Cheating... Wednesday thru Friday!

Thank you, my friend!

And I stayed and spent time with my friend. It was so great to laugh and talk, walk and take photos. Thank you, friend!

The girls played by the water afterward. We met up with my dear friend, and then the girls were off on their "sleepover" at the grandparents for two whole nights!!!

Thursday. The girls and I met up with Nonna and Poppy at the aquarium. We all had a fabulous time, and loved the facility.

Wednesday afternoon. We found a new Nook, which we named "secret Island".

Sisters sitting on the roof...

...of Daddy's car! I don't know why this was thought to be a good idea, but when I saw the geniune smiles, the beautiful light and Daddy's girls loving the time with him outside, I grabbed my camera and snapped away. So, we'll have to explain why it was okay this ONE time. And understand when it takes a while for them to stop asking to do it again!
Out-take.
Stinky feet= evidence odf a day hard at play. Could she look prouder of herself???
Just because it makes me laugh!
All of these were taken in AV mode, 250 ISO, various ss. I dialed up the EC to +.75 to comepensate for the backlighting. There was no metering, just shooting as best I could. All things considered, I'm pretty pleased.
Thanks for looking.

Children

There's my Miss K. Having fun from her twirly dress, down to her pink sparkly shoes. And Hello Kitty sunglasses. She's all girl... as she twirls around on the carousel-thing. I love that about her. She may dream in pink princess, but in her own way and on her own terms, she finds her way so that she can get down and dirty, spinning around, flying by the bars of the ride fun.
Caught laughing as she sits inside a climbing contraption-thing.
particulars: 100 mm, 1/800, 5.6 AV mode. 200 ISO (#1). Decreased brightness in ACR, adjusted for stronger contrast, and defined parameters. 1/1000, 5.6, also 200 ISO. Cropped, bumped exposure +.25 and increased brightness in ACR; screen light layer in PS. Thanks for looking!

Two snapshots

A funny thing happened this weekend when I realized we were very early for a Brownie meeting~ we had the opportunity to play and explore with lots of time, sunshine and dandlions. What could be a nicer gift for a Momma and her two girls?
Ah, the gift of time...
I know S's expression is a bit odd here, but there's something about it that made me look again. Mybe because she looks like she's somewhere else, and I happened to catch her there? Thanks for looking!

The tulips

I followed my own advice; we picked up these beautiful tulips on Tuesday. It's been a pleasure watching them open up...

The colors are soft and just pulled me right into them when my little S. and I stumbled across them this week. Honestly, she found them first. I completely agreed with her- they had to come home with us!




Just for fun...

A Saturday morning

I love this snapshot. S is totally distracted by her current fave cartoon, but look at that look on her Daddy's face! Do I even need to say a word about why we are all so crazy about this man?

I love you!!!!

Just a ramble

I am forcing myself to shake off the stress. Because I can. This is a long post filled with musings, so if you aren't in the mood, come back tomorrow. I understand.

Think big picture.

Look at all of my blessings.

Look at the world bursting back to life around me.

Dusting off the camera.

Dusting off the blog.

Dusting off my humor!!!

Remembering to play. I mean, stop, laugh, and play. Have fun with my two beautiful girls. If I don't take the time to treasure them, how will they know how much I enjoy them?

Catch myself in bad habits, and shake them off.

Reframe!

Reframe!

Reframe!!!

Pray.

Counting, taking a deep breath, whatever it takes.

Doing it all again.

Patting myself on the back when I change a habit.

Making the time to treasure my amazing partner, friend, love: my husband.

Making time to nurture my soul.

Call my friends!!

Make time to see friends, old and new, far and near. Especially my husband.

Remember to give back one piece of kindness to each person I interact with.

Remember to tell Mom and Dad how thankful I am for their influence on my life and their friendship to me.

Buy Jenette flowers for thinking I'm only 32-34 :)

Meditate.

Buy flowers, until I can grow and cut my own. Flowers make me smile, all the time.

Take care of myself.

Show my girls the power of what a positive, professional and happy woman can have in the world.

Show my girls the power of what a positive, happy child can have in the world.

Make family outtings and happenings happy memories and the source of a strong foundation for each of us.

Allow others to help me when I need it.

Choose my opportunities for venting selectively.

Recognize others' venting for what it is. Offer support without drama.

Make time count.

Remember easy going does not equal easy; happiness requires action and effort. And really happiness is not the goal, peace and contentment are. Happiness is the by-product.

Hey, if you read all my ramble, give yourself a pat on the back.

An afternoon out

I can't catch up from a month away, but here are a few from a week ago. S. couldn't get enough of pictures, she directed my shots completely, lil' powerhouse that she is. But we all loved every moment of being out, and feeling like spring is really coming.



I messed up my exposure with the first two- the backlight, lots of brown, blond hair and bright coat just threw me off- thank goodness for shooting RAW and being able to play with my exposure! So, I'm not posting any settings. But for snapshots, they crack me up!!!

Thanks for the warm welcome back yesterday. I missed my fellow POTD'ers.

Daddy Daughter Dance 08

K.'s second Daddy Daughter Dance! They had so much fun.

Two for fun.

Envisioned by,
created by,
artfully arranged by... my kids. Who then told me, "get the camera Mom, you have to get this!!!"

...and they were SO right! Thanks girlies!