Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Midweek Randomness: Art For Kids Hub

My daughter is a very talented artist.  She gets this special talent from my Mom, a former elementary art teacher and a very gifted artist. You may have seen some of her sketches posted here or here.  

One afternoon, I was perusing YouTube to find drawing tutorials for my little girl and I stumbled upon Art For Kids Hub.  Jackpot!  This website was created by a father of three who loves to do art.  He posts videos of himself, and one of his children, teaching kids how to draw.  I showed by daughter the first video and she LOVED it!  My little boy saw his sister so excited and he wanted in on the action, as well.  

An added bonus for the kids, was that I let them use Sharpies.  They don't get to use Sharpies often...one little guy in particular never got to use them, because he colors on everything.  Using Sharpies was definitely something special for them, but it also created a challenge.  It did not allow them the benefit of erasing.  They had to pay careful attention to the instructions, so they got the lines and curves just right.  This was tough for a 5 year old, but he caught on.

(Fact:  I love Sharpies. This activity allowed ME a trip to the store to buy MORE Sharpies.  Sharpies in all different colors.)

Rob, the father of three and creator of Art For Kids Hub, is energetic, simple in giving instructions, and encouraging along the way.  My kids really enjoy learning how to create the different characters. Let your kids try one of the tutorials.  I promise you, they will like it and you will be amazed by their creations!


*Note: I'm not being compensated by Art For Kids Hub.  I'm simply sharing a cute website that's fun for my kids.





Tuesday, September 15, 2015

Nursing School Graduate

I had the absolute pleasure of photographing this Nursing School Graduate.  Not only is she beautiful, but she's smart AND she is a Lieutenant in the United States Air Force.  We spent the morning in Baldwin Park and captured these gorgeous photos.  Good times!


 

 





Tuesday, September 1, 2015

Midweek Randomness: Shrimp Linguine

This is really a random post, as I'm not a food blogger or chef, but I had to share this recipe because my family loves it.  My kids regularly ask me to cook this meal.  

I got the original recipe from Rachael Ray magazine.  You can find it here.  I've made some changes to the recipe for various reasons.  
  • I don't use the parsley anymore.  I don't cook with it often and it ends up going to waste. Not sure why super markets sell it in such huge bunches.  
  • I used minced garlic from a jar, instead of chopped gloves of garlic.  It's fast and easy.  
  • I usually end up using about a half to three-fourths of a cup of feta.  A full cup is too overpowering.
  • I typically reduce the red pepper flakes, as well, for the sake of the kids.  
  • I add a splash of cooking wine to add a bit more flavor.  
  • Lastly, I top the plated dishes with shaved Parmesan cheese.  It adds a great flavor and makes the dish look fancy.

This dish is pretty fast and easy to make.  Few ingredients, minimal prep and cook time, and GREAT on flavor.  Can't beat it!



Side note...the other day I was making this dish and my kids were both snacking on the raw spinach I had waiting on the counter.  Can you believe it?  Kids?  Snacking on raw spinach?
Amazing!


Tuesday, August 25, 2015

Midweek Randomness: Messes

I love my kids, I love art, and I love my kids' art, but I really hate messes.  The messes that result in allowing children to make art make me crazy.  They do.  There are lots of times that I tell my kids no. No, you can't paint today or no, you can't cut up construction paper into a thousand pieces and glue them to a toilet paper roll.  I feel guilty about it.  Please tell me I'm not the only one.


There are, however, lots of times I do say yes.  Yes, you can paint or yes, you you can glue pom poms all over that shoe box.  I suck it up, let them make a mess AND beautiful creations.  Then after they are done, I get to work cleaning up the supplies, wiping down the table and chairs, moping the floors, and of course displaying their masterpieces.






Wednesday, August 12, 2015

Midweek Randomness: Angel Wings

I'm really digging all of the urban art around Orlando these days.  Over the past few weeks, I've found some new creations that I just love.  This one was just too cool to pass up, so I stopped for a few pics in the middle of running errands.  

I'm thankful that my daughter usually goes with the flow when it comes to my photography shenanigans.  But this time, she really got into the shoot.  It took us less than 8 minutes and was super fun.  She even wanted to get in on the camera action and took a few shots of me.  The camera was almost too heavy for her (she only weighs 38.5 lbs) and her tiny hands had trouble reaching the shutter button, but her very first images turned out fantastic!  

One proud photogMom right here!!







Tuesday, August 4, 2015

First Holy Communion

I had the honor of photographing this young man as he celebrated his First Holy Communion.  He wasn't exactly happy about having his picture taken, so I tried to make the process a little easier by engaging him in conversation.  He opened up to me and told me all about his dog and the crazy things she does, a few silly things his Dad does (sorry Dad), and what his favorite things about school are.  He was so well spoken!  And handsome, did I mention handsome?  He was a lot of fun and I loved getting to know him a little bit better.  

First Holy Communions are a very special time in a child's life, but also a special time in a parent's life.  I was so honored to capture this moment in time for his Mom.  It was a great shoot and I will definitely be offering some First Holy Communion specials in the spring.  

God Bless this sweet boy!





I just can't.  So adorably handsome!!

Tuesday, July 21, 2015

Sweet Baby F

I had the pleasure of photographing this sweet, sweet baby girl back in March.  Her Mommy holds a VERY special place in my heart and I'm absolutely honored that I got to photograph her first child.  Baby F was absolutely perfect and her parents were so over the moon.  They are beyond blessed...and so am I to have been given the opportunity to capture this special time for this family.





Wednesday, July 15, 2015

Midweek Randomness: Reflections and Other Random Stuff




 I am repainting a few rooms in my house and while we had the hallway mirror down, the kids and I had some fun.  They thought it was so funny to take a picture in front of the mirror.  The really got into it, crawling under my legs, posing, making silly faces.  This one was my favorite.  I just love those two crazies!!

Another reflection shot as I was playing around with my settings.

4th of July!!
Photographing sparklers is a tricky and I wanted to practice.  My little boy just couldn't stay still long enough for me to get a whole lot of practice in and my little girl was nervous holding them.  This photo shows the effect I wanted to capture.  Unfortunately, it was the only good one I got.  I need more practice.  Maybe next year...

Baking with Play-doh.

 Car hotel.

Wednesday, July 8, 2015

Life Lessons From Dad

One afternoon I looked up from doing whatever it was that I was doing and found my daughter and my husband working on his car.  I could tell is was a teaching moment, so I grabbed my camera and ran outside.  They were changing a tail-light bulb and he was giving her instructions the entire way.  

I LOVE that my husband took the time to show my daughter how to be self sufficient. These kind of life lessons are good to learn, however THE most important thing she will take away from those ten minutes on the driveway is the fact that her Dad wanted to spend time with her.  His little princess. She may or may not remember how to change a tail-light bulb, but the memory of her Dad taking the time to try to teach her something will last a forever.




Tuesday, July 7, 2015

Last of the Chick Pics

I could NOT get enough of this cutie!!  I've said this before, but I could have taken him home with me in an instant.

As soon as his Mom walked up to the shoot with him in her arms, Little B was reaching for me.  He had never met me before, but he was excited to see me.  Of course, I scooped him right up.

After cuddling with him for a few minutes, we got busy with the photo shoot.  Little B was enamored with the chicks.  He quickly made friends with them.  Playing with the colored eggs was a fun bonus, too.  It was a great evening with this little guy.  I hope I get to photograph him again soon.  :)








Thursday, July 2, 2015

Midweek Randomness in My Life

My sister and I were going through some of our childhood stuff at my Mom's house the other day.  Among the toys and books, we found a flower girl dress I wore back in the 80's.  I think I was around 7 years old when I wore this dress.  I remember vividly the seamstress measuring me to make the dress, wearing the dress in the wedding, and how twirly the dress was.  My sister and I used to use the dress for dress up play long after the wedding was over.  I'm so thrilled that my Mom kept this dress because it fits my Grace!!!  She is 7 years old. too, and it fit her perfectly.  The best part of all, the dress is still TWIRLY!!
I took her out to photograph her twirling in the dress.  She loved it!  Twirling and smiling through the whole photo shoot.  It made my heart flutter!

 I'm on the left, my beautiful Momma is in the middle, and my sister is on the right. Such happy memories!

 Those eyes!




She's so gorgeous and so silly at the same time!