The mall we went to over the weekend was gorgeous! I’m so glad I brought my camera. I almost didn’t because I was afraid they’d search my bag and confiscate my camera or tell me to leave it out in the 100+ degree car, neither of which I’d allow. I wanted to make sure I captured the day we took our oldest baby to his first movie!
I spent about 10 minutes taking shots right outside the theater after the movie. It gave Mr. Serious an opportunity to run around and let off some much needed steam. I kept expecting someone from security to walk up to me and tell me to put the camera away, but luckily no one did.
Afterward we went inside and walked around the mall. I was hoping to find a toy store to possibly get Mr. Serious a Buzz Lightyear action figure, but to my great surprise, there was no toy store in the entire mall! The moment we walked in we found a Bath & BodyWorks and I couldn’t resist buying lotion, candles and their Wallflower air freshener. The refills were on sale and really cheap if you consider they’re supposed to last 8 weeks and cost less than most 30-day air freshener refills. I spent close to $80 in there, but I guarantee you that my house and I both smell great.
Boa 13 Month Update!
Boa is now officially walking! Well, he’s still taking no more than six or so steps at a time, but I know within a few days he’ll be toddling all over the place. He loves walking toys all around the house and one of his favorite activities is to push Mr. Serious around on a ride-on toy. Mr. Serious is thrilled at being pushed around and will tell Boa, “More ride” if he stops. I can’t believe I’m so close to not having a baby anymore!
Earlier this week, we put away the bottles for good and now Boa drinks only out of sippy cups. We made the transition around the same time for Mr. Serious. It hasn’t been much of a problem though Boa loves to throw sippy cups which negates using the Take and Toss brand we used with Mr. Serious. The screw-on kind are more expensive, harder to clean and he’s already cracked one.
Boa is a thrower. If I had to place my bets right now, he’s the athlete, though I believe we determined that when he was still in the womb. (Only soccer players kick that much.) It is so much fun to sit down on the floor with him and toss him a ball. He’ll toss it right back at you! If he misses and tosses the ball 5 feet in the wrong direction, no problem! He loves running after balls also. He’s always been drawn to them.
What’s Keeping Me Busy
My mom did this cute caterpillar project with Mr. Serious about a week ago and I finally got around to photographing it thanks to Faith’s first Simplicity eCourse assignment for week 2: Three examples of using focus and DOF on an object. These grab-an-object assignments are difficult since the boys are usually interested in ruining my set up. And I can’t go outside without them or they will both scream bloody murder. I’m loving the assignments. They’re more challenging than I was expecting and I’m enjoying seeing what others in the Flickr group have come up with for the week.
This week’s second assignment is flowers, so I think I need to tell Mark he should bring some home for me. We used to buy flowers all the time. It would be nice to have some in the house. I’m also inspired to go on a walk around the neighborhood with my camera to see what I can find.
Faith’s second photography course for SLR users only is now open for registration. I’ve signed up and would love to work with you! Please let me know if you’ll be participating also!
Speaking of flowers, Love that Shot‘s Blossom Workshop starts July 26! Since all I have is a 50mm and cannot afford a macro lens anytime soon, I just placed an order for this Close Up Filter Set to take more macro-like shots. It’s on Amazon right now for $11.25 and it’s eligible for Amazon Prime, so I get free shipping. Unrelated to the class, I also decided to get this Wide Angle Lens Filter. The retail for this is $130 and you can get it on Amazon for $7.39 plus shipping. It gets good reviews too, so I think it will be a fun $8 accessory!
Another thing eating up my time is preparation for the SITS ProBlogger Challenge which starts on Monday! There is still time to sign up! You don’t have to buy the book to join us, but if you want to, you can still get the 25% discount. I’m very excited that Francesca over at The SITS Girls asked me to be a community lead on BlogFrog for the ProBlogger Challenge! I look forward to helping others and seeing what they come up with during our month long adventure. Are you participating? If not, check out Erin at Nirvana Mamma’s 10 Mostly True Reasons to Take the ProBlogger Challenge with the SITSGirls. Then stop making excuses and come improve your blog with us!
Blog Buttons!
Finally, thanks to Christy at Skinned Knees, I now have some new blog buttons. Check them out and feel free to grab one!
This was created from my Through the Eyes photograph.
This one is from my Moon in the Sky photograph.
Finally, If you want to help promote Friday Finds, you can use this button The photograph used is New “Camera”!, used under the Attribution 2.0 Generic license.
LOVE this
Where is my paint set?…
We are using the Take & Toss sippy cups too! We made the transition a couple weeks ago (when I stopped pumping) but Ben has been on a cow’s milk strike until just recently. He refused to drink milk from the sippy at daycare, period. He’d drink water or juice, but not the milk. I think we’ve finally figured out what was the problem (too cold, and not used to the different cup spout) because today he had emptied both of his cups!
Congrats Boa, on beginning to walk!
With all these photography workshops and your 365 and taking care of your family… do you ever sleep?
Twitter: @PhotoLynda
I think around a year is the perfect time to transition away from bottles. I don’t want to judge other parents’ choices, but I don’t understand why some wait so long (2+!?) to get rid of bottles. We waited longer than I wanted to with Boa and I think he still transitioned a couple weeks earlier than Mr. Serious did.
With regard to all I’m up to, I’m just a really good multitasker!
@lynda awesome post!!!
@FaithRPhoto Thanks!
Love the little caterpillar dude, they are so fun!
I am going to add your button ASAP. I love the blue one!
You had asked where I got the frame on my black and white swing photo. It’s from Shadowhouse Creations. Best site ever! Tons of free textures and overlays and brush sets.
Also, since you mentioned you want to guest blog, email me!! (If you haven’t already.)
Twitter: @PhotoLynda
Awesome. Thank you! I *love* Shadowhouse. He has the BEST free textures and overlays. They’re a lot better than most of the pay stuff I see out there.
Twitter: @momfood
Wow, I can tell this is going to be a useful blog for me. I found you from the problogger roll call, and I need to make this a daily visit, because I’m total crap as a photographer, but I’m determined to get better.
Twitter: @PhotoLynda
Thanks so much for leaving a comment and your kind words Serene.
I doubt you’re a crap photographer, but one of the cool things about the craft is that there’s always something to learn!
Lynda, I LOVE these shots! Beautiful…all of them! Your mall shots are so cool, and the b&w’s of your little guys – adorable! The caterpillar project is way too cute, and I might have to try it since our heat index is over 100. Yucky! We’ve been inside for weeks! Your pics are so enjoyable to look at.
Thanks for the legs compliment – LOL! It was the angle of the sun – hee hee! I was pretty impressed myself – no, just kidding!
Twitter: @PhotoLynda
Thank you, Karli! The caterpillar project is super easy and aside from the paint, not at all messy!