My Favorite Gingers

We ended up playing in Rooke's room one slow-paced morning last week . . .

Gretchen's Innovation

Big Daddy

My dad spent the night with us last week!  Big Daddy is always fun to have around.  The kids loved the extra playmate, and they had a great time with the new trains and tracks I scored at the thrift store.  I paid three dollars for a bag that tripled our track count.  Three dollars!  It was the deal of the decade! 

My First Shots on Manual

My dear friend, Ashley, is an amazing wife and mother, and also happens to be an incredible photographer.  She's been teaching beginner dslr photography classes called SnapShops out of her home for the past couple of years, and the slots literally fill up within an hour of them opening.  She's that good.  I'm thrilled to share with you that today she's launching an online version of the class!!  I'm so excited for her!  

Ashley graciously let me in on the beta version and I absolutely loved it.  It's not very often that I enjoy the feeling of my brain about to explode because I'm taking in so much new and practically useful information.  She uses comprehendible language (compared to my camera manual, which was written in a foreign language) and perfect photograph examples to communicate totally new concepts and makes manual photography approachable.  She also emphasizes how photography can truly communicate the dailyness of life and helps those taking the class look through their lens to see a story.  Ashley is doing a giveaway on her blog for a spot in the first online class, and is also offering an introductory rate for those who don't win.  Click here to read more and sign up!

I'd never taken my dslr camera off automatic until this week.  After walking through part of SnapShop Online, I had so much fun practicing!  It doesn't hurt that I have such cute models.

Like Brother, Like Sister

An Afternoon at Home

Snacks in the garage (I scored those chairs for free at Wimbledon . . . perfection!)

Getting every last drop of her yogurt pop

I never want to forget the joy this little boy experiences while playing with his race cars in the dirt.  He offers constant commentary for those listening.

A Trip to the Library

Going to the library with my kids is one of my most favorite things to do.  And now that Gretchen is learning to enjoy actually looking at the books instead of just pulling them off the shelf, we all have more fun!  I like to utilize the library service of holding books.  That way I know that no matter what happens, a trip to the library will get us at least five new books that are waiting for me behind the counter.  I also like recommendations, so I loved that my friend started sharing titles from their summer reading bag.  I thought I'd pass on a handful of our recent favorites here . . .

Gretchen likes to try and read this one herself!

And no trip to the library would be complete for Rooke without a Franklin book.  He goes to that section first and I am astonished every time that there is yet another title we've yet to take home.  Please, Paulette and Brenda, we are going to run out soon.  We need more!

The Wood

A couple weeks ago, the kids and I spent a gloriously sunny morning tromping through a nearby nature reserve.  Rooke went into complete exploratory mode and led the way for most of our walk. 

Rooke's really into setting up pictures for me.

Love them.