Many of this week’s favorite shots were taken during my recent trip to New York City. Especially the gorgeous Goldfish centerpieces. Love them!

Since I’ve been home, I’ve been as busy as usual, but I did take some time out today to hang out at the Parent Resource Center with my friend Safire and her kids (as well as another friend of ours. Fun surprise!) Safire’s nearly- 2-year-old twin boys got to paint for the first time today. What an adventure! This twin decided that the paper was green enough and spread a little to his hair. What a cute punk!

I am uber thrilled to be heading to Baltimore tomorrow for Bloggy Boot Camp where I will get to meet SO MANY bloggers that I have been dying to meet. I can’t wait for tomorrow!

Sadly, I found out today that a long time friend of mine from the Resource Center has been diagnosed with cancer. Cancer stinks.

Now it’s your turn. What did you do this week? For those of you who haven’t played along before, GMYBS is not a contest, and it’s for any level of photographer. It’s simply a fun way to show off the favorite picture (or favorites) that you’ve taken this week.  Read to find out more about Give Me Your Best Shot….And come back to leave the link to your best shot below (please link to your actual Give Me Your Best Shot post). And grab my button below and link to me so that we can get more people to stop by!

(NOTE: The code doesn’t always work when it’s grabbed from Wordpress. I have tried a bunch of times and I can’t figure out an easy fix. If it doesn’t work to copy and paste, you can always just include a link back here. Thanks!)

Grab the code below:

<a href=”http://betterinbulk.net/tag/give-me-your-best-shot” target=”_blank”>
<img border=”0? alt=”Give me your best shot at Better in Bulk” src=”http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y121/1momof5/08Nov21_gmbs_1-1.jpg”/></a>

For more fun picture posts, visit:

Hosted by Cecily and Kelli

I don’t have much to say about my favorite pictures of my favorite boys this week. I enjoyed using my new/replacement 50mm lens, and caught AJ watching for the big kids to come home from school, as well as Twizzler blowing up a big yellow balloon. It’s been a busy week. The best part of my week was the moment tonight, after getting the kids ready for bed….and after AJ finally stopped crying after we told him that he could NOT have a cupcake after brushing his teeth…when AJ got cute with me.

AJ gently grabbed two handfuls of my hair, one clump by my right ear, and one by my left ear, and used my hair as reins to guide my face where he wanted it to go. He pulled my hair down so that he could kiss my forehead. He pulled on the right side to kiss my right cheek, and forward to kiss my nose. Then he wiggled my hair back and forth to rub noses with me.

It was the sweetest thing ever.

I guess he forgave me for not letting him have the cupcake. (I can almost guarantee, though, that he will be asking for a cupcake for breakfast. The kid forgets NOTHING.)

Now it’s your turn. What did you do this week? For those of you who haven’t played along before, GMYBS is not a contest, and it’s for any level of photographer. It’s simply a fun way to show off the favorite picture (or favorites) that you’ve taken this week.  Read to find out more about Give Me Your Best Shot….And come back to leave the link to your best shot below (please link to your actual Give Me Your Best Shot post). And grab my button below and link to me so that we can get more people to stop by!

(NOTE: The code doesn’t always work when it’s grabbed from Wordpress. I have tried a bunch of times and I can’t figure out an easy fix. If it doesn’t work to copy and paste, you can always just include a link back here. Thanks!)

Grab the code below:

<a href=”http://betterinbulk.net/tag/give-me-your-best-shot” target=”_blank”>
<img border=”0? alt=”Give me your best shot at Better in Bulk” src=”http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y121/1momof5/08Nov21_gmbs_1-1.jpg”/></a>

For more fun picture posts, visit:

Hosted by Cecily

Today I am combining my weekly Give Me Your Best Shot with Cecily’s Photostory Friday. In my opinion, it’s a perfect combination. Plus, I really, really like Cecily. She’s one of my favorite computer friends.

So….speaking of friends….Moms are allowed to have play dates, right?

My favorite toy is my camera….and today my friend came over for a little one-on-one camera lessons.

Play time for me.

Her daughter and AJ had fun, too…..She brought candy. What is not to love?

My friend and I talked camera talk for an hour, snapping pictures of the kids and the wall….and the fruit on my table.

And as a special treat, my friend made me a homemade Chinese soup. It was delicious.

I had two bowls.

I don’t know about you, but this week has been incredibly busy for me. Maybe I’ve been playing catch up from the week and a half that I missed while snowed in. Any way you look at it, I have been feeling swamped.

For those of you who haven’t played along before, or those visiting from Cecily’s place, GMYBS is not a contest, and it’s for any level of photographer. It’s simply a fun way to show off the favorite picture (or favorites) that you’ve taken this week.  Read to find out more about Give Me Your Best Shot…and come back next week!

Hosted by Cecily and Lolli

To play Photo Story Friday, check this. Copy this code into your post and sign the link list:
<center><a href=”http://mychaosmybliss.blogspot.com/2007/06/photo-story-friday-and-rules.html” mce_href=”http://mychaosmybliss.blogspot.com/2007/06/photo-story-friday-and-rules.html” target=”_blank”><img src=”http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2526/4235120634_71d9399b5f_o.jpg” mce_src=”http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2526/4235120634_71d9399b5f_o.jpg” border=”0″ alt=”PhotoStory Friday” /></a><br/>Hosted by <a href=”http://mychaosmybliss.com/” mce_href=”http://mychaosmybliss.com/” target=”_blank”>Cecily</a> and <a href=”http://betterinbulk.net/” mce_href=”http://betterinbulk.net/” target=”_blank”>Lolli</a><br /> <p><br /></p></center>

Drip.

Drip.

Drip.

We’re thawing. Slowly.

My van is still stuck behind an ever-growing pile of snow. I think the pile is now as high as the van. I am not moving it myself, no matter how badly I want to leave the house.

Now it’s your turn. What did you do this week? For those of you who haven’t played along before, GMYBS is not a contest, and it’s for any level of photographer. It’s simply a fun way to show off the favorite picture (or favorites) that you’ve taken this week.  Read to find out more about Give Me Your Best Shot….And come back to leave the link to your best shot below (please link to your actual Give Me Your Best Shot post). And grab my button below and link to me so that we can get more people to stop by! (NOTE: The code doesn’t always work when it’s grabbed from Wordpress. I have tried a bunch of times and I can’t figure out an easy fix. If it doesn’t work to copy and paste, you can always just include a link back here. Thanks!)

Grab the code below:

<a href=”http://betterinbulk.net/tag/give-me-your-best-shot” target=”_blank”>
<img border=”0″ alt=”Give me your best shot at Better in Bulk” src=”http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y121/1momof5/08Nov21_gmbs_1-1.jpg”/></a>

For more fun picture posts, visit:

Hosted by Cecily

This week, AJ and I picked up our friend, Butterfly, and headed to the Resource Center. The following is my favorite picture from our day there.

Butterfly painted a very colorful picture of herself.

….while AJ spent the majority of his time at his favorite table (the play dough).

I am glad that we got out of the house for R week in our little home preschool program (R is for Resource Center!) but AJ came home with a cold that has made him so congested that he woke up gagging (and vomiting) last night. Great. Was it worth it? Yep.

In other news, for R week, AJ is determined to learn to READ. He is doing amazingly for a 4 year old! And I have to say that I’m incredibly proud. So far, his favorite story is Zac the Rat on Starfall.com.

Now it’s your turn. What did you do this week? For those of you who haven’t played along before, GMYBS is not a contest, and it’s for any level of photographer. It’s simply a fun way to show off the favorite picture (or favorites) that you’ve taken this week.  Read to find out more about Give Me Your Best Shot….And come back to leave the link to your best shot below (please link to your actual Give Me Your Best Shot post). And grab my button below and link to me so that we can get more people to stop by! (NOTE: The code doesn’t always work when it’s grabbed from Wordpress. I have tried a bunch of times and I can’t figure out an easy fix. If it doesn’t work to copy and paste, you can always just include a link back here. Thanks!)

Grab the code below:

<a href=”http://betterinbulk.net/tag/give-me-your-best-shot” target=”_blank”>
<img border=”0? alt=”Give me your best shot at Better in Bulk” src=”http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y121/1momof5/08Nov21_gmbs_1-1.jpg”/></a>

For more fun picture posts, visit:

Hosted by Cecily

I think my 4 year old son may have met future wife. I had a vision of an older AJ and his little (girl)friend when she and her big brother, AJ’s best friend, were over at our house this week. By the way, I am just as smitten with this little girl as AJ is. She may just be the sweetest, happiest, smartest little toddler I know.

The 3 kids were playing in the pop-up bus, and AJ pulled A.D. down on his lap and said, “I like you, A.D. You are so nice.” He then proceeded to tenderly clean off a little bit of food that was stuck to her face. And that’s when I caught the vision of my son as a 21 year old with the girl he’s going to marry.

It was an interesting moment.

In other news, after taking these pictures, I was convinced once and for all that it was past time for AJ’s haircut. So much better now! You can see what a different half an inch makes in this next series of pictures of AJ making his own pinewood derby car. More pictures from tonight’s actual pinewood derby race will be coming soon! In case you were wondering, AJ did not compete with his 6-wheeled car.

He sure does look like his dad with those goggles on.

Now it’s your turn. What did you do this week? For those of you who haven’t played along before, GMYBS is not a contest, and it’s for any level of photographer. It’s simply a fun way to show off the favorite picture (or favorites) that you’ve taken this week.  Read to find out more about Give Me Your Best Shot….And come back to leave the link to your best shot below (please link to your actual Give Me Your Best Shot post). And grab my button below and link to me so that we can get more people to stop by!

Grab the code below:

<a href=”http://betterinbulk.net/tag/give-me-your-best-shot” target=”_blank”>
<img border=”0″ alt=”Give me your best shot at Better in Bulk” src=”http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y121/1momof5/08Nov21_gmbs_1-1.jpg”/></a>

For more fun picture posts, visit:

Hosted by Cecily

Every once in a while, I look back at a week’s worth of photos and think,

“Well, that was a boring week.”

I had that experience today while I looked through this week’s shots on my computer. The fact is, I shared most of my interesting images throughout the week. And those weren’t exciting enough to share twice.

But then I looked back at the pictures one more time and saw something different than I had seen the first time through. I didn’t see high quality photos, but I did see memories.

And I was brought back to my childhood again.

In preparation for Tuesday’s Bloggography tutorial on ISO, I took a bunch of pictures of toys. These two photos didn’t make the cut (for the tutorial) because they didn’t show the grain well enough to illustrate the point I was trying to make. But boy, oh boy, do they bring the memories flooding.

Let me introduce you to Brother John. He was one of my first stuffed animals, and one of the few I can remember being in my room from the very earliest age until I graduated from high school and moved out. He wasn’t particularly cuddly, but he had (and still has) a soothing music box inside his belly that plays Frere Jacques. And, yes, the 30-something year old music box works perfectly.

This book was given to me as a baby, and somehow it survived not only my childhood but my 4 younger siblings’ as well. It’s a cute little poem, and I must have listened to it hundreds of times.

Now it’s your turn. Did you have a more interesting week than me? For those of you who haven’t played along before, GMYBS is not a contest, and it’s for any level of photographer. It’s simply a fun way to show off the favorite picture (or favorites) that you’ve taken this week.  Read to find out more about Give Me Your Best Shot….And come back to leave the link to your best shot below (please link to your actual Give Me Your Best Shot post). And grab my button below and link to me so that we can get more people to stop by!

Grab the code below:

<a href=”http://betterinbulk.net/tag/give-me-your-best-shot” target=”_blank”><img border=”0? alt=”Give me your best shot at Better in Bulk” src=”http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y121/1momof5/08Nov21_gmbs_1-1.jpg”/></a>

PS–Come back on Tuesday for our second Bloggography challenge – this week we want you to experiment with ISO. Thanks to everyone who participated last week to make our first Bloggography challenge a big success!

I am a sucker for sunsets. Last night, I was cooking dinner and looked out my kitchen window to see this:

When I was younger, orange skies spooked me. They looked like fire. Doom. They looked wrong.

I remember one evening vividly. I was driving back from afternoon Chinese school with my best friend (who was Chinese). We were crossing an over pass and I looked out the window to see orange clouds and a dark orange, enormous moon. I thought the world was ending, and I was scared I wouldn’t make it back home to see my family.

When I saw last night’s fire-orange sunset, I thought of my childhood fears and wondered why I went from being terrified of the colorful skies to loving them so much.

Now, when I look at a beautiful sunset, I feel wonder, amazement, gratitude. Not fear.

Could my perspective have changed because of wisdom and experience? How many of our fears are caused by ignorance? I would guess that many of them are.

OK, enough of the deep thoughts. I want to see what you’ve been shooting this week! For those of you who haven’t palyed along before, GMYBS is not a contest, and it’s for any level of photographer. It’s simply a fun way to show off the favorite picture (or favorites) that you’ve taken this week.  Read to find out more about Give Me Your Best Shot….And come back to leave the link to your best shot below (please link to your actual Give Me Your Best Shot post). And grab my button below and link to me so that we can get more people to stop by!

Grab the code below:

<a href=”http://betterinbulk.net/tag/give-me-your-best-shot” target=”_blank”><img border=”0″ alt=”Give me your best shot at Better in Bulk” src=”http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y121/1momof5/08Nov21_gmbs_1-1.jpg”/></a>

PS–Come back on Tuesday for our second Bloggography tutorial and a new challenge. Thanks to everyone who participated this week to make our first Bloggography challenge a big success!

Since this is my carnival, I can make up my own rules every once in a while, right?

I have been itching to share a few more of the pictures from our Christmas trip to Florida. I’ve posted a few here and there, but there were so many more that I wanted to share. And I wanted to do it before it was too far from the holiday. So bear with me. This is more than one or two pictures AND they were not taken this week. Typically I pick one or two of my favorite shots.

My kids and their Nana on the evening we arrived in Florida

Necco didn’t let the fact that she forgot her swimming suit slow her down.

The kids loved spending so much time with Daddy

That’s AJ taking a sunset run along the beach

The fact that both Dog and Boy are staring off in different directions cracks me up. And the fact that my boy is wearing a dog hat….

Christmas Eve KitKat’s 13th birthday celebration

There was a Star Wars marathon running the entire week. Since we don’t have TV, there was a lot of this going on:

Necco conquered her fear of dogs. This week, she is Dog Sitting. Those who know her will be impressed by that huge step!

We ate this fantastic HoneyBaked Ham all week

Grandpap and Necco

Reese collected lots of shells….until she collected a big handful that I had to let her know were still alive. She didn’t bring me any after that…

My brother in law brought his kite for kite surfing. It was the big spectacle on the beach that day.

Quite cool to watch, but I wouldn’t want to be out there.

What have you been photographing this week?  Have you tried anything new? Read to find out more about Give Me Your Best Shot….And come back to leave the link to your best shot below (please link to your actual Give Me Your Best Shot post). And grab my button on my sidebar menu or on my blogroll and link to me so that we can get more people to stop by!

PS–Have you seen the first post in my new series of photography tutorials? If not, I’d invite you to stop by. Details are there about this week’s challenge (we’re asking everyone to step out of auto mode and take a Winter-themed shot). Next Tuesday, join me back here to see what everyone has done for the challenge!

Happy New Year!

I’ve been sitting here pondering deep thoughts to share with you for the new year, but I’m afraid today is not a day for deep thoughts from me. Maybe Monday.

I do, however, have a favorite photo for you. This picture was taken on Christmas day, on the beach in Florida. Necco was looking out at the ocean, and I glanced over at her and noticed that the other kids were reflected in her new sunglasses. I had to capture the scene.

What have you been photographing this week? Did you catch any good Christmas photos? Have you tried anything new? Read to find out more about Give Me Your Best Shot….And come back to leave the link to your best shot below (please link to your actual Give Me Your Best Shot post). And grab my button on my sidebar menu or link to me so that we can get more people to stop by!

PS–if anyone can solve the mystery of why the GMYBS button can’t be posted within a post without messing up the code, I’d be forever grateful!