tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9182865710890092372024-03-12T19:19:48.144-04:00FigmentsJeannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10483146087046224411noreply@blogger.comBlogger184125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-918286571089009237.post-52814445424946337442012-05-01T17:09:00.001-04:002012-05-01T17:09:49.835-04:00Our weekend project!This weekend we went to the Salisbury Festival and one of the booths featured tons of brightly colored hula hoops in all sorts of sizes. The coolest part? They were homemade! We were inspired and being the impatient sort I talked my husband in immediately going to Lowe's to buy supplies. LOL<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/callmeshmi/6987138054/" title="1 by callmeshmi, on Flickr"><img alt="1" height="533" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8003/6987138054_e422fa9a6a_c.jpg" width="800" /></a><br />
To start off, all you need is some irrigation tubing (ours cost about $13 for 100ft), some couplers (we bought a pack of 10 for less than $4), and duct tape in whatever color or pattern you choose. :) I've looked online and I've seen other people just tape the ends of the tubing together, but we found it easier and more sturdy to use the couplers. <br />
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First, you need to decide what size hoop you want--I made mine about 3ft in diameter, my littles' are closer to 2 1/2 ft in diameter with Mia's being on the smaller end. To use the couplers, you have to heat one end of the tubing to soften it up a bit (but not too much!) and then quickly shove it in. LOL<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/callmeshmi/7133222037/" title="2 by callmeshmi, on Flickr"><img alt="2" height="800" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7185/7133222037_9f5aaeb10b_c.jpg" width="533" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/callmeshmi/7133222003/" title="3 by callmeshmi, on Flickr"><img alt="3" height="533" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7244/7133222003_69ed5e7168_c.jpg" width="800" /></a><br />
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One side down!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/callmeshmi/7133221943/" title="4 by callmeshmi, on Flickr"><img alt="4" height="800" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7214/7133221943_d266c95299_c.jpg" width="533" /></a></div>
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Heat the other end and push it onto the other end of the coupler to make the hoop. There you go! </div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/callmeshmi/7133221901/" title="5 by callmeshmi, on Flickr"><img alt="5" height="533" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8020/7133221901_da4374c801_c.jpg" width="800" /></a></div>
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Now all you have to do is decorate! </div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/callmeshmi/6987138640/" title="6 by callmeshmi, on Flickr"><img alt="6" height="533" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8011/6987138640_dab16d7567_c.jpg" width="800" /></a></div>
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As you can see I made mine rather simple. The smaller hoop is Mia's right before we began to wrap the tape. </div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/callmeshmi/6987138534/" title="7 by callmeshmi, on Flickr"><img alt="7" height="800" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7279/6987138534_0cb7af9673_c.jpg" width="533" /></a></div>
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I will be honest and say it took me awhile to get that hang of wrapping the tape (as evidenced by these pictures) and I'm still not that great at it. LOL Luckily, my kids love me (and their hoops!) anyway. :) </div>
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The finished product: </div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/callmeshmi/6987138398/" title="8 by callmeshmi, on Flickr"><img alt="8" height="533" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7112/6987138398_630266a719_c.jpg" width="800" /></a></div>
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The hoops are much sturdier than the flimsy ones you can buy at the store and have just enough weight to them to make them easy and fun to use. As you can see, I don't have any shots of us enjoying our hoops but that is because I've been to busy playing with my kids to get the camera out. I would call that a success. :) </div>
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(A note: I have considered filling the tubing with sand to make a weighted hoop but that will take some patience. I'll update if I decide to try it. :) )</div>
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<br /></div>Jeannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10483146087046224411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-918286571089009237.post-52357586506059294142012-01-24T11:27:00.004-05:002012-01-24T11:43:01.470-05:00Mia in Dreamland<a href="http://www.iheartfaces.com/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 125px; height: 125px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsv-AAoGAPbpNNB5akxsef723XhfcznxXpp1kigQVy66ZD9LS6IQ6ydzyPHo479A7bFZH379yH_mjLAR4cpAi0Kp3fEEYOycUntSm3GCIivZwLFn7TgQGsAeLECxPnA69uPES2L7ZILEE2/s320/I_Heart_Faces_Photography_125.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701236091134327442" border="0" /></a>This week's theme at I Heart Faces is By The Book and it is probably the easiest one I've ever had. I knew immediately what image I wanted to share. As an added bonus I was inspired to play around with it a bit using some texture and I really like the new result. :)<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/callmeshmi/6012358010/" title="Mia in Dreamland by callmeshmi, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6134/6012358010_f20a7e3f40_z.jpg" alt="Mia in Dreamland" height="427" width="640" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;">All my kids love books. Reading has long been a love of mine (I'm never without a book and my to-read list on Goodreads is hundreds of books long) so I am thrilled that my kids find joy in reading, too. <br />I took this picture earlier last year when Mia had been quietly playing in her room and I found her sound asleep with the book splayed across her body. It was just so sweet that I couldn't resist. <br /></div></div>Jeannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10483146087046224411noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-918286571089009237.post-42580145965561377662012-01-09T10:43:00.004-05:002012-01-09T11:03:15.195-05:00Best Face 2011<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBKdTwdMtj6L61Rhy2jERpI7CFAvnyrnN24pBRULCZFIvKrmL3Sh_gTO1Ue5WMZUkyHAYb61vCqFtx0TdRt1HQRQNZC6TzNNh-7CRcHasjfRcvzhklY2UgJKolz4fmfNRKSuMyaa07U4ft/s1600/I_Heart_Faces_Photography_125.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 125px; height: 125px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBKdTwdMtj6L61Rhy2jERpI7CFAvnyrnN24pBRULCZFIvKrmL3Sh_gTO1Ue5WMZUkyHAYb61vCqFtx0TdRt1HQRQNZC6TzNNh-7CRcHasjfRcvzhklY2UgJKolz4fmfNRKSuMyaa07U4ft/s320/I_Heart_Faces_Photography_125.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695661810709616498" border="0" /></a>2011 was a crazy busy year for us. We finally moved. The kids were busy in school and while I got my camera out from time to time, it was not nearly as much as I'd have liked. Hopefully, I'll do better this year. :)<br /><br />Not only do I want to work on getting out with my camera more often, I want to try harder to expand myself by participating in more challenges than I did last year. And starting off with the best face of 2011 challenge at <a href="http://www.iheartfaces.com/">I Heart Faces</a> is a good way to do that.<br /><br />Which means I've been sitting here going through all my shots from the last year, and I find myself stuck on this one.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/callmeshmi/6182668425/" title="before by callmeshmi, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6152/6182668425_d03fca47fc_z.jpg" alt="before" height="427" width="640" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;">It just makes me laugh. The curlers in her hair, the expression on her face and the way she is peering over the tops of her glasses. It's the not best photographically-just a simple snapshot taken on a whim-but it is the one that makes me smile the most.<br /></div></div>Jeannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10483146087046224411noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-918286571089009237.post-44063236571055314662011-11-14T10:41:00.004-05:002011-11-15T08:27:05.079-05:00The rest of the fall shotsI did get some shots of my other kids last week, too. Even more impressive I got a group shot and one of my going on 13 year old. I guess miracles to occur. LOL<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/callmeshmi/6327027163/" title="group2b by callmeshmi, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6103/6327027163_d4649b84e3_z.jpg" alt="group2b" height="640" width="427" /></a><br />I love Anakin's expression. So true to him. And they are all looking at the camera. And smiling. It may never happen again. LOL<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/callmeshmi/6327272149/" title="claudiab by callmeshmi, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6224/6327272149_c612a209e5_z.jpg" alt="claudiab" height="439" width="640" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Claudia is as bad as me when it comes to having her picture taken, so I was so happy that she agreed to sit for me. She's growing up so fast.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/callmeshmi/6328698075/" title="mia and anakin by callmeshmi, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6059/6328698075_323f742b51_z.jpg" alt="mia and anakin" height="640" width="427" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This shot is a little over exposed and isn't perfect but I love the interaction between my littles. They are so cute together.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/callmeshmi/6328698149/" title="anakinb by callmeshmi, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6097/6328698149_2229777b76_z.jpg" alt="anakinb" height="640" width="427" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/callmeshmi/6329452064/" title="anakin2 by callmeshmi, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6052/6329452064_66214d0e8b_z.jpg" alt="anakin2" height="640" width="439" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I didn't get too much in the way of shots of Anakin. As you can see he quickly tired of me (he wanted to go play soccer with some other kids we met there. LOL)<br /></div>Jeannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10483146087046224411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-918286571089009237.post-30982639083184754672011-11-14T09:52:00.003-05:002011-11-15T08:27:34.685-05:00Choice TwoThis is the other shot that I took of Mia last week. I have to be honest and say the main reason I love it is her pouty face. You wouldn't know that within seconds she was jumping up and down laughing. She is such a drama queen. ;)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/callmeshmi/6344301346/" title="mia2 soft by callmeshmi, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6109/6344301346_16be975361_z.jpg" alt="mia2 soft" height="640" width="426" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I do also like the background colors. :) A little more variety and depth of color.<br /><br />I'll share the rest of the shots in a little bit. For once I even got a group shot!<br /></div></div>Jeannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10483146087046224411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-918286571089009237.post-25269187687758967852011-11-14T08:53:00.005-05:002011-11-15T08:27:54.650-05:00Autumn Splendor<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.iheartfaces.com/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 125px; height: 125px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwosr15F8KoqLyyAS1I8IfotEPbgH_GctVNGovJSbuVgYfFWlHxE0haxF21xleMI59cuCnWI74ELmb5Zx6e7ogpaF4Ho1nPBbzM-BIweWqaD3Ya00CJm3gnLuxji_4TY3aRoj_hHyhHBXW/s320/I_Heart_Faces_Photography_125.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674849365621322370" border="0" /></a>First, just let me say that I love this week's challenge. The colors of fall are my absolute favorite and if it wasn't for the cold, I'd want it to be Autumn forever.<br /><br />Now, let me tell you that I've had the hardest time deciding which photo to enter in this week's challenge. I've even asked some online friends to vote on it because I just couldn't decide. My youngest is such an easy kid to photograph since she just loves being the star. She's so dramatic which meant I ended up with one shot where she's <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">pouty</span> and forlorn and one where she looks so excited and happy--how do you choose?<br /><br />You don't. You make others do it for you. Hopefully, they chose well. I'll post the other shot in the following post and you can vote, too. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">LOL</span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/callmeshmi/6327481506/" title="Mia by callmeshmi, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6107/6327481506_6cb5b24e9f_z.jpg" alt="Mia" height="640" width="427" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;">As you can see this is the happy shot. This is my favorite, I only wish there had been more of the autumn colors in it. However, we seem to be overrun with yellow trees, not enough of the deep orange or reds which have always been my favorites. :)<br /></div></div>Jeannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10483146087046224411noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-918286571089009237.post-31019755582498427792011-10-18T12:30:00.002-04:002011-10-18T12:35:27.844-04:00HomecomingThis past weekend was Homecoming and Claudia had her dance on Friday night. She had so much fun and just loved her outfit I helped her put together and her hair and make-up that I did for her. Made this old mom feel like she was doing a pretty decent job, after all. ;)<br /><br />I think she looked quite lovely. And for a change she actually let me take pictures of her!!! (Yes, that does deserve three exclamation points. LOL)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/callmeshmi/6244753157/" title="Claudia3 by callmeshmi, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6101/6244753157_52cb7b7e2c_z.jpg" alt="Claudia3" height="640" width="427" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/callmeshmi/6245274236/" title="Claudia 2 by callmeshmi, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6103/6245274236_4be63bac02_z.jpg" alt="Claudia 2" height="640" width="427" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/callmeshmi/6244753013/" title="Claudia by callmeshmi, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6233/6244753013_47b1eac05d_z.jpg" alt="Claudia" height="640" width="427" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;">My little girl is growing up. *sniffle*<br /></div></div>Jeannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10483146087046224411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-918286571089009237.post-62584528714684391212011-10-18T12:16:00.003-04:002011-11-15T08:28:15.778-05:00PortraitsLast week I did a quick mini shoot of a young man to give them to his mom. He was so much fun to work with and really had me laughing. We did a few shots out behind our new house (score!) and we went into town and got a few shots there, too.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/callmeshmi/6241448975/" title="Brian2 by callmeshmi, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6240/6241448975_e70153227d_z.jpg" alt="Brian2" height="640" width="427" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/callmeshmi/6241965242/" title="Brian4 by callmeshmi, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6216/6241965242_68e6c4fb8f_z.jpg" alt="Brian4" height="640" width="427" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/callmeshmi/6241965320/" title="Brian5 by callmeshmi, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6218/6241965320_761db308eb_z.jpg" alt="Brian5" height="427" width="640" /></a><br /></div>The best part for me was that I was able to explore and find some new fun places to shoot (love the archway!) and have learned from the experience and found things that I will definitely do differently next time. :)Jeannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10483146087046224411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-918286571089009237.post-83843832113474836962011-10-18T12:00:00.003-04:002011-11-15T08:28:41.168-05:00Wedding ShotsIn September I was asked to shoot a small wedding and I lost my mind and said yes. LOL<br /><br />Truly, it was such a fun experience and such a lovely ceremony that I felt very lucky to have been a part of it. Everyone was just fantastic, and I was so happy to do that for them. :)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/callmeshmi/6213838531/" title="love by callmeshmi, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6094/6213838531_a7b385b904_z.jpg" alt="love" height="481" width="640" /></a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/callmeshmi/6213838145/" title="window soft by callmeshmi, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6054/6213838145_d52d09e04f_z.jpg" alt="window soft" height="640" width="427" /></a></div>Jeannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10483146087046224411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-918286571089009237.post-70238742183701798452011-10-18T11:48:00.004-04:002011-10-18T11:54:20.127-04:00Playing catch up!So, I haven't blogged in awhile. I'm sure you've noticed. Or maybe not. LOL<br /><br />School started and activities started and I feel like I haven't sat down since August. Today, I thought I do a few short posts to catch up and share a few shots that I've taken since I last posted and try to get myself back on track. :)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">First up is a cute/funny shot I took of Mia last month. She participated in our town's Little Miss Fire Prevention contest (if there's a stage, she wants to be on it!) and I put some bendy curlers in her hair to boost her natural curl.<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/callmeshmi/6182668425/" title="before by callmeshmi, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6152/6182668425_29040356a8_z.jpg" alt="before" height="427" width="640" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I just love that look on her face! I'm not sure if she was more bothered by me interrupting her computer time, or me taking her pic while she was wearing curlers!<br /></div>Jeannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10483146087046224411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-918286571089009237.post-2543148314088350502011-09-09T00:04:00.003-04:002011-09-09T00:28:09.796-04:00Mia's New GlassesA couple of weeks ago, Mia had her yearly check-up and of course they did the vision and hearing screening. Well, imagine my shock when Mia tanked the vision screening. I've never seen her be anything other than overconfident so seeing her so unsure was a real eye opener and I couldn't believe that I had no idea there could be an issue.<br /><br />Of course, over the following week while waiting for her eye exam, I started noticing all the little things like how she'd scoot up to the computer screen or rub her eyes a lot. And maybe that's why she's always running into things! She's not klutzy (or not totally klutzy) she can't see! LOL I felt a measure of guilt and relief the whole time.<br /><br />So last Tuesday afternoon I took her in to have her eyes examined. The Dr was really great with her and she really did well following his instructions and answering his questions. And it was soon obvious that she did need glasses. The Dr wanted to fine tune her prescription though, so we came in early the next day and he double checked everything and determined that oh, yeah. She does need bifocals, also.<br /><br />We ordered her glasses and today they were in. Mia picked the frames out all by herself, and she has progressive lenses because the Dr thought they would be easiest for her to adjust to. She wore them all afternoon and evening and seemed to do just great with them and is being very careful. <3<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/callmeshmi/6128232240/" title="sweetie pie by callmeshmi, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6193/6128232240_ff42581bcb.jpg" alt="sweetie pie" height="500" width="333" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/callmeshmi/6128232412/" title="beauty by callmeshmi, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6067/6128232412_e594ab711d.jpg" alt="beauty" height="500" width="333" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/callmeshmi/6127685243/" title="ornery by callmeshmi, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6069/6127685243_856228ed1b.jpg" alt="ornery" height="500" width="333" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/callmeshmi/6128232114/" title="silly face by callmeshmi, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6069/6128232114_7bbd97b510.jpg" alt="silly face" height="500" width="333" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Unfortunately it was a very, very rainy day so I was only able to get a few shots while waiting at the bus stop for Anakin. As you can see, she's still her silly self, but I just can't get over how grown up she looks all of a sudden.<br /><br />The good news is that the Dr is hopeful that her vision will improve and she may not even need them after awhile. She goes back in six months to see what progress is being made. I just hope she doesn't get upset if she ends up not needing then anymore. She really likes them. :)<br /></div></div>Jeannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10483146087046224411noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-918286571089009237.post-49078099729930923172011-08-29T00:06:00.005-04:002011-11-15T08:29:06.738-05:00White<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.iheartfaces.com/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 125px; height: 125px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMlJgWei-EMvvSDb82WWTz1jDXjpeTAjfUDDB8XD4LG4LvraXGZE6IzFAJfnAkQPyuaUDmbz2qaAzSBdO6KVqQNxvA1KPCALropMxHpFWqfSto4XXMTfmWjGRFCu18Zb27aJAg3rTXo6Bm/s320/I_Heart_Faces_Photography_125.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646124880019400178" border="0" /></a>This week's challenge at<a href="http://www.iheartfaces.com/"> I Heart Faces</a> is the color white used in a color photo. I'll have to admit this one stumped me. I certainly never try to dress my kids in white. It'd be filthy in seconds. LOL<br /><br />I looked and looked and found very little in my previous photos that featured the color white. And with school starting and a hurricane bearing down on us, I really didn't have much time to think of any creative set-ups. So I'm gonna cop out and share this pic.<br /><br />This was taken the first time I shot a little baby. Luckily, it was for fun and for getting used to working with such a little one. He was the most awake little thing, though, but so sweet and calm. I was lucky to be able to experiment a bit with him, but he had no interest in sleeping--he was much too interested in this new crazy person. LOL I learned a lot about what I want to get and do if I ever have the chance to play with a tiny baby again, so that was cool. Good thing I'm really only in it for the love of photography as I still have lots to learn and experience. :)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/callmeshmi/6091306697/" title="9 soft by callmeshmi, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6088/6091306697_0b0e9d5e94_z.jpg" alt="9 soft" height="640" width="427" /></a><br /></div>Jeannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10483146087046224411noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-918286571089009237.post-30806477675310788792011-08-21T23:58:00.005-04:002011-08-22T00:11:30.332-04:00Meet My Litle Friend<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.iheartfaces.com/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 125px; height: 125px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinSgcJ11ibff9AsyrQuzbTrKjBn3pw-0Gdj5ratB2IGTMDVtvsCBFa4sz_NaWkjZwICu7l9vMn8E95wWsbxu9EHt0Pst88x9Pgl1mnkzvHFTXWhHvqfkQobp-Xit6UJQZ42sYWLgJTRS5B/s320/I_Heart_Faces_Photography_125.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643525641550561474" border="0" /></a>So this week at <a href="http://www.iheartfaces.com/">I Heart Faces</a> is pet week. We don't really have a pet unless you count the stray cat who has adopted us but isn't into being cute or posing for pictures. Mostly she just wants you to give her food or she'll try to trip you coming down the front steps.
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<br />I do however, love animals. I love going to the zoo and shooting. The birds are big favorites of mine. And I love insects. Ladybugs, and grasshoppers, bees and butterflies. I've showcased them all a time or two here. Ooh! Or there's Assateague and the wild ponies! I love those too.
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<br />So. You can imagine my difficulty in choosing a picture to share for this week's challenge. I finally decided on a shot from this afternoon. I really couldn't resist. I love the colors and the bokeh. I only wish he wasn't so shy and would have shown his face more. He's a beauty, though.
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<br />Enjoy!
<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/callmeshmi/6066818587/" title="feasting by callmeshmi, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6206/6066818587_ea0d0b7a4d_z.jpg" alt="feasting" height="427" width="640" /></a>
<br /><div style="text-align: left;">Cue the hate mail. ;) (The brave may click for a larger view.)
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<br />Oh, and just in case you're wondering. He was in the middle of lunch and was less than thrilled with my taking his picture at such an inopportune moment. He did not eat my face though. And he cleans up after himself, so <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">bonus</span>!!
<br />Jeannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10483146087046224411noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-918286571089009237.post-31322033533350848382011-08-16T11:40:00.005-04:002011-08-16T12:13:54.301-04:00Planning Mischief<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.iheartfaces.com/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 125px; height: 125px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjspH5KVxiGVt_SBm4ssH-QxkeaXlxxYEhl305NUmu4pm9v5S2DkoK-jq2ekxw5FFdWtcbh60OBcWa-tn5vtXpjcuSJA-kvuKH40aXZeGal6n5DH61ysM51F3ldzxnttWEwZbriTT6hAcgC/s320/I_Heart_Faces_Photography_125.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641480508022227410" border="0" /></a>This week's challenge at I Heart Faces is "beautiful eyes" and it was so hard to pick a picture to submit. I'll admit, I may be biased, but I do believe my children have the most beautiful eyes ever. LOL And how do you choose from the gorgeous blues my daughters are sporting or the chocolatey brown my son has?
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<br />In the end I chose a shot of my youngest. You'll recognize it from my header. Mia has gorgeous blue eyes but in the end I chose the black and white version of this shot because I think it brings more attention to her eyes. With the color version it is easy to be distracted by her strawberry blond hair and busy plaid dress. Either way, her eyes just sparkle. Possibly with mischief.
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<br />She's probably plotting world domination or something.
<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/callmeshmi/4946531915/" title="Mia B&W by callmeshmi, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4124/4946531915_c113f6eed0_z.jpg" alt="Mia B&W" height="640" width="427" /></a>
<br />(Click on image for larger version)
<br /></div>Jeannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10483146087046224411noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-918286571089009237.post-24181844948209133892011-08-12T12:23:00.002-04:002011-08-12T12:33:07.268-04:00Black & White for Pioneer WomanThis week's assignment for Pioneer Woman has been black and white. Yeah, so I don't do B&W all that often. Which is a shame because it can really bring out beautiful details in a photograph. It's just out of my comfort zone so I shy away from it.
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<br />But this week I decided to challenge myself to get out of my comfort zone and experiment with B&W and then I entered some that I liked into the contest. Shocking enough, this morning one was chosen to be a part of group 5. LOL
<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/callmeshmi/6020643905/" title="butterfly and bee sepia by callmeshmi, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6026/6020643905_fac893b871_z.jpg" alt="butterfly and bee sepia" height="640" width="426" /></a>
<br /></div>I'm always so honored to see one of my photographs chosen alongside so many beautiful shots. :)
<br />Jeannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10483146087046224411noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-918286571089009237.post-45197433369394747102011-08-09T17:11:00.002-04:002011-08-09T17:35:34.185-04:00The small BathroomBack to the ugly house again!
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<br />The other bathroom in the house was probably the grossest thing I'd ever laid eyes on. Some of it was unspeakable filth, the rest was the awful wallpaper and fixtures.
<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/callmeshmi/4635416731/" title="IMG_0081 by callmeshmi, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4015/4635416731_832a690146_z.jpg" alt="IMG_0081" height="640" width="427" /></a>
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<br /><div style="text-align: left;">And did I mention it was gross? I mean <span style="font-style: italic;">guh-ross</span>! LOL
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<br /></div></div>This bathroom is actually in the part of the house that was added on. This is nice because not only can you enter it from the house, but you can enter it from what was once a patio that has been enclosed, also. It's nice for when we're all outside or when the kids get absolutely filthy (with mine that's often). We can enter or I can throw the kids all straight into the bath without tracking it through my nice clean renovated home. :)
<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/callmeshmi/4636019630/" title="IMG_0080 by callmeshmi, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3392/4636019630_5b31b60b7e_z.jpg" alt="IMG_0080" height="640" width="427" /></a>
<br /><div style="text-align: left;">After:
<br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/callmeshmi/5608652834/" title="main bathroom 1 by callmeshmi, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5269/5608652834_d4ecffcf69_z.jpg" alt="main bathroom 1" height="640" width="427" /></a>
<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/callmeshmi/6009517442/" title="IMG_0012 by callmeshmi, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6021/6009517442_074075c103_z.jpg" alt="IMG_0012" height="640" width="427" /></a>
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<br /><div style="text-align: left;">It's so much nicer and brighter in there now. And I love the new bathtub. It's nice and deep. :)
<br />I still need to buy towel racks and things for both bathrooms, but I'll get that done soon.
<br /></div></div></div></div>Jeannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10483146087046224411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-918286571089009237.post-2135219125105738742011-08-07T11:21:00.005-04:002011-08-07T11:26:09.751-04:00Amelia in DreamlandA few months ago I walked into the kids bedroom to find Mia passed out asleep with a book across her lap. She just looked so sweet there, fast asleep, that I couldn't resist taking a picture. It makes me happy that my kids love books so much. <3<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/callmeshmi/6012358010/" title="Mia in Dreamland by callmeshmi, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6134/6012358010_2bd5b26464_z.jpg" alt="Mia in Dreamland" width="640" height="427" /></a></div>Jeannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10483146087046224411noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-918286571089009237.post-15878173124249206892011-08-05T11:52:00.005-04:002011-08-05T12:16:32.691-04:00My new kitchenThe kitchen in the ugly house was just like the rest of the house-butt-ugly. LOL<br /><br />It was dirty, dingy and dated. It's oddly situated but very open. It's in the very center of the house, which I actually kind of like and even though we'll probably want to put in new cabinets and things one day, it looks pretty great with the facelift we gave it.<br /><br />Before:<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/callmeshmi/4636027824/" title="IMG_0088 by callmeshmi, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4021/4636027824_40dbe34328_z.jpg" alt="IMG_0088" a="" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/callmeshmi/5241625728/" title="in process by callmeshmi, on Flickr" /></a><br /></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Please ignore random odd boys mugging for the camera. LOL Though they are certainly more interesting that those ugly brown cabinets and gross floor.<br /><br />In process:<br /><div style="text-align: right;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/callmeshmi/5241625728/" title="in process by callmeshmi, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5089/5241625728_8e52fe2eb2_z.jpg" alt="in process" height="427" width="640" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The room had been painted and Jason and his friend Billy made me new cabinet doors. They just needed paint to match the cabinets. As you can see, Jason is pretty proud. :)<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/callmeshmi/5240996127/" title="IMG_0065 by callmeshmi, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5285/5240996127_2b1a696c61_z.jpg" alt="IMG_0065" height="427" width="640" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">A quick shot of the red color before the touch up painting was done. LOL<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Now:<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/callmeshmi/6008968561/" title="IMG_0009 by callmeshmi, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6150/6008968561_6b280ea6e2_z.jpg" alt="IMG_0009" height="427" width="640" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Please excuse my mess. LOL I've moved the boxes in but haven't started unpacking. Here you can see the finished doors and my nice, new floor.<br /><br />It just amazes me how much brighter and cleaner everything is now. And how much I love it. I love my black counters and sink, and the walls and cabinets are such a light gray that they look white without the blinding effect. It's softer, somehow.<br /><br />Really, it's just lovely.<br /></div></div></div></div>Jeannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10483146087046224411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-918286571089009237.post-2346228824194347042011-08-04T15:20:00.003-04:002011-08-04T16:34:09.031-04:00Ugly House UpdatesI did remember to get some shots this weekend so I wanted to do an update of a couple of my previous posts.<br /><br />First is the master bath. (Original post <a href="http://heartstringsandhobbies.blogspot.com/2011/06/master-bathroom.html">here</a>.) I grabbed a quick shot of the outside of my shower. I didn't get an inside shot because it's well, dirty. LOL It's yet to have been cleaned out since everything was finished so it's all dusty and dirty and gross. But here's the outside to give you an idea. Weird angle because of the way the bathroom is shaped, sorry.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/callmeshmi/6009517520/" title="IMG_0014 by callmeshmi, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6009/6009517520_1c2f806457_z.jpg" alt="IMG_0014" height="640" width="427" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Next up is the girls' bedroom. Mostly it's Claudia's bedroom because I can guarantee that Mia will want to be with Anakin more often than not. Well, we got the shelf up in Claudia's closet and her dresser is finished so I started unpacking her stuff and putting all away. I couldn't resist getting updated pictures because it's really making it seem like our home, now. :) (Original post <a href="http://heartstringsandhobbies.blogspot.com/2011/06/girls-bedroom.html">here</a>.)<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/callmeshmi/6008969155/" title="IMG_0021 by callmeshmi, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6026/6008969155_0f66ab2d5b_z.jpg" alt="IMG_0021" height="427" width="640" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Claudia's bed is going to be set up to the left. This picture is weird because the room really is wider than it appears. LOL (Side note/brag: Can I just say I love this pic only because my reflection makes me smile. For the first time I can really see the difference that 30 pounds makes. I curve in instead of out! ;) LOL)<br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/callmeshmi/6009517082/" title="IMG_0006 by callmeshmi, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6006/6009517082_c06699b575_z.jpg" alt="IMG_0006" height="427" width="640" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/callmeshmi/6008986911/" title="IMG_0008 by callmeshmi, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6018/6008986911_c5b6efe033_z.jpg" alt="IMG_0008" height="427" width="640" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;">A couple shots of Claudia's closet. I still have to pick fabric to make the curtain we are going to hang instead of putting up doors. And that is her bedspread on the floor. It's going to be so much fun picking out all the decorative little touches to put up in her room. :)<br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/callmeshmi/6008969223/" title="IMG_0007 by callmeshmi, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6010/6008969223_712d6b51cc_z.jpg" alt="IMG_0007" height="640" width="427" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;">The dresser. It has been completely refinished. I sanded it down completely, painted it and redid the handles. It looks a thousand times better and I can't wait until she gets home and sees it.<br /><br />So that's my update. I still have lots more pics to share so I'll post another room soon!<br /><br /><br /></div></div></div></div>Jeannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10483146087046224411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-918286571089009237.post-25122819233638924832011-08-04T13:36:00.004-04:002011-08-05T00:23:10.524-04:00First impressions and second looksAnytime I shoot, I come home, upload my pictures, and immediately weed out the ones I hate, and choose my favorites to edit. The rest usually languish in their folder never to be looked at again.<br /><br />But lately, I've been going through those old shots and giving them a second look. And I've been surprised to find some were better than I initially thought.<br /><br />This butterfly is a good example. At first glance I thought it was underexposed (fixed!) and the composition was weird. It's not tack sharp, but it's not horrible either. In the end, I like it.<br /><br />I like the colors. I love the bokeh effect. I like the moment I captured.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/callmeshmi/6000882250/" title="tiger swallowtail feeding by callmeshmi, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6030/6000882250_a262ca8c0a_z.jpg" alt="tiger swallowtail feeding" height="640" width="427" /></a><br /></div>Jeannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10483146087046224411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-918286571089009237.post-15145591146853088242011-07-30T13:40:00.005-04:002011-08-02T15:40:25.122-04:00Back to the BeachThursday evening, the kids and I met Jason when he got off work and headed to the beach. This time I got some pics of Anakin (with his new haircut!). He even decided that he would try to get on the board this time. He's still not comfortable going out as far as Mia, but for a kid that hates any water splashed in his face, he really did great.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/callmeshmi/5988222160/" title="splashing by callmeshmi, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6016/5988222160_61392fa1ef_z.jpg" alt="splashing" height="640" width="427" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/callmeshmi/5988222224/" title="first ride by callmeshmi, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6013/5988222224_b226c61d7f_z.jpg" alt="first ride" height="640" width="427" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/callmeshmi/5987660059/" title="surprised by callmeshmi, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6007/5987660059_60e6afb5a1_z.jpg" alt="surprised" height="427" width="640" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/callmeshmi/5987660139/" title="second ride by callmeshmi, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6013/5987660139_caaee472d2_z.jpg" alt="second ride" height="512" width="640" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I didn't really get any shots of Mia on the board. The waves were crashing really close to shore and she was having more fun hopping over them with her Daddy.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/callmeshmi/5988222632/" title="daddy and mia by callmeshmi, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6144/5988222632_e0c9e89885_z.jpg" alt="daddy and mia" height="640" width="427" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/callmeshmi/5987660303/" title="mia leaping by callmeshmi, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6125/5987660303_207662194e_z.jpg" alt="mia leaping" height="427" width="640" /></a><br /></div>She's crazy.<br /><br />While I was watching my kids go crazy, I noticed something out in the water. Of course, I didn't have my tripod and my zoom was all the way out but I got an OK pic.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/callmeshmi/5987660409/" title="visitors by callmeshmi, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6010/5987660409_7c05d3ceae_z.jpg" alt="visitors" height="427" width="640" /></a><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;">Until next time...<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/callmeshmi/5988222432/" title="abandoned by callmeshmi, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6121/5988222432_3390cbae3d_z.jpg" alt="abandoned" height="640" width="427" /></a><br /></div></div></div>Jeannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10483146087046224411noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-918286571089009237.post-9470550477360668302011-07-27T11:47:00.004-04:002011-08-02T15:36:35.338-04:00The BeachSaturday when we left Yesterday's Fun we headed to Fenwick Island to hang on the beach for awhile. When we got there, it was later in the day so the crowds had thinned out and it was breezy and warm without being overly hot.<br /><br />Anakin and Mia absolutely love the beach. It is their favorite place to go and they'd live in a tent on the beach if they could. They love to dig in the sand, building sand castles and making trenches and pools to splash in.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/callmeshmi/5980385424/" title="digging in the sand by callmeshmi, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6123/5980385424_4cff129fb4_z.jpg" alt="digging in the sand" height="427" width="640" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/callmeshmi/5979826371/" title="crazy anakin by callmeshmi, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6136/5979826371_9349443aae_z.jpg" alt="crazy anakin" height="640" width="427" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Anakins still not much for the water. He prefers to play a sort of tag with the waves coming in.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/callmeshmi/5980385052/" title="needs a haircut by callmeshmi, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6007/5980385052_7e58ba9ecf_z.jpg" alt="needs a haircut" height="640" width="427" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;">And yes, I do realize my child was badly in need of a haircut. LOL He actually got one on Monday, I just haven't taken pics of it yet. Just imagine Anakin Skywalker in the beginning of Episode I--more of a classic bowl shape. He chose. :)<br /><br />Mia is pretty much the exact opposite when it comes to the water. She has been a little fish since she was a year old and didn't want me to hold on to her in the pool. We finally bought her a flotation suit and water wings to help keep her afloat and I'd just hover around her while she paddled about. She's the same way at the beach.<br /><br />Only there, she wants to ride on Daddy's boogie board. The first time Mia "rode" a wave she was two years old and Jason held onto the tether the whole time. This year Mia was bigger and could go a little farther out. This year, Jason put the tether on Mia and let her ride a wave in on her own. (Insert mini-Mommy attack here)<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/callmeshmi/5979826483/" title="boogie boarder by callmeshmi, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6012/5979826483_6097434c40_z.jpg" alt="boogie boarder" height="640" width="427" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/callmeshmi/5980385534/" title="out to sea by callmeshmi, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6030/5980385534_ba0f512d67_z.jpg" alt="out to sea" height="640" width="427" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Jason actually has to keep Mia from going to far out. She'd keep going if he let her. She's a crazy little thing. Once they get out a little ways, Jason helps her get set up and reminds her of how to lay on the board and hold on and then he lets her ride the wave in.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/callmeshmi/5980385310/" title="catching a wave by callmeshmi, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6013/5980385310_db0b85ff2b_z.jpg" alt="catching a wave" height="426" width="640" /></a><br /></div>He stays close just in case she wipes out. Which she does. Often. She eats sand and then hops back up calling for more, "Again! Again!" We've created a monster. LOL<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/callmeshmi/5979826853/" title="wild ride by callmeshmi, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6007/5979826853_a148e3282d_z.jpg" alt="wild ride" height="427" width="640" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/callmeshmi/5980385496/" title="resting between waves by callmeshmi, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6022/5980385496_fbf530473f_z.jpg" alt="resting between waves" height="426" width="640" /></a><br /></div>She eventually tires out (probably from the ten pounds of sand that has wedged itself in her hair, ears, and bathing suit when she wiped out) and she rests in the hole her brother dug. You know. In case there isn't enough sand stuck to her already.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/callmeshmi/5979826161/" title="sandy mess by callmeshmi, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6149/5979826161_7cdddb0b7c_z.jpg" alt="sandy mess" height="640" width="427" /></a><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Jeannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10483146087046224411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-918286571089009237.post-42228163566938928142011-07-27T00:09:00.003-04:002011-08-02T15:37:23.764-04:00Yesterday's FunThis past Saturday, my husband and I decided to take the kids to the beach and on the way we planned to stop at the best little toy store in the world. <a href="http://www.yesterdaysfuntoys.com/Yesterdays_Fun/Yesterdays_Fun_Toys_%26_Games.html">Yesterday's Fun</a> is a store full of memories. Walking in is like walking back into my childhood so it's fun for the whole family.<br /><br />The best part? It is totally acceptable to touch! Kid heaven!<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/callmeshmi/5979871737/" title="yesterdays fun anakin by callmeshmi, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6007/5979871737_2b9fd27bb1_z.jpg" alt="yesterdays fun anakin" height="427" width="640" /></a><br /></div>Anakin didn't make it far. Once he found legos and Star Wars, he was happy.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/callmeshmi/5979871813/" title="mia checking out toys by callmeshmi, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6146/5979871813_abba6a1de4_z.jpg" alt="mia checking out toys" height="427" width="640" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;">And of course Mia loves the dollhouses.<br /><br />Throughout the store there are bins and shelves and racks of toys-from newer ones still in the package to older, used toys. I'm partial to the used toys myself. I mean, who can resist the Little People section?<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/callmeshmi/5979871303/" title="classic little people by callmeshmi, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6006/5979871303_c7fa62112e_z.jpg" alt="classic little people" height="640" width="427" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;">We told the kids that they each had so much money to spend and sent them off to choose how to spend their money. This of course was worse than torture because how can we expect them to choose? They want it all! LOL<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/callmeshmi/5980429452/" title="more touching by callmeshmi, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6142/5980429452_8551f35bd5_z.jpg" alt="more touching" height="640" width="427" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/callmeshmi/5979871517/" title="yesterdays fun please touch by callmeshmi, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6141/5979871517_394b522a16_z.jpg" alt="yesterdays fun please touch" height="640" width="427" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/callmeshmi/5980429236/" title="yesterdays fun star wars figures by callmeshmi, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6130/5980429236_1e44b651a7_z.jpg" alt="yesterdays fun star wars figures" height="640" width="427" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Mia finally chose a My Little Pony and a Playmobil fairy person. Anakin finally chose a Star Wars figure, a bucket of legos for $3, and he created his own mini figure from a bin of pieces.<br /><br />What they don't know is that Mommy did a little shopping herself while Dad buckled them into the van. Anakin's big Christmas gift (a Castle Greyskull and some He-Man figures) is safely hidden away with the princess castle we'd already gotten for Mia. ;)<br /><br />Can't wait for next time!<br /></div></div></div></div></div></div>Jeannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10483146087046224411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-918286571089009237.post-67699956294371757862011-07-26T00:49:00.005-04:002011-07-26T01:32:00.699-04:00Enviable<center><a href="http://thetrendytreehouse.blogspot.com/2011/07/shutter-love-tuesdays-hair.html"><img src="http://i752.photobucket.com/albums/xx169/trendytreehouse/ShutterButton.gif" border="0" /></a><br /></center>My youngest, my baby girl, has the most beautiful hair I've ever seen. It's the kind of hair that grown women spend hundreds to have and then never get close. It's long and shiny, strawberry blonde with gorgeous waves and curls.<br /><br />We can't go anywhere without having at least one person comment on it. It's gotten so bad that when strangers talk to her, she asks them if they like her hair. LOL<br /><br />Even better she lets me play with it. :) Braids and pigtails and bows.... I was lucky if Claudia let me put her hair in a pony tail. And since I know that Mia will eventually get sick of it and will probably even ask to have it cut more than just a trim, I'm enjoying it while it lasts. And keeping my fingers crossed that she never wants to cut it short. ;)<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/callmeshmi/5526271896/" title="dancing beauty edit by callmeshmi, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5219/5526271896_60f7499795_z.jpg" alt="dancing beauty edit" height="640" width="427" /></a><br /><br /></div>Jeannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10483146087046224411noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-918286571089009237.post-36713481087463133782011-07-22T11:57:00.003-04:002011-08-05T00:20:05.822-04:00Taken YesterdayYesterday I babysat my nieces and nephew. Luckily, we were all at my MIL's house so all five kids went swimming (and so did I. It was hot out yesterday!).<br /><br />I got out my camera with the intention of taking some pics of the kids but became distracted by this butterfly. I love bugs and especially butterflies. They are so beautiful and so much fun to photograph.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/callmeshmi/5963354778/" title="IMG_0027 by callmeshmi, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6123/5963354778_2e69c245c0_z.jpg" alt="IMG_0027" height="640" width="426" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;">The bee was just a lucky bonus. :)<br /></div></div>Jeannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10483146087046224411noreply@blogger.com0