Dear sweet blog, I never meant to neglect you so badly this week. We went to visit friends in New York over the holiday weekend, and then NYC so kindly gave me a gift to bring home, in the form of a nasty cold. I have felt downright miserable until today, nearly hacking up a...
Sorry you’re feeling so yucky!! Get better soon ‘kay? 
My life changed this week as my schedule went from a relatively relaxed pace, to a non-stop schedule. Although I was a bit anxious for Monday morning to roll around, I knew my kids were at that point at the end of summer where they are walking around seeking some sort of direction and discipline. ...
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FANTASTIC action shots of your boys. Seems our homes having strikingly similar energy!
You’re crazy, woman. Super mom.
And, on my phone (viewing smaller), I swear that’s priya, not u!!:)
can i come live with you? it sounds much more organized than my semi organized madness.
i’ll help grade papers.
You amaze me girl!
well, i think you and brett are an amazing duo of creavity and life but i have to say that one of the things i love most about you is that you homeschool. it’s such a strange, unique and wonderful experience and you can’t know it until you do it. and then you feel this inexplicable connection to others who are on the same journey—a certain admiration and mutual respect that some kindred spirit has chosen the same hard path.
our days are so similar, even down to lunch with dad. and i love that priya is finding her groove. my girls are so much more motivated and at ease this year. a lot less lamenting what they might be missing.
i see beautiful signs of them learning contentment and empathy and how to channel those creative energies.
this is such a privilege. and knowing you’re there too—-is just kinda comforting.
love to you all~
edie
You are amazing!!! LOve this post!!!
From one homeschooling mom to another – you go mama! Your day sounds very familiar, except I never get to bed that early! Love your photos, as always…
boy, and i thought my life was hectic and full and not a moment to spare in between! wow, you got it together girl.
do you foresee a break for lunch? a really quick lunch?
Of all of the sappy, meaningful things I could (and should) say about this.. cos you guys have got this whole “life experience” thing figured out, and I’m so happy that we can share in a little piece of it- this is what I’m gonna say:
Duct tape art rocks. We’re obsessed. Check this book out:
http://www.amazon.com/Ductigami-Art-Tape-Joe-Wilson/dp/1550464299
I love seeing how you run your day. I have so much respect for you and home schooling!
I love everything about this post. You are a crazy-awesome woman Jessica!
I can’t believe the sun is already setting earlier, and my kids have their school supplies all lined up and ready. We begin our official schooling Monday morning. I think I am finally coming to grips with reality, and bidding a fond farewell to the 2010 summer. Back in March I wrote a blog entry...
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This is such a fantastic post Jess. I feel like, some weeks I do the balance thing, others (like this one) I SO do not. Thanks for being inspiration in this category and I can’t wait to see what you have to say in what comes next.
PS – I hear you on the shoots too. Taking July off (for me) was SUCH a blessing that now that I’m back into the swing of things, I’m like, WHOA…..
I simply love this celebration of life. The love you guys are surrounded with is undeniable.
I miss you!
What did I do this summer? Had a baby. I kind of feel like I did nothing else. 
Oh, did I forget to tell you that I miss you?
PS I REALLY enjoyed bogarting your fabulous dress this summer, though I did feel bad about it. I need to send it back, but find it to be a security blanket, as I know I have no pants that fit yet.
Love ya!
This is my first post ever! I have been following you all for about a year and a half and I just love all the photos and life you share! You are all absolutely wonderful! My accomplishment this summer: back in May a friend asked me, “Tara, what do you want to do with your life?” I replied, “That’s kind of a lot to answer, can you break it down?” She said, “Where do you want to be?” “Easy….San Diego.” “Well why aren’t you there?” Fear, anxiety, the unknown, I’ve grown up in Cincy from high school to college to first REAL job. So I decided to look for a job in San Diego. I found one and now anticipate moving in about 2 months! So, my accomplishment was fighting fear and moving 2,000 miles away from family to go discover more life! Thanks so much for this post! I will continue to follow you all out in SD.
I have been following you. I adore your pictures…you got great creativity just like I love my creativity! …wonder how you manage your family time with a demand of your photography business. I have been into my business which is one year now. I have two older children…one is already entering Gallaudet University and other one is a junior at HS. It helps me a lot when they choose to do their own schedule. This summer, I went to Massachusetts to take a plenty of pictures with my dear friend who also likes photography. It was good to be away to both Martha’s Vineyard and Block Island. It rejuvenated me and I am ready for more sessions. I must applaud you for your great job especially finding time to be with your family.
Great Stuff! I finally went to a warm water beach, (drove all the way from St. Louis to South Beach, Miami Florida) and I finally shot a bride and groom on Michighan Ave in Chicago. Those are two things I have been wanting to do for a long time!
dude, you got a mini-cooper? lucky!
AMEN to needing some time off. I envy you for really doing it. I swear, just the other day I said to myself, “this year is going to be about finding balance”. You’ve inspired me Hope to see you around the ‘Nati!
To get myself off a plateau in terms of photography, I did a summer photo project taking one picture every day (although I took many more than that!). Just shooting everyday life taught me so much!!
I would love to see Priya’s blog. What is the URL?
Man, did it ever fly by…so sad, but it was a great summer. I enjoyed seeing you as much as I did, and we need to make an effort to continue throughout the busy winter months! Glad you’re finding that “balance” that is so hard to find. Love you.
I stumbled across your site and this collage of photos really spoke to me. I love collages, and this just seemed like a slice of life. I’m wondering if you compiled it in photoshop this way? Thanks for giving me a peek into your wonderful life. Have a great day.
Xavier Yuriah Zwolinski- quickly shortened to “Riah” by big bro Adin…pronounced RYE-UH….not REE-UH, or RAH. (I know Dad, he should have just been Billy Ray to make it easier on folks.) Six years ago today our little Riah boy came into this world, and without a doubt, it was completely brightened!! Of my four births...
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Love those last pictures of you and your boy! They grow up sooo fast!!! Happy Birthday!
Okay, the silly bands..they are EVERYWHERE aren’t they? My nieces and nephews’ collections could fill a truck!!!
Happy birthday to Riah…. he just has such a sweet little look about him.
Those photos of Gabe? TOO TOO TOOOOO CUTE!!!!!!
PS – Brett and Nick could swap closets, I swear ….
Happy birthday Riah! You were born on my wedding day. Yom Huledet Sameach!
Happy Birthday to Riah!!! I happen to dig his get-up.
OMG, I love this post. First of all, Happy Late birthday to your XYZ!! (Coolest monogram EVER!) I LOVE those light testing photos of you two.
Oh and Gabe bowling? LOVE!!! We need to go do that! Gabe is so dang cute.
Your family is precious! Just reading your blog I can see how much you love bein a mama — it makes me look forward to it someday!
Happy birthday to Riah! And those last three photos of you two…oh my goodness!
those last three shots of you and your boy gave me goosebumps! so sweet
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