1. For those who asked, we vacationed at Isle of Palms, South Carolina last week. It was absolutely fabulous. We rented a large house for three families that was about 100 yards from the water. Our section of the beach was surprisingly empty which was perfect for us! I would highly recommend that location for other vacationing families.
2. The images I posted yesterday were taken on the most amazing weather day I can remember. The clouds were huge and puffy and white as can be. Because they were so dense the sunlight that poured through was beautifully filtered which is what made the images on that day so magical. That and I shot at f11 which I NEVER do. The gorgeous sweeping beach scene before me demanded it though. I’m so glad I stepped out of my comfort zone. I love the images from that day so much. I’ll have more to share later.
3. As far as the processing of yesterday’s shots goes I used the same recipe I always use. And yes, the rumor is true…a tutorial video on that process will be available late summer/early fall of this year. I’m excited! =)
4. Thanks so much for welcoming my mom and aunt to the blog last week! I invited my sister to share too but maybe next time, right sis?
5. The two pieces of writing that my mom posted last week ended up being featured on the fabulous Scrapbooking/Memory Keeping site Write.Click.Scrapbook. My mom let me know via email with a line that said, “your blog has made me famous!” She cracks me up. If you care to keep following my mom as she tries to remain loyal to blogging (this time!) check her out on her blog, Turtle’s Progress. (sidenote: Turtle’s Progress is a nod to the old addage, behold the turtle who only makes progress when he sticks out his neck. I’m proud of my mom for doing just that!)
6. We’ve started a new summer routine at our house. And it’s called…THE SCHEDULE. (cue grand, ominous music here). We’ve certainly always had a loose schedule but I kept it in my head. The kiddos knew basically how the day would go but I never actually sat down and spelled it out for them. And consquently I was being driven crazy with questions like, “can I have a snack?” (eighteen times/morning), “when will Daddy be home?”, and “is it time for Ephraims nap yet ’cause I want some G-U-M.” Sunday night I sat down with them before bed and we wrote out our Monday schedule on the kitchen chalkboard. And again last night. And guess what? No more questions. Sure, two days of success is not a problem solved but I think we’re on our way. For daily activities that need a time constraint I’ll set our visual timer.
Now if I can just figure out why in the world as a former kindergarten teacher (who was a strict adherent to a visual schedule for my students) did it take me so long to do this for my own kids?
7. I haven’t yet discovered how to add things to my Amazon widget over there in the sidebar. If I could though there are two things I would add today, both introduced to me last week by Amy. First, this wireless remote which she used to take this UNBELIEVABLE beach shot of our three fams last week:
And second, I would add this LensPEN. It was AMAZING for getting sand and grit off of my camera and lenses last week. I’m in love. Thanks Amy!
8. Another discovery while at the beach last week: the Scoops iphone app. This could be the most addicting game ever. For two year olds and 30 year olds alike.
9. Yesterday I started this 10k training program. I’m actually pleasantly surprised by how little weekday running is involved. I typically run before Brent goes to work which only gives me about 45 minutes tops. This plan is totally doable for that time constraint. I think the hardest thing for me is going to be staying honest about “cross training.” I tend to read that as “sleep in.” This morning though I took B-Ro on a quick 30 minute bike ride for our cross training day. Maybe I’ve turned over a new leaf. Then again we’re only on day two.
10. Two funny kid-isms to top off this jam-packed ToT post. Yesterday Brent and I discovered that Ephraim thinks Root Beer is called “Root B-Ro.” Adorable. And just this morning (not two minutes ago) Sarah had to chastise her brother for taking her glue stick. And it sounded like this: “SON! That’s MY glue stick!”
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