Hannah started middle school today, 6th grade. It’s shocking how much older she looks, even overnight. She has a great confidence and a wonderful personality. She’s bound to have a wonderful year.

A little fun time at the park makes kids super happy. When I can get them to hold still for more than a milliseconed, it’s when I usually can get the most unique candid shots. I love to watch them play and enjoy themselves and get creative with their surroundings. It’s nice to be the lurking mom who gets to listen in on the things they say and observe the things they do. Only I lurk with my camera in hand. And sometimes, it’s totally worth it.

I’ve been a bit slackerish in the photo department this week. Not necessarily by choice, but my lack of a good photo. Sometimes this is really hard. I’ve become a nitpicky perfectionist. I totally love taking photos, even if they are pure snapshot quality or even if they are blurry outtakes. There is still something about whatever is captured in that moment that gets me excited about having a camera in hand. But having decided to make something more of my photos has given me a complex. I sometimes forget about the joy I get from just taking pictures. I’m constantly consumed with composition and positioning and lighting and depth of field and catchlights and on and on and on. Even with careful planning, sometimes the photos just don’t reflect my efforts. It’s frustrating. I wonder if I try to hard and forget some key elements. Sometimes I’m in too much of a rush and don’t take the time to be careful, I know that. I’m trying to work on my composition and creativity and to break from the extreme close up and a centered photo. For some reason my eye just goes that way. I have to make a mental note with every photo. Now that I talk about it, I feel the urge to go try some more. I’m sure my own kids won’t be very cooperative so I might have to get extra creative.

And if anyone wants to send a new camera my way, that would be extra great!!

Yesterday I went out with my nephew who’s now 6 months to get some new shots of him. He woke up too early from his nap and was more interested in the grass between his toes and the water fountain to care about looking at me or mom at all. His tolerance didn’t last all that long so I didn’t get to try some things that I had wanted to. We’ll go out another day when he’s in a better mood.  And it just goes to show that I still have so much to learn.

But, I must say, this boy has some killer blue eyes. My own kids have very blue eyes but a different shade. Justin’s are a deep, dark blue and when he gives a good wide-eyed look, it’s really great.

This photo is too much cheek but it’s great for the eyes!

I had a great little mini-vacation! I got out with friends, away from the kiddos for a few days, and enjoyed some really great music and festivities! A little time away is always refreshing and great for clearing the head. Though I’m still trying to recover from the lack of sleep and getting back into the swing of things, the newfound clarity hasn’t quite found me yet. I’ll give it a few more days.

Last week we went to two different zoos and I took a lot of photos. The first day it was beyond hot and humid and the animals were all lethargic and we were miserable too. The second day was perfect temperature and overcast skies and after 3 hours at our very small zoo, we had seen all the animals more than once, some more than twice. The pictures came out really colorful and striking. My biggest critique for myself is to not be in such a rush to get a nice shot because I keep cropping off little ends which really keep the photos from being awesome. I need to slow down and compose a bit more. But in my defense, keeping my eye on two toddlers at the same time is distracting in itself. Be ready for a long entry, here are a few of my faves. [or a lot!]

wow, this got to be a lot. I never can choose. There are more, you can see them HERE. I have more to share but I’ll save it for another day.

I’m taking a little mini-vacation and attending a 3 day AWESOME concert. I have so many awesome photos to share and tell about and some other neat things to share but I just don’t have the time right now and won’t again until the beginning of next week. AND my mouse has staged a mutiny and must now be replaced. It wants to scroll just fine, it just doesn’t want to click. I think it’s all clicked out!

Have a wonderful weekend!! I’ll have plenty to show off and share when I return [and re-mouse!]