Photography and Flash

I really try hard not to use my flash if I'm trying to capture the moment.  If the flash fires and makes everything bright you really don't get a "feel" of the time of day or the lighting when the picture was taken.

Kaylee and her friend were watching their movie late at night.  You can see in the catchlights of their eyes that the only light source was the TV off to the side.  They have very small catchlights!  I didn't want a big bright flash in their face because then it would look like mid-day.  SO I turned my ISO up to 1250 and shot away....

To me it reflects exactly how my eyes saw them up in the loft that night.

Same with Rebecca reading by her lamp.  If the flash would have fired you wouldn't have even been able to tell that a lamp was on.  It would also have alerted her that I was taking pictures.

Birthday cakes are another perfect time to turn off the flash and capture the mood of the candles...

Pictures don't always have to be nice and bright.  The shadows and lighting help in portraying the moment.  SO, my photography tip is to turn off your flash and try to achieve the lighting as you see it!

Rapids

The girls and I had a little date night this week and it was only fair that the boys had a date night.  They went up and watched the Rapids play.  The Rapids are Colorado's professional soccer team.  They actually won the MLS Championship last year.  Nathan was quite excited for the game, Jacob not so much.  BUT Jacob was a good sport and enjoyed the evening with them.

Kaylee went to the movie with friends.  AND I sat in my bed snuggling with my three littlest watching Jimmer do his thing.  He is so amazing!

MArch MaDNEss

LOVE this time of year!  Stephen, the kids and I all filled out our own bracket.  The winner with the most correct teams wins $20.  Nathan highlights each one that is correct as the games are played.  Stephen's bracket is looking really sad because of all the under dog teams that he picked.

It so fun to sit and watch the games with the kids.  The older kids are sooo into the games this year.  I just LOVE it!

Disney On Ice

I took all of my girls on a little date last night.  I had visions of taking a cute picture of me and my girls using the timer on my camera, BUT it didn't happen.  Instead I have this cute picture of Jerrica and Ashley ready to go in their princess dresses.  Jerrica carried around the Disney postcard all day saying it was her ticket.

It WAS a really cute performance, BUT I kept my eyes on the girls' expressions.  I love watching them watch......

St. Patty's Day

Any reason we have to make our days a little out of the ordinary, we take.

I do green lunches for the school kids on Saint Patrick's Day, but the little girls sometimes don't get the special green treats.  SO today I made sure I had extra for them.  It was a beautiful day so I packed them in a fun sack and sent them out to the clubhouse.  I loved watching them eat their treats, giggling about who knows what, and teasing Shadow with their food.

  Then they came in and helped make a fancy shamrock table covering for dinner.  A sweet blogging friend, Susanne had shared this idea with us.  I grabbed out the newsprint roll and the girls went to town with their pepper stamps.

   

We also did our lucky plate for dinner.  I taped a $5 bill on the bottom of one of the plates just for ONE lucky family member. 

My favorite quote of the day was Ashley asking if we could go to a store.  I asked her why, to which she replied, "So that I can find lots of people to pinch"

She's 10!

Today was Kaylee's actual birthday.  We just celebrated with her friends a little early.

Since she turned 10, we told her she could get her ears pierced.  I took her out of school for a little date and we headed off to Claire's.  Of course I had my camera in my purse and took a picture of her looking into the mirror after the lady had finished.  I LOVED her sweet, little smile....

We then headed over to Jamba Juice for a little Razzmatazz.  I so enjoy Kaylee's personality and talking with her. 

When we got back to the school and took in a treat to the kids, they got to ask Kaylee questions and talk about her.  They all told me about what a prankster she is and how she gets them every time, until she gets the giggles.  She has such a funny sense of humor.  The kids also went on about how fast she, and how she plays with the boys basketball and soccer.  I stood there listening to them thinking, ya that's my Kaylee!

Kaylee, you are such a sweetheart.  Always quick to help another or to make someone smile.  You are incredibly athletic and have coaches, refs and parents commenting on how good you are.  Basketball and soccer are your favorite sports right now.  Yet, you enjoy running too.  You are also getting good on the piano.  Dad and I enjoy listening to you practice.  You put so much emotion into your pieces.  You also enjoy sewing, crafting, and cooking.  The family loves when you make your famous brownies and other desserts. 

We just LOVE you soooo much Miss Kaylee Elizabeth!  Happy Birthday!

Simple Things

"It is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all."

Laura Ingalls Wilder 

 

3.14

Today is Pi Day since the date is 3.14 

Kaylee and Nathan celebrated pi day at school today.  The eat a TON of round foods, wear pi shirts, play games, and do activities all centered around pi.

 

Our family celebrated with a berry pie for dessert tonight!

PJ Pizza Party

This week I was consumed with getting ready for Kaylee's birthday party.  We do every other year friend parties and this was a friend party year for Kaylee.  We invited 14 girlfriends from school, soccer, and church.  13 girls came!

My sisters had made PJ pants for birthday parties before, and I thought if they can do it, I can do it too.  It was tricky finding that much flannel at a good price.  I needed two bolts and usually you only see part of a bolt of fabric for sale.  I finished everything on them except for the elastic and hem.  As the girls arrived we measured waists and length, AND then sweet friends of mine helped finish them at the start of the party.

I let them make t-shirts to go with their pants with fabric markers.  They LOVED drawing and writing all over them.  We also played games, ate pizza, and had our own little spa.  I had washcloths that we wet and heated in the oven to steam the girls' faces.  There were also face masks.  We then all did fingernails.  I had lots of different polish and then decal stickers that they could choose from.  I wish the picture wasn't so bright and you could see the decals on the top tier of the nail polish.  They were really fun fingernail decals.  I also had Skittle lip gloss for each girl.

We also spent time playing in the paraffin wax.

I really wanted to play with fondant and make this cake.  I gathered Polly Pocket accessories from our basket to use.  I even bought those new jumbo marshmallows to cut in half for the pillows.  BUT Kaylee wanted her favorite layered dessert cake and you can't argue with the birthday girl.  It was probably better that way because we had so many games to run around to on Saturday that I would have ran out of time.  I do believe I WILL file the cake idea away to try for Becca's birthday...(The idea is from Cake Central)

Kaylee has so many sweet friends.  I am grateful for each of them and how happy they make Kaylee in their own way.  This is a picture of two friends from school and yes that would be my Kaylee that can't make a normal expression, trying to be funny!

It really was a fun night and there is NO way I could have done it without MY friends that helped, AKA- Kim, Angie, Heidi and good ol' Stever!  Thank You!

Sanford Basketball

I grew up in a small town and basketball was BIG.  This weekend the girls team played in the state championship.  We met my parents for the Friday night game.  It was so fun to see all of the town there cheering on the girls.  I LOVE how small towns get behind their teams.  It is just neat to see that unity of a community. 

My cousin Doug's daughter plays on the team and is just amazing!  She is so small, but oh so good.  She can hit three pointers with ease and doesn't hesitate to drive on anyone.  I was really glad that Kaylee could watch her play because Kaylee is so small, yet has that same fire as Tori.

The coach's daughter also plays on the team and I loved seeing this picture of the two of them in the Pueblo Chieftain this morning.  The emotion in the picture is awesome....

Playoffs are so fun to watch.  It would have been fun to just stay there and watch the other games with Stephen and my parents, yet the little girls reminded me that they were there too.  Thanks for inviting us mom AND for getting the tickets!  I'm glad you enjoy basketball as much as I do!

Are You Being Mean?

The last few months Jerrica will ask, "Are you being Mean?" The question is usually a result of someone being a little tense, frustrated, or actually IS being mean.  I have gotten this question from her A LOT!  And yes, sometimes I look down at those huge eyes and tell her that I am being mean because I'm mad. 

I think it's cute how she has to ask to really know for sure how someone else is feeling.  If someone tells her that they ARE being mean, she quickly tells them to be nice and not be mean.

Today I was brushing my teeth as she was bathing and she wanted to get out of the tub.  I told her no, a little abruptly.  So of course she said, "Are you being mean, mom?"  I looked down at her ready to tell her that she was going to have to wait and to be patient, but then I saw her eyes.  I HAD to take a picture of those pleading eyes.

And yes Jerrica, sometimes I AM being mean, BUT I always LOVE you!

My Boys

I can't believe how big my kids are getting!  My boys have went through Cub Scouts...

and are now in Boy Scouts.  They had a court of honor last week.  I loved how cute they looked in their scout shirts...

The scouting program teaches so many life skills.  The only thing I hate about it, is all of the badges to sew on.  And of course after last week's court of honor, I have more to sew.....

Soccer FHE

Is it any surprise to have a soccer FHE with all of the soccer players we have that can relate to it?!?!

I was watching a soccer tournament a few years ago.  A goalie from one of the teams was HORRIBLE!  He would be gawking around at people, totally not focused.  He was always standing straight up and seemed to refuse to move his feet or hands to stop the ball.  He made absolutely no effort.  Needless to say the other team scored on him numerous times.

Then at the same tournament I sat there watching the championship game.  The goalie was AMAZING!  He was totally focused on the game.  He had a low stance and would move as the ball moved.  The stops he was making were incredible.  He would extend his body and arms keeping everything out of his goalie box. 

I related this experience and compared it to our own lives.  Are we actively engaged in what we are doing?  Are we keeping the bad things out of our lives?  I hope that we aren't just standing there letting the bad slip in.  I hope that we are moving and blocking the shots that are taken on us.  We can't just stand there!  Just as goalies train, we too must train and learn techniques that will help us to keep the adversary out of our lives.  The opponent is not going to stop, we must learn how to defend against him.  We do have a team willing to help us if we let them.  They can protect us.  Sometimes however, there WILL be free kicks that our team can't help us with.  We must always be focused and moving!

Of course we had to act out little scenarios with a goalie and a goal.  We talked about the different kinds of balls that could be shot at us during our lives, as we shot on the goal.  It's hard when the opponent scores on you because then you have to work even harder.  SO, don't let him score!  Keeping the opponent out of your goal will mean VICTORY for YOU!

Girls' Night Out

Elaine has two girls that are the same ages as Kaylee and Rebecca.  Our girls get along really well with each other, AND so do Elaine and I!  SO we decided to have a little girls night out.  We headed to Artful Adventures and made a few masterpieces....

It was so fun to talk with Elaine and hear all the girls' conversations.  We then headed to Claire's to see all of their fun jewelry, and pick up some new accessories.  We were on our way to California Pizza when I realized I needed to go home for Stephen.  Nathan had an 8 o'clock game in Thornton that morning, which meant Stephen leaving here by 5:30 am to get Nathan there by 7:00 am to get warmed up.  Stephen has also been soooo sick.  So his sickness mixed with the early morning meant an early night for the girls.  We did however take a rain check for another night out to dinner.

My big girls ARE really getting big.  They are so fun to talk and hang out with.  I hope that when they are teenagers, that they will still hang out with Elaine and me.

Kaylee also had her good friend Nicole fly in for the weekend from Houston.  She was able to spend the night with us one night and then Miss Kaylee was able to go to the Melting Pot with her family on another night.  I love this picture of Kaylee and Nicole snuggled together watching a late night chick flick.

 

So grateful for good friends!

Still Alice

I'm on a nightly reading frenzy lately.  Thanks to all the emails and comments with recommendations.  Quite a few suggested "the Help" and "These is My Words" I have read those books before and LOVED them.

Thanks to one of you I just finished "Still Alice".

I couldn't put it down!  I really learned a lot from the book because it is written from the main character's perspective.  You really get a glimpse into the life of a person that has Alzheimer's Disease. It breaks my heart what they are going through. Yes its sad, but if we don't understand it, how can we help, how can we have empathy?

Read more about the book here - Still Alice

Gardening with Kids

Family Fun had a lot of neat gardening ideas in this last issue.  The 2 liter bottle cut in half and inverted was quite clever.  I also LOVED this idea.  They took a trading card plastic protector, stuck it to the window with little suction cups and grew seeds in it.  The girls and I did a little experiment.  We put some seeds in paper towels and some in soil.  Here is a picture of our results...

The soil seeds grew a lot faster.  We talked about how they "should" because of all the nutrients the soil has in it compared to the paper towel.  Kaylee carefully scooped them out with a spoon and planted them in cups so that we can continue watching some of the beans grow. 

"One of the most delightful things about a garden is the anticipation it provides."  ~W.E. Johns

Gymnastical

Kaylee is very into gymnastics right now, and judging by her build and size I should have signed her up for gymnastics.  She cart wheels around and as of late does these hand stands to see how long she can hold it.

She has said a few times to me, "Mom do you think I am gymnastical?"  I don't know where she got this word, but it makes me smile every time she uses it!

Our Dog

We have a dog named Shadow.  She is an outside dog.  Today I told Ash to give her a scrap from breakfast.  Ash went to the back door and said, "Here Shad, Happy Valentine's Day!"

"Ash it's not Valentines Day, why did you say that?"

"Mom, Shad is a dog and doesn't know that it's not Valentines Day.  I'm just tricking her a little so that she thinks its a fun day"

Oh my Ash.....

Sounding Out and Reading

I have been working on reading with Ashley in the afternoons.  I love her little smirk and confidence as she sounds out each word.

Hooked on Phonics is amazing and I did some with Ash.  BUT what I have always LOVED are these cute books by Nora Gaydos.  There are ten in a pack and each pack focuses on certain phonics.  We used these with Nathan when he was little and are still going strong using them with Ashley.  You can check them out with this link - Now I'm Reading! Playful Pals, Level 1

Somedays I love hearing those little words being sounded out ... today was one of them!

Do any of you have favorite early reading books?

Alesha Letters

Aunt Alesha is VERY creative and VERY funny.  She told Nathan that she would send him something to help finish off his art project.  I got such a kick out of her letter that I had to post it...

I'm the lamo that would have just stuck the medal in the mail, but Alesha goes the extra mile making it fun.  Here is another letter that she sent a few months ago to Nathan.  I thought it was fun how she wrote the text in circles...

So there you have it, if you need to write a letter to someone make it FUN!