Monsters in my oven.

My husband and I must both be hiding from our problems in crafting. He is an artist, for those who don't know, and he is this close to finishing a series. He is downstairs as we speak sculpting more of these crazy little heads instead of painting. Much like I have photo shopping to do and applications to finish, but instead I painted wooden bowls. I think we have both been through so much these past few weeks that we are just fried, so we craft in order to avoid things we really need to do, but can't concentrate on right now. I am determined to make up for all of this tomorrow. I will finish my wedding tomorrow and I will get those applications done. I just hope the organizations I am sending these apps out to are still interested in me - it has been a couple of months since I last spoke to them. It has been a crazy couple of months though. I just remind myself that there are people out there with real problems and I need to suck it up. Any day that ends with my children tucked into their own beds and my husband and I laughing at The Daily Show together is a perfect day that I must be thankful for.
Alright, done ranting now. I must have a fun post tomorrow. I figure something out. Maybe I'll
let the kids finger paint.

Tuesday's breakfast.

This post is mostly for the grandparents. It also fulfilled my picture requirement for Tuesday. I made chocolate chip muffins from scratch for the kiddos breakfast. I learned two things: the kids absolutely have to eat these at the table while I stand by with a hand vac and wet wipes, and do not substitute bread flour in a muffin recipe. A sturdier muffin is no replacement for a nice, fluffy one. Lesson learned.

An obsession I share with my kids (other than Lego Star Wars, Batman and chocolate)

I love They Might Be Giants, so imagine my joy when they came out with "kid's" music. It is so good that I listen to it even when the kids aren't around. The video above is a podcast that starts with "Nine Bowls of Soup," the song that has refused to vacate my head . Below is a hilarious podcast for Arbor Day that includes two of my faves: C is for Conifer (only TMBG could make a cool song about evergreens) and One Everything (I swear the most zen pop song ever.)

Wow. These are realy good.

These are amazing! They were a gift from my Mom - in - law today. I am now hooked. OMG are these things wonderful. I am not a food critic so articulating exactly what I love is a bit hard, but I shall try. What sets these apart from chocolate covered almonds is a nice texture and flavor balance. When I eat chocolate covered nuts, the chocolate flavor usually trumps the flavor of the nut. Not so with these. Since the are coated in cocoa powder (dark at that!) the layer of coating is not nearly as thick, so a balance of flavors is achieved. I also love the at the texture of the almond is maintained. They feel more like a natural almond.
I have now spent enough time babbling about snack foods. I just felt I had to share. I mean they are healthy, right? You hear all the time about how good almonds are for you and about the flavonoids in dark chocolate...I am making excuses aren't I.

The tide has turned...

My girl no longer loves me most - she loves her brother the most. I am glad this happened, but I used to be the center of her world, and that has all changed.

Her bro spent the night with Oma last night, and here she is on the phone with him. She wept such big crocodile tears when he hung up that I had to call back and let them get off the phone on her terms. I really am glad she loves him so much. I was afraid that they wouldn't be close since there is 3 and a half years between them. I wanted them to be closer in age by a year. I think it worked out better this way though. There is very little rivalry between them. The boy had my undivided attention for several years before she came on the scene, and she had all the time she could possible want with me because he had entered his independent phase by the time she was here. Couldn't have planned it better. Oh, do they love each other. More than I had hoped. Her face lit up when she heard his voice on the phone. She started to babble about everything that had happened since they parted ways. Too cute.

The tide has also turned for my bedroom. I hated the clutter that was my bedside table. It was always a wreck - lotion bottles, barrettes I forgot to take out and was to lazy to walk them where they belong, jewelry I forgot to take off before I went to bed. You name it, it was there. I got sick of it and saw an adorable (and organized) nightstand on Design Sponge. The nightstand had a deep tray on it and inside the tray where all sorts of little boxes and whatnot. Perfect for what I need - a place to drop my random things that still looks organized. I started at a local thrift store. I didn't find that deep wooden tray or even a box that would suffice, but I did find a big wooden bowl from the 1970's. I liked it's shape. I bought a smaller version to convert into a catchall bowl for my husband's side of the bed as well. Next I found a cool sugar server from a tea service to hold my lotion (well it's more of a cream and it comes in the tackiest container) and two beautiful bowls from Japan that must have been for serving condiments with sushi. I also found a butter bell. All of this cost me a whopping $2.12. How's that for retail therapy! I have forgotten how much I love to dig through thrift stores.

So when the bowls arrived home, the transformation began. It started with some red paint. It pretty much ended there as well. I was going for simple and clean, not overworked.
So now I have a place to drop all of my random stuff, a solution to that ugly cream container on my nightstand and I have a bit of a sense of accomplishment as I did it all in one day.

Ode to Joy

I humbly offer you this video. I hope it gives you a moment of happiness. I love the Muppets.

Tale of an apple

Not a terribly exciting tale. My mother in law has apple trees and cherry trees in her yard. We usually never get to see the apples, thanks to all the deer where she lives. Low and behold, there were tiny apples on the tree this visit. My hubby took a bite to see if they were edible yet (yes, just a bit bitter) and my daughter went nuts. She just had to have the apple. She ate it, core and all!

Impromptu photo sessions

As a nice distraction from the loss we have just had, the kiddos and I headed over to a friend's house (henceforth referred to as friend A) for a pizza lunch. As it turns out, this friend had another friend (friend B) over. B is from out of town. Not so far that she can't visit and leave in the same day but far enough away that she can't just "pop in" for a visit. What I am trying to say is it is very much a treat when B can come down to visit. I of course brought my camera. Between A, B and me there where going to be 9 kids in the same house. We are our own playgroup! Since B is out of town, I hardly ever get to see her babies, so I couldn't wait to photograph them again. We just went out into the front yard and found a shady spot and started shooting. Wow B's kids have bunches of personality!

I love the way she threw her hair around out of anger from being told what to do. She is a very well behaved girl, she just cops an attitude while doing it. Perfect mix of strong will and respect for her elders. She is pretty amazing.

Here is her twin brother. He is a comedian.
Warning to all who step in front of my camera: Don't think I won't take the picture - because I will.



Next comes baby sis. She is just like her strawberry blond hair - a lot of sweet with just a hint of fire thrown in for good measure.

Here is the baby. Too cute for words. Happy little guy. I guess you have to be when your the youngest of 4. He really rolls with the punches.






This one is just for the grandparents:
Baby girl eating a doughnut.

This box came at just the right time!

My box of Lush goodies from Fashion Binge yesterday. I didn't get a chance to photograph it (thus the post delay), but I sure did get to smell it! Wow. I have become a Lush believer.

I can't wait to try this little number right here!


Look at their stationary! The envelope has a cool picture inside. I am so easily amused! I should have made a video of the box opening. I had another SAHM over with her kids. You would have thought that we had never seen soap before. And I got a button. I love buttons.

Thank you guys so much. Your timing is impeccable. This was just what I needed!

Goodbye, Hairbear.

This is Skya. She was my chow-chow. She was the most un-chow-like chow in the world. She loved kids and was truly amazing with mine. My daughter would attempt to ride her and she would just smile, like dogs do. She passed over tonight. Her health had been declining, so this was really more of a relief to her I am sure. Her back legs had been giving her trouble for a while. I said when she stopped looking happy, we would stop fighting. She stopped looking happy today. It was time. We still haven't told the kids, as all of this occurred around dinner and bedtime. My poor husband had to go all alone ( and I couldn't be there with her) because we couldn't get a sitter, My poor husband. This stuff always seems to fall on him.

I used to complain about all the hair I had to vacuum up. Now I miss the privilege already.

I miss you our circus bear, our hairbear, our protector.

(I'll miss looking out the back door and seeing the trees reflected in her water bowl.)

We had visitors today.

This little girl loves to mug for the camera. She already knows how to work her angles.

Her bro just loves the camera. I don't mean that he loves to have his picture taken, I mean he wanted desperately to lick my camera. He tried to pin me down and take it. Quite a feat for a 9 month old.



Mom is a really big Wonder Woman fan. Her daughter is working on it. Comic book geeks start at an early age, just ask my son.

Catch up.

So a lot has happened over the last few days.

Trip to Atlanta: check. Learned a bunches and bunches: check. Worth every penny spent: check.

I took this picture on Sunday. The drive home was a bear. It was nearing sunset when I realized I hadn't taken my picture for the day yet. I pulled off at a rest stop near the Georgia - Tennessee border and took this picture of the trees in bloom. I was at a rest stop and yet I could still see the beauty of the day. It reminded me of one of my jobs as a photographer - to point. As an artist, I see the world a little differently than the average person. I see the beauty in this world and it hits me a little harder than most. It is my job to say, "Hey look over here! Did you notice this?" That is what I do with a camera in my hand, I see. I document. I shout.
I shout about how pretty your child's eyes are; I point out that the way she holds your hand speaks volumes about the love you share.
I shout about how your husband's nerves showed on his face while he waited to see you for the first time in your dress and how he couldn't hide the tears when he said ,"Of course, I do."
I love my job.




I love my kids, too. I bought this toy camera for my son when he was 8 months old. He is now 6, and this is one of the toys I never allowed to be put away. Now my girl loves it. This makes me happy. She says'"I take piddures, Mommy!"




This is my picture from last night. It was 11:30pm when I got to take my picture. The kids where obviously still awake at this time, which should tell you the kind of day I had. This may not be one for the portfolio, but it sure is a testament to the power of my L series lenses. I love you, Canon.

Here is my boy in bed. He asked me to take this picture. He loves to have his picture taken now, and he loves that giraffe you see sticking out under his chin. That is Poos. He has had Poos since his second christmas. He named Poos. There was much giggling when he did. Yay for giggling.


So I think that is it - I am all caught up. I am sure I will have a ton of images tomorrow as I get to try my hand at mommy to 5 ( I am watching a friend's children for the day. The age breakdown shall be as follows: 6,6,4,2 and 2.) Wish me luck. I think with enough mac-n-cheese and snicker doodles I just might make it!

Today...

Feels like a loss of sorts. I felt like I realized it was Monday all to late. I drove for 7 and a half hours straight last night ( I arrived home at a 1:30 am.) I just kinda wandered through today. I have taken my pictures for the photo a day project, I am just too tired to do anything with them today. My brain is so full I think it just might explode. I met so many cool photogs and actually learned a lot about how to run a successful portrait business. I am feeling equal parts of joyous excitement and justifiable fear. Now I just need a plan...

So today my husband called out sick. It was nice because our little family was all together after a three day absence. We puttered around the house and cuddled a lot. I did find this today:



It was funny I saw it today of all days, because I bought another copy of The Watchmen while I was on my trip. I am so excited about this movie. It will be an early birthday present for me. Yay!On to Project Runway and bed. I'll post some images tomorrow.

I actually won something!

I just won a really cool box set of Lush bath products from the cool ladies over at Fashion Binge. I got hooked on this blog because they talk about fashion in an approachable way. If it is silly, they say so. If you can get a cheaper substitute, they tell ya where to go. Love it! Thank you Fashion Binge!

Pictures for 7-17-2008 ( or I miss them already)

I just liked this. I Liked the shadow of the water droplets on the door. I have said it before - I love to shoot water. I love that the clear drops make solid shadows. I know that there is a scientific explanation, but I prefer to pretend it is a bit of light magic.

________________________________________________

Here is the talking about the kids warning : gushing to follow. Turn back now if you're going to get offended!

I leave for a two day trip tomorrow. it is only 2 days but it is breaking my heart. I love my family and it is going to kill me going to bed 7 hours away. So with that said, here are a lot of pics of my cutie baby girl in the bath.

Always giving attitude.


When she wants to give me a picture, she can.

Fail.


Just because I love her smile.


Lather. Rinse. Repeat.



The boy and I had a good time playing a bit of Lego Star Wars tonight. We beat the Rancor. Here he is asking me if I remember that, even though it was only an hour ago.

So I don't know what the internet connection is going to be like in my hotel, so I might not be able to post. If I can post, expect a lot of babble about the photo business, since that is the reason I am heading down south for the weekend.

Knee Huggers and a Busted Lip

Here is the elusive Knee Hugger Monkey. You can always identify them by their signature call. It sounds a lot like " I gotchu! I gotchu!"

I have said it before and I am sure that I will say it again- this girl is lucky she's cute. Just look at what she did to her bro's lip today:

The girl kicked the boy in the face while she was in a shopping cart and he was being wonderful trying to entertain her (or bad by antagonizing her, I'm not sure which one. It was probably a mix.) I was in the middle of doing one of those self checkout things when he comes around the cart with blood gushing from his mouth. Lips sure are bleeders. The lady manning the self checkout must have been a mom because she got him some paper towels and she didn't bat an eye. This was great because if he even thought for a second he could milk the situation, he would have. I would have just left, but I had already scanned half of my groceries. The second I realized this wasn't a stitches situation it immediately became a walk it off situation. I feel like such a jaded mom.

(non family members can stop here: the rest shall bore you!)

He was already upset because all of this foraging for food had kept him from playing his new games. The boy used the money he made being in the Opera to but 2 new PS games. He had to save 30% first - he could spend what ws left. He chose Lego Star Wars and Fantastic Four. He was so proud when he got to hand his money to the clerk. He beamed with pride. The clerk was so impressed he asked the boy if he could borrow some money! I am so sad though, today was the first time he wouldn't hold my hand in public. I felt his hand shake out of mine when we crossed the threshold of Gamestop and I felt my heart sink a bit. I knew this day would come, I just wasn't ready for it to be today.

My new 'do

Actually it isn't new, I just got a desperately needed trim. This hair o' mine really should get cut every three weeks (the back of my hair grows like a weed) but I went about 8 weeks this time! She had to take close to 2" off the back! Sorry about the bad myspace-esque self portrait, but I was in a hurry!
In case you are looking for an amazing stylist, my girl's name is Cassandra and she is with Mi Salon. I can't recommend her highly enough! She is the first stylist to give me exactly what I want on the first try. She is amazing. She listens every time and I always leave that place feeling like a million bucks. She knows my cut, but also knows that I like to shake things up so she always plays with the cut a little, but still giving my the same look I am used to. Look at that shape from the side - that girl is an artist!

The problematic toe and Spidey Buddha

This is a very troubling toe. It only seems to cause my daughter pain when she has been put to bed or put in time out.

My husband took Spidey away from my daughter a half hour after she had been put to bed. He decided to make him into a Buddha since we really needed some peace and understanding at the time.