rice krispie eggs

Spring Break - I love it. Time to do whatever. Well I have been wanting to make these Rice Krispie Eggs that I have seen in a commercial for weeks now, so today I brought the girls to Target to get the indgredients.

Then it hit me, THIS could be the "story" that was my homework for my photography class. We are supposed to have 3-5 pictures that tell a story - using different/unique perspectives.

So, here is my "Story". My problem is that I have 6 pictures that I want to use....which one to toss out?????

Great day for the MOA

This week we took a trip to the Mall of America and met up with some friends. Actually it was just the girls and I, since Erik was with Grandma and Grandpa.

I love that Mall and I think my girls have inherted that love. There is so much to do, so much to see. After lunch at the Rainforest Cafe, we went on to Nick Amusement Park (I will always call it Camp Snoopy, but whatever) and rode some rides.

I promised my girls that we could come back soon to focus on the shopping part ;)

1st Grade Concert

I must say, I think I had a smile on my face the WHOLE time.

Last week was the first grade concert at school. Acutally, they divided the first graders into about 4 sections, with each section having their performance on a different day. GREAT idea. It's much easier to SEE your child and their expressions/motions with a small group.

My favorite part was, when Reagan was done with her speaking (into a microphone) part, she ran up to me, gave me a kiss and went back to her spot on the stands. It was so Reagan.

thoughtful

My Chloe...the one who is at school the least becomes my main model :)

She is always thinking, always observing, always exploring. I love her serious look. She loves being outside, and while waiting for the school bus a couple of days ago, I watched her as she took everything in. I could hear the wheels turning in her cute little head.

small town, USA, you are beautiful

Rick and I took a trip this weekend to northern Minnesota. It was nice to get away from the hustle and bustle of life. We toured the small towns, and did whatever we wanted to. I have never seen a sky so clear at night.

The one thing I wanted was a picture of a Bald Eagle. On the second day, I got my wish. There it was, sitting on top of a tall pine tree. Gasp - it was gorgeous. And then it flew off.

I feel like it was good it reconnect with Rick, to refresh the soul, to slow down the pace. BUT, it was the BEST coming home to the kids and giving them big hugs and kisses.

spring???

Well, I wished for summer in my last post and it looks like the second best thing came - Spring! Hey, I'll take it! What a GORGEOUS weekend last weekend was, and we all took advantage of it. Erik was running around the neighborhood with all the other 9 year old boys (getting dirty and sweaty like all 9 year old boys do so well ;). Reagan was on a stick hunt, with a mission to build nests for all the birds that were coming back North. Chloe, well she just loves to run, swing, and watch everything that is happening in her environment.

Today was an overcast, drizzly kind of day, but as I was letting Lexi out, I caught the sound of a Cardinal's song and ran in to grab my telephoto lens. I thanked Mr. Bird as he posed his red body for me against the grey sky, to get this great shot.

oh summer

where are you??

Reagan

Reagan has decided that she wants to be my model for my camera/photography class. She says that, if she is a good enough model, my teacher will give her a blue ribbon.

Gotta love that child.

Parasol

We got a hold of a Japanese parasol from the 50s. Both Chloe and Reagan have been in love with it. Here are some pictures of Chloe knowing exactly how to use it to work the camera ;)

2 legged vs. 4 legged

The ducks are back. The geese are back. Our pond is now full of the feathered friends and Lexi is in awe. It is the first time that she has seend these animals, since she was born in the dead of winter. I can tell she's curious, but not yet bold enough to try to check them out up close.

remembering

Scanning pictures I came across this one of the twins. I was amazed at how small, how vulernable they looked. They grow so fast. Too fast really. I look at my kids now and think of how "big" they are but need to realize how realative it all really is. 5 years from now, I will look back from pictures from 2010 and have the same thoughts as I do now looking at pictures from when they were babies.

Truth is, they will always be little, always be vulnerable and always be my babies is my eyes. And yet, they seem so strong, so wise and so brave at the same time. It is true that, when you have kids, you heart will always walk outside of your body.

Rule of Thirds

I started a class. I have homework. Yikes. My photography teacher will be giving our class a homework assignment each week. The scary part???? He will be posting our pictures from our memory card up on a screen, IN FRONT of the WHOLE Class. The even scarier part???? NO EDITING! Straight from the camera.

The homework this week was to shoot pictures using the "Rule Of Thirds" which basically means your focal point is somewhere along the picture at the intersections of where the picture is cut into thirds horizonally and vertically.

Ok.

Well, I sort of feel I cheated on the second picture. I shot it in Black and White. But I abided by the rules - no editing! And the first shot, that was more happenstance. We have been blesssed by gorgeous sunsets and sunrises these past couple of weeks. I love how the lightpost happens to be in the picture, too, as a focal point.

Looking forward to leanring. Hopefully, this old dog can learn some new tricks :)

model child

I have been pushing myself to keep learning about taking pictures and editing them. Tonight, I needed a model, so I asked Reagan. Confession time....I bribed her with a Thin Mint. She did so well, and I must say, looked so cute :) She got her cookie plus some kisses and hugs.

A wish, a promise