness #1 takes the bus.)

Monday:  

3:30 - 4:15 - #2 has piano

5:30 - 8:00 - #1 has swim

5:30 - 6:30 - #3 has soccer

7:00 - 7:30 - #4 has swim lessons

?? TBD - #1 has volleyball

Tuesday:  

4:20 - 5:30 - #2 has soccer

5:30 - 8:00 - #1 has swim

Wednesday:

5:00 - 6:00 - #4 has soccer

5:30 - 6:30 - #3 has soccer

5:30 - 6:50 - #2 has soccer

6:30 - 9:00 - #1 has swim

Thursday:

5:30 - 8:00 - #1 has swim

6:00 - 6:30 - #3 has guitar lessons

Friday:  

5:30 - 8:00 - #1 has swim

Did you catch all that?!  I have to put everything in my calendar.  If it's not on my calendar, it DOES NOT EXIST!

Add to the normal schedule, soccer and volleyball about every weekend and swim meets thrown in here and there for good measure.  We are lucky to stay sane.  

Luckily, swim is only two days this week for #1.  At least we're easing into something, right?!

12.  #1 has been driving quite a bit lately.  Thankfully, she is getting better.  Parking is her nemesis right now but I can sympathize with her.  Learning how to drive on a Suburban is not easy.  Driving is one thing but parking that beast is something else, entirely!  We ran quite a few errands this past weekend and she did all the driving when she was in the car.  It's a little more stressful for me but I am just thankful she wants to learn.  

Phew!  You are now all caught up.  Have a fabulous week!

Fall Special: $150 Photo Sessions - includes everything!

Howdy.  I already mentioned this in a previous post but thought I'd go ahead and highlight it with a special post all its own!

I often get asked how much I charge for photo sessions.  And honestly, I usually don't know what to say because the people who ask are friends of mine or friends of friends and it feels weird to charge my friends for something I enjoy doing.  BUT...I do have a limited amount of time and don't want to sell myself short, either.  That's why I'm doing this.  (That, and I am trying to raise enough money to buy myself a fancy pants new camera lens for my trip to Paris.)

So, what do you get for $150?  The answer is EVERYTHING!  I will give you up to an hour and a half of my time to shoot whoever you'd like in the pictures - the whole family, just the kids, a baby - you name it.  Easy, right?!  (And trust me, an hour and a half is PLENTY of time.)  Then, I will edit those pictures and give them to you on a disc.  You can print them anywhere.  (I recommend Costco.  Yes, Costco.)  I usually end up with at least 30 - 35 images.  I edit each image separately so they all look their best.

If you're interested, give me a shout!  You can email me at suzanne.m.mcgrath@gmail.com or text/call me at 913.706.0613.

Right now I will be out of town Labor Day weekend and Sept. 18th - 28th.  Of course I will have to schedule around my kiddos activities but it always works out!  The weather usually cooperates until early November.

Because I feel as though I can't post about photography sessions without a picture, I'll leave you with a few I took last fall:

 

Have a great weekend!

 

Six on Sunday

Howdy!  I'm here this week.  On a Sunday.  I feel so accomplished.

1.  You know how some weekends you go into the next week even more drained than the previous week?  Well, that is NOT me tonight.  No, sir.  This weekend included the lake, family, fun in the sun and now I am officially re-charged!  Just what the doctor ordered because I needed it.

We spent the weekend at my mom's house with my sister's family and had a really great time.  It was pretty relaxed which was wonderful.  I feel like I was finally able to fill my bucket!

We did all the usual things:  long run on the trails with the hubby Saturday morning, Bentonville Farmer's Market and shopping, followed by a long afternoon on the lake, and a delicious dinner last night.  Perfection.

Speaking of last night - the kids all ganged up on my mom and her special friend, Jim, and walked them through a Powerpoint presentation displayed on the TV explaining why they should get a dog (together with split custody) and which dog they should get:

It was so awesome.  It was complete with a picture of each dog AND a sound that played each dog's bark.  Each kid had picked out a dog and explained the benefits of that particular breed.  We loved it!  It was really cute and well thought out, too!  Alas, no such luck.  No one is ready to commit to a dog.

This morning the hubby and I took the older three girls out on the boat for a chance to ski or wakeboard on a smooth lake.  It was perfection.  The water was like glass and there was barely another boat to be seen.

My niece, Sydney, is now skiing on two skis like a pro!

And both #1 and #2 are now great at slaloming and wakeboarding.  I'm telling you - it's so fun to watch them pick up a new skill.  

Here is #1 up on one ski:

And #2:

And because I feel like the proud parent - the hubby managed to catch a few seconds of them on video, if you want to watch:

 

 

Anyway, it was a great morning followed by a fun afternoon with everyone on the boat!

 

2.  Last week we were down two kids.  The big girls spent the week with my mom and had a blast getting a little bit spoiled.  They boated, went shopping, rode go-carts, saw a movie and got a pedicure, and went to Eureka Springs for an afternoon.  It really did sound like fun and right up their alley!

Meanwhile, the hubby and I enjoyed the week as a family of four (so weird).  One night the littles and I ganged up on Patrick and convinced him to join us for a bike ride.  It was great and we ended up at the little girls' school, playing on the playground!

3.  Another night we had tickets for Mary Poppins out at Starlight Theater.  When I bought the tickets I didn't realize the big girls would be in Arkansas so the little girls each brought a friend.  

I truly think the popcorn was the highlight of the evening!  I didn't remember the details of Mary Poppins and I think quite a bit of the show went over their heads.  Not to mention it was long.  Really, really long.  The first half was an hour and 20 minutes.  That meant intermission didn't even begin until 9:20.  And 80 minutes is a really long time to sit still when you are only 6 and 8 years old!

I still really enjoy Starlight theater but I think I need to be a little more careful choosing the show next year.

4.  Our bathroom is progressing along nicely.  Finally, I know.  We hired a guy to lay down the tile and I am so glad we did!  He is nearly done but it took him three days (not all full days) to get this far.  If that were us, it would have taken a month of weekends!  Doesn't it look pretty?   

He just needs to finish the water closet and a couple rows in the main bath and he'll be ready to grout.  That means we'll be able to install the toilet, bath tub, and vanity.  I can hardly wait!  

5.  We are gone again next weekend.  My family reunion is up in South Dakota next Friday night and Saturday.  The kids are all looking forward to it, though #4 is pretty peeved that we aren't going up there before Thursday!

We're staying in camping cabins Friday and Saturday night.  I'm a little nervous, not gonna lie.  They are just cabins with beds and AC.  We have to walk to a communal bathroom.  That will be a new one for us but kids are supposed to camp at some point in their lives, right?  And let's face it, this is about as close to real camping as I will get!  Wish us luck!

6.  The hubby and I bought a new mattress.  We had no time to shop and the bathroom remodel means funds for household items are running low.  Therefore, we only checked out Ikea and called it a day.  We picked a foam mattress.  I'm hoping we like it!  If not, we can return it but we won't be able to get our money back - we'll just get to pick out another style.  

I'm planning on building a tufted, winged headboard.  However, the bathroom is the number one priority right now so I know I won't get to the headboard until later this fall.  And that's OK with me.  I need to focus or I'd probably have 10 different projects in 10 different stages started around the house and that would not be good.  

Phew!  There you go.  That new mattress is calling my name.  Have a great week!