Finally, pictures of K

Now that I'm done with my Photography Class I have more time to take pictures of what I really enjoy... my kids. This morning after I dropped M off at school, K and I went to the park. She had the cutest dress on so I couldn't resist taking some pictures. I bribed her with a Petite Vanilla Scone at Starbucks. My kids love those. Trust me these photos were not easy to get. We were in full sun and she refused to go in the shade because she was too cold. She's so sensitive to cold ... M isn't that way at all.

Love it. Doesn't she look so sweet and innocent?

This is a before and after editing picture. I learned a lot of techiques in my class and finally am starting to put them to use. Notice how bright the background is but she is too dark. Usually not much to do about that but brighten the entire picture (which blows-out your lights). Well, she showed us how to use masks. I masked off the rest of the picture and just lightened K. It helped a lot. Here's the BEFORE.

AFTER. Much better, huh?

Blue skies.

Just playing around with my camera ... and editing.

Brian's going to kill me. The other night, after putting K to bed he came downstairs with a tiara on. He 'said' M refused to let him out of her room unless he wore it. I don't think pink is his color. Yes, I made him wear it for a picture while I laughed hysterically.

Random Photos

I'm finally getting around to posting photos of the Mother's Day gifts I received from the kids. I post these images (not because anyone else really cares) but because I'm (still) planning on making a book out of this blog for my kiddos someday.

M made a Lavender Sachet at school with his photo on it (with a lot of help, I'm sure).

K made a present for me while at Willy's. She was so proud and couldn't wait for me to open it.

Sand art with a seashell in a vase. I can't believe she didn't tell me what it was. I guess she keeps secrets pretty well.

Finally, some more pictures of K. A cute one of her in M's dugout.

finally broke out the Easy-Bake oven the other day and made yellow cake with chocolate frosting. The kids had a blast.

K's cheesy face while making our cake.

Off to get ready for my Reno trip ... TTYL

Last game of the season

M had his last game of the season on Sunday and boy was it hot outside. The temperature hit 100+ but he played his best game to date. He was such a trooper ... never complained even once. He hit the ball both times on his first swing. The first ball made it to 2nd base and his second ball made it all the way into the outfield. He was so proud of himself (mom was also quite proud). He stopped a few ball in the field and threw the ball right to 1st base also. Brian's parents were in town so we all headed straight to the pool to cool off after the game.

M said such a cute thing before his parents got here on Saturday. While coming out of the bathroom he yelled out, "when is the backup going to be here." He must have heard Brian and I talking the day before.

Love it ... look at how red his cheeks were. He even has a little dirt on his nose.

A rare moment where they actually like each other. They let us sit in the dug-out with the kids yesterday because it was so hot. She leaned in to give M "huggies."

Hangin'out.

My mom and Aunt Joy came to last weeks game. My Aunt Joy was visiting from Michigan.

An action shot of M warming up

Another cute one of M sitting in the dugout. I couldn't resist ... it was his last game.

Horsie Grandpa ... poor guy. The kids wouldn't let him stop giving them rides and he has back problems!

A quiet moment between M and Grammy.


I LOVE this picture of M and Aunt Joy. He politely asked her, "can I sit on your lap?" I explained to him before she got here that he had to be careful with her because she was elderly and fragile. He sat there and never moved a muscle.

Thank god for having company the last 2 weekends. The kids have been a challenge lately with fighting and waking up at night. I feel like we're going through the newborn stage again. I was able to sneak out and see a movie while Brian's parents were here on Saturday (Brian was at work). I saw Obsessed with Beyonce. Basically a remake of Fatal Attraction but was so good. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time.

I haven't posted many pictures of K because she isn't as cooperative. M likes to have me take photos of him so he can look at them on the computer. Another funny M story. The other day Brian, M and K rode their bikes to the park (K on the back of Brian's). While M was playing on the monkey bars, he had a blister that broke. I guess M cried hysterically and said he couldn't ride his bike home without a bandaid. I guess M was a mess. Brian didn't know what to do because I was at work and they were stuck at the park so he took off his sock, used his keys to cuts holes for his fingers and slipped it on his arm. M was content and able to ride home. He has been wearing his "cast" for the last week. He even came in to my room in the middle of the night that evening to show me. Finally, I got him to take it off so we could wash it!!

Lots of other things to say but I have to go to work ... will write more when I get a chance. I'm looking forward to tomorrow ... Dyan and I are heading to Reno for a girls night. Some pool time and gambling. I can't wait. Maybe we'll will BIG.

Mom's Night in M's Classroom

Last week M invited me to Mother's Night in the Classroom at his school. I wish excited to be able to go because I had to work last year. We got to the school, he showed me around his classroom a little and then we all sat down on the floor in a circle while Teacher Juana read what the kids said about us during their interviews. M said his favorite thing to do with me is play with Play-Doh. He said his favorite foods that I make are pancakes and quesadilla's (really?). When asked what he does that makes Mommy happy, he said, "clean up". He got that one right.

I had to fight back tears ... he sat on my lap and held my hand while she read to us. We shared a special moment and I realized just how fast they grow up. I should appreciate this time in our lives more.

Daddy took a picture of us as we rushed out the door.

Isn't his classroom cute? They sang a few songs and passed out roses. The party lasted about 1 hour. It was just right. I'll tell you, I love that school. He's been going there for 2 years and I've never had any problems. We drive 80 miles round-trip to take him there (3 days a week). I don't know what I'd do without them.

He was very excited and RAN over to give me the rose.


We did an arts and crafts project. See my lovely hat? We also enjoyed a tea party with (iced) tea and cookies. M served and even cleaned up after me.

I'm going to post a few pictures of the gifts I got for Mother's Day when I get time. M came home from school sick today. They called me about 9 am and said he vomited a few times. He seems a little tired now but otherwise fine. After I picked him up from school he excitedly said, "now what are we going to do?" When I told him he didn't look too sick to me, he said, "I frowed up, Mom ... really I did!"

Happy 5th Birthday to M!

M turned 5 on Sunday (Mother's Day) and instead of having a party we took Jack (his best friend) with us to Discovery Kingdom. The boys have been best friends for 2 years now and because they live in Woodland and we're in Sacramento we haven't gotten together for any playdates. The boys were on cloud nine and so much fun. Listening to their conversations just cracked me up. We heard lots of super-hero and shark talk. They giggled and acted silly. Jack is a very good boy and wasn't any problem. My kids got along better having him with us. Maybe 3 is easier than 2 (could be but I'm never going to find out). I took tons of good pictures of the boys. Jack is a huge ham. Here are a few. By the way, I'm typing on my new laptop computer. Our old computer has been sick for a while so my wonderful husband bought me a laptop for Mother's Day. I was so surprised ... I love it.

Best friends.

A rare picture of all 3.


We'd been promising M that he could go on an elephant ride on his birthday. I'd gone before so I chose to take pictures. Brian said K giggled the entire time.


My favorite picture of the day. M sure has gotten brave. They loved the swings.


Super-Hero pose.

I couldn't believe it when the boys wanted to go on the BIG pirate ship. M even kept his arms up the entire time. We laughed so hard.

You just might be a redneck if instead of cake, you have a chocolate doughnut. Here's the story ... we planned on coming home after Discovery Kingdom and having cake and opening presents but by the time we came home, it was too late. The next morning the kids were up bright and early and I wanted to sing and do candles but didn't feel like having cake at 9 am. So, because the kids love doughnuts, we put the candles in one. Make a wish.

Playing with one of his new toys. You stomp on the orange thingy and it shoots the rocket into the air. It's a good thing we have tall ceilings. Got air?

I've been super busy with company and my computer was down for a couple of days. I'll catch up on my blogging this weekend. Off to bed.

Future firefighter

Brian had to bring the "Chief's Truck" home the other day. The kids were so excited to be picked up from school in it. After they got home, Brian let M fill the fire extinguisher that was in the back and put out the pretend fire.

He was super-excited as you can see.

Helping Dad.

I didn't take many pictures because he was spraying that water everywhere and I was afraid he would get me camera wet!!

Will write more when I get time. We have 2 Birthday Parties to go to today so we have a busy-fun day ahead of us. I'm sure the kids will be on a huge sugar-high by the end of the day. Brian is working OT (teaching) but will be home this evening - hopefully in time to make Macy's (Dyan's Daughter's) birthday party. We are having date-night after the kids go to bed. The plan is to turn all the lights off in the house, light some candles, have champagne and watch Harper's Island. If you haven't seen it, tune in. It's suspensful and spooky... kind of like a good horror film that just keeps going week after week.

Silly Boy ...

I just couldn't resist posting this. I was working on the computer last night when M came out of the bathroom giggling. I turned around and he was wearing my bra and saying, "look at me, look at me!" Luckily, I had my camera right on the computer desk so I snapped this shot. Definitely not technically good but absolutely hilarious.

Va-va-voom!

I took K to daycare today to spend some alone time with M. He says he never gets it so I am making a point to do that more frequently. We had a great time. We started out by getting a donut after dropping K off. To my kids, this is a huge treat (we eat junk food a lot but not usually donuts) so I always make a big deal over it. Then we went to Target ... we have 2 birthday parties to go to Saturday and we had to get a present for one of them. We must have spent 1 hour in Target, just looking and talking. We headed home for a little while because I had some phone calls to make and then went out again, ran a few more errands and had lunch at The Old Spaghetti Factory. I knew he'd love to eat in the trolley (and he did). Afterwards we picked up pictures for my photography class and went to the library. We read books, played games on the computers and checked out a ton of books which he was so excited about. He can't believe that they're free.

Brian and I had an eventful night last night (in the bedroom but not what you'd think ... ha, ha). The light burned out in the Laundry Room and before going to bed Brian accidentally hit a wrong button while setting the house alarm. We cancelled it right away, brushed our teeth and got in bed. About 5 minutes later my mom called (from Mexico - she's on a cruise) and said the alarm company called her and said our fire alarm was going off. I reassured her that we were fine and Brian said, "oh, man, I think I hear the engine coming". I quickly hung up the phone and ran downstairs to see 3 firefighters, complete in their turn-outs, ringing our doorbell and shining flashlights in through the window. Roscoe began to bark like crazy. I opened the door and apologized numerous times for the accident... they laughed and said they were in the middle of watching a good movie when the call came in. At least now I know the thing works and hunky men will come to my rescue if I push the button. Oooops, I should tell the guys at Brian's work about that one! Dyan had a good point. My kids both slept through this entire thing. I don't think smoke alarms would wake these two up.

Interview with M. I asked him these questions today while we were out at lunch.

Favorite Food - PB & J
Favorite Snack - Ice Cream
Favorite Book - The Cat in the Hat
Favorite Song - "I Wanna Jump and Fly" by The Laurie Berkner Band. We LOVE all three of her CD's. Run out and get them.
Favorite places to go - The Train Museum and Discovery Kingdom
Favorite Color - Blue by a landslide
Best Friend - Jack

I decided to continue our interview on our way to pick K up and I guess he just wasn't in the mood. He's kind of grouchy in the afternoon like me. I am a real grouch from 3-5 in the afternoon. I said, "M what makes you really happy?" He looked and me and said, "nothin!"

I've been busy working on my Final Portfolio for my Photography Class. It is supposed to be a collection of at least 10 images on one subject matter... something you enjoy photographing or that has meaning. Some people chose serious work - documentary photography but I wanted to shoot something less heavy. I chose to photograph butterflies (my moms idea). There is a huge butterfly exhibit at Discovery Kingdom so my loving husband took me there and watched the kids for two hours so I could shoot. I loved every minute of it (taking photographs), in fact, I can't think of anything I'd rather do (other than spending time with my family - of course). They have to be taken in Manual Mode, Manual Focus and she does allow some editing although I didn't touch mine. I don't have the eye for adjusting color like my professor does. I'm not sure she'll like the collection - she's not really the happy photography type but I don't care. Not to toot my own horn or anything but I have to say, I'm proud of how they turned out. I love 8 or so of them but I have to have 10 so there will be 2 that are so-so. I have to mat them and put them in an art portfolio to show to the class. Here are a few. If photography doesn't interest you, these will be very boring.

My favorite. Love it.

My second favorite.

M's favorite is the brown butterfly because he found it for me.

Picasa (the collage program) crops these a little and I'm not sure I like how they did it. The real photographs look better (as far as composition).

Least favorite is on the bottom right. It was hard to get the butterflies to land, especially close to me.

Sorry for the long post. Off to pack M's lunch.
Melissa