DRY Ink » Cherubs

Happy 9th Birthday Emme! {Fantastically Late!}

Erika — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 17:00:18 +0000

Dearest female cherub,

Once again it’s time for your birthday letter and once again it’s late. It’s fantastically late, setting new records even! I continue to make fabulous failings in this area. You’re welcome. Now let’s never speak of this again.

For you’re 9th birthday we hosted a fashion shoot birthday party for 8 of your closest friends. We had some really fun pictures from that.

But being a DeGraff, that would never be enough, so of course there was a family celebration. Although you were turning 9, you enjoy eating with the 60 and over set, so the family celebrated by eating at Piccadilly and then headed to the movies. We watched Spy Kids Smell-a-vision and then finished the night up by purchasing half the books at Borders going out of business sale. Good times. If you are 72 yrs, or enjoy putting sharp objects in your left eye.

I’m sure there were many other spectacular events, but it’s simply been too long. Yes, something to be said for writing these things in a timely fashion. Duly noted. I thought I said to never mention it again?

Emmers, you have turned into quite a beauty. I hesitate to mention it because I certainly want you to be known for other things, but it’s there. And it’s certainly hard to ignore. I hear it every where we go. That and the bit about your really great hair, that I’m not bitter about at all. Nope.

You continue to love dance. This year we have switched to a professional studio and you are flourishing there. It always cracks me up how you trip on the way into dance and then dance like the most graceful creature ever. I think you may get that from me. Sorry.

And lets not forget how you spread your wings even further by spending the summer attending musical theater camp. There’s no better place for you than on the stage!

You continue to be a good student and a social butterfly. At this point I doubt that this will ever change. That is simply who you are. A smart, caring, loving person who cares about everyone, (and needs to talk to them all.) There are a whole lot worse things to be in life.

Keep up the good work. I love you always,
Mom

Double Digits, Dude!

Erika — Sat, 28 May 2011 14:13:08 +0000

Jax,
Only two short weeks ago you turned ten. I stress the ‘short’ to make me feel better for being so late with this letter. I mean clearly this is your fault for the weeks being so short around you birthday. (Really who’s born at the end of the school year???)

This year for you birthday party, well, I wasn’t invited. That was new and exciting. You picked a friend and headed down to New Orleans to catch an LSU baseball game. You see you are too old to have both your parents tagging along with you at this point. But don’t worry about me, I was able to pick a bridal shoot, so while you were having Austin Nola sing you happy birthday at the UNO baseball field, I was working to pay for the tickets. See, it all worked out!

I would love to tell you that you have finally landed on a sport and have selected baseball, (or anything else) but you are still equally obsessed with basketball, football and soccer. It is simply baseball season. And you of course continue to play all sports with a passion that I don’t see in most professional games. On your most recent baseball team, you have begun pitching and even got two strike outs in your last outing. You are of course headed to baseball camp in a few weeks. But this letter would read very differently if you were born in September, football season.

This year you again made honor roll all year long including three out of four semesters being all A’s. Your teachers at both school and church continue to tell me what a joy you are to teach and that you are a leader in the class room. That is nothing new for you, because they don’t get to see your temper at home. No, you continue to save that one all for me! Yay! But we are working on it right? Right? Damn those Rebstock genes.

Okay, now time for your favorite part, where I tell you how amazing you are and how much I love you! No, really this is fun, quit rolling your eyes at me!
Jax, sometimes I wonder if you are even a DeGraff, I mean physically, the way your brain works and attitude you are all Rebstock, accept for your compassion. You have your father’s caring and compassion. Your truly the best of both of us. I never really understood what that meant until I had you. Not only are you amazing, but you help me see the best in everyone else, including myself. Thank you for that. Thank you for being you. Please don’t change a thing, not even that quick temper, (I mean continue learning how to control it…) but it too will serve you well in life. I love you son, and am so happy I get to be your mother and watch your journey into adulthood. It’s been amazing so far and I can’t wait to see the rest!
Happy 10th Birthday!
Love,
momma

Another Fun Concept Shoot {Baton Rouge Portrait Photographer}

Erika — Sun, 27 Feb 2011 02:48:59 +0000

This week I finally got Jax out to play. I had planned this concept shoot for Valentine’s Day. I originally was going to play with wooden letter blocks and a pink tie, but I think this way worked out just as well.

Who’s Sick of The Youngest Cherubs Yet? {Baton Rouge Children’s Photographer}

Erika — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 01:02:15 +0000

Not you right? (Tell me I’m right.)
Early in January I took the cherubs out to play in the back yard with my best friend. Now you get to look at the results.

Just Dance {Baton Rouge Children’s Photographer}

Erika — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 23:40:52 +0000

Emme and I take dance from a pretty laid back studio, so it’s really rare she wears full traditional ballet clothes. Of course I couldn’t resist snapping a few.

Be still my heart. I think she just snatched favorite cherub status from her brothers.

After I took these, Em hugged me and told me she was so happy I loved her enough to take pictures of her for no reason. I didn’t have the heart to tell her I did it for me.

Those Are My Peeps! {Baton Rouge Family Photographer}

Erika — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 00:38:48 +0000

I even managed to get a few of my clan

And, yes, even this one:

I am so proud!

A Birthday, A Baptism and Brother, Oh My

Erika — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 00:16:47 +0000

8 Done Right

Erika — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 00:47:19 +0000

Emme Belle,

This is such a big week end for you! On Friday you turned 8 years old and on Sunday you were baptized. LSU was even nice enough to play the season opener in between. And today is Labor day, good thing I can sleep when I’m dead.

So let’s get right to it. It has been a great year. This year you finished up 2nd grade on the honor roll, continued to dance and have taken an interested in art. You partied like it was 1999 all summer, complete with the trips to Houston, TX, Jacksonville, FL and the annual beach trip to the island. Third grade is off to great start too, if we don’t talk about your conduct. At all. Ever. You, of course, still love to read.

You have had a real growth spurt in the last few months and have gotten so big. Which is great for you, because it meant all new clothes. Your father cried clutching the check book while we shopped. We all have our rolls in this family.

Your actually birthday was spent at a blow out at Build a Bear with 8 of your friends. On Saturday we had another 20 plus of all our closet friends over for a your birthday/Liah’s birthday/the LSU game. But because all that was not enough and there were no hurricanes this year, on Sunday you were baptized at 4 pm wearing an outfit that Olivia, (Liah’s sister) was baptized in. The girl’s mother Annie, was so sweet to lend us the creation she had so lovely sewn for her own daughters. You then changed into the most delicious dress ever seen. Tifani and I spent weeks designing it, and then Tifani sewed it to life. Because you were such a vision, we simply had to invite everyone back to the house to eat and party some more. And come they did. We entertained over 30 of our closest friends well into the night. It was a blast. I hope you enjoyed it as much as everyone else seemed to.

Emme, you are stunning. Anyone who looks at you can tell that, but there is so much more to you. You are so kind and loving. You have been from the moment you entered the world. And while you will spend your life being told how pretty you are, what I want to you to always remember and carry with you is that kind heart. It is what it is truly important. You have such a special spirit. I hope you know that. I hope I tell you that enough so that you never question it. I know you will continue to grow into the intelligent, gorgeous, caring young lady that I constantly see glimpse of now. I can’t wait to continue to watch that growth. You go girl, get out there and rule the world. Well maybe in another 10 years or so, because for now I am still loving having the snuggliest 8 year old on the planet. (Who continues to be the best hugger in the world.)

All My Love,
Mom

Salt Week ’10

Erika — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 00:02:21 +0000

I know you have been on pins and needles waiting for photographic evidence of Salt Week ’10. Wait no more:

You can find more here. I just couldn’t choose!

You’re welcome.

Dearest Jax

Erika — Mon, 24 May 2010 13:41:23 +0000

Welcome to official middle child status. Your birthday letter is a week late. When you are ready to have your own children, should definitely consider the end of the school year, (you), the height of hurricane season, (your sister) or the beginning of the school year, (again your sister). Really, when I get around to writing that ‘How Not to Space Your Children’ book, it’s gonna be a winner.

Continuing in family tradition, your birthday stretched the week. On Monday, (your actual birthday) I checked you out of school early. We then had family over for cake and ice cream in the evening. You requested cookie cake instead of my usual cup cakes for the family party. (We’ll talk about that later.) The rest of the week consisted of half schools days and parties as the year wrapped up.

On Thursday, we had the ‘friend’ party, which consisted of friends from school at laser tag. I gotta tell you, that was the easiest birthday I’ve ever done. They even provided pizza and the cake. You all seemed to have a really great time. Even your father who managed to make a little kid cry. We are all so proud.

Friday morning a I had a few clients to see, so I loaded you guys up and after work, we headed over to the red neck riviera of Biloxi MS. Despite a rocky start, of a closed interstate doubling our travel time, we had a blast, swimming at the hotel pool, touring Beauvoir, (or what’s left of it after Katrina) and hanging out at the beach. We really did have a great time and only your father is sun burnt.

This school year you continue to hang out on honor roll and have several good friends. Alex and you continue to be tight, but I can’t help wondering how that is going to work out now that he is headed to middle school. New friends consist of Sebastian from your class and the Sant boys from church. Really now more than ever you seem to have surrounded yourself with a really good group of kids. I hope you always continue to make good choices in the people you hang out with. Trust me on this one, it IS important.

Since our last birthday letter you’ve continued to play every sport known to man. This year you’ve add football to the rotation, but currently you are obsessed with baseball. We are waiting for your season to start. I had thought at one point you might be ready to settle down and specialize in, well, something, but obviously that is not the case. It is not just playing sports that your are passionate about. You and your father often commandeer the TV for hours on Saturdays to watch what ever sporting event is paramount to the hour. I look forward to seeing what will shake out of this passion.

Jack, here’s where I get all mushy on you. (Hey we all knew it was coming.) You are smart, athletic, pig headed and really sensitive. All qualities that will serve you well in life. You hold within you all the ingredients to be a great man. I mean a really great person in this world. Continue to make good decisions to learn and be kind to people. Be willing to stand up for what you believe and learn when a fight is just not worth it. Learning that difference will be one of the challenges in your life, but I promise it will be worth.

I love you so very much. I am more proud of you and the person you are becoming that I could ever say. I know you will do great things and I’m so lucky to be along to watch them. I guess you could say that is the theme of this year. I can’t wait to watch all the things you are gonna do and become. I couldn’t be more excited to coach and cheer you from the side lines. This is a great game.

I love you Jackson,

Mom