A blog on blogging

Just for the record, I think blogging is a completely self-indulgent hobby... facebook too for that matter. I mean, I set up a spot on the internet that you can go to and read all about me, my family, my kids, my husband, my opinions, and what I did this weekend. I can blog about something, or nothing at all. Now the funny part about all of this is, is that I expect you (yes you, you are reading this aren't you?) to care enough to actually click on my little blog and scroll through my endless pictures and silly captions and then actually be glad that I maintain my little blog in this corner of the world. In order to blog, we have to assume that someone actually cares. Now, despite the fact that a blog can be completely self-indulgent, there is also something wonderfully theraputic in all that. Even if no one read my little blog I feel better knowing that what I want to show or say is out there somewhere in the cosmos. And then I have come to realize that there are a precious few of you who actually do care about my weekend, or the fact that Jack is teething or Lizzy is acting crazy. There are people who, when they click onto my little blog, are excited to see how the Cowling family is doing and love us, despite a very poorly maintained blog (among other faults, I am sure). So thank you to all of my devoted blog followers, thank you for telling me my kids are adorable and for giving me an outlet for all of this...
Now, having said all of that about self-indulgence, I am about to give you a heaping dose of it and make this the very worst post of them all... We had a 'photo shoot' for FHE this week and there were so many good shots that I couldn't choose between them. I was sweating bullets about which ones I wanted to share. Then I realized- this is my blog, I think I will share them all. Steve is really becoming quite a talented photographer and, let's face it, our kids are adorable. Jack was the creative director for the shoot, he fussed over every detail until it was just right... however, this did mean that he was not in many shots.

Liz was in charge of setting up- and she took her job very seriously...

This is such a wonderful Lizzy expression. She was leaning over, and practically falling into a little stream. Liz is naturally curious about EVERYTHING and is sure to 'pepper' us with questions. Like "why?" Okay, that is about the only question. She will ask it to everything, even if you were to say "you may have chocolate cake" or "yes, you may go to the park" she would still ask "why?" Why is that, do you think?

Liz is such an innocent little girl. I love watching her grow up. Whenever we comment on a positive attribute of hers, she will respond: "Yep, 'cause I am growing up!" Lately it has been interesting to watch her make new friends. She got so nervous before her first week in a new nursery that she was practicing asking 'getting to know you' type questions... She made use of those same questions today in the park, asking a totally new little girl if she wanted to be friends. I love the self confidence of a 3-year old. She just naturally assumes that people want to be her friend and that she will be an intersting and fun friend for them as well. It really is beautiful to see.

Lizzy loves to mimic Steve and I. In these pictures she was mirroring everything that I was doing so that we could have a variety of poses. It was nice to have her parrot-type thinking work in our favor. She also likes to repeat everything we say... well, at least the things we wish she wouldn't repeat. For example, before dinner one evening, Jack throws his sippy cup on the floor. Steve says jokingly, "Jack, pick that up!" Lizzy now says it every single time he drops his cup...

Liz adores Jack. Her favorite thing to say is "Jack is so cute!" She will sing him songs, bring him toys, feed him snacks, anything that he needs to be happy. The greatest thing is that Jack adores Liz! She can perk him up when nothing that we can will. If she is in the room then Jack will gaze and smile at her. He will laugh at all of her jokes... It feels so good as a mom to see your kids love each other. I guess I understand my parents a bit more now.

The kids love to spend time with their dad. Between work and school they don't get nearly as much time as they would like but always enjoy the extra time. It makes me a little jealous sometimes. It is like he is the ice cream sundae and I am the second helping of brusselsprouts...

One of the ways I am supportive of Steve's photography is being willing to let him take pictures. This is one of his favorites...

You can't see it really well in this shot, but it is kind of neat to look at my kids brilliant blue eyes and then see my hazel ones right between them... They so did not get my eyes!

We took a picture like this at this same spot when Liz was just a year old... I just love my little family.