ann beck photography

Friday Five

2008-05-02T11:48:00.002-06:00

Happy May! Sorry for the slight delay in the post today, which will be coming on Saturday for you email subscribers. Our server issues are *almost* resolved... bear with us!

This week our theme for the five is blogs! Clearly, I am a blog fan, and absolutely adore the time I get to spend *chatting* with all of you! But I'm also a big blog reader, and have an entire bookmark folder on my computer devoted to different blogs I keep up with. I thought it would be fun to share a few with you guys, and please send me any you have, as I'm always on the lookout for more stops on the information superhighway! (by the way.. does anyone use that phrase anymore? I think I might try bringing it back!) :) Without further ado, the list!

Grey Matter
Besides blogs, tv is probably my favorite guilty pleasure. Grey's Anatomy ranks right up there in my absolute favs, primarily because of how *smart* the writing is, how interesting the story lines and characters are, and how complex yet natural the dialog can be. All thanks to the fabulous writers, who keep their own blog! Yea! Every week they write a post-show recap, that gets deep into the behind the scenes stories and the thought process behind each episode. They also drop some serious hints as to their ultimate plans for the characters, it's a must-read for any super fan!

Post Secret
Quick warning.. this one is NOT kid or family friendly.. at least PG-13 but sometimes R.. so PLEASE don't click if you are easily offended or if there are kids in the room. That said, this is a fascinating read.. average strangers around the world write their deepest, darkest secrets on a postcard and send them in to the site, where they are scanned and posted for all the world to read. It's a way to get it off your chest without naming names, and it's so eye opening to see the things people are living with and dealing with everyday. Sometimes you see a secret you share, sometimes one you'd never imagine. And sometimes they are silly, sometimes very sad. But it's all very interesting. Secrets are updated every Sunday, so check it out when you get a chance!

Jinky Art
My all-time favorite photographer, straight from Australia no less! She's got an amazing eye, and her work all has a very editorial, modern look. A different style and a different look from me, but that makes it all the more interesting... it's like candy for my eyes! Hope you enjoy!

The Soup
Okay, back to my tv obsession... a second show in the top three.. The Soup on E! And I happen to know of at least ONE other client who shares my pleasure.. we actually watched an episode during a session while waiting for their sweet baby to wake up! It's a hilarious recap of the funniest moments on tv for the week.. and it's completely addictive! The blog just features behind the scenes news and extra funnies to keep you going from week to week!

FW Child: Mommy Bloggers
How could I end a blog post without a story about blogging? Ft Worth Child Magazine took an interesting look at the trend of mommy blogging.. where regular moms like you and me have their own personal blogs, to share photos of the kiddos and talk "shop" with other moms. Sort of an online diary/scrapbook/quilting bee all in one! I know many of my clients have blogs themselves, and would love to do a five dedicated to them.. so if you want yours added let me know! :)

That's it for this week... happy blogging! :)

Too cool for words...

2008-04-29T22:59:00.003-06:00

That describes this family to a t! I don't need to explain much else, just watch this drama unfold and tell me you aren't smiling by the end! :)

Emerging...

2008-04-27T20:15:00.003-06:00

from the depths of a server transfer. Who knew it could be so complicated?? Email is back, but all emails sent between noon on Thursday and noon on Saturday were not received, so if you have contacted us in that time please try again! Everything else seems to be mostly working, with the exception of some missing photos on the most recent blog posts, which we are working to resolve. Thank you for your patience!

You might have also noticed the lack of Friday Five last week, due to the lack of service on the site at the time.. so sorry! I promise this week's list will be extra fun to make up for it! :)

Now, as I dig myself out from mini session orders and lots of fun spring sessions we've been shooting (all of which will be shared very soon!) I ask for a little more patience as our response time slows until work resumes to normal. Add that to some exciting new stuff in the works for everyone, due to launch by the start of summer, and things are more than a little nuts around here!

In the meantime, a shot I think might just be my newest favorite image. I've gotten a similar shot many times before, it's one of my favorite shots to get, not just a swing but a midair swing, just looking at it makes me feel so YOUNG, I can feel the wind in my hair and between my toes, the gravity-taunting weightlessness that comes right at the peak of a swing, before you get that tug in the pit of your stomach pulling you back down again, that unrelenting urge to just push a little harder, see how high you can go... ahh I loved the swings!

But this one really gets me.. I love how you can see the slightest peek of her face, the beaming smile unmistakable even from upside down. And I also love her little painted toenails hanging on to the flip flop for dear life... so girly and young, so full of every quintessential childhood cliche it almost seems unreal, and yet it's still so completely genuine you don't think twice about it.

Hope you all have a great week!

Country Girl...

2008-04-24T06:37:00.002-06:00

As primarily a children's photographer, I don't do a ton of high school seniors. But this girl had me at hello for two reasons. First, she and her family have an amazing ranch just outside of the metroplex where we could shoot all sorts of fun stuff, including with her horses! And second, I used to babysit her when she was just a little sprout! Sniff, sniff... it's like watching my own kids age right before my eyes!! From a spirited little bug to a beautiful, brilliant young woman... there was no way I could say no! :)

Toot, toot!

2008-04-22T09:06:00.003-06:00

That's the sound of my own horn.. yes I have no shame.. but this is something I'm actually proud of, so why not share it with may favorite people? :)

A peice I recently created for my daughter's preschool auction is featured today on the blog at Design Aglow, which is the premiere design & inspiration resource for photographers. It's a great honor, and I'm excited about the project as well, so feel free to check it out!

Shameless self promotion over now... we will resume regularly scheduled photo features tomorrow! :)

A Glint...

2008-04-20T21:10:00.002-06:00

This little guy was one of my favorite sessions in a long time. It was the epitome of boyhood; we rode bikes and played soccer outside, with him running circles around mom and dad and me dodging sharp turns and ducking from airborne balls.

Then we headed inside, where he created a few masterpieces (including a very impressive likeness of a beta fish!)

He's had a rough time the last few years, conquering adversaries unimaginable for such a sweet little guy. But he'll be the first to show you he's stronger than you'd think!

But whether we were jumping on the bed or snuggling with mom and dad, you could tell this is one special kid. He's just got that something about him, the kind of something that no matter how scared or sad he may be, no matter what life throws his way, he's going to come out on top. It's there in his heart, and it's there in his eyes.. just a little glint.. a tiny powderkeg hint of what's to come.

I loved meeting you and your amazing family, Sam.. thanks for letting me play along today! :)

Friday Five 4/18/08

2008-04-18T06:14:00.002-06:00

Happy Friday! Hope you all survived the storms last night and are waking up to a dry, sunny day!

Duck Tape Prom
This is a fabulous idea and just mind boggling to think about. A contest for creating a prom dress entirely out of duck tape... and the entries are actually GOOD! Sort of like Project Runway: sticky edition. :) Be sure to click on the past winners and check out the amazing creations these kids have come up with.

Wonderful Graffiti
This is a really creative way to personalize your home without looking cheesy or cutesy.. everything from monograms to famous quotes to your custom phrase, printed onto special black decals that attach easily to the walls. Sort of a temporary tattoo for your walls! Just browse the site and let your imagination go crazy!

Good Pails
Um, yeah.. this is exactly what it sounds like.. a website full of cute pails & buckets. I know it SOUNDS strange, but really they are just adorable, and make great options for everything from wrapping presents to storing toys and other items around the house. Every size, color and variation you can think of... add this to your "bucket list" :)

Main Street Arts Festival
Speaking of creative things to add to your list.. this is a must do! The annual arts & entertainment festival is drying out this weekend from last night's rain but nevertheless promises to be another great year! Go for the music, the art, or just the turkey legs and cotton candy... whatever your artistic taste deems suitable! :)

My Beautiful Mommy
This one is neither creative or artistic... but it will certainly get the wheels in your head turning! A plastic surgeon has written a book for kids to explain the process when mommy goes in for a tummy tuck or augmentation and comes out "Not just different... prettier!" Add this to the watercooler topics today and see what the opinions are.. either way I bet it sells out quickly!

Hope you all have a happy.. (pretty!)... weekend!

Little Friends

2008-04-16T22:36:00.003-06:00

First, a disclaimer... I'm afraid I have so many adorable pictures to share from my Dallas Blooms sessions that you all will be seeing tulips until Fall! But hopefully they will be worth it, I've just had so much fun with these!

Speaking of fun.. these two little ones are always good for a fun session. Maybe because I've known them for so long and been able to shoot them so often... maybe because their mommy is my Girl Friday, Erin, so they've been brainwashed.. either way, I'll take it! :)

Don't let their sweet faces fool you... this pose lasted for about 10 seconds before it turned into a no-holds barred wrestling/rolling match on the lawn of the Arboretum. I don't know who won in the end.. we were all laughing to hard to keep track! :)

Baby Blue

2008-04-14T22:10:00.002-06:00

Is there anything more Texas than a little blonde in a patch of bluebonnets? This sweet family has tried to get bluebonnet pictures since they moved to TX a few years ago, and we were finally able to work it out (and get the flowers to cooperate!). Many more to sort through, but these few of the youngest (otherwise known as the curly haired ball of spunk) just melted my heart, I couldn't bear to keep them to myself!

Friday Five!

2008-04-10T20:32:00.003-06:00

Beautiful sunshine to replace the last week of storms, the perfect day for our Dallas Blooms mini sessions! Actually the perfect kind of day for just about anything... including our Friday Five!

Idol Gives Back
I just love this outreach by American Idol to get young people excited about donating time and volunteer hours, what a perfect outlet! And of course see yesterday's post for more on how you can get an added bonus from a donation!

NKOTB
Um, yeah.. if you don't already know what the acronym means don't even bother clicking. But if you do... can you just squeal a little with me and relive some 80s/90s greatness.

Family Fun's Cake Bake-Off
If you're looking for some birthday party inspiration this is definitely the site for you! Family Fun Magazine is having a cake contest, with awards for creativity and theme... some of these will blow you away! And they all look yummy too.. bonus!

Fairy Portals
This has got to be the cutest idea I have seen in a while.. I only wish we'd had one when the girls were younger! This woman handcrafts tiny doors out of clay that you attach onto the bottom of a wall in your house. They don't *technically* lead anywhere... but sprinkle a little magic and they are portals into the fairy world.. an entrance for everyone from the tooth fairy to St Patrick's Day leprechauns! A completely fun and creative way to give your kids random surprises and everyday magic... I just love this idea!

Cupcakes Take the Cake
I must be hungry.. another link dedicated to dessert! This is an entire blog devoted to cupcakes.. from great recipes and stores to interviews with well known cupcake creators (did you even KNOW there were such people?) and innovative products or techniques. Clearly a well-defined audience, but the blog is booming (they've even been on Martha Stewart!) and the world is sharing their love of cupcakes one post at a time. If nothing else.. it's fun to lust after! :)

Have a wonderful (sunny!) weekend everyone!

Idol Gave Back.... so can we!

2008-04-10T06:32:00.002-06:00

Yes, I admit it, we are avid AI fans. But the "Idol Gives Back" special on last night was just about as inspiring as you can get for the reality genre! It was a great combination of celebrity performers (though I had to explain who many of them were to my girls.. try explaining Heart to a 6 yr old!) and video clips about various charity organizations in Africa and the US that will benefit from the donations. Just enough fun to hold our attention, and just enough facts to really make us want to act.

Some of the facts were staggering.. one that stood out for us that every 30 seconds, a child in Africa dies of Malaria, and a drug that costs just $2 could save their life. My ever sharp 10 yr old did that math quickly and looked at me with tears in her eyes, "So for the time we've been watching this show, 210 kid have DIED? And I could have saved eight of them instead of buying that new Webkin?"

Thank you, American Idol, for inspiring my children (and myself!) to want to make a difference. And now I'd like to inspire all of you!

For the next three days, I'll match any amount you donate to charity with a gift certificate for portraits, up to $250. So if you donate $100 to the Susan G Komen foundation, I'll send you a $100 gift certificate for Ann Beck Photography. No expiration date, use it on any future session or book one now. (Not valid on already completed sessions) Just send me the receipt/confirmation of your donation and I'll do my part in return. Happy Giving!

Anticipation...

2008-04-08T23:49:00.003-06:00

Just a few for this ever so patient mom, who has been anticipating these photos almost as much as she is anticipating the arrival of this little bundle of joy! (Okay, probably not even close.. but I know she's excited at least!)

Baby is due to arrive any day now, so good thoughts are with the whole family as they wait out these last precious moments before the world as they knew it shifts dramatically, forever.

I can't wait to meet you, little one! :)

Mini Sessions=Big Fun!

2008-04-06T19:43:00.002-06:00

Wow, what a weekend! Our Dallas Blooms mini sessions were so fun.. I'm still recovering! :)

Short on words today but heavy on pictures.. one little sneak for each of my new friends from Saturday.. hope you enjoy, there's plenty more to come!

Rainy Friday Five

2008-04-04T08:07:00.002-06:00

Boo! To the rain that delayed our first day of mini sessions!! Here's to a sunny and clear weekend so the rest of our fun isn't hampered!

Make and Takes
This blog/site has just about a million craft & activities to do with kids, or with friends! Most of the ideas are extremely simple and low-cost, it's a great resource for rainy days like today!

Delightful Blogs
For a blog lover like myself, this is the kind of site that gets me excited! A listing of thousands of hip, fun & creative blogs.. browse away and find your new favorite!

Insanely Great Tees
I have never denied my love for funny t-shirts. These are absolutely priceless, but really geared toward the tech-y person in your life. Anyone who obsesses over computers, (especially Macs!), or all things digital will find more than a few shirts they can't live without. My favorite is this, which features some of the most common tools in photoshop.

Linzie Hunter Designs
This artist has taken completely random phrases and turned them into quirky illustrations fit for any office or bedroom wall. Some of the lines actually come from spam emails.. who would have thought those annoying emails could inspire art? I love anything that makes you look at the world as you know it from a different perspective, so this is a fav of mine.

Summer Camp Preview!!
Hooray for summer camps! Hooray for the Dallas Morning News and the Ft Worth Star-Telegram for collecting all the information about every single camp in the area and compiling it into an easy to decipher list! No more calling around, begging friends for tips.. just check out these two sites (depending on your location, Star-T has mostly Tarco stuff whereas DMN will have Dallas/Collin) and get those kids signed up. Whether it's soccer, fishing, tap dancing, or pottery... it's all better than being home all summer driving mom crazy! :)

Have a happy... dry... weekend!

Technical Difficulties...

2008-04-02T12:38:00.002-06:00

Please pardon the interruption.. our site is experiencing some minor technical difficulties. Emails are not being sent or received, the entire site (blog included!) crashing intermittently.. ok not so minor!!

We are in the process of transfering the server, which will hopefully alleviate those issues. In the meantime, if you have sent an email that was not replied to, please try again! You can also try me at annbeckphoto@gmail.com for the next week or so. And if you are expecting an email but have not received it yet (like those of you with mini sessions this week.. you all should have gotten an email with a PDF attachment with more info) if you haven't gotten one please let me know!!

I apologize for the drama... the computer age makes our lives so convenient.. until something like this happens, and we see how tied down we really are! Thanks for the patience!

From the Homefront...

2008-03-31T19:54:00.005-06:00

I always worry I'm posting too much about my personal life, my kids, etc. But sure enough, a few days without a report and I'm getting emails asking how they all are! :) As long as you asked... we're sick, again!! I swear the cold/flu season is kicking our behinds this year.. this time it's my sweet middle child who's stricken with the annoying "nothing but a high fever and body aches, not enough to keep them quiet and in bed but enough to make them too sick for school so they can stay home and drive you crazy" virus. (yes, I'm pretty sure that's the official medical terminology).

So as we're all waiting on her every need, she, the classic middle child searching for attention wherever she can get it, is milking it for every moment possible. Here's an excerpt from our conversation this afternoon, on the way home from carpool pickup for the other girls.

Invalid child: "Mommy, I feel terrible."

Me: "I know, sweetie, I'm so sorry."

Invalid child: "I'm just so hot. It's like, my whole body is radiating."

Me: (impressed at my 6 year old's choice of words) "I'm sorry, honey. But that was a really great vocabulary word!"

Oldest child: (not one to be outdone, no matter what the contest) "What did she say?"

Me: "She said she was radiating!"

Oldest: (clearly impressed, no hiding it no matter how much she would like to) "Wow."

Invalid child: (loving every second of this admiration, ready to up the ante) "Yeah, I am. And I'm abbreviated too."

:)

Sooo genius she is not. But my dear, sweet, radiating, abbreviated child is on the mend now, which is a good thing for everyone!

Have a wonderful Wednesday! Here's a parting shot of me & my sweet girl.. on a much healthier day of course!

p.s. don't forget to see the post below about the expanded minis.. they are going fast! :)

By Popular Demand...

2008-03-31T13:47:00.002-06:00

Okay, I get it... not enough mini sessions to go around! Due to overwhelming requests we've opened another day of mini sessions on Sunday. They're already filling up with people who were on a waiting list for a Saturday cancellation so let us know asap if you are interested!

And because you know I hate a post without a picture.. one more from yesterday's session at the Arboretum. If this doesn't make you want to book a mini session I don't know what will! :)

So Blooming Excited!

2008-03-30T20:30:00.003-06:00

Coming off of a busy weekend, I've got some sneak peeks to share and excitement over the upcoming mini sessions building! My last session of the weekend was actually at the Arboretum so it was a bit of a sneak peek for ME to see all the great location opportunties!

This little cutie was certainly enjoying her time among the flowers. The middle child, surrounded by brothers, she is certainly akin to a daisy in a field of corn! That said, she gets along just fine, and marches to her own beat while her sweet brothers adore her every move. More from them to come, but first just this one...

Next, one of the two adorable baby girls I got to visit with... this little one really made us work for every smile.. but they were so worth it!

And finally, one of the more serious kiddos I've had in a while... but we aren't giving up on her yet! I'm going back soon to follow up and try and diversify her porfolio so to speak.. I know there's a smile behind those intense blue eyes!

Hope you all have a great week... just a reminder, the Saturday mini sessions are full, we have two openings on Friday and that's all! Thanks so much everyone!

Friday Five!

2008-03-27T19:24:00.002-06:00

Happy Friday everyone! It's been a busy week here but things are moving along smoothly and orders are finally shipping out to everyone still waiting.. proofing galleries on the way for the rest of you! :)

One quick scheduling note: Next Saturday's Dallas Blooms minis are completely full. We do have two open slots on Friday, so get in while you can if you're interested!

And now, on to the links!

68 Great Things to do with your Kids
The link will only give you a preview, you can't access the whole article without a TX Monthly subscription but this article is worth the newsstand price alone! This cover story for the April edition is a detailed listing of an incredible amount of great activities around the state for families. Some of them you've heard of, many of them will be a surprise.. all of them are intriguing and will have you itching to take a road trip! A great diversion from the usual vacation standbys, this list is like a lifetime of memories just waiting to happen. Can you tell I was excited about it?? :)

Speedy Fingers
This test was a cross between a great challenge and a scary high school flashback.. ack! But it was still a fun distraction and if you're remotely competitive (cough, cough.. you know who you are!) you'll be like me and take it over and over to beat yourself! (And for the record.. I'm embarrassed by my score of 61. It would have been higher but my accuracy was terrible... spell check is my crutch!)

Mommy & Me Spa
Okay this is pretty much irrelevant to most of you out there, but consider this link a plea to anyone listening... we need this in Texas!! :) If anyone knows of something similar a little more local, let me know.. I'm drooling at the thought!

Extraordinary Moments
This online store offers some really inspiring products, some designed especially for scrapbookers and a lot of things for everyone else! All handmade and designed by a local mom, it's a great site for gifts for the hard to shop for woman in your life.. and yourself! As a self-professed paper junkie I got excited just imagining the possibilities.. and one of these journals in my hot little hands!

Shopping for your Baby
I found this link on another site and thought it was a great concept! A personal approach to preparing for and caring for the most important people in your life.. your children! They offer everything from advice and education to childcare recruiting and personal shopping. Complete baby/child experts who are ready to pass on all their worldly wisdom and save you some much needed sanity! Why didn't I think of that first!? :)

That's our list this week.. hope you enjoyed it.. be sure to let me know if you have some to add to the mix, I'm always on the look out for the latest & greatest sites, stores & sources! Have a great weekend!!

Dallas Blooms!

2008-03-26T08:29:00.005-06:00

UPDATE: As of 12pm on Thursday we only have 4 sessions remaining on Friday and 1 on Saturday. Please call or email asap to get these last places before they are all taken!

Spring has finally begun to appear across the area, and nowhere is that more evident than at the Dallas Arboretum, where the world-famous tulips are in full display for the annual Dallas Blooms festival! It's such a popular destination for portraits that we'll be offering mini sessions at the Arboretum this year for the first time ever!

Mini sessions will be held Friday, April 4th and Saturday, April 5th from 9am-1pm
Sessions are 20 minutes in length and include up to 2 children; for additional children or parents please book two consecutive sessions to allow ample time to capture everyone!

All proofing will be done online only, with special packages available only to mini session clients and all other prints and products available a la carte as usual.

Mini Session fee is $50, due upon booking.

These will make the perfect spring portraits and great mother's day gifts for grandma.. or yourself! Spaces are very limited so please contact us by phone or email asap to reserve your spot! We announced these on the newsletter on Monday and are already about 50% full.. we still have early morning slots open on Friday and a few scattered spaces on Saturday. Please contact us soon if you are interested!

p.s. these pictures are from the first time I ever shot at Dallas Blooms.. and yet they are still among my very favorites!

If it's a dog eat dog world...

2008-03-23T20:04:00.004-06:00

these two are having a buffet!

Just a peek into a super fun session with some of my favorite little people and their furry little friends. This session is one of four we'll do over the course of the year, part of a "Year in the Life" storybook session which includes all four sessions and a beautiful custom coffee table book featuring all the images at the end. A perfect way to catch a glimpse at a growing family.. and a great way for me to really get to know & enjoy your kiddos!

For now I get to share a few of my favorites... what's the saying about never working with kids or dogs? It was a circus for sure!

I was a bit skeptical about this one at first, but they swore he loves this thing.. and sure enough, this little dog sat so still as they pushed.. then whined when it was time to get out!

After we'd had our dog fun we took the girls' other favorite plaything.. their grandparents.. for a hike in the woods. You know you've got a special set of elders when they don't balk at jumping creeks and wading through mud just to spend the afternoon together!

Thanks for the fun day, girls... and happy Monday everyone!

p.s. quick scheduling note.. we had a last minute cancellation for next Sunday morning (3/30) if anyone is interested! Spring starts to fill up quickly, especially weekends, so if you've been thinking about a session grab one quick while they are still available!

Good Friday Five

2008-03-21T10:33:00.003-06:00

Happy Good Friday everyone.. sorry for the late posting... hope everyone is enjoying the holiday weekend!

What Kind of Celebrity Mom are You?
This funny article from FW Child made me take a second look at my friends.. and myself! I'm just glad we don't have to battle the paparazzi to get through preschool dropoff... or there would be a lot of pictures of me in jammies wandering the internet! :) (Oh, and in case you were curious.. I'm Jennifer Garner.. minus the Alias rock hard physique!)

Stockyards Egg Hunt
It's a Texas-sized egg hunt for bunnies of all ages! The day-long event includes pictures with the Easter bunny, educational programs featuring live bunnies and chicks, and of course the massive hunt!

Family Fun for Easter
My all-time favorite resource for all things holiday and kid-related.. the family fun magazine website has everything you need to throw together a last minute celebration to perfection! From coloring pages and craft ideas to seven course menus (with receipes and lots of pictures!) it's the perfect mommy's little helper!

Worst Baby Names of All Time
Hilarious look at some really, really bad names.. and just downright mean parents for giving them to the kids! Here's to hoping none of your kids' names come up on the list! :)

What Are You Reading?
Now is a great time to start stocking up on some good summer reading.. or spring reading! :) Enter the last book you read (and enjoyed) into this site and it will suggest some new ones you might like too! A great way to break beyond the book club circuit.. you may find your new favorite! (Oh, and I just finished this and am currently in the middle of this. Both get high marks from me!)

Happy Easter Weekend!

A break from the break

2008-03-19T21:30:00.004-06:00

Spring break is in full swing, we have returned from our weekend away and chaos is abound! Rest assured, all shipments will be going out this week as promised and galleries are going live as we speak! Thanks to everyone for your patience.. spring fever seems to have gotten the best of me!

In the meantime, thought I'd return to regular blogging schedule with the return of the.most.photographed.baby.ever.... sweet baby a! Can you believe he is six weeks old already? Sniff.. sniff.. they grow so fast!

We were finally able to wrangle his big sisters into these shots, and I used my puppy dog pout to convince his mom to join in as well.. she was such a sport for the maternity shots that I couldn't bear to let his baby days pass without some special mommy & me shots as well. Yes, it was chaotic... but a few jelly bean and photoshop bribes later (had to target my negotiations for the different target obviously) we have some absolutely divine stuff!

Hope everyone is enjoying the week off!

And of course, we had to complete this previously blogged trifecta... anticipation to adoration!

Spring Break Five!

2008-03-12T21:11:00.002-06:00

The Friday five come early this week as my little ones and I head out of town for the weekend to be with family. Erin will remain here to hold down the fort, so just call or email with any questions and she will be sure to have it all covered! (Much better than me, sadly!) :)

For now.. your spring break friday five.. lots of fun links this time!

Traveling with Kids
Love this site with everything from packing lists to game ideas.. a must read before you venture out with the little ones!

Park Directory
Staying in town this week? This site has an indepth listing of the public parks all around the Dallas-Ft Worth area. One of our favorite summertime activities is to have a "Park Parade"... make a list of five or six different parks around you.. the old favorites and some completely new ones.. and spend the entire day touring the various kiddie hot spots! Pack a picnic lunch to really make a day of it.. so fun to find new discoveries right around the corner, and you'll be shocked at how many tiny pebbles will be accumulated in shoes by the end of the day! :)

Sandra Boynton
Just loved this article because I just LOVE this author. My oldest fell in love with "Oh my , oh my, oh my, oh Dinosaurs!" at the age of 9 months (yes, seriously!) and we have been Boynton fans ever since! NYT did a really great profile that made me love her even more.. so I had to share!

St Paddy's Fun
Don't forget your green on Monday! Family Fun is always the ultimate source for everything party and holiday related, and they don't disappoint this time! Crafts, recipes, you name it! Pull it up and let your wee little leprechauns enjoy!

Boon Storage Bags
I think this might be my favorite link so far.. the one I was most excited to share! The second I saw this I knew it had to go on the next five.. how cool are these? As someone whose three girls are drowning in stuffed animal counterparts, I can certainly see the value in a way to store them that is both functional and humane to the fuzzy ones. (I have been told on numerous occassions that the Webkinz simply cannot BREATHE in the toybox. Sigh...) I am so excited about these and hope you are too!

Okay that's the list... hope you enjoy the links.. and the week off!

:)

Someone's got a case of the Mondays....

2008-03-09T20:35:00.004-06:00

**gold star for whoever can tell me what movie that line is from! it's one of my all time favorites!!**

Rainy Monday can't spoil the mood.. too many bright & shiny smiles from the weekend to share!

First, this little darling, whose big brother we've watched grow up right on this very blog! More to come from both of those guys next week after I edit the session, but for now I've got one too cute to not share.. almost the last frame of the day.. what a way to go out!

This one isn't technically a sneak peek, his session was last weekend and mom just got the whole gallery, but he's new to the blog and again.. how can you resist those bright & shiny smiles?

And finally.. a marathon session from today.. one of those every relative in the family in one shot pleeeeease all look my way just once sessions... the ones I usually turn away but will do on occasion for good clients.. or people with a really pitiful story :) .. luckily for this family they were more the former than the latter, though they did have a good reason too! And lucky for me they were all just so much fun to work with... and I'm sure we got some great images out of the day! This one was the very last (of the 400 or so!) one taken today.. and it certainly sums up my feelings about having completed the challenge!