On becoming a Smurf

The three Smurfs....I mean, elves in our house have been working hard on their Christmas cheer.

A Must Have

I wasn't going to blog about these until after Christmas because I purchased a couple for Christmas gifts...but...they are just too amazing not to share...and I think you should buy one or two for the special people on your list.



Seriously, can they get any cuter?

Check out Leanne's etsy shop NobleUpcycling. Everything in her shop is handcrafted from premium, upcycled felted wool sweaters.

Happy Shopping.

You're welcome.

You Capture - Sweet

Before I start this weeks you capture I have a confession to make. I'm new to this, this is my second week, so when I had people comment on my photos last week who were not my best friends or my mother I jumped up and down in my kitchen. Thank you.

A huge thank you goes out to Rebekah for letting me know about Darcy and her 31 days to a better photo series tutorial. I have been reading and re-reading and re-reading the tutorial and I shot ALL OF MY YOU CAPTURES IN MANUAL!!!!!! USING THE ISO, SHUTTER SPEED, APERTURE..... I have a lot to learn and really need someone to follow me around and tell me what to do in each situation but I am trying and I am practicing. THANK YOU!

Now moving on to this weeks photo challenge...SWEET.

I captured sweet: Containing or derived from sugar

The yummy cafe mocha my sweet husband made for me with whip cream and a sweet Smartie.


One of my sweet boys, tasting a sweet treat.



And I captured sweet: Pleasing to the mind or feelings; gratifying

Simon outside playing in the mounds of snow we have gotten over the past three days. What makes this sweet? Buses were cancelled, for three days. What makes this even more sweet? My husband and I are both teachers.


My sweet girl, tobogganing down a sweet hill.


Looking at these photos on here they are too washed out...or something...any helpful tips for me?

For some serious photography skills check out other you captures here

9 in 3 Weeks

We have been "partying like rockstars".

We are so lucky to have been a part of so many special days. School friends, Montessori friends, and the most special friends in our lives...thank you.








I had to add that last picture in despite it's blurriness to show the height of the bowling ball.

House - Slow Progress

Progress has been slow on our house. We are thankful that we moved our close date to April from their original March date. Let's hope we see some walls in the next week.

Advent Night

Last night our school community celebrated the beginning of the Advent season. Riley's class along with my class performed two songs during the liturgy. If I do say so myself they rocked the roof off the church.

All three ready to go....yes, it is too much to ask for all three of them to be smiling and looking at the camera at the same time.


Riley, doing her thing.



The night ended with a craft sale, bake sale and some time with friends. Bring on the Christmas Season!

Love/Hate Relationship

Simon has a love/hate relationship with swimming lessons. He loves to swim but would take or leave the lessons. This session was particularly hard for him. His group was advanced, his teacher was hard and they worked on way more skills in the deep end than Riley's group, 3 levels higher. It was hard for him, he is not confident in the water, but he got through it and he asked to take the next session on our way out of the pool on Thursday. Way to go Si Guy!

Four Yeses and a NO

Cooper, do you want to go swimming? Yes.


Are you going to jump? Yes.


Are you going to blow bubbles? Yes.


Are you going to splash? Yes.


Are you going to float on your back? NO. No daddy, NO!!!!!

BOO!

Ever since Coop's Santa experience he walks around with the Santa hat on saying Boo, Santa scary. Hope this means he is so scared of him that he will understand why there aren't many presents under the tree for him. Being the third child sucks!

Here I go....or at least here I try....

I read a blog called ishouldbefoldinglaundry and each week she hosts, You Capture, a weekly photo challenge. I have been admiring her photos for a long time, she is an amazing photographer and I vowed that once I got a new camera I would put myself out there and participate.

So here it goes....

I have a lot to learn about this camera and maybe even more to learn about photo editing. So be patient with me.

The assignment for this week was kindred.




Hopefully not too bad for my first attempt at this.

See some fabulous You Capture here

No, Santa Scary. Another one for therapy.

One would ever know


by looking at these three peaceful children listening to Santa read a story


that this would happen at photo time.


Side note: Yes, I bought the photo...and the CD. Yes, it is displayed in a frame on our piano. Yes, I found it funny. Yes, every time I look at the photo I laugh...I can hear Coop in my head yelling "No. Santa Scary." Yes, I love this picture...I love that Riley and Simon are smiling like nothing is happening, I love that Santa has a two-handed death grip on Coop, I love that Santa is laughing right along with me. Priceless. Another one for the therapist Coop. You're welcome.

Just 5 more minutes, please mom....