Random Shots

I'm finally trying to learn how to get my camera off of automatic.  I don't feel that automatic is a terrible thing...especially with a nice camera, but it's kind of silly to have ALL those other buttons, and NO idea what they do!  So, my Mom gave me a very early Christmas present...lessons!  I'm a slooooow learner but will eventually get it (just have to hear it 100 times).  The following pictures are just some random shots that were taken because it was part of an assignment to practice using specific options on the camera.  Some of the pictures aren't even the ones that technically turned out, but I still liked them just because they showed the personality of the kids more.

Assignment - Flying:

Moving Water:

Preparing for Flying Assignment:

Flying:

Flying:

Playing Hide and Seek (not part of assignment):

Under exposed:

Over exposed (with light in background):

Not the best well exposed one, but I love her look here :)



Bouncy Bounce

Aug. 31, 2012

When All Else Fails

A Fairy/Dragon Story

Madeline and Ethan have really been into created stories.  OK, so pretty much every story is alike: A dragon chasing a princess.  I've caught several of them on video while lounging on my couch, but one day Madeline decided to take it out back.  So she got to work:

 I had no idea what she was trying to create when she wanted this ribbon hung and then two big pieces of paper hanging from it.  DUH!  it's the stage!

 Rehearsals:

 Then the show:

Madeline: Learning to Sew

Madeline has wanted to sew something, anything, since getting her machine for her 5th birthday.  We started off good, but then I began struggling to find any uninterrupted time for us sit for a period of time and practice.  Here and there we pulled it out, but for the most part it made me sad that the thing was just hidden away.  One day a few weeks ago, she asked again to sew something.  The request is usually the same, a pillow, blanket or shirt (for a doll).  We had just finished school and I had a million things to do, but felt guilty pushing the sewing thing aside yet again.  So I told her "sure," went and grabbed the machine, a bunch of scrap fabric I've been setting aside for her (threw it in a little basket), and placed it on her desk.  I reminded her how to turn the machine on and get it going, and then let her be.  No, her squares for her pillow were not cut out perfect.  No, she did not place the pieces of fabric with the wrong sides together before sewing.  No, she did not backstictch at the beginning and end of each row.  But YES, she designed, cut, sewed, and stuffed a pillow all on her own!  We were both proud of her work!!  These two pictures were taken one of the days following her sewing adventures.  I was cleaning up from dinner and looked over to see her concentrating on another piece of work:

*** The bow is a true sign of the artist she is

Lavishly Posh

We attended a new storytime/craft through our Moms Group.  It was held at a store called Lavishly Posh, where this very talented lady dresses into her character, Daphne, and reads a story to the children.  There was much more than that involved though, as you can see from the pictures:

We love it!

Ethan Turns 4!

We celebrated Ethan's 4th birthday a few weeks ago.  He woke Friday morning WAY earlier than usual, whispering to me "is it my birthday yet?"  I told him, "No, not until the sun comes up."  That didn't work. So we got to celebrate his special day even longer :)

He knew my parents had sent him some presents about a week prior so he was anxious to open.  He got some new undies, a Lego set, a Spiderman apron and spatulla, a few other cool things and one of the highlights: 2 cards with $4 in each!!  The boy loves dollars and my parents know it!

 Madeline, Ethan and I hung out together most of the morning, and then their friend, Holland, came over to visit for a bit.  She had collected several catepillars for Ethan and had them in a little container.  He was thrilled!!

 Ethan was also thrilled that he got to go to Madeline's Girl Scout meeting for a little bit:

 Daddy swung by the meeting to snatch Ethan and spend some man time with him while Madeline and I finished up the meeting.  Then we went to Ethan's dinner of choice, Stevi B's (a pizza buffet):

 (*the odd colors on these pics are due to some settings I had messed with and forgot to put back)
He loves the arcade and was so excited to "spend his dollars on the games."  So he was extra happy when we actually gave him some other dollars to use!

 Our friends joined us for dinner.  Owen, Ethan, Madeline, Holland:

 We stayed for quite a while since everyone was having such a nice relaxing time.  We got home late, but squeezed in some quick Skype time with Marmie and Pop:

 We also had Ethan open his presents from us.  A few days prior, Madeline saw something when we had run into the Dollar Tree and said, "Mom!  This would be SO perfect for Ethan's birthday!!  Can I give you a dollar when we get home?!!?"  And so she picked out a gift for her little bro:

 Geez, not sure who's more excited!

 It was a little container with a dinosaur and "eggs" that you added water to to watch the eggs grow.  He loved it...

 ...obviously:

 He loved his gift from Mommy and Daddy too:

 The next day we had a "few" friends over:

 Many of my friends grabbed the camera to snap pictures here and there (as I like it).  Here's one of Ethan with one of his favorite families, our neighbors the DeAngelos:

 Friends :)

 Happy Birthday Big Boy!!!

 A little shy at everyone siging to him:

 He was a bit spoiled with some awesome stuff!  Big sis helped hold it:

 Ethan was the wild boy he is troughout the whole party.  But once everyone had left, he grabbed his new superhero book and just relaxed:

 The next day...and everyday since:

Happy Birthday Ethan!!  Love you so much!