My Happy List #1

 

Each weekend, Mamarazzi posts a blog entitled, "Happy List," where she journals about what she is thankful for and encourages other bloggers to do the same.  I would like to begin participating in this activity because I believe it is so important for us to focus on the positive, instead of the negative.  This week, I am thankful for the following:

1) I am blessed to be the mommy of a happy (most of the time), healthy, and handsome two-year-old!

2) Colby and I celebrated our 3rd year wedding anniversary!

3) I am so thankful for family who watched Caden and Sasha for us so we could go on a kid-free and pet-free anniversary trip.

Photo Friday: Black and White

 A friend asked me to take some black and white photos for her while I was at the coast.  I don't know why, but for me it's difficult to intentionally take black and white photos.  When I'm editing, I can tell whether a photo looks better in color or black and white, but it seems to be more difficult for me to see that while shooting.  Hopefully, I took a few photos that she can use.  If not, I should be heading back to the coast at least one more time before school is in session.  As always, critiques are welcomed and encouraged.

I actually like this photo better in color, but I think it works in black and white also.  What really draws me to this photo is the texture of the driftwood and sand.  I also like the angle of the driftwood.

Mamarazzi's Game Swap: Christmas in July!

This month, I participated in my first ever blog swap hosted by Mamarazzi.  I had a blast

creating a package for Kellyn (http://fritzfacts.wordpress.com/2010/07/05/game-swap/) and her family; I hope they enjoy their package.

Kellyn sent my family a fun and thoughtful package.  Thank you Kellyn and family! Our package included the following: 

1) Pass the Popcorn (This looks like a fun game, but I will definitely have to study before playing it with my hubby though because he is definitely the movie buff in our household.)

2) Popcorn (My hubby opened it before I had a chance to take a photo of it; thank goodness for tape!)

3) Memory (I have been wanting to buy this game for Caden; I can't wait to teach him how to play it!)

4) Goldfish (One of Caden's favorite snacks!)

Participating in Mamarazzi's Game Swap was definitely fun; I can't wait for the next swap!

Look Who's "2"!

Today, we had both of our families over to celebrate Caden's 2nd birthday.  It was a busy but fun day.  Caden enjoyed visiting with family, opening and playing with presents, and of course eating cake frosting.  Caden is so lucky and blessed to have so many family members who love and adore him.

(Photos courtesy of my brother.)

From the Mouth of a Two-Year-Old

Caden LOVES to swim in his little pool in the nude.  The other day, after he got out of his pool, he was standing on the porch and had an accident. . .yes, #2!

He then asked me, "Eww, sick! How did it happen?!"

Meet Thomas!

Meet Thomas! If you have been over to our home in the past week, you have already met Thomas! Caden LOVES Thomas and shows him to everyone who comes over.  Caden may love Thomas a little too much. . .he thinks he is just for playing in, not sleeping in.  We weren't going to buy Caden a toddler bed because his crib converts into a toddler bed, but we found this Thomas bed on Craigslist for $60.00 and couldn't pass it up (It is on "sale" on Amazon for $270.0o, regularly $340.00!).  Hopefully, Caden will be sleeping in Thomas soon!

Photo Friday: Breaking Rules

I can't believe a week has gone by already--summer is flying by WAY too fast! This week, I have been getting ready for Caden's birthday party, so I really haven't had any time to take photos.  I took this photo of Caden in May and love that he's out of focus; usually, your subject should be in focus, but I've been into breaking rules lately. . .I'm not sure what that means.  As always, critiques are welcomed and encouraged.

Happy 2nd Birthday, Caden Cree! (July 20th, 2010): Letter #3

Dear Caden,

Two years ago, today, you made me a mommy.  It's hard to believe you're already "2"! Daddy and I have truly enjoyed watching you grow over the past two years.  You have been such a blessing to our family.  Happy 2nd Birthday, Caden Cree!

Love,

Mommy

Photo Friday: Photo Hiatus

It saddens me, but I haven't taken one photo this week.  Not because I haven't wanted to, but because I've been in a professional development class from 8a.m.-6p.m. every day this week that has consumed all of my time and energy.  I went through my Photoshopped photos and found this photo from when I had the macro lens.  I was hoping to get to play with the macro lens more this summer, but a student checked it out for the summer.  The macro lens we have is tricky to use because it actually used to be a broken lens that a student turned into a macro lens.  It sometimes creates really cool bokeh.  I like this photo because the center of the rose is in sharp focus which can be challenging to do with our "homemade" lens.  As always, critiques are welcomed and encouraged.

Garage Sale Finds: Part Three

I haven't found much at garage sales this summer, but what I have found I have been happy with.  I found a tub to contain all of Caden's outside toys.  I bought it for $4.00 which I thought was a little steep for a garage sale, but it was new and I just saw it at Jerry's for $9.99 so I guess it was a good deal.  It has been nice not to have Caden's toys spread out all over the porch (that is after he goes to bed of course).

When we were garage saling, Caden saw a chicken and kept saying, "Cheeken!" I asked the lady how much she wanted for her "cheeken" and she said 50 cents.  Even though I thought 50 cents was a lot for an outdated chicken decoration, Caden had to have "cheeken." He has been carrying "cheeken" around with him ever since, so I guess it was worth 50 cents.

Photo Friday: "Rainbow Halo" (Two days early. . .because I can!)

Somehow, last week, when I edited photos for Photo Friday, I skipped over this photo.  Again, this photo breaks all rules of exposure mostly because of its blown out highlights.  That being said, I LOVE the "painted" bokeh, sun haze, sun rays, and most of all its rainbow sun flare.  I was a little unsure of this photo until one of my best digital photography students chose this photo as one of her "favorite" photos on Flickr.  As always, critiques are welcomed and encouraged.

Mamarazzi's Game Swap

My fear of not being chosen was assuaged today.  The other night while I was Blog snooping, I came across Mamarazzi's Blog (What an awesome name, huh?!) (http://www.ourdandelionwishes.com/).  Mamarazzi organizes Blog swaps.  She has specific rules and one of the rules is that you have to be a Blogger for one year.  I was bummed because I have only been Blogging since January, however, I figured I would beg ask Mamrazzi if I could be a part of the swap.  And guess what?! She said yes! I have never done anything like this before and I think it sounds fun.  The theme for this swap is "Game Swap." I am excited because I grew up with my family playing games and I want to pass that tradition on to my own family.  As a teacher, I believe playing games as a family is not only beneficial for family bonding, but also for developing critical thinking skills.

If this sounds like something you would be interested in, check out Mamrazzi's Blog for the complete set of rules:

 

Our 2nd Fourth of July as a Family of Three

Since Colby had to work on the 4th, we decided to light off some fireworks with Caden on Wednesday night.  Caden was extremely excited about his "(f)ireworks" until he figured out what they did.  After lighting three small fireworks, we decided we should stop lighting fireworks unless we wanted to pay for Caden's therapy later on down the road.  Since Wednesday, he has been telling everyone who does or doesn't mention fireworks, "(F)ireworks-scary-scared-loud-don't like it."

We usually walk to Alton Baker Park to watch the Freedom Festival Fireworks show, but decided that it was a long way to walk if we had to immediately turn around because "someone" was scared to death.  So this year, I didn't think we were going to watch any fireworks.  That was until my oldest kid Hubby came home from work and asked, "What are you doing?!" (Blog snooping. . . ) He was as excited as a little kid, "We can see the fireworks from our house!" So, instead of walking FOREVER (with a toddler who obviously doesn't like "(f)ireworks"), we watched the fireworks from the end of our driveway. . .how perfect?!

I hope everyone had a happy and safe 4th!

Photo Friday: Sun Haze

Lately, I have noticed that many photographers have been experimenting with "sun haze." Even though it goes against all rules of exposure, I am drawn to it.  The other night, Caden was in his "boat" (a cardboard box) "fishing," "swimming," and looking for airplanes when suddenly it was the perfect opportunity to experiment with sun haze.  Even though I do not think this is the best photo, I like it and want to continue experimenting with sun haze; I like the dreamy appearance it gives photos.  Critiques are always welcomed and encouraged.

Photo Friday: Happy Birthday, Hubby!

I got my computer back from the shop today--just in time for Photo Friday! In June, we celebrated my Hubby's birthday and here are a couple shots of his cake (Boston Cream from Market of Choice. . .yum!).  I wish I had had more time to take photos of the candles, but they melted so darn fast! As always, critiques are welcomed and encouraged.