Sunday, February 28, 2010

On a Cold Saturday Morning

Normally, I'm not big on inside play areas.

I feel that playing in them is like turning my kids loose in a giant version of a petri dish inoculated with every strain of bacteria and virus know to man. Paranoid, much? ? ?

BUT, with our cold weather and the walls closing in on us during the weekends, I'm willing to battle some sniffles and snot in order to let my kids run around for an hour or so. And really, it's good for their long term immunity, right?. . . . Right?

Enter: Chick-Fil-A Early Saturday Mornings.

We get there early - like as soon as the kiddos get up, we get dressed and go. This ensures a few things . . .

1. We are usually one of a handful of people in the whole joint. This gets us less looks when the kids are yelling that they want to go play, and I'm yelling that they have to eat their food first.

2. We are usually the only family in the play area, so it's easier to keep my kids in check and under control (i.e. I can keep up with them and climb up into the structure to get them if need be).

And finally . . .

2. First kids in the play area = less recent germs sitting around waiting to jump on my children. Paranoid, much??? yes.

That being said, here's a few images from our weekend outing.

Shoes off = fun climbing and sliding.

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My boy loves the slide. This one makes cool noises and music as he slides down. Makes him rush back up and slide down again. He says he's brave when he slides down on his tummy.

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My little lady isn't keen on the slide. She likes to climb, but gets inside the tubes and gets upset and climbs down. Hit repeat 20 times, and this is how she spends her hour playing. . .

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I promise I'm not passing my germaphobia on to my children. . . . BUT. . . here they are with the restaurant supplied antibacterial tissues wiping down the play area. I didn't tell them to do this. It was their idea, I promise. . .

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Fun times here, but we're getting a little stir-crazy. Spring is only 3 weeks away, right?



Friday, February 26, 2010

The Eskimo

She has many faces . . .

Most of them smiling.

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All of them adorable.

I'm loving my little lady in her eskimo coat and car seat!

P.S. I was not driving when I took these . . . I promise! :)

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Goofy

He's hiding from me, and I'm almost certain he thinks he's invisible.

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I can see you little man, and I'm almost certain I'd be able to see that smile even if you were invisible.

I love this little goof!

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Another February Self Portrait

Me and my girl.

Giving piggy-back rides.

Laughing. Smiling. Loving.

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I'm beginning to like this wireless shutter remote!

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Bad Habits

Maybe it's not wise to teach them about poker chips and dice.

Maybe we should have at least waited until they were 5. You know, more mature . . .

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Luckily, all they like to do is stack them and knock them down.

We are still snowed in here - and it's not pretty snow - it's damp and wet and cold and muddy in places. The temperature fluctuates from below freezing to above freezing. This makes for some wonderful yard muck!

I'm so ready for Spring!!

Sunday, February 21, 2010

I Heart Faces "Hands On Fun" Challenge

Little hands.

Busy hands.

Precious hands.

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To see more handsy-pics, head on over to i heart faces.

Saturday, February 20, 2010

February's Self Portrait

Me and my boy.

Right before jammies.

Right before bedtime stories.

Just winding down for the night.

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I gave myself a little present this Christmas - a wireless shutter remote for my camera. I'm going to ATTEMPT to take at least one picture of myself a month. I'm forgetful though, so we will see how long this lasts.

There are so many technical things wrong with this picture. First of all, it was SEVERELY underexposed. I had to lighten and brighten to horrific ends in Photoshop just to make it decent. Also, my ISO was as high as it could go, and although I LOVE my Noiseware program for grain, when your camera is as grainy as mine at high ISO, Noiseware can make the image look pieced and patched in places.

That being said . . .

I

LOVE

THIS

PICTURE.

I love my little man's zoned out expression. I love the little curl of hair on his forehead. I love the big-boy undies peeking out from under his blue jeans. I love the moment - everything about it - and really, it's the moments that I enjoy capturing the most.

Friday, February 19, 2010

The Spotted Dog

This is her brother's puppy.

She knows that.

She also knows that her brother isn't around to take it away from her.

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So she loves it as best she can.

Who doesn't love puppy kisses?

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Wet Faces and Wrinkly Feet

They love the bathtub.

And as of late, they seem to love each other in the bathtub . . . together . . . as in friends . . . as in hugging and laughing and smiling and playing.

Again, did I already say TOGETHER? This makes a momma proud.

My little man has many faces for my camera in the tub. He's wondering if he really has to endure ANOTHER hug from his sister in the top image. The others are just silliness . . . just like him.

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My little lady is the one that starts the hugging. She's just a natural born smiler . . . and lover. Lord, help me when she's a teenager.

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These two make bath time fun. It truly is one of my favorite times of the day. Even if they have been little stinkers all day, fill a tub with some water, and watch the bad moods fade.

And the smiles begin . . .

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And after a long time in the tub, my boy announces that his feet and hands are all wrinkly, so that must mean bath time is over.

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The end of bath time would sadden me, but I know there's another one coming soon . . . and I know I'll get to watch my boy run around our bedroom in sheer naked bliss for about 10 minutes, and that is another thing that cracks me up . . . but, that's a post for another day (with some carefully edited photos . . . ).

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

The Donald

I can sympathize with Trump's mother.

I'll bet he had the finest of baby fine hair as well. She probably even started the comb-over trend.

Although my little lady's attitude is much better and more pleasant than his, there are times where she could pass as a MUCH younger female version of "The Donald."

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Don't worry, her hair was promptly brushed and repositioned directly after the taking of this picture.

Monday, February 15, 2010

"I Wanna Dance" - I Heart Faces Challenge

My son has a monster truck that plays rock-n-roll music that he likes to dance to, but I can't seem to snap a decent image of him doing that . . . yet, anyway. So to take his guitar-wailing, fast-feet-moving, monster-truck loving place is a picture of my father-in-law and my sister-in-law at her wedding this past summer. I had to crank up my ISO to 1600 (which is as high as my little Rebel will take me) and set my aperture as big as I could to get a decent inside shot of them dancing. At times I think I've pushed my little camera to the limits. I happen to love that I caught my father-in-law in the middle of a happy laugh in this photo. It makes me smile every time I see it.

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To see more dancing pictures or to play along, go visit i heart faces.

Saturday, February 13, 2010

Holy Cow!

Wow! I placed in the top 10 with Megan and Lee's kissing picture at I heart faces.

So you are wondering what I get for placing in the top 10????

Well, the right to display this button . . .


And maybe just a little bit of affirmation that my photos are improving and I'm on the right track. I know that I like them (of course most of them are of MY kiddos, so how could I not), but it's nice to know that others appreciate them as well!

Have a great weekend!

Can You Stand It?

Yes, it's another picture of her.

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She's just so stinkin' cute when she smiles up at me during breakfast.

And a million more times throughout the day too, but I just happened to catch her laughing and smiling in her highchair.

And I just wanted to share.

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Silly Goose

He thinks he's hilarious . . .therefore, he is.

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Yep, he's found his comedic funny bone.

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

A Narrative

Hmmmmm. . . . this is delicious. Such a delicate flavor.

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Oh, Mom. . . you caught me again. I just can't get enough of this stuff!

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Well, guess I'll just rest here a bit. While I'm at it, I guess there's no harm in having another little snack.

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Hey, Brother . . . listen . . . I found this fabulous snack. You should try it. I think you would like it.

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Oh Geez. I don't know. That doesn't sound all that great, but let me scoop some up and see for myself.

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By golly, she's right. Such a subtle blend of delicate flavor and texture. This is best enjoyed by the mouthful.

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I like it, and I want to scream it from the mountaintops (or maybe just from the yard)!!

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Whatever weather you're getting . . . we hope you are enjoying it!

Monday, February 8, 2010

We Heart Kisses - I Heart Faces Challenge

This week it's all about love and kisses at I Heart Faces.

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To see more great images or to play along, head on over to I Heart Faces.

Saturday, February 6, 2010

You Don't Have To Tell Me

I know.

I know.

I post a lot of pictures of her.

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But I can't help it.

I love to take pictures of her.

I mean, really, can you blame me?

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Litte Lady

She's my heart.

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I'm SO loving the blessing of motherhood.

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Crowded

That sure is a lot of babies packed into that stroller.

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However, this one here doesn't seem to mind the crowded conditions.

Make the most of what you've got and have a happy day!

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Cupid is His Homeboy

My little Valentine.

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I hope he'll always be my Valentine.

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Give him a few years, and I'm sure he'll keep Cupid very busy.

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Right now, I'm the only one that's been struck with Cupid's arrow, and I'm shamelessly in love with this little guy!