Sad day

So I am afraid I will have to take a small hiatus from this project. My wonderful camera LCD needs replacing. Don't ask. It is too sad of a story, one that I wish I could blame on anyone else but myself. There is pretty much one repair shop here and it will take up to 2 weeks! I may pull the old camera out, or I may post pictures from my photo library that I love, we'll see. Right now I am too depressed to take pictures.

Day 65 - B-I-N-G-O

I was going to use the shot of the letters or just the boards to throw something different in here, but I couldn't do it. The concentration on her face was just too sweet. Part of me wishes these were more artistic, but I suppose what interests me most is what my photos reflect.

Day 64 - Bedtime routines

I spoke of our recent stow away in the early morning hours, this is the nighttime routine each night before. Since her recent discovery of freewill (being able to get out of her crib) she now thinks bedtime should be a schedule more to her liking rather than ours. (i.e. never).

Day 63 - Too cool

I love how she is the quintessential star! Even complete strangers were shooting her photo like a movie star.

Day 62 - God's creatures

I thought I would include both shots today since the subject matter was so similar. I think it is an innate compulsion for boys to pick up anything that moves. I absolutely adore the first shot, because at that exact moment, this little tree frog decided he preferred to be left alone and secreted some sort of liquid out to send that message. The surprised face is perfect. The two hands below are my little boy's bringing me the gift every mother loves to receive... my very own bug. I actually really like the fascination they have with it all and the excitement nature is for them. If only I could look at all of God's creatures so marveled.

Day 61 - Properties of erosion

I love this shot. I love the curve and the color of the landscape and the erosive water spraying down. If you think about it, erosion is what gives this landscape such beauty and interest, but erosion itself is the actual destruction of something little by little. The wearing away of something so seemingly strong (a mountain), drip by drip by something comparatively weak in and of itself (water).

Day 60 - Similarities

What do these two things have in common?

They are both small.

They both love to sit in the dirt.

They will both eat anything, especially things on the ground. (Which they are about to do, unbeknownst of the photographer.)

I liked the top down angle of the shot.

Day 59 - Rewards

I am usually the one behind the camera, but my husband took this little shot. It was one of those moments that make being a mom all worth it. This is not a particularly cuddly child. She likes cuddles on her own terms, but she was a little under the weather and I whole heartedly took advantage.

Day 58 - Best intentions

You know how people without kids always have all the answers to any parenting dilemma. My husband and I certainly did and one of our first pre-children rules was no kids sleeping in our bed. (occasionally on the floor after a bad dream, sure, but not in our bed.) We thought this could be a hard habit to kick and figured we would avoid any pitfalls this way. While this is still the plan, we have had a recent offender slipping quietly beneath our covers in the early morning hours. So stealthy in fact that, we have only caught her in the act once or twice at around 6 a.m. Initially it was so close to wake up time that we didn't fight it, but now after 4 days, we are starting to see a trend. So much for best intentions.

Dog chewed power cord. No post until I get the new one in the mail. How long until the puppy stage is over?

Day 57 - Sugar plum fairy

Taking a boring afternoon and making it magical. I loved the way the afternoon sun filtered through to make the scene seem a bit more enchanted.

Day 56 - Consider the lilies

My mom has some lovely flowers in her yard. I couldn't help but stick a kid or two... or even three in front of these beautiful flowers and take their picture. In fact, if they would have let me, I would have photographed pretty much any one in front of those flowers and attempted to do so. Maybe not original, but pretty nonetheless.

Day 55 - Stepping up your game

I was wondering, if Mother's day is suppose to be the mom's day off, does that mean that Father's day is the dad's day on? It has sort of worked out that way for this man. I think he thought this weekend would be just him, a t.v. and a little... I mean a lot of Golf. (U.S. Open and all) However, I sort of threw a wrench in the plan by getting sick and all and he has had to step up his game a bit playing Mister Mom. It worked out smashingly for me, but probably not the Father's day weekend he had in mind. I guess this is why we celebrate Father's day though, right? Here's to this handsome man for being a wonderful dad!

Day 54 - The "carrier"

(My daughter eating a plastic donut at the Discovery Gateway museum. Only 200 or so kids have touched that today)

Today I went to the doctor for my 4th sore throat this year (yes, as in the past 6 months) and 2nd case of strep throat. In fact, prior to these two incidents, I haven't had Strep throat since I was a child. I asked the doctor if this seemed unusual, especially to have Strep throat twice in just a few months and I was the only one in my family that got it. She said "that it is possible that I was around someone that was a Carrier of the disease, but didn't actually get it themselves. Some people can go all their lives and never get it." Hmmm, a carrier you say? Who could that possibly be? Oh wait, could it be the fact that my 2 year old puts EVERYTHING in her mouth. Just last week she found a half eaten strawberry at the park and ate it, the donut above, the piece of gum, or wood chips from the park, etc. (Really I could go on and on) and no matter how many time outs or lectures, she continues. Any suggestions, please?

Day 53 - Slow down

Sometimes I think nature has a way of forcing a little "me" time, it is called "the flu" or whatever else ails you. It is the body's way of saying "slow down, take a break, it's on me" However, while my body is saying this, my children and husband usually aren't. Why is it that if you have a job you can take a sick day, but if you are a mom, you don't get one of those?

Day 52 - Fashionista

Honestly, I didn't take a single picture yesterday and I feel no guilt for that. I was a little busy and towards the end of the day a little under the weather. This picture was taken on Sunday of my little fashionista. She certainly has an idea of what she likes and what she doesn't. I do wonder, what's with the one winter boot? Maybe she couldn't find the other.

Day 51 -The gift of imagination

This is a picture for all those mothers who feel guilty for not planning amazing activities each day for your children. For those mothers who worry they're not doing enough, that somehow by not offering your child every possible experience and every toy and video made by man, your child won't measure up somehow. I am here to say, it is okay! It's enough and maybe more than you would think. This was an impromptu art activity I threw together after feeling that mom guilt we all get at one time or another. And honestly, I have some pretty great kids and I don't think it is in spite of the fact that I don't buy them every toy and plan their lives at nausea with activities, I think it because I don't. They have wonderful imaginations and I hope they never lose that to some overpriced toy or video game.

Day 50 - Ideal trait

I think this angle perfectly highlights her chubby cheeks, a trait that others may wish to diminish in themselves, but ideal on her face.

Day 49 - Rock and roll

We were treated to a Sunday evening "jam session". He sang and hummed his own little music and danced around like a real rock star. Sometimes you just need to break out, let loose and have some fun.

Day 48 - Dodgeball

"If you can dodge a brick, you can dodge a ball." It may seem like dodgeball is a lost art, fading out with our world of political correctness, but it was alive and well today. Our youth played regionals and actually won the dodgeball championship. And despite its tainted image, it really was fun to watch and play.

Day 47 - On the road again

Here I was experimenting with different angles. I like the hobbled look it gives. I also love how small she seems in that little car. Now if only I could have captured her feet, Fred Flinstoning it to move. That would have been cute.

Day 46 - Time out

Time out, enough said.

Day 45 - Guilty as charged

WANTED: for destruction of my favorite pair of leather boots. I have heard the stories of puppies and chewing, but I never take my eyes off this dog when he isn't leashed, crated, or confined to a laundry room. Today, in a weak moment, on a phone call, with crying kids and a wild dog, I shoved him in my bathroom that connects to my closet. (The closet door was closed by the way, but not tight enough apparently.) Of all the bounty of shoes at his disposal (some of my husband's I might even encourage), he picked my absolute favorite and most expensive pair. The look of horror on my face was enough to send him whimpering and hiding. (Honestly, I didn't even say anything to him and he knew he was is trouble.) The casualties of puppy ownership. (I am still hoping to bring these babies back from life support. While the zipper is completely destroyed and possibly part of the sole, the damage to the leather is minimal, we'll see)

Day 44 - Second appendage

Of her summer beach ensemble, which accessory do you think is an absolute must have? Which accessory is worn inside, outside, to bed if I let her and often upside down? Those glasses are worn so frequently, I am beginning to think they are permanently attached to her head. But if you got as many compliments as she does on those glasses, you would probably wear them all the time too!

Day 43 - My little hand

I love this little hand. I love its smudgy finger prints, I love its soft strokes of my cheeks, and I love its little tickles. It is very rarely however, that it holds still long enough for me to hold it, let alone take a picture of it. However, there is usually one consistent time a day that I get to hold this little girl for longer than 10 seconds before she runs away and that is right after nap time when the drowsy is wearing off. I took this picture during one of our rare cuddle times.

Day 42 - Somewhere over the rainbow

Tonight I captured this rainbow. The last time I saw a rainbow was June 26th, 2009. Almost a year ago. I remember the day so well because not only was it my dad's birthday, but it was an especially difficult day for myself. At the time, I was going through a rather tough experience that I had never dealt with before and my husband was at an airport is some city or another waiting for a delayed flight for over 5 hours. I wanted him home so badly, but it was as if the fates had conspired against us. Luckily, (Although I am sure luck had nothing to do with), I wasn't alone. Through the help of loving family, a really challenging situation wasn't so bad and for that I am grateful. I remember the rainbow so well because of the peace it gave me, almost like a sign from Heaven that things would work out okay. And really they were. That rainbow reminded me that we are never really alone, even when we feel like it.

Day 41 - Chalk facial

Not sure what look she was going for here. Clown? This is what happens when you're 2 and you get your hands on some sidewalk chalk. She is a lovely shade of purple.

Day 40 - Making a Splash

Nothing beats a splash of water in your face. He was so careful each time he went down. He barely got his feet wet. Just when I was saying to my sister that he hardly got wet and was not much fun to take pictures of, he went and did this! I love it!

Day 39 - Seriously?!

Maybe you have had one of those days, where the reoccurring thought is "Seriously?!" This word describes my sentiments today completely. From the green otter pop left melting on my carpet while the little man took a break, to the random lady at the park smoking while offering to hold my child down the slide. This picture refers to one of the many "seriously?!" moments today. While at the park today, I noticed my youngest eating something. Much to my disgust, I found a piece of green spearmint gum in her mouth. I don't have any green spearmint gum. This lovely piece was acquired off of the play ground equipment. How sweet is that! Free gum! Seriously!?

Day 38 - Welcome Summer

Today was our send-off to spring and our salute to summer! We officially broke out the little pool and miscellaneous water toys. We turned on the hose and ran around in our ceremonial water dance. Welcome Summer, please stay awhile!

Day 37 - Tree fort love

If there was any doubt of their admiration of that man, he further cemented their devotion by devoting a week to building them this amazing treehouse/fort. They absolutely love playing in it. When I open the door to take the dog potty, the kids always manage to slip out and run right to the treehouse. I decided to use this shot because of an interesting phenomenon that I like at times and curse at others. That is focus. In this shot the leaves are in focus and the girl out of focus. I kind of like it in this shot. It really makes the house feel in the trees. But I have been burned in other shots. I suppose I need a little more practice with manual focus.