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| Thursday, August 14, 2008 |
| The 1st Day of Kindergarten |
Here he is, bright and early this morning! He was SO ready to go!
I post this one merely for comparison's sake with the photo below it.
Yes, that's me on my first day of school, sometime in the early 80s...please note the Strawberry Shortcake bag. She was my favorite. (So much so that I just bought Harper this shirt...)
Speaking of H, this photo makes me go "Awwwwww!" She soooooo wanted to stay with Cole and go to Kindergarten, too. Here she's looking through the window into his classroom after we told him goodbye. She's since asked about him several times, but has also raided his room for cars, so I think she may have discovered the good thing about him being gone!
The weirdest part about school (besides the whole trust-your-child-with-a-complete-stranger-thing) is that it will be just the two of us at lunchtime today. For almost 6 years Cole and I have had lunch together and now he won't be here. Supposedly he'll be arriving home via the school bus around 2:15 (there's that whole trusting-a-stranger-thing again!) He is SO excited to ride the bus. I don't remember much about my first day of school but I do remember being excited to ride the bus, too.
ETA: The skirt that Harper is wearing is from the J.Crew crewcuts for kids division. I hate to tell you this but the pink is sold out. There are still some yellow ones in larger sizes available here.Labels: Cole |
posted by Joanna Bolick @ 11:20 AM  |
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| Wednesday, August 13, 2008 |
| speaking of Coley... |
Last week we found out that Cole won 3rd place in a contest sponsored by 10grain, a children's furniture company. He spent the better part of his "quiet time" one afternoon this past spring coming up with his own creation after I gave him the prompt, which was to design a playground. Although I think he's a little bummed that no one is actually going to create his playground (it included monsters and a treehouse with chairs on top so that the parents could supervise) he was very excited to receive his prize today. He's already decorated his bedroom walls with the spots, in fact!Labels: Cole |
| posted by Joanna Bolick @ 8:14 PM |
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| my constant companions |
Oh, these two! I love them so, no matter how much their incessant fighting/arguing/competing with each other drives me up the wall. Because sometimes they're still cute. They've been my constant companions this summer, and I've enjoyed it. But now summer is almost OVER. I can't believe it! Cole starts Kindergarten tomorrow. Harper will start preschool in a couple of weeks. Our world turns topsy-turvy again. Change is good, I suppose. Sometimes. Not always easy, but good. Good for them...with maybe just a little bit of peace & quiet for me sprinkled in between all the driving back and forth.Labels: Cole, Harper |
| posted by Joanna Bolick @ 8:01 AM |
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| Friday, July 04, 2008 |
| Happy 4th of July! |
He's looking quite patriotic today, don't you think? (And just so you know, he styles himself. I only raise an eyebrow every now and then, such as the day he decided to wear two mismatched shoes to preschool...or the day he wore his bike helmet to run all our errands...)Labels: Cole, summer |
| posted by Joanna Bolick @ 2:04 PM |
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| Thursday, July 03, 2008 |
| speaking of butterflies... |
We went back to the Nature Center today to check out the butterfly exhibit which opened over the weekend. So weird to think that we've been going to this exhibit since Cole was close to the same age that Harper is now! It's always fun, though, and we try to arrive right when the Center opens because the butterflies are still quite willing to be held.
PS. For those who asked, most of the close-up photos on the blog recently were taken with the Canon 100mm Macro.Labels: Asheville, Cole, Harper, summer |
| posted by Joanna Bolick @ 6:37 PM |
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| Wednesday, July 02, 2008 |
| Cole must be an optimist |
| He's currently singing, "Darth Vader is a good guy now....oh yeah....Darth Vader is a good guy now..." Labels: a humorous life, Cole |
| posted by Joanna Bolick @ 8:56 AM |
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| Sunday, May 18, 2008 |
| This kid |
This kid sang his heart out at preschool graduation...
...and tonight he's returning home from a weekend with Mark's parents to this suprise on his wall.
(The mural is from PBK and I have to say that even though I like the end result it was a pain in the behind to put up...but then again, Mark and I have never hung wallpaper or anything similar to that before. It took us about 2 hours after purchasing a few supplies: a water tray, a wallpaper brush, and a sponge.)Labels: Cole |
| posted by Joanna Bolick @ 11:46 AM |
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| Tuesday, May 06, 2008 |
| "avoid them!" |
6 prescriptions later, we have returned from the doctor's office...yes, you read that right. Granted, 2 are for medications that Cole has been taking daily since he was 2 for asthma and allergies, we just needed refills...3 others are inhalers (long-term & rescue) as well as a spacer, to replace the nebulizer machine we had been using. These are just to be used "as needed" in case of flare-ups. The remaining one is an antibiotic for an ear infection which cropped up in the midst of this. And the kicker is, Cole doesn't even have "bad" asthma. His is usually very well maintained, and his doctor is super cautious about prescribing medicine and making sure we're following Cole's asthma action plan.
But there is one thing that we must avoid, above else... One cute, adorable animal that wreaks havoc on his body...that kicked his asthma into high gear over the weekend. When I asked his doctor if there was anything else we could do he said, "Yes! Avoid them!" Which is why I thought this photo that we took at the Arboretum this past Fall was appropriate (apparently dogs aren't allowed in the Bonsai gardens, either.)
And that, my friends, is another day in the life of Cole.
Who is doing better, thank you.Labels: Cole |
| posted by Joanna Bolick @ 2:32 PM |
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| Wednesday, April 30, 2008 |
| officially registered for Kindergarten |
I'm not sure if that's a "Waaaaaaaaahhhh" or a "Yaaaaaay!" I'm ambivalent about it right now, but I'm sure it'll feel a lot more real in August. Cole, on the other hand, is pretty excited about it, so I'm happy about that.Labels: Cole |
| posted by Joanna Bolick @ 9:07 AM |
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| Thursday, April 10, 2008 |
| tell me this... |
At lunch today he looked at me quite seriously and asked, "Mommy, how do cows jump over the moon?"
PS. new floppy summer hat from Gap.Labels: Cole |
| posted by Joanna Bolick @ 1:26 PM |
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| Thursday, March 20, 2008 |
| Soccer |
He absolutely loved it!
So glad about that. Although his legs were still hurting him on Sunday & Monday from all the running! He was just happy as a clam to be out there, no matter which way he kicked the ball. Harper watched most of it and would yell from time to time, "Kick the ball, Cole!" I think she'll be the competitive one in the family.
The place where they play is indoors, which is nice in case of rain, but it's really, really dark (and cold) since there aren't any windows in the whole place. I just loved the excitement on his face in this photo, though.Labels: Cole |
| posted by Joanna Bolick @ 3:20 PM |
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| Tuesday, January 01, 2008 |
| First photos |
For the past 3 years the first thing I've done on each January 1st is take a photo of both kids (bedhead and all.) I think it's fun to document their growth from year to year. I posted color versions last year but here they are in black & white.
Speaking of photos, according to aperture we took 4981 photos last year (not counting portraits or weddings.) I should maybe edit a few of those. ; )
Happy New Year!Labels: Cole, Harper |
| posted by Joanna Bolick @ 2:45 PM |
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| Monday, November 19, 2007 |
| I have learned |
...not to have high expectations going into a Christmas card shoot with my children. (This is probably the first year I can pretend to have such wisdom, though!) This year we just went with the flow and hung out on the porch in our santa hats. Harper ate a leaf, and a carrot, and Cole played with the reindeer, and they fought over which one got to sit where and we have one picture that isn't perfect but that I have already turned into a card and ordered. We also have about three dozen or so funny ones that make me laugh but that aren't necessarily card-worthy.
I should add, though, that such wisdom does NOT make me above offering candy as a bribe for sitting still.Labels: Cole, Harper |
| posted by Joanna Bolick @ 3:08 PM |
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| Monday, August 27, 2007 |
| "We learned a lot but I didn't talk." |
That is what Cole announced after we picked him up at preschool.
He was very excited about his first day! We arrived a few minutes ahead of schedule (this will probably be the first and last day that happens) and so I made a deal with Cole that we could get out of the car only if he'd let me take pictures. Hence, the photo of the sign, as well as the backpack, which is really what it's all about.
I'll confess, I was thankful to have one pudgy hand still gripping mine when Harper and I walked back out of the school without Cole. But honestly I think Harper had a harder time than I did -- she didn't understand why she couldn't go to school, too. She was all set to sit right down next to Cole in his classroom! She cried when we got in the car and asked, "Cole right back?" (She was also aggravated that there wasn't anyone else in the backseat to accommodate her requests for books or to reach her sippy cup when it fell down.)
But we commiserated together over a blueberry muffin at Starbucks, and I think when she realizes that she'll have free reign over the toys every morning she'll be more than fine. ; ) This morning when I woke up I thought, 10 more months of getting up this early? but then as Harper and I browsed the aisles at Target I thought, 10 more months of running errands with just one child, who still sits in a stroller or the cart and is rather compliant! So I'm sort of excited about that! Plus, Cole enjoyed his first day, and requested that we drop him off at the front door tomorrow rather than walk him inside, so I'd say that he's enjoying this new routine and independence as well.Labels: Cole |
| posted by Joanna Bolick @ 1:46 PM |
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| Monday, March 12, 2007 |
| road warrior |
 
Up and down the driveway he goes,
when he'll stop, nobody knows...
So proud of himself, and happy as a clam (are clams really happy?) to spend the entire weekend riding his bike. This last one is my favorite. I was sitting on our back steps as he made numerous drivebys (while trying to get as close to me as possible.) Our back door happens to be white, which made it an awesome reflector for when he'd come into range, and it cast great color and light onto his face.  It also enhances that little bit of scuff he's got on his nose from a concrete encounter earlier in the week.
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| posted by Joanna Bolick @ 8:33 AM |
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| Wednesday, September 13, 2006 |
| License to drive |
Are you really SURE he's old enough to drive this thing, Mommy?Labels: Cole, Harper |
| posted by Joanna Bolick @ 10:35 PM |
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| Monday, August 14, 2006 |
| from summer to summer |
I know I've been marveling over Harper's rapid growth lately but when I pulled out these photos I happened to notice a BOY who's not quite as little as he used to be.
photos taken June 2005 and August 2006Labels: Cole |
| posted by Joanna Bolick @ 11:41 PM |
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| Wednesday, August 02, 2006 |
| Sometimes... |
they DO get along! I think they're building a rocket here or something like that while hanging out together in Harper's room.
I love the size comparison in this photo. Sometimes I forget just how little Harper is, or how "big" Cole is!Labels: Cole, Harper |
| posted by Joanna Bolick @ 5:20 PM |
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| Monday, July 03, 2006 |
| Since he was neglected all last week |
I thought I'd share a recent photo of Cole.
I love the goat's expression in this one.
Also a funny: The other day I finally took the time to clean my scraproom. When Cole woke up from his nap he walked around the room (as if he was inspecting it, with his hands on his hips) and then said "Good job, Mommy. Good job." Which is much better than the time when he referred to it all as a "bunch of junk" and narrowly escaped with his life. Ha!
So there you have it.
I did a good job. : )
Thanks, Cole!Labels: Cole |
| posted by Joanna Bolick @ 12:10 PM |
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| Thursday, May 25, 2006 |
| a fleeting encounter |
around noon today
PS. take a closer look at the upper right-hand corner
PPS. Yes, it's real! only took me 150 photos or so to get that 1...butterflies are fast little buggers.Labels: Asheville, Cole |
| posted by Joanna Bolick @ 5:56 PM |
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| Tuesday, May 09, 2006 |
| just because |
because he usually won't pose for photos anymore
because he got a new wetsuit and just had to wear it (thanks Nana!)
because he had a fun morning and a good nap
because he got a rocket pop from the ice cream truck
because he had a good hair day
because he's officially 3 and a half
because he's so darn sweet sometimes it makes me forget the other stuffLabels: Cole |
| posted by Joanna Bolick @ 6:09 PM |
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| Monday, May 08, 2006 |
| What do you love? |
Conversations with Cole
Cole: I love Saturn.
Me: The planet?
Cole: Yup.
Me: Well, do you love Mommy, Daddy, and Harper, too?
Cole: No. Just two things: my flashlight and my nightlight.
(Both of these have Saturn on them and were bought last week in an attempt to keep him from coming into our room at 1 AM because he's scared. So far, so good!)
The following evening at dinner
Cole: I love chocolate milk.
Me: It is good, isn't it? Do you love Mommy, Daddy, and Harper, too?
Cole: no. Just Aunt Kris.
Ah. Good to know where we stand -- below Saturn, chocolate milk, and Aunt Kris.Labels: a humorous life, Cole |
| posted by Joanna Bolick @ 10:26 AM |
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| Thursday, March 02, 2006 |
| ode to Seuss |
Also wrote a little Seuss-ish diddy (which any children's book editor will tell you is a BIG no-no if you're thinking about submitting a story -- but this is a layout and I feel like living vicariously...oh, I know, I'm so daring! ha!)
There once was a boy
who tried to be coy
and sneak up on some birds.
The birds cried, "absurd!"
and refused to be lured
because they were on to his ploy.Labels: a humorous life, Cole |
| posted by Joanna Bolick @ 7:30 PM |
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| Thursday, February 23, 2006 |
| love these two |
love documenting their lives.
love watching from behind the lens as the interaction unfolds.
love that they get along right now!
but you already knew that...Labels: Cole, Harper |
| posted by Joanna Bolick @ 12:48 AM |
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| Friday, December 16, 2005 |
| Anticipation |
While I'm editing photos I thought I'd post this one of Cole waiting for the airplane...
....more to come soon!Labels: Cole |
| posted by Joanna Bolick @ 2:55 PM |
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| Saturday, November 05, 2005 |
| 3 |
3 years together.
Happy birthday, sweet son.Labels: Cole |
| posted by Joanna Bolick @ 9:51 PM |
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| Wednesday, October 12, 2005 |
| Meet Red |
This is Red. Red Bear, to be exact (and yes, I know that's a creative name.) Red has been with us since shortly before Cole's birth, but he's really only come into his own social prominence this past month.
Red is, of course, a multi-talented bear, and has managed to adopt both the characteristics of an infant and a michievous toddler. For instance, most days he goes around wearing Harper's cast-offs, which are the diapers and pajamas she's outgrown, (despite the fact that yellow floral clashes mightily with his red hair.) He rides along with Harper in the carseat and the stroller, though I'm not exactly sure that she appreciates having a bear on top of her. Today he was even fed by Cole and rubbed on the back until he burped. The feeding came to an abrupt end, though, when Red "spit up" on Cole's shirt (apparently he has the same reflux problems as Harper!) For the rest of the day he had to wear a bib JUST IN CASE. When he's not on infant duty, however, Red's primary role is serving as Cole's proxy. When I asked Cole the other day if I could take some photos of him (Cole) I was given Red Bear to photograph. Hard to coax a smile out of that fellow... also, Red Bear has made it known that he would prefer not to take a nap but does like to eat peanut butter for lunch EVERY DAY.
But my favorite role for Red is that of giver and receiver of affection. He's helped with booboos, accompanied a shy toddler to storytime at the library, is snuggly at bedtime, and has accepted without complaint more than his fair share of hugs, kisses, squeezes, and, yes, the occasional drop on the head. We're not really sure how long Red Bear will be with us, but for the time being I gladly welcome the imagination and affection that have been personified through him. As an added bonus, I think he's even helped Cole learn to be a little gentler with his little sister. And that's a very good thing!
So that's the scoop on Red...Labels: Cole |
| posted by Joanna Bolick @ 9:53 PM |
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| Friday, September 16, 2005 |
| At the Fair |
My sister, Kristina, and I loaded up Cole and Harper this morning and took them to the Mt. State Fair. We saw all the normal sights first - cows, horses, goats, lamas, etc. Cole and I even rode on a camel! All kidding aside, it was a bumpier ride than I thought it would be. I cannot imagine riding on it for any length of time, though I'm sure you'd get used to the loping after awhile. [Alas, there are no camel photos because my sister couldn't figure out the camera. Apparently she is not aware of my need to document everything!! I think I might need to give her some lessons!]
Anyway, we had just finished eating lunch when it started to sprinkle....then dribble...and then POUR! Wouldn't you know we were at the completely opposite end of the grounds from where we had parked? Of course we were... So we ran toward the animal barns and spent some intimate time with the horses who belong to the Henderson County mounted police. But I wouldn't change the fact that we got a little soaked (except for Harper, who was cannopied in her stroller and slept for the entire excursion) because it was during that unplanned, unexpected time that I captured this:
I just love my little guy being so affectionate! And brave, too, since he's not around horses that often. So that's my happy photo of the day...Labels: Cole |
| posted by Joanna Bolick @ 2:51 PM |
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