Gone Baby Gone

Since I am about out the door for an adventure filled holiday weekend with 12 10-year-olds at Surf Camp (yes we've had thundershowers for 24 hours now, oh joy) I thought I'd post my Best Shot Monday today! I won't be home until Monday afternoon (unless of course we get rained out) so we'll just call this a Best Shot weekend!

After reading the Parent Bloggers Blog Blast prompt, I got all weepy and nostalgic about the days when I'd take my daughters to the beach when they were babies. Sunhats and big bottomed bikinis stuffed with swim diapers are a thing of the past for this family-she says half heartbroken and half with a sigh of relief-but our beach excursions will hopefully go on and on.

Even though the chance of thunderstorms will be in effect through this holiday weekend, I am still going to post an ode to my favorite place in all the world...the beach.

May you all enjoy your weekend, whatever it may hold.

Do the Do

When my grandmother recently asked my straggly haired daughter is she ever “does her hair” I tried not to take offense. As most of you well know, my youngest is her own creature; a force to be reckoned with. A thrasher ballerina and fearless warrior cowgirl princess. Before she could answer the hair question I jumped in with a “yes Grandma, we do her hair everyday for school.” As much as my urchin girl has come to accept (and I think love) her mop in it's most natural state, she passionately embraces the glory of fancy girlie do. Fine by me. I adore them both.

Although I don’t consider myself a girlie girl at all, I also love me a fun hair do. I’m a short hair kinda gal so little clips and stubby pigtails are right up my alley. This is why when I got to pick out a few fancy “no slip” clips by Maiden America to try, I was sure to order some for my daughters and a few playful designs for myself. And one for my baby niece who has the cutest baby hair-do in all the world. Go see for yourself-she is ADORABLE!

I only have a few words to say about these clips. Love. Love. Love. Maiden America offers a gazillion beautiful designs (for every kind girl), they live up to their “no slip” guarantee which pretty much rules and they are a mom run business and the clips are made by moms. What’s not to love?

More rave reviews can be found at the Parent Blogger Network.

A Gift from Rwanda

Jen has updated her blog with the most stunning photo of Odette's daughters Grace and Lillian.
I just wanted to share it with you.
Sigh.

A Brave and Borrowed Best Shot

Jen left today for Rwanda. I have thought about her all day. She left a heartfelt and honest post on her blog before she left and posted lovely photos. I am borrowing one for today's Best Shot because I love everything about it.



photo by jen lemen

Even thought I didn't take this photo, I feel like I can borrow it from Jen (since I gave this little gem to her to carry with her on her trip, it feels OK). It's my way of honoring her as she forever changes the lives of everyone she touches in Africa. She is the bravest person I know.



What would you like to honor with your Best Shot today?

Love Notes for Thursday

Spent the afternoon yesterday with my daughter's Girl Scout Troop writing love notes to the girls of Rwanda. These will go with Jen Lemen on her trip. Along with a suitcase full of zines and her camera (of course).

Have you heard? t's a Hope Revolution! And it's gonna change the world.

Playing Eco

The Discovery Channel Store comes up with the coolest toys. The camera my daughter has is great fun so I thought I'd try out one of the eco friendly games they've got going. Considering we love games around here I thought Rapido sounded kind of fun. You know, quick and challenging. My youngest daughter looooves a good race so a game where you have to race to win is alright by her. Except when she can't win. Perhaps it's a sore loser kind of thing or maybe the game is just a little too advanced for her (or maybe a little of both) but after trying it out, she's not super excited it.

I thought it seemed fun enough-picking up these little marbles with a bamboo tube in the same color pattern as your little game board but she's not hip to it. I think it was because each time she picked up a marble she would end up losing it out the top because she was tipping the tube and they were rolling out. Bummer. I will offer a kudos to Discovery for trying to get some games made of 'sustainable materials' out there (instead of plastic) and I'll definitely be giving this game another chance in like a year when my daughter is closer to 6. I'll let you know what happens.

If you're looking for something that might be a better fit the younger set, check out Rapelli. Some of the Parent Bloggers will be reviewing it soon so be sure to read what they have to say.

Review brought to you by The Parent Blogger Network.

Something About Mother's Day

One of the many perks of having preschool aged children is getting handmade Mother's Day gifts. I'm a sucker for every painted, glued, stitched, drawn, folded, pipe cleanered, popsicle sticked work of art.

On the other hand, when you've got a near middle-schooler, they are old enough to translate to your spouse your deep and desperate desire for a spa pedicure. Pedicure gift certificates are my most favorite things. Ever. Second only to macaroni jewelry.

Speaking of jewelry, you can still enter the Blue Poppy Motherhood necklace giveaway by leaving a comment on the Mother's Day Post at Shutter Sisters.

I do hope all of you moms enjoyed your Sunday and took plenty of photos to choose from for your Best Shot Monday. I bet you did, didn't you?

Are Wii Fit Yet?

Nintendo threw a fit at my house last night. A Wii Fit that is.



After our little personal training session, Wii are all still smiling. I think that's a good sign.

Since I'm just a beginner I won't try to act like a pro and review it just yet. I do however plan on giving Fit a try to see what happens. God knows, I could use a little Fit in my life. I'm not an exercise kind of gal so it should be entertaining if nothing else. And I plan on sharing my progress. Did I really just say that out loud?

If you'd care to join me in having your own Fit (Wii Fit hits the stores at the end of the month) you are going to be very excited when I tell you that there is a giveaway in the making as we speak. Something along the lines of this one but with a photo twist.

More on that soon. Very soon. Wii pinky swear.


I think this post Fits nicely under the Thursdays Theme of FUN over at The Land of Ka. Sure, it may be Friday but Wii partied on Thursday so it's gotta count, right?

A Good Way to Start the Day

Me- Honey, can you please clear your bowl from the table?

Her- Oh yes, of course. Princesses always clear their bowls.

I'd say the day has great potential.

Happy Love Thursday.

Incriminating Shot Monday

We've never been a dog family. We are a cat family. We're still enjoying our faithful 18-year-old cat, thankfully. Lucky for my husband and I, both sets of grandparents have dogs which gives the kids a regular dog-fix without us having to commit to another pet. Whew.

The other day I caught my dad's dog red-pawed with a slipper (big no-no) and I had to grab a photo of the crime scene.

This picture cracks me up because he looks sooooo guilty. But not quite enough to give up the slipper. Classic. So much like a child. I love it.

So, what classic moment did you capture this week?

And I Quote...

As I was putting my youngest daughter down for the night and we were laying in her bed chatting about the day, she sweetly put her hands on my face and gazed at me. With a big sigh, she sleepily exhaled, "I love you even though you are my mom."

She's Got Legs

My Best Shot Monday is an ode to my tiny dancer. This photo captures her as the rogue ballerina that she truly is. Part princess, part tomboy, 100% herself.



The vibrant color she brings to our family takes my breath away; sometimes leaving me exhausted, sometimes leaving me simply overwhelmed with gratitude.

Do you have something to share that makes your heart skip a beat?

Hey Mamas, Shutter Sisters is co-sponsoring another Mama Focus Contest just in time for Mother's Day. Be sure to visit Shutter Sisters on Tuesday (whoops, I meant Wednesday) for the scoop. Or if you're too eager to wait, just visit Mamazine right now for all the details.

Portrait of Mom

There's a mom celebration going on that I heard about via the Parent Blogger Network. It's a little something called Portraits of Mom. There's photo sharing going on and of course, prizes. And if you're in San Francisco or Brooklyn, you can even waltz into a Windows Live studio to get a free portrait with your kids which is something all of us photo moms could really use (as we're never in the photos because we're always taking them). Be sure to read the rules because the pros aren't eligible to enter to win the prizes. I hate that when that happens.

Along with the campaign, the PBN asks us (and YOU are included in the us) to describe our portrait of mom. And timely enough Paige just shared Hand it Over at Shutter Sisters and so I couldn't help but want to share this portrait of me as mom that my talented sister took.

I love having portraits of my kids and I as seen by someone other than myself. I do shoot self-portraits (as you alredy know), but a view through someone elses lens is always refreshing.

What makes this shot especially compelling to me is that it brings to life how I feel about being a mother.

I'm in the center. I am the center. My children revolve, spin and exist around me, both in their reality and mine. Although this is changing and I already see signs of their gradual flight from our insulated, circular nest- right now, this is our life and I am still the center. And for a mother, this can as difficult as it is delightful. Being a mom means giving oneself. The hardest part for me is giving myself without losing myself. I have been vigilant (maybe to a fault at times) about holding on to me as me, beyond me as a mother. And still, now that I am a mother, they are a part of me. As I see it, they aren't separate from me but at the same time, they are. I might be talking in circles here but I have finally discovered, it isn't an either/or. It's a both.

As a mother I have become a richer, fuller me and as my girls continue to grow and change and move away from me as the center, I can only hope I too grow and change gracefully, ever becoming the best me I can be, as a mother. As myself.

Losing Sight of Love

Thursdays have become one of my favorite days. Mostly because of the Love. I have found it one of the most pleasurable pastimes now, to collect image after image of Love as I find it (or maybe more as it finds me) through my lens. Literally, figuratively, symbolically, true.

Within the last year or so of my life, I feel like I’ve hit somewhat of a stride. I’ve been contently chugging away; on track and on time, sure and steady, authentic and real. I recognize I’m evolving into the person I want to be. Softer, kinder, more gentle—to others and to myself. I’m more open, more in balance, more aware. More loving. Maybe that’s why Thursdays feel so good. I’m happy with where I’m at and where I am going.

Usually.

But there are always those days. Days like today where my peace train is jolted by an unexpected and violent derailment. My body tenses and my throat burns triggered by a raging range of emotions. The screech and spark of metal on metal permeate my very core as I try desperately to avoid the inevitable crash. To no avail, petty thoughts and past baggage pile up like boxcars jarred and jackknifed, one on top of the other, twisted and tangled.

Sometimes I forget that to be one’s best self you must pay attention and keep your eyes on the road. I am reminded, as I sit here amidst the smoldering wreckage, when you lose sight of Love, you lose your way. The road got dark and somehow I dropped the map.

With Love long gone, I slowly pick myself up, battered and bruised. The only thing I can do now is look for Grace. Grace will help me find Love. They’re old friends. And thankfully I know that they are no strangers to messes like this one. I also know they’ll help me clean things up and get back on track when I’m ready. And as that morning whistle blows, you’d better believe I’m letting Love take the wheel.



My Love Thursday photo is an ode not only to Love but to her true companion Grace.

My Sunny Best Shot Monday

You are my sunshine, my only sunshine,

You make me happy when skies are gray.

You'll never know dear how much I love you...

We're you lucky enough to capture a little sunshine this week?

Got Photo Tips?

If you're interested in gathering a few tips and tricks to add to your photo knowledge arsenal, pop over to the Hip Slope Mama blog. They asked me to offer some of my ideas over there so be sure to go check it out.

Happy Clicking.

You're on the Air

Well, actually we're on the air.
But you could be too.

All you have to do is call in to chat with Kate and I LIVE this evening from 6-6:30pm PST to Motherhood Uncensored's Blog Talk Radio show. Want more info? Click HERE.



Yay!

Edited to write: To listen to the show, see the sidebar (over there to the right) for the play button!

Breathing in My Best Shot

Still reveling in the wide open spaces of central California, I wanted to share another photo with you from the other weekend. We took walk after walk through fields of mustard and tall grasses, breathing in the clean cool air of the vastness that surrounded us. Sigh.

I said it was heaven, right?

What little slice of heaven do you have to share this week?

Getting Our Spring On

Taking into consideration the obvious theme of many recent photos and various posts on the subject, I guess it goes without saying that I love the promise of early spring. With the beauty of every blossom I am inspired; each new bloom, each tender bud, each tiny revealing of color emerging from sleepy green stalks and woody branches.

My girls and I have been enjoying discovery walks, photo excursions and crafty afternoons all in honor of spring’s arrival. About a month ago we began working on a collaborative project we're calling The First of Spring. It’s a mix of photos, paintings, leave rubbings, words, and even a super-springy poem (courtesy of my 10-year-old). As the finishing touch we bound the pages in an HP Photo Book to have something to commemorate our celebration and creative burst.

Sharing my camera with my kids is a given. Yes, I’m one of those moms that hands over the big, heavy, expensive SRL to my kids and let them have at it. They were definitely excited to take photos for our project. But what added to the fun was the painting and the writing that we added to embellish the book and make it a true mixed media-scrap book kind of thing. The do-it-yourself-book binding worked perfectly with all of the elements (to my delight) because the binding opens easily and pinches closed to hold all the goodies together. I think I might even have the kids paint on the cover (it's linen) as an added touch.

Because more than anything, I suppose I’m gushing over my children's enthusiasm and creativity, I wanted to share some photos of our process (like the one I shared over at the April Snapshot at HP) as well as the spring poem my daughter wrote for the book. If you can't read the poem, feel free to pop over to the original collage created at Tabblo. Adorable!

Perhaps this inspires you and your kids to get busy as bees this month in celebration of the good green earth. Feel free to share your ideas and links to your own projects here in the comments.

Happy Creating!

For more photographic inspiration visit Shutter Sisters.

New Places, Friendly Faces

I spent an incredible weekend with some great friends just north of Santa Barbara. There were hills to roam, animals to befriend and lots of wine to drink. OK, in my case it was beer but you get the picture. It was pretty close to heaven on earth.





How about you? Any new places or friendly faces you'd like to share on this fine Monday?