Week 8 : One for the road.

I just can't get excited about shooting inanimate objects...

I'm not the only weirdo who goes out and randomly shoots signs... but at least mine is just with a camera... young folk get bored easily out in our neck of the woods...

Payback.

The youngest of my two girls...

Isn't she cute?!

Well, I've been spending a lot of extra time with her lately and let me tell ya, she's something else. One strong-willed little girl. She's in her "terrible threes".

I think she's my husband's payback for every bad thing he's ever done... and I'm the one who gets the brunt of it the majority of the time.

(I've always been a good girl.)

Did I mention she's only 3???

BUT she's stylish.

She knows how to rock some camo rubber boots.

She wears them everywhere. With anything. In any weather.

AND she is A-OK with playing alone. As long as she has some Barbies, or dolls, or kitchen stuff, or crayons and paper... she will just play and play and play.

She's also a sweetheart. She tells me she loves me all the time and gives me kisses (sometimes she's sucking up, but still). I love her so very much....even if she does throw numerous tantrums per day.

Week 7 : ONE object shot at 5 different angles/distances

I'm pretty picky about what I shoot... like it has to have meaning or something. It's hard for me to just shoot some random object that means nothing to me. But the entire reason for this weekly bloggity thang is to step outside of my comfort zone and shoot items I wouldn't normally shoot.... like things without faces.

Maybe if I pretend it's a person it'll be easier?

So, here is Mr. Antique Milk Can. Shot at five different angles/distances. Probably not my best work, but it did the job. And now I can move onto next week's assignment! And maybe, possibly catch myself up...

Week 6 : Botanical

You know how hard it is to shoot something botanical and pretty when it's February/March and everything outside is still dead? Maybe that's why this week's assignment is so far behind (that's my exuse anyways)... but the other day, I noticed these cute little flowers that popped up unexpectedly next to my parents' house. I decided to get out my 50mm prime lens (the poor thing has been cooped up in the camera bag for so long) and capture the only living botanical thing(s) I've seen in months.

Shooting anything besides people is not my favorite thing to do... but I'm learning to like it.

Did you vote?

I'm not a very opinionated person. That doesn't mean I don't ever have an opinion... I just don't like to voice it most of the time.

But I'm gonna voice it today!

I've never obsessed over American Idol but this season is different (yes, I totally just admitted that I'm obsessed with American Idol)... I can't decide why either. Maybe it's because they have some SUPER-TALENTED male contestants! Or maybe because I just love Steven Tyler. Or that J-Lo is so emotionally connected with the contestants. Or maybe it's because Simon Cowell is gone. I have been pleasantly surprised at how well this season is going without him. I never really liked him, but I sometimes got a kick out of his reaction to some of the auditions and I know people thrived on his rude comments.

My absolute favorite part of this season, though, is that there are some very unique guys in the top 12. Of course, I have my favorites... These five better make it to the next round or I might cry.

#1 - Casey Abrams

I love his personality. He's funny. He's incredibly talented. He's different. And he just does his thing. What he does is so natural. And he reminds me of a guy I know...


#2 - Paul McDonald

His voice is so unique. And so refreshing. I love his character. I've never seen a contestant like him on Idol. And who can resist that smile?!?!?!?!


#3 - Scotty McCreery

Who doesn't love a good ol' country boy?! ...that can sing!


#4 - James Durbin

I love me some rocker boy too! I think it's amazing that he has overcome asperger's to get where he's at. That's an accomplishment in and of itself. I have total respect for him.


And this guy... Jacob Lusk...

OMG is all I have to say. He will make it big whether he wins Idol or not.

Now I would tell you to go vote for Casey... or Paul... or Scotty... or James... but polls are closed now. *sniff, sniff*

I'm excited to see who makes it through tomorrow night! Who's with me?!?!


(photos courtesy of http://www.americanidol.com/)

Week 5 : Sports

(Yes, I'm falling behind... but at least I'm still blogging! Just not doing very good at following my weekly list...)

I was sporty in my younger days. In grade school, I played softball, volleyball, basketball and I cheered. I played basketball my freshman year in high school. And I was a varsity cheerleader my sophomore and junior years. I wasn't involved in anything my senior year (except for my boyfriend at the time, who had already graduated). I played rec basketball for a couple years during high school, but I've been pretty lazy since then... until a couple years ago when I was asked by this lovely lady...

to play rec league volleyball..............on her team.

She obviously didn't realize who she was asking. I hadn't done much of anything but work and have babies since high school. I was uncoordinated and out of shape.

"It's just for fun!" she said.

And as some of you may know... I like to have fun! So I agreed.

And boy, am I glad I did! We play every season now and it's loads of fun! We're even pretty good, if I do say so myself. We played the championship game last season!

(We lost the championship game last season.... but we got 2nd place!)

Go Heartland Financial!

How to make a mudpie.

Warning: This post will be dirty. (I crack myself up.)

I don't know about anyone else, but I had kids just so I could relive my childhood days! JK, people. But I'm still a kid at heart and having kids sure is a lot of fun. I love letting Mia have friends over to play and stay the night. I always try to plan something fun, like making personal homemade pizzas, or cookies.......... or mudpies.

And because I'm sure no one knows how to make a mudpie, I thought I'd give you some step-by-step instructions.

Before we start though, I have to tell you that the Little Tikes Mudpie Kitchen is awesome! It's one of the best gifts the girls have ever gotten. This thing will keep them busy for hours and I love it!

Let's get started.

First, gather some dirt.

Then, add some water.

And if you have a super cool Little Tikes Mudpie Kitchen, mix it on up! As you can see, ours is not nearly as clean as the picture above. I mean seriously people, it's a MUDpie kitchen.

 

And just keep on mixing and pouring until you have enough mud pies to feed the town. 

 

And, of course, don't let those muddy little hand comes inside without washing them off first... 

I practically had to beg Mia to get dirty today though. She is so much like her mother. I had to assure her that she could get her clothes dirty so that she could have fun. Once she got started though, she didn't wanna stop. That's usually how it goes.