Self-Portrait 38 Weeks

I feel like I accurately captured my exhaustion. Baby #3 will be here any day now...

Have a Happy Day!

~MJ

Glowing Tree

Last night I spent a little time experimenting with aperture, shutter speed and ISO on my new camera. I was trying to get the "glowing tree" effect:

Taken in a dark room with only the tree lights on. I used a rice filled neck wrap as a makeshift tripod. Nothing amazing, but I think I achieved an interesting effect.

Have a Happy Day!

~MJ

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Crafty Spices

Wordless Wednesday

First Day of School Chalkboard

Buddy just started his first day of preschool today!  I'm certain that I'm more anxious about it than he is.  Is it okay for the parent to experience separation anxiety?  He's my first, so unlike most of the parents I meet, I kind of want to keep him home forever. He's pretty much awesome.  Perhaps, after I've experienced life with just one child a few days a week, I'll feel differently. Maybe. And I suppose that the one on one time with Jellybean will be good for both of us.

Here's my amazing preschooler (AHH! I have a preschooler!)

See that chalkboard in his hands? I got this really simple tip from a friend.  Just pick up a frame and spray paint the glass with chalkboard paint. Now, I'll be able to use this chalkboard every year. How awesome is that?

Here's the step by step:

1. Get some chalkboard paint and take the glass out of your frame.
2. Spray paint the glass. I gave it several thin coats. After it was dry to the touch, I did a few more thin coats.
3. Let it dry for 24 hours
4. To get it ready for use, rub chalk over the entire surface.
5. Erase.
6. Put it in your frame and you're ready to write.

I don't have incredible art skills, maybe they'll improve over the years.

Have a Happy Day!

~MJ

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I hate Wordless Wednesday floral photography posts...

but I'm also a little lazy and I really love my Rose of Sharon.

Hibiscus Syriacus- Ubiquitous in my neighborhood, still beautiful.

Happy Wordless Wednesday! Join in the fun.

Have a Happy Day!

~MJ

Ladybird, Ladybird Fly Away Home

Ladybird, Ladybird fly away home

the fairy bells tinkle afar 

make haste or they'll catch you and harness you fast 

with a cobweb to Oberon's star

Happy WW! Have a Happy Day!

~MJ

Jellybean Turns Two

On Sunday, my little girl turned two!!

Here she is as a newborn:

One year ago:

And here she is now:

We opened a few presents after church. The vacuum was a hit:

Then we drove to my inlaws' for dinner.

Please, no more pictures!

I baked a "sunshine cake" for the occasion.

My attempt at a pretty cake.

Look at those pretty ringlets!

Delicious cake! Who needs a fork?

I had to snap a photo of Jellybean and her Great-Grandmother. She knit the beautiful sweater that Jellybean is wearing.

This was well after bedtime, but the photo op could not wait.

Here's a lot more about Jellybean.  She is two years old and I'm telling you now, here comes trouble...

- She absolutely must touch (or lick) EVERYTHING!
- I swear that she barely eats, but guzzles milk like crazy. A common phrase around the house: "Milk, milk, my milk, milk!"
- She likes to tease her older brother and I have even witnessed her do so until he cries.
- In her mind, every gift she receives automatically has a baby doll in it. 
-She absolutely must do everything by herself stating,"my turn" at every opportunity. (i.e. getting into her own car seat, "cooking" with me, "cleaning" with me, and even getting "dressed").
- I rue the day that she realized that the step stool from the bathroom is also useful for looking over and taking things off of kitchen counters, reaching light switches and even an easier way to climb onto the kitchen table.
 - If she sees a set of animals together (think three cats), she will dub them Mama, Dada and baby regardless of age or gender.
- When she takes off her shoes, she will put them neatly away with the socks tucked into them. I wish she was as tidy with her toys.
- She likes to choose what she wears and has very particular taste.- She says the following almost every morning to indicate what she wants me to carry out of the crib for her, "Owl, other owl, big owl, my bear." Though, with the addition of a new play kitchen the first thing she says in the morning is, "my kitchen!"
- She dances around like a maniac when she is excited and especially when she gets to put on underwear.  (think "She's a Maniac" from Flash Dance)
- She LOVES Caillou.  In fact, she is incapable of staying still unless she is watching that little bald boy on the TV. - I love to hear her sing along to songs on the TV and in the car. She'll also sing along to her favorite songs with me. (Lullaby, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star and The ABC Song)
- She can often be caught raising her shoulders, a habit that we're pretty sure she learned from her Daddy.
- Wrestling with Robbie is a fun pastime.
- When Daddy comes home from work she'll whisper, "hide" as he's opening the door to come in. Hiding is one of her favorite things.
- She has decided that she loves her Grandpas and she especially adores her Papa B. I'm pretty sure it's because she can order him around.

She truly is a sweet, fiery, wonderful girl.  We love her!  Happy Birthday, Jellybean!!

Have a Happy Day!

~MJ

Picture Perfect

Don't you love it when a photo is able to capture perfectly the personalities of the subjects?

This is from our last professional family photo shoot. My son is such a happy, go-lucky little soul and my daughter is sassy and definitely hard-to-get. They are such opposites in so many ways and yet they enjoy each other so much.

I wish that every photo I took during the day could capture them the way I see them. I love these little faces.

I find myself here after a long silence and am glad to be back at it! Until next time...

Have a Happy Day!

MJ