Play Date

On Friday of last week, Sarah had the opportunity to have a friend from school over for a "Play Date". This is something I really do not do enough of, especially when we live so far out in the country and another child is hard to come by. Sarah is usually left to play by herself (something she is quite good at) while her mother compulsively cleans or bakes.
Anyway! We had a friend over. This little girl was even able to get off the school bus with Sarah. The sight of which sent my biological clock into overdrive! Something about watching two giggling girls of the same age come running toward my house...I could have litters of them!
The girls had a great time that day. First we donned our princess dresses, complete with jewels and tiaras. Not sure why, but somehow the bunny ears were a suitable tiara substitute.
Then, as a fun activity, we all decorated cupcakes with chocolate frosting and, of course, plenty of sprinkles and candy! We did have to cover up the princess dresses for this endeavor.

Please do not tell this child's mother that I let them clean up the frosting...I have never seen such clean frosting containers.

These were the results of our efforts. These beautiful, carefully decorated, heavily candied, tasty cupcakes. Hummm, it looks like we are missing a couple here. I would have NEVER given the girls cupcakes after all that chocolate frosting.
OK - So maybe I gave them one...

Family Portraits

Every once in a while I get to pursue something I really love doing. It is rare these days that I have the time to do something by myself, let alone something that entails some prep work, but it is worth the trouble to feel that sense of self that I get. My passion is photography. I am not picky either! Be it shooting black and white still life or family portraits, I feel fulfilled when I pick up the camera.

Once upon a time, a day would not go by that I was not out shooting something. Horses, fence posts, children, fruit, tractors - you name it. That was back when I had the money to spend thousands of dollars on lab fees and film...Yeah, it was probably thousands... Now in the digital age, I have a nice-enough point and shoot camera that I use relentlessly on my children, but I hardly give it the thought that I used to give the shots I once took.

When I dug out that Nikon camera that was once permanently attached to my hand, and began to look through the view finder, something changed inside me. I feel whole and purposeful (not that raising kids doesn't give me that satisfaction too, but this is a purely selfish contentment).

So, with that said, I would like to thank the Flip Flopping Momma for allowing me the pleasure of shooting her family portraits this past week. Of course, now I will be looking at the world in a different light. One of negative space and contrast, of aperture and depth of field. Every once in a while, this other personality wakes inside me and, for a brief time, I can remember my former life...

Night with Friends

The Farmer, Aiden, Jake, and Jason hang out by the fire. For some reason, they did not care for the flash on my camera...The Kempels.
Abby in all her pregnant glory. I think she glows.

We hung out at the Kempel house last weekend and were able to visit with Jake, Abby and Jack, who we have not seen since we were up North this past July. Abby is expecting a baby in January - and she looks GREAT! Their little one, Jack, is a busy little boy, but I think a new baby will give him something to keep him entertained.

We had a great time making smores and catching up by the fire.

Flea Markets

Recently the Flip Flopping Momma and her Momma and I hit a local Flea Market. OH the Joy of shopping! We had a great time, even though it was hotter then heck! The baby slept and Sarah was with Daddy - life was good.