I'm Taking Pictures for No Good Reason at All!

Well, I've had my camera for nearly a month now, and it hasn't parted from my hand much over the last 30 days.  I've been snapping pictures like crazy.  Some ok, some good, some not so good, and then occasionally I get one I really like.  A big thanks to Jamie for giving me a crash course on aperture in 3 paragraphs or less and to Shellie for introducing me to the Pioneer Woman (I feel like she's a country girl after my own heart!)  I've been studying the Internet for all things photography.  I'm gaining confidence and moving into shooting in some of my manual modes.  I'm also beginning to realize what I like about pictures, my personal preferences on style, content, and exposure.  I recognize that I may not be following all the rules to a "T".  But, hey, their my pictures!  So all that matters to me right now is that I like 'em!

And for all of you who keep asking, "No, I don't intend to make a career out of this once Brenna starts school".  I'm not nearly that good and definitely don't intend to invest the amount of money it would take to be that good.  This is a very expensive hobby.  I'm already eyeing another lens to add to my collection and the new mac photo editing software, Aperture.  For right now this is just a hobby and I consider it another notch in my "Housewife / Mommy" belt, right behind cooking, home decor, and gardening.  That being said, I do love to take pictures, so for anyone who wants to take some pics for fun, birthdays, showers, whatever, I'd love to help.  However, that offer is only for friends and family, I'm not hiring out!

Of course, Brenna has been my guinea pig and, as you can imagine, she's also my favorite "content"!  The poor cats run and hide every time they see the camera come out of the drawer.  There is one thing I've noticed over the month.  Brenna doesn't like to smile for me.  She doesn't mind taking pictures, but she won't smile.  Not if its just me asking.

These are a couple of "for instance" shots.  I took these this week, just before Brenna's 2nd dance class.  She's just too darn cute in those pick leotards to pass up.  It was just me and Brenna on the front porch.

"Smile Brenna!  Smile Sweetheart!  Brenna, Please Smile!!!!!"

Brenna's First Day of Ballet and Tap

Well, we wrapped up gymnastics for the year at the end of July.  She had a great time with it and had mastered the all the moves for her level and a few above.  We decided rather than take another year of gymnastics, we would give dance a try.  Most dance schools only take children at age 3, so we just squeezed in before the Fall registration last week.

It's already been a learning experience for all of us.  We visited the dance studio for its Open House so Brenna could meet the teacher and get accustomed to her new surroundings.  Ms. Hillary (our new dance instructor) was very nice and spent some time talking to Brenna about what they do in dance class.  As soon as she pulled out the hula hoops, Brenna was sold.  We registered her for a combo ballet and tap class.  Jacob and I quickly learned there quite a few more bell and whistles associated with dance.  Of course there's the registration fee and the monthly tuition, but then there's recital fees, leotards, tutus, tights, ballet shoes, tap shoes........and don't forget the bag to carry it all in!  One week and an undisclosed amount of money later (tap shoes are disgustingly expensive!) we were praying that she really liked dance, because she was onboard for the year whether she liked it or not!

We spent the week talking up how fun dance class would be and how nice Ms. Hillary was.  She had a blast picking out her leotards and modeling each one for the sales clerk at the dancewear store.  We even had a few practice sessions at home so she could appreciate her tap shoes.  When we finally walked in the door of the dance studio, we had nothing to fear.  Brenna ran into the dance room and took her spot on the floor ready to get started!  The dance room has a mirrored wall on one side (of course) and the other three walls have viewing windows, so we can watch the girls.  I took a few photos and video before we left the house and then Jacob got some video of the dance class with his iphone (God bless technology!)

Let's Paint Outside!

We moved our little Piccaso outside with a little dab of side walk paint. One hour and three bottles of paint later this was the result.

More Camera Practice!

Sesame Street Faces are Fun!

So, since the sesame faces were such a hit with Brenna at the Birthday Party, we've carried it over to craft time for Brenna. She's made sesame faces two more times since the party and even created her own Sesame Street character, which we named Bedobbles (not sure where that came from, but given his facial characteristics, I thought it was a fitting name)!

I'm still tinkering around with the camera alot. I think I'm getting better, especially with outdoor shots, but indoors I'm still working to perfect the camera functions. As any photographer will tell you, its all about lighting, and I'm having a hard time making the indoor lighting work for me. But I sure am having fun trying.

Backyard Play Time!

After a hot week, we figured the best way to cool off was to break out the backyard pool! Brenna was looking stylish in her new bikini, which happened to be just alittle too big. The right strap kept falling off and I would keep pulling it up. Brenna finally told me "It's ok Mama, I don't mind!" Had it been her way, there would be no bathing suit at all.

Camera Practice!

Thanks for the Paint Aunt Jodi!

Brenna's 3rd Birthday Party!

Brenna's 3rd Birthday Party was a huge success. She had a fantastic time with all her friends. We celebrated with a Sesame Street theme this year and we went Sesame all the way! From the decorations, to the food, to the crafts and games, to wrappings, even Brenna's birthday outfit included Elmo and friends. We started off the morning with a few gifts. She had been patiently waiting since Friday when she found all the wrapped presents in the upstairs bedroom.