Project 365 - Day 157. Shiny, Happy People | Hartland Family Photographer

Today I had the honor of photographing some wonderful families at the annual Wisconsin Upside Down picnic.  I attended last year as a "back-up" photographer...doing more candids than portraits to supplement what the other portrait photographer was capturing.   It was so wonderful to come back this year and see so many faces that I remember from last year (and some more from Kelly's Upside Down Ball) and to see how they've grown over this past year.

Without question the weather was weird today but that didn't matter.  Everyone enjoyed a delicious picnic, kite-flying, silly relays, and great company!    Thanks for letting me be a part of it, everyone!

Project 365 - Day 134. Out 'N About | Hartland Children's Photography

Finally a warmer day!  We celebrated this evening by taking the kids into Hartland for the Out 'N About activities.  We had a nice time just walking the streets, snacking on treats, and getting to do some fun activities like face painting, painting medallions, and a scavenger hunt.  The best part for the kids was running into so many of their friends and classmates.  It was a real community event and very nice.

Project 365 - Day 126. Proud Mama | Hartland Children's Photography

Tonight Corey and Lilly "performed" in their first Talent Show.  I spent A LOT of years being really terrified of public speaking so I thought it would be a good way to give them a little time on stage while they're young and hopefully keep them comfortable with the idea through their lives....if that makes sense? Lilly was definitely more enthusiastic than Corey but he had to admit that he did kind of enjoy it after it was all done.  I was SO proud of them!   Very nervous, but very proud!

The lighting was VERY difficult so a crap photo but it's a big moment so it's my photo of the day anyway!

BTW, they did a poem adapted from a Marlo Thomas song "When We Grow Up".

Project 365 - Day 118. On Your Mark... | Hartland Children's Photography

The highlight of the girls' day today was a surprise visit with Chester (also known as "our dog" but he actually lives with our neighbor).  We went there to pick up Corey and Lilly and Chester was also there for a pick-up so the three of them had a fun time racing around the grounds.  Clearly Chester won (hence he's not in the picture) but it doesn't look like Clare and Emma were bothered about that little detail.

Project 365 - Day 112. A Daisy of A Day | Hartland Children's Photography

I had a really great Mommy day.

Not surprisingly, as I've gotten more into my photography, I've been a bit less "present" for my kiddos.  Particularly the little ones who see me get distracted through the day in a way that I never did when Corey and Lilly were my only little ones.  In many ways, there's been a lot of benefit to mommy having a passion of her own outside the house, but there have been sacrifices and my involvement in playgroups and outings is definitely one of them.  

Recently I bid on and won a 6-week gold membership to Gymboree at a silent auction.  Today I realized that I should really get on top of that since summer will be here soon and I'll struggle to find time to get to a class without the big kids.  As it turned out, there was a class today so we jumped into action and managed to get there.  Well...didn't we have the BEST time!!  Clare loved to run around and Emma?  Well, Emma just couldn't stop smiling, dancing, running, climbing, did I mention smiling??  As a Mom, what could be better than seeing that pure joy on their faces.  Priceless, as they say.

After I dropped the exhausted kiddos into bed for their naps, I ran out to get a few errands done (and a quick pedi).  Came home to grab the rested kids and get Corey off the bus and then we headed to school for Lilly's Investiture Ceremony for Daisy Scouts.  They started by walking in with daisies in their hands and singing "Make New Friends, And Keep The Old".  Very sweet.

Rob is gone.  My Mom was babysitting tonight so I was on my own getting everyone fed, cleaned, read, brushed, and into bed but I didn't mind today.  It was a daisy of a day and I was grateful for all the little smiles.

Project 365 - Day 87. Corey's Big Day Out | Delafield Children's Photography

By all accounts, Corey has lived a pretty glamorous life.  He's traveled around a lot of Europe, flown in a helicopter, taken a month sabbatical in England...not bad for a 7 year old.

Well today was another adventure for the books...a birthday party for a classmate at the movie theater.

Not impressed?  

Well...check out the "ride" they used to get there.   Yup...he's living the good life.  

Project 365 - Day 77. A Class Act | Hartland Children's Photography

Today I had a really fun job...taking portrait shots of all the kids in Lilly's kindergarten class.  It was a fast-paced initiative but as a mom who rarely gets to go into the classroom, it was a great chance for me to have a few minutes one-on-one with each of the kids.  I really enjoyed it!   I'll be using the portraits to make a collage for their class yearbook page.  Should be fun!   I don't feel comfortable posting the kids pics without a release but I don't think her teacher will mind.   Corey had Mrs. A. last year and we all adore her!   She was concerned that she would need a lot of photoshopping....yeah, right!  I wish I needed that much touching up.  :-)

Thanks for all you do, Mrs. A!   We love you!

Project 365 - Day 58. Green Eggs & Ham

Our area hosts a Children's Theater Series each year and my kids love it.  The shows are kind of hit or miss in quality but it doesn't seem to phase them so we always go.  Today was Green Eggs & Ham.  I am a HUGE Dr. Suess fan so was prepared for big disappointment but it was really good!  Definitely the best show I've been to as part of their productions...fun for the kids and me!   I took all four so it was a relief that I wasn't gritting my teeth through the whole thing!  

Isn't their set fun??  Perfect Dr. Suess!   Love it!

Project 365 - Day 20. Wiggling Through Our Day

All of my kids have been fans of The Wiggles.  Alright, I admit it....I like them too.   I was extremely disappointed when Greg (Yellow Wiggle) had to resign because of health issues and was replaced by Sam (the new Yellow Wiggle).  We had a lull in our Wiggle World about that time as Lilly grew out of them and Clare wasn't quite ready but we're fully integrated back into them now and as it turns out...Sam ROCKS!   There are a couple songs that I just can't help but dance to!  Seriously....their version of You Make Me Feel Like Dancing with guest singer Leo Sayer is my absolute best "Get Up And Go Song" in the morning.  My kids would even tell you that I've been known to crazy dance around the kitchen to this song but that's just a rumor.  Don't believe the hype.

Today as we headed to pick up Clare from preschool, I handed Emma a Wiggles book.  OMG...so cute!  She held that book up in front of her face and I considered taking her photo while I was driving for fear that I would miss the moment but ya know what?  She read....well, held it up in front of her face (she is only 15 months afterall) the entire 15 minute ride and even long enough for me to take her picture after we parked!   I tell ya....there's just something about those guys!

If you don't believe me, check 'em out on You Tube....you'll feel like dancing soon too!

Project 365 - Day 19. Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow

My oldest daughter decided to cut her hair into a chin length bob over Christmas break.  It looks very cute and really suits her.  Clare has never really had haircuts...I've trimmed her bangs but for the last year or so it's always been accompanied by a lot of tears and squirming so her hair has gotten quite long.  It's very thin and pretty scraggly but very blond and it's always suited her.  Well...this week she decided at the ripe 'ol age of 2 that it was time for her to cut it short too.  So, without tears or trauma, she walked right up to that pink Jeep haircutting chair, looked down at the poodles on her drape as requested and, darn it, she got that short hair.  And to top it all off...they did a Princess Up-Do.  Sigh.....  my little girl is growing up.    Good thing I still have Emma and her hair is still too short to worry about.

Project 365 - Day 8. Valentine's Prep

On today's To Do List, among other things, was testing out my new pink background.   I got it for the party that I co-hosted over the weekend but it arrived late so it's new purpose is Valentine's Day.  I was a bit intimidated by it...sure that it would give horrible pink glows to the faces in front of it.  I'd forgotten.  I now have two lights!!  One to light my beautiful subject and another to reduce the shadows and highlight that lovely pink background.   I only had the little girls down in the studio (as I'm officially calling it now) for about 5 minutes and I got a bunch of shots that I like.  Yey.  I'm ready for Valentine's Day shooting now!