That is what this summer is becoming for J! He's always been a texture freak. If it's slippery or slimy, cold or wet, then he usually keeps his distance. But this summer, momma's pushing it! Through the whining, fussing and crying we are going to get over some of the formerly uncharterable areas!


Yesterday the storm blew away our plans to play at the park so we went over to a good friend's house to have our play date there! J & S had a blast fingerpainting! I was really surprised because every time I tried to get J to do anything involving slippery, wet, hand-tainting things he would break out into a whine of "it's nasty!" and beg me to clean it off as the crocodile tears poured. So of course I broke out the camera to capture this!
Today we took a walk and ended up at Grandma & Papaw's house. The rest of the family was coming over to swim so Daddy ran home to get our swimsuits so we could join them. It took a half hour of whining, crying, snotting and screaming before J finally decided the pool wasn't so bad. I had to drag him to the center of the pool and spin him around (what seemed like 100 times!) and he finally cracked a smile and even let loose a giggle or two. Then we spent almost 2 hours in the pool and he cried because we had to leave! I was so thrilled that he got over his fear of doing something unfamiliar. Last summer he cried and threw a fit about everything and this year looked like it would be the same. I can feel the dread lifting knowing there is hope J will be able to enjoy all the outings we'll be taking this summer!

I joined in the storyboard craze... I was really just playing around to see if I could make a decent one in case someone asked me to do one for them and I think I kind of liked the way it turned out. Let me know if you like it or what you'd change, etc... I may like it okay but I may like your suggestions better so CC away so I can learn & get better!

I have it here in color and also with the background in B&W - which do you like better?

The writing reads: "It used to be that I could look at you and see traces of the baby you once were. Now I look at you and instead catch glimpses of the man you will become."

It was a gorgeous day! Beautiful blue skies...bright warm sun...gentle breeze... it was a perfect day! We took a walk around the neighborhood and J partially mowed a few lawns on the way! Here are just a few from our little trek around the block. It was about one o'clock so the sun was super strong but I love these captures of our time together...


Here he goes mowing the neighborhood:

This one cracks me up:
And finally, way to go, Dad! He braved the wild beast and actually took a pic of me & J! There aren't many of us. I got a hug and kiss from my fave toddler and daddy caught it on film (kind of!). Not too bad with full sun, I think he has promise:

K was so much fun! She is crazy, silly and, luckily for me, bored with school being out so she was available for me to take out for some "practice shooting". I think I owe her some ice cream or something...


These are some we shot this morning, it was hot and the sun was so bright! And when we were at the park some weird guy kept driving back and forth staring at her. When he pulled over to park, we decided it was time to go home!

This is a sneak peek for her and for me? An opportunity for you to give me some HHCC!

Thanks for visiting!

***Mom2Drew: The "background" for the chicken pics is actually the sheer curtains hanging in front of my living room window. I figured if he were happily sitting in his comfy chair I might get him to eat something different! It was really bright and gave me a chance to practice with the flash again to try to get a decent pic (instead of a silhouette!). I hope your DS isn't so picky. J used to love yogurt and other "slimy" things but not anymore... =(

Here is the instructional video by Jeremiah titled "How To Draw A Robot."

Yup, that is what my little guy said when he picked up the chicken drumstick! I guess from the shape? Oh and this is the kid that does not eat ice cream because it's A) cold and B) has a wet, slippery texture (he hates that!) This really isn't on theme this week unless you want to count that FOOD is something we can't live without! I was pretty excited about him eating this since he is so picky it's hard to get him to eat ANYTHING at all (hence his skinny little self!). But I was especially thrilled that he ate some chocolate pudding - he's very phobic about that type of texture! So, I feel like we are making some progress around here with something! Here he is experimenting from each angle:

Thanks for visiting!