Week Ten

Such a busy week...

And I'm feeling like they're only going to get busier for awhile here. Plus I'm feeling a little sick of taking pictures.

Uh oh.

On one hand, I like this week's pictures. They absolutely tell me a story about what when on this past week; about what was important and what wasn't. And for that exact reason, I'm not really thrilled with the photographs because it's not really an interesting story, even to me. I half hope that it's a more interesting story to someone who didn't live it, but quite frankly, I just don't have that much self-delusion.

Next week might be more exciting, but I'm not expecting that. I do, however, hope to catch a few more exciting moments.

Monday, February 28th - Sunrise... It's getting earlier and earlier, which makes me happy. Of course, then we're going to spring forward and it's going to be dark when I get up again for awhile. But I'm starting to get anxious for spring and longer days and more flowers and warm afternoons...

Dawn's Early Light

Tuesday, March 1st - Girl Kid's first ever softball practice... She played soccer in the fall, but she's much more excited for softball (and so am I.)

Ready to Play

Wednesday, March 2nd - It rained all afternoon, canceling our usual Wednesday plans... Instead the kids completed a paint your own tea set. It turned out quite nicely considering they're 8 and almost 5 and did it with no help from mom (except for washing brushes, of course.)

Artist in the Making

Thursday, March 3rd - Another rainy morning... A trip to Target and lots of chores around the house... Girl Kid managed to sneak up on our poor senior citizen of a kitty, and kitty cooperated by not bolting for the safety of her usual under the bed hiding place until after I'd managed to snap a picture. A victory for everyone. Too cute not to post for today.

Serendipity

Friday, March 4th - Today was Boy Kid's 2nd grade teacher's birthday and I organized flowers and a gift for her. She was thrilled and the kids all thought it was pretty cool (they each gave her one rose when they walked into class and I assembled them into a bouquet for her - a very easy gift for any other room parents out there.)

Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice

Saturday, March 5th -Two pictures today because really, how could I possibly be made to choose between the 2 kids? And since it's my blog, no one can make me. Ha! Opening Day for both softball and baseball here and the kids each had fantastic first games. Exhausting to be sure, but truly, one of my favorite parts of being a mom.

Early Morning Warm Ups

Slugger

Sunday, March 6th -Took the day off today. I read 2 full length novels, cover to cover, while hubby and kids ran wild around me, and then ordered pizza for dinner. It was a perfect lazy Sunday. Only took a couple of photos, including the one below... We're going to have leaves on the trees again soon - definitely something I appreciate about this very moderate climate.

Buds

Week Nine

Hey, I'm actually on time this week...

Not really feeling very verbose tonight.

I think I'm a little burned out on the picture taking right now. I took so many on our Disneyland trip that I'm finding that I have to force myself to pick up the camera right now. I'm sure that'll wear off before too long and with a little luck, next week's pictures will be better, and more interesting, than this week's.

Monday, February 21st - Our last day at Disneyland and California Adventure... Girl Kid's birthday is coming up and instead of a party, she got this very elaborate Princess Lunch at Ariel's Grotto. She met and got photos and autographs from five of the princesses was just generally in little girl heaven. This was dessert and all 3 "kids" being goof balls. Also, a bonus picture - from Disneyland at night, that's the castle all lit up before fireworks. (It was a lot prettier in person.)

Nomnomnom

Magic

Tuesday, February 22nd - View from the car... Because driving and unpacking were pretty much all we did. But we were all very happy to be home.

Flyin' By

Wednesday, February 23rd - I snapped this one first thing in the morning at the car wash and then go so caught up in grocery shopping, getting laundry done, and just generally being home, that I never took another picture all day. Everything got done though.

Wash Me!

Thursday, February 24th - Pajama Day at Boy Kid's school... It's Literacy Week and they have a reading day where all the kids come to school in pajamas (and robes because it was freezing) and with stuffed animals and favorite books. It's one of those mornings that I'm glad I walk him to class because the kids are all so adorable and somehow, extra innocent looking in their pj's.

Comfy

Friday, February 25th - We had one of those rare full rainbows Friday morning... The camera lens wasn't wide enough to capture the entire thing and the color is really washed out, but once again, I took this shot first thing in the morning and never picked up the camera again. After our trip, I'm a little photo'd out.

Rainbows

Saturday, February 26th - Probably my favorite of the week... And yet another picture I took while walking my brother's dog. Not sure what to make of the fact that I seem to take so many good pictures while I've got Baxter, but there it is. I love the way the clouds are reflected, how blue the foreground is, how washed out the line of houses turned out... All of it just works together.

Reflections

Sunday, February 27th - After weeks of rain, we were finally about to start the baseball season this morning... Boy Kid had one spectacular catch during pop up drills and I managed to catch it on film.

I got it!

Week Eight

I had all these good intentions of pulling out my laptop on Sunday night and posting pictures. All that after a full day of playing at Disneyland and California Adventure with my kids. Can't really say I'm shocked that it didn't happen that way. Pretty much the only thing that happened when we got back to hotel was sleep and showers - I don't even think I picked up my book after that first night.

Oh well.

We had a blast, we're all exhausted, and lots and lots of pictures were taken.

Monday, February 14th - What's left of a very happy Valentine's for the kids...

Hearts But No Flowers

Tuesday, February 15th - Just a girl and her dog. Or, in this case, her doggie cousin. He's such a good puppy for putting up with her. Photogenic, too.

Love

Wednesday, February 16th - Stormy day, carefree child, green grass... There's just something about this picture that I really like. It's one of those times that you don't even know you've got a really interesting image until you get it on the computer and see it sandwiched between so many other ordinary shots... I love those moments and they're definitely a big part of the thrill I get from taking pictures.

.

Stormy Days

.

Thursday, February 17th - So, it's 8pm and the best thing I can think to take a picture of is a half packed suitcase... And then I spot the roses my husband gave me for Valentine's Day. They're a beautiful deep red and have fully opened now... Perfect.

Roses Are Red

Friday, February 18th - This girl of mine... She's just all attitude, especially after 300 miles in the car. We stopped at a great little Japanese restaurant for lunch and the kids loved the koi and turtle pond - so much so that they almost didn't want to go in and actually eat.

A-t-t-i-t-u-d-e

Saturday, February 19th - Finally, Disneyland! This shot is Boy Kid on the Nemo Submarine ride. I love the look on his face, the color, the placement of his hand, the blue of the window frame, everything. (And for the record, this is the raw image - no color adjustment at all.)

Fascination

Sunday, February 20th - After spending the morning at Disneyland, we spent the afternoon and evening at California Adventure. There were actually a lot of really great photos to choose from, and I had a heck of a time narrowing it down, so you get two... The first is Mickey's Fun Wheel and it's reflection on the water at Paradise Pier... The second shot is the kids playing with lighted swords and a slow shutter speed. Made for a really cool effect.

Mickey After Dark

Light Effect

Week Seven

Happy Valentine's Day everyone.

I know, I'm a day late posting the blog... I had the weekend to myself as hubby took the kids to his parent's house and the day got away from me a bit. And then they were home and Girl Kid was sick (again!) and needing her mama and by the time she was asleep, I was done for.

Oh, and did I mention that I'm sick as well? And planning for 5 days out of town in starting at the end of the week?

Yeah.

My week pretty much revolved around a sick kid so lots of iPhone pictures this week. Some days I'm definitely feeling like I'm running out of interesting things to shoot... My apologies if there are repeat vistas and lots of pictures of the kids.

I never claimed my life was interesting...

Monday, February 7th - See how her cheeks match her shirt?? 102.8 degree fever when she woke up from this nap. And grouchy like you wouldn't believe...

Tuesday, February 8th - Boy Kid playing on the computer... I asked if I could take his picture. He answered only if he could make faces. This was the best without being gross.

Wednesday, February 9th - Boy Kid was playing tennis and Girl Kid felt like taking a walk. (yay!) And since someone messaged and asked - all these lagoon/water pictures are at our local Recreation Center where Girl Kid attends pre-K and Boy Kid plays tennis twice a week.

Thursday, February 10th - We dog sat for a few hours while my brother took his truck to the shop. Girl Kid was pretty much in doggie heaven. I swear, this kid should be a vet when she grows up.

Friday, February 11th - Literally, the only picture I took on this day... We had a couple of minutes to spare before Girl Kid's class began and we took a little walk around the building. Just ignore the little shadow of my arm in the corner.

Saturday, February 12th - Girls day with my mom resulted in pretty toes and a really delicious Crab Sandwich... If only I'd thought to take a picture of that. Sorry.

 

Sunday, February 13th - It was this one or a picture of all the laundry I did and HBO I watched. (I'm sick and the kids were at Grandma's, don't judge.)

Not sure when I'm going to post Week 8... We're surprising the kids with a trip to Disneyland on Friday and while I'm going to take the laptop and I'm sure there will be a thousand pictures (yes, probably literally more than 1000) I'm not sure I'm going to have the energy to actually compile and post. We shall see.

Thanks for reading everyone!

Week Six

My baby - my first baby - turned 8 this week. On one hand, it seems like just yesterday that we were bringing him home from the hospital, all brand new and screaming. On the other hand though, it seems like he's always been here and I can't quite imagine what my life was life before I was his mother. And I just know I'm going to blink and he'll be all grown up... Eight just seems so old to me for my little boy to have reached that milestone. I recall too clearly my own eighth birthday and ninth year to imagine that it's his turn now.

Anyway, there was lot of celebrating, lots of excitement, and, about 6 weeks too early, our first 70 degree day of the year.

So, the pictures...

Monday, January 31st - Love this picture... Took it with my iPhone after discovering that while I'd remembered to toss my point and shoot Canon in my purse, I hadn't actually remembered to put the memory card back in it - serious photographer fail. What I really wish I'd had that afternoon was my good DSLR... But all things considered, the iPhone really does take a pretty good picture.

In Silhouette

Tuesday, February 1st - There was a huge snow storm across most of the US on the day I took this picture... After all the talk of snow and freezing temperatures, it struck me that here, in California, there are already new leaves on some of the trees and blooms on some of the flowers. By no means has Spring quite sprung yet, but it's on the way.

The Happiest Flowers

Wednesday, February 2nd - Boy Kid turns 8... I took a lot of pictures but most of them were... Ordinary. This one included until I played with the saturation, brightness, and contrast. Kinda has that old newspaper picture quality and I sort of like it - certainly more than I did before I altered it.

The Happiest Kid

Thursday, February 3rd - My "nephew," aka my brother's dog Baxter, spent the night with us for the birthday boy. I had the privilege of taking him for his first walk of the morning. Yeah. Before the sun came up. 

Sunrise

Friday, February 4th - Spent a good part of the day getting ready for a Star Wars birthday party... Worked hard enough on it that I figured I ought to at least get my daily picture from it. So I did.

Saturday, February 5th - Yes, there was a birthday party today, and yes, there were lots of pictures taken. But no, none of them was all that interesting. And then the sun started to set and it was like someone lit the sky on fire. It was spectacular. Seriously, just the most amazing sunset. That sunset that only comes along a few times a year... And, I had my good camera. :-D

Night Fire

Sunday, February 6th - It's SuperBowl Sunday. So exciting for 4 year old girls that this one passed right out. This is one of those pictures about which I just can't say any more... It has to speak for itself.

Mama's Angel

 **My apologies if the spacing is a little messed up... It's fine in the editor, not so much in the preview and quite frankly, I've tried to fix it so many times that I sort of don't care anymore.**

Week Five

So... My mother (hi mom!) thinks I need to actually blog more. Write more. Say more. But you know, sometimes I just don't have a lot to say about the pictures... And I think that sometimes they need to speak for themselves. But I'm going to give it a go.

At the start of the week I sort of challenged myself to try to find interesting angles/perspectives. To shoot from, to represent, whatever fit the scenario. But I wanted to *not* take the obvious snapshot. And at the same time, I want to incorporate a lesson that another Project 365 blogger admitted to having learned over the course of his year - at the end of the day, it's not a collection of 365 amazing photographs, it's the story of your life.

So, interesting perspective, and telling a story. It's going to take more than just one week to make that really happen, and perhaps quite a bit longer to make both happen in the same photo.

Monday, January 24th - I was sick enough that I made my husband stay home and play Mr. Mom. Hardly left the couch, let alone the house... But we had the best, most pink sunset, and voila - not another picture of my tea cup.

Pink Sunset

Tuesday, January 25th - Feeling better, I finally forced myself to go find a new pair of tennis/gym shoes. I love shoes, love shopping for them, except when I have to buy tennis shoes. And I've already bought and returned one pair. I only tried on 7 pairs before settling on these. And having been to the gym a couple of times, they're a hit (thank god.) Obviously, this shot is a little bit of the story of my year, and even though it didn't turn out super obvious, I shot at an angle... Not straight on, not straight down, but somewhere in the middle. Eh.

No Excuses

Wednesday, January 26th - When I took this shot, I was attempting to capture Girl Kid's crazy outfit... And you can see a bit of the different colors and patterns she picked out from the sliver of her back that isn't hidden. She was hiding from me, and the camera, and you know, I just shot anyway... Later that morning I got a picture of the outfit, but really, it just wasn't as interesting as this one. 

Hidden

Thursday, January 27th - Later afternoon, about half an hour before sunset and the lighting was fantastic. I was *trying* to shoot my kids, but surprise, surprise, they were not cooperating and there are only so many "tongue sticking out" pictures a girl can stand. In fact, I cropped them right out of the left side this one. While they watched. Maybe next time the tongues will stay in the mouths because they were not happy to be axed.

Winter Willow

Friday, January 28th -  Girl Kid's class had a picnic and we took a bubble gun. Big hit with the kids, but not so much with the camera. I was really hoping to capture the bubbles more, but between the lack of sun and the speed of the kids, I was not nearly as successful as I'd wanted. Live and learn, right?

Bubbles

Saturday, January 29th -  For the first time since I started this project, just about a month ago now, I very nearly forgot to take a picture. Big project of the day was replacing our 10 year old, entirely outdated, desktop computer. I have nothing really to say about the picture itself... It's certainly not interesting or in any way inspired, it's just a quick snap as I was making dinner, the kids were running wild and my husband was doing the installation and set up.

Shiny and New

Sunday, January 30th - Hey, whadda you know, I've managed to take and post a picture a day for 30 straight days... Supposedly that's how long it takes to establish a new habit, so here's hoping. I took this one with my iPhone, the only one of the week, just before sitting down to Sunday dinner at my mom's. To take this shot I basically put the camera on the table to get a head on shot, hoping that would be more interesting than shooting from above. And hey, it worked. 

Family Dinner

Thanks for reading, everyone. Or maybe just you, Mom. *Shrug*

Seriously - comments/reactions (and followers) are most appreciated!

Week Four

Thank you to everyone who had something nice to say after I got up the nerve to share last week, it means a lot and I appreciate you all. 

Sick today... Not so much thrilled with this week's pictures. But I'm definitely getting in the habit of carrying a camera and taking a picture every single day.

Monday January 17 - MLK Day so no work and all play for the kids...

Hang Time

Tuesday January 18th - A pit stop on the walk home from school, it was a better picture in my head than it turned out to be. 

Swingin' Pit Stop

Wednesday January 19th - Wacky Hair Day :-)

Blue, blue, blue.

Thursday January 20th - Pretty morning, really trying to take advantage of the nice weather while we've got it.

Peace and Quiet

Friday January 21st - Just goofing around, waiting for Boy Kid to be done with school for the day.

Concrete Jungle

Saturday January 22nd - Girl Kid, just chilling out, and me just playing around with the camera, at Boy Kid's Cub Scout event. Love those big brown eyes of hers.

Brown Eyed Girl

Sunday January 23rd - Sick. Taking it easy today so I can actually function tomorrow when I don't have a choice.

Tea and Football