A Day In Your Life Photo Blog

Cotton Candy!

I have never really been a fan of Cotton Candy. So we rented one for Sam's Birthday..Ha!

 

 Well, Jeff did. The stuff just makes my teeth hurt. And my whole body hurts when I see my children sinking their pristine little baby teeth into a wand filled with spun sugar. Ouch! There is something so wrong about something called "Floss Sugar"

 

This is my favorite! Note the word of caution..

 

I have a feeling this is how JR was feeling..just..a bit...off

 

Isn't it sweet how patiently they wait when they know what is coming?

 

Happy Brushing!!

 

The Big 5!

My little Sammer, my oldest, turned 5 this past weekend! This birthday was different. Different in the sense that he "gets it". He knew it was his birthday. Was soooo excited! Was aware all day that it was his birthday..asking every question in the book.."when can I open my presents?...where are all the people?...when are we eating cake?..on and on. He is a  different child this year..more mature. If that's even possible for a five year old. His independence is definitely flourishing. He has to pick out his own clothes, wants to make his own decisions, pour the milk, make the bed, ride on two wheels. Ughhh! It's really a wonderful thing in one respect but in the other it is flying by way too quickly. Lately when I look at him I notice he has a quiet introverted side. Not in a bad way. Sort of like he is in his own head thinking about what he is experiencing for the first time. Analyzing, figuring it out. He is the sweetest thing and I love him more and more and more with each and every day as I do all my children of course. Anyway! We had an amazing day! Happy Birthday Sammer!! We Love You!

 

 

I just love this shot of Sam as everyone is singing Happy Birthday..true happiness in his face!

 

 

 

What To Pack?

If you are anything like me..I cannot STAND packing! It was bad when I was solo..but add 4 chicks to the mix and it becomes something I loathe. There is so so much to remember and if I try to pack while the kids are up and running..well..it gets very messy. And if I wait until they are in bed..then I just get annoyed that I have to do it while I could be sleeping. I usually wait until the last minute as well. Sooooo..I always tell myself.."make a list..yada yada yada...I never do..or I wish there was some sort of checklist available to me..and there IS! I found this, unfortunately, on my way BACK from Guatemala..It is a site called packwhiz. They generate packing lists! You can make your own or they will generate on for you! I prefer the latter. It starts by asking you where in the world you are travelling..domestic or international? Then it asks you what type of transportation..bus, plane, train, boat..etc? And the questions go on to ask things like accomodations, what weather will you be experiencing, what type of activities you will be engaged in, and who is travelling (men, women, infants, or toddlers? You can pick as many as you want) Then wallah! They generate an entire checklist for your vacation! Brilliant!

Beach Shoot!

Just a little sneak peak into a photo shoot I did down at Lake Forest Beach..Irene, thanks for the opportunity!!!! Your little ones are adorable!

 

 

Can I Renew My Wedding Vows???!!

Okay..I had to quickly post this video that you must watch! I had seen part of it a few days ago on the news and a friend of mine (thanks Tracie) posted it on her blog. It truly made my day! I was teary eyed and smilin the whole time (sorry to all the customers at Starbucks!)...I want to run out and renew my wedding vows! No more of that walking down the aisle trying to contain my excitement..trying to walk slow when all I really wanted to do was run..or dance for that matter! Turn up the volume and enjoy!!!

The Craziest Tricked out Buses I Have Ever Seen!

Well..we made it! Guatemala here we are! I have to admit I had my reservations about going. I knew I was always going to go but seeing as we were taking our two oldest children and leaving the two youngest with my sister..well that made me a bit uneasy. I knew the babies were going to be in great hands. I guess these feelings just come with parenting. It is not just me I am responsible for but my children as well. I did however really want my children to experience another culture and another country. What a great experienced for them! And seeing as it was my first time in Guat I figured it would be so much fun to experience it together.  I really wanted to see it through their eyes.

Let me just start by saying that Guatemala is a FEAST for the eyes! Especially a photographers eyes! I don't even know where to begin so I will begin with the Chicken Bus.

 The chicken buses are one of the most colorful parts of this country. Come to find out..the chicken buses are modified and tricked out school buses from the U.S. They are privately owned. And by the looks of them they are the owners pride and joy! They are called chicken buses because the local people usually transport live animals via chicken bus! They all have names on the back of them and I was told that the men (yes it is mostly men) driving these buses sometimes put their girlfriends names on the back.

 Who really knows if this is true but let's just roll with it. So as we were leaving the airport in Guatemala City and heading into the hills toward Antigua I noticed these bright colorful brilliant buses passing us along the highway. They are driven at a speed that I am afraid of..especially when I am in a bus with too many passengers and driving along mountainous terrain. No thank You. The Guatemalan bus system is definitely a bit different from ours here in the states. There usually is someone hanging out the front door..and no, it is not a bus driver or anyone affiliated with the bus. Then as the bus stops.. the back door..you know the one usually saved for emergency exits here in the states? ..well that flies open and people jump off or on. It's true blue free entertainment.

 

They are so much fun to look at. I could not stop snapping photos of these colorful behemoths plowing their way through Guatemala.

Xootr Scooter!

I have to say when Jeff walked up to me and said.."well, I just ordered us some "adult scooters".. I had to laugh. Adult Scooters? They are called Xootr Scooters. He said they were a huge hit in New York City and we had two on the way! According to Jeff they are the Porsche of kick scooters! Just wait and see he told me. I shrugged it off. Well..they arrived!

 

And I LOVE it!! They are sooo much fun I can't even stand it! I will admit I was a bit apprehensive at first. I thought I would look goofy riding up and down the street with my husband on his and the kids on their little scooters. After I jumped on.. that apprehension went out the window! People..these are such a blast. They are easy as pie to ride. And they are perfect for going on rides with the kids. If you feel the urge you should really try one out. I dare ya!

Bye Bye Training Wheels!

Just the other day we arrived home from visiting family..it was late in the day..Sam my oldest (4) decided that it was time. Time to take the training wheels off! Jeff and I ran..grabbed the tools..and proceeded to take the training wheels off his bike.

There was this quiet confidence about Sam when he told us. He just knew..a lightbulb went off and wallah! As a parent that is when I know. There are so many times when I beat myself up trying to help my kids achieve certain milestones..I get frustrated when it doesn't work. Then I let it go. Sure enough, this is when the magic happens. I always look back and say to myself ..they will do it when they are ready. And they always do!

So Sam proceeded to balance himself and within about 15 minutes he was on his way!

 

 

Max hanging by Sam's side for support!

 

 

 

The look on his face was priceless  after he realized he was riding on 2 wheels.

 

 

Now that was not the end of it. If you didn't notice Max in the photo above scooting next to Sam..well..he couldn't stand it. That child grabbed his bike and asked us to take his training wheels off! I couldn't believe my eyes. I asked Max if he needed help over and over. He politely told me " no thank you" every single time. Sure enough..he nailed it! I realized this was one of the pros of having 2 children within a years time. They are motivating each other without knowing it! Max totally learned how to ride two wheels after he saw his brother doing it. I am so proud of my little doodles!

 

 

 

Hello Is Anyone There?

Okay.I am really trying hard to keep up with this blogging business. After entering into the world of photography I soon found out that having a blog was a big deal. After attending a workshop last year, held by a photographer I highly admire,I really learned that having a blog is essential to my success as a photographer..and it is! It keeps my followers up to date on photo shoots..ideas..thoughts, reflections, etc...so I have been filing away ideas and topics and photos and such...topics I can blog about. I tell myself.."yes..great idea..great topic....put that one down..they will love that!" And suddenly I stop and I have to laugh to myself because I am jotting down these topics as if I am about to present a speech to thousands of people..subscribers in my case. When ,in actuality, I am writing to really no one! Don't worry..I am definitely smiling as I write this..I am not going to close my computer and sit in the corner with my head in my hands. I suppose I am just having a difficult time with the fact that being new to the blogging world means that it will take some time for people to catch on. So I figure that the best approach is to write as if I am putting pen to paper and closing my journal...and maybe hoping someone finds it under my bed and reads it!?! It is definitely a state of mind. And I am trying desperately to get past my "who really reads this stuff" funk. Anyway......onto the next topic! Stay tuned!