***Warning: Really Long Post!

Had to share some of my mom’s day photos. All I ever want each spring is to go to the Madison Arboretum at least once during the peak of the blooms. Thankfully this Sunday’s weather was nice and I got my wish. After a yummy lunch at Famous Daves (one of my faves) we headed up with the hopes of getting images of amazing flowering trees and a few good images of me and my girls. Let’s just say that the photos of me and my girls were not the highlight of our day as it seems that my girls had a hard time not making unnatural forced faces (possibly because they did not want to be taking the pictures to begin with.) Bless my husband for trying though! I did so love just getting shots of the trees and flowers though. I feel like I never take time to just photograph things like that. So it was nice. Here are a few of those images. More to come later.

There were a few trees that you could just walk inside of and hang out in. The girls had fun with them.

I had a great session on Friday with one of my future weddding couples. Jessica and Trent will be getting married in the Fall @ Eaton Chapel on the Beloit College Campus. First off, I’m so excited that they are getting married at that location because it is so beautiful. Secondly, I’m so excited that it is going to be in the fall. We are keeping our fingers crossed that the leaves and colors will peak at just the right time.  Thirdly, I am just  excited to photograph these two on their big day because they are such a nice, laid back couple. They did a fantastic job for me (in all my bossiness and constant direction giving) and made my job so easy. Thank you guys for a really great session. I hope you like your sneak peek!

I Love this one. The look on Jessica’s face is just too cute!

And now two pics of my girls because, afterall, it is Mother’s Day. These were taken earlier that day. It was a beautiful day and we took the girls to the turtle creek flood plain right after school for a bit.

This weekend my little girl was in her first musical (well, I guess technically she has been in  a few school productions, but they did not even compare to the caliber of this one.) She worked after school every Mon. and Thurs. for months. Then she put in a very long week last week with rehearsals everyday and 3 shows this weekend. I was so proud of how hard she worked and how well she did come show time. There were definitely times of complaining and wanting to give up. I admit, it was a good amount of work for a 7 1/2 year old. We kept telling her to stick it out because we suspected that in the end (when she really figured out what it was all about) she would love it! Truthfully, I had never seen this kids community group perform before, so I too was hoping that it would all be worth the work. It definitely was! The kids were so talented! The director did a fabulous job with the them, and it was evident that the children are learning valuable music and performance skills. My Abra had the best time and I could tell that she finally understood what all that hard work was for. As her family and some of her friends watched her perform during her last show she was just beaming from ear to ear.

After the last show, I went back stage and found her crying. I asked her if she was sad that the show was over. She said, “I’m crying because I’m just so happy!”  Welcome to performing baby girl!!! And, welcome to the rewards of working hard for something  that you love!

Here are some pics I got during the rehearsals. I found out earlier in the week that we could not take photos during the performance, so I was thankful to be able to get these.

Abra was the youngest in the show. The little girl next to her (below) is actually older and a grade higher than her. They were both so cute together playing the roles of “townspeople” and “guests at the ball.” Each had  1 line of dialogue!

Dancing during the ball. Obviously there were not enough boys, so a couple of girls  had to pair up. She was so excited to actually learn how to waltz.

Each girl got to take turns dancing with the prince. Here she is not actually dancing with him because the kid had just broken his foot the day before this rehearsal and was on crutches!!! He was able to walk on it during the actual show though!

Each girl also got a turn to try on the slipper. She really liked that part.

***I have to add what Ashley’s reaction was to the whole thing. Throughout the past few months, she had no clue what Abra was doing every week going to KFAD (that’s the name of the program.) Whenever we would tell her that Abra was practicing for her play, she would ask, “What’s Abra gonna Play?” or “did she paly a game already?” Of course she had never seen a play before. Well, she was mesmerized by the entire thing. Almost in tears when the sisters were mean to Cinderella. Cheering when Cinderella said she would marry the prince. After the show was over, she immediately turned to Erik and said, “I want to do KFAD next year!.” Looks like I’ll have two little stars on my hands next season!