playground searching

Roan and I went for a walk at Graue Mill on Sunday. As we were on the path and after letting three dogs kiss him, he asked me if we could go to the playground. It was getting late and the mosquitos were starting to come out in full rage so I told him, we'd have to find one. Roan started saying, "Playground, where are you?" so I played along.

We started walking back towards the car and I heard him stop. As I turned around, I saw him facing a large tree and heard him ask the tree if it's seen a playground. Roan's got a great imagination. He asked a couple more trees about the playground. We learned a good lesson that evening--Trees don't know where playgrounds are...or they are not talking.


Above: I got a smile AND eye contact!


Above: He was putting on his "mean" face.

Above: "Hello? Anyone home?" Every time we come here the mill is closed. He always tries to get in.

BTW...It's real...the D700 is real! I love my D300 and can live with it for now, but I am going to save up for this one: Full frame, high ISO performance? I'm drooling!

can't live without

Lately, I've had nothing to write about so I'm going to list some of the things that I love; in no particular order, because I am bored:

* My family...of course!
* Aveda Be Curly tamer
* Oyster Sauce (my secret ingredient)
* Chiu Choy Chili Oil
* Oxyclean (it's amazing!)
* Dark Chocolate
* Clean, wrinkle-free sheets on my bed (and me laying in them)
* Hot, steamy showers
* Keihl's face lotion with SPF
* My All Clad pots and pans
* Internet
* Books
* Sushi: spicy tuna
* My DSLR (and accessories) ... duh...
* A/C (I know...not very green, but I can't stand hot and humid)
* Kisses...from my boys
* Flip flops
* The presence of God in my life
* This smile:

Just a few more from the splash pad:

trespassing

I have had my eye on this location for months now. It's a property that is really run down and overgrown with weeds and such and there are abandoned buildings all around. The property is for sale, so I'm sure we were trespassing. I had to get some test shots though. My kid won't look at me at all though so this is all that I can get.

I tried to post process using an urban more dark feel. I like the result above, but not so much below.

Totally unrelated, but I am completely obsessed with a new camera rumor from Nikon. It's basically a cheaper D3, which is "The" camera! A full frame, high ISO performer for about 60% of the cost of the D3. I need to start saving up, if this is true. Choua...don't hate me...I want more!

macro

I finally got a nice shot using my 50mm backwards. I had heard that you can use it as a macro lens that way. It was so difficult though trying to get the settings correct and then holding the camera and lens against the camera and making sure that it didn't shake and pray that the wind did not blow the dandelion in the least bit so the picture would be in focus. My neighbors think I'm funny, but in the end, I like the result. It confirms that I would like to rent a macro lens to do more artistic work.

On a completely other note, yesterday morning, before taking Roan to daycare, I was holding him in his little sofa chair from PB. He always likes to lean back on me really hard so that we flip backwards onto the ground. In his playroom, there is a wall that is made of brick where the chimney from the basement comes up. Well, do you see where I am going with this?

Roan catches me off guard and puts all of weight on me. We start going backwards and I feel my left ear brush up against the side of the brick wall and before I can brace us, I hear his little head hit the corner of the chimney. He immediately starts crying...not his recently normal, whiny cry, but a real cry and he's frantically rubbing his head.

Anyways, he is fine and the huge egg of a bump on his head is almost non-existent now, but I called his Pediatrician's office to make sure there wasn't anything more I should do, since immediately after he hit his head, he got a major bloody nose that last for about 10-15 minutes. She asked me if I iced it and I said "No". I mean, I was busy trying to get his nose to stop and when it finally did, I went and got the Tiger Balm to put on it. That's what mom used to put on me when I would hit my head on something. The nurse asked me what it was and I explained it. She was amused by it and said she'd call me back after she talked to an actual Pediatrician.

father's day 2008

We celebrated by letting Choua sleep in. Then, after nap, we headed out to Crowne Fountain; one of Roan's favorite places. I swear he could spend the entire day there. It was overcast and we actually started the day out with very severe weather, but it's the weekend...we have to have fun.

These were all taken on my point and shoot Nikon S60. Yes, that's Ashton Kutcher's camera. Lots of pictures:

Below: Crowne Fountain in all it's glory.

Below: Claiming his spot in line for the water to spout out. Notice he's the only little one in line.

Below: Just loving it all.

Below: Reflections of the skyscrapers in the water.

Below: Again...just loving it all.

Below: They finally get what they've been waiting for.




Below: Riding on Shang Art Sculpture

Below: Ended off the afternoon with a patio dinner on Grant Park. Sorry...forgot the name. Roan ordered grilled cheese sandwiches with French fries and water. And gave me the Photographer's Child Syndrome look.

color

OMGish! I can't believe the color that resulted from Roan's friend, A's, 3rd birthday party. It was such a fun time...mostly because Choua got stuck with Roan duties and I got to just snap away. Thank you, Choua!


A and Daddy.

Priceless!

This cake was made by a friend of the family. It was so beautiful that the birthday boy was heard crying to his mom, "Noooo...don't cut the cake!" It was so adorable!

Thank God for the slip and slide...it was so much fun for the kids.

superhero

Sweet! Roan is going through a superhero phase. I found this adorable pj at Walmart. The cape Velcros on and off. He is so cute in it. He likes to run around, trying to make the cape fly up.

Please ignore our messy kitchen. Yes, that is a Target bag hanging from our back door. Some pictures are a bit soft, but I had to post them up. I have to be quick in taking pictures or he runs away or gets mad at me.


I love this photo of Choua and Roan. They are both so happy in it.

financial infedelity

There is a name for it. I don't know if anyone else can relate, but I felt myself sinking into my seat when I read the article in Cookie Magazine.

However, I also felt a sort of relief that I was not alone. You know, you buy some things, for yourself or your child and instead of proudly bringing it into the house, you leave it in the car because you know that your child did not really need it and so you don't want to face your spouse with those shopping bags. So you slowly filter it into the house...under the radar.

It's not an issue of money either, in most cases. I grew up in a family that is very frugal, given how level-headed most of my siblings are about spending. But, I've always had sort of a shopping "problem". I love nice things. I love the way it feels to hold it, own it and even smell it. Luckily, because I am overweight now, I spend a lot less on clothes. I find that I have to try really hard to hold myself back sometimes.

I mean, I'm not one of those moms that stay in the buying-returning loop as to confuse it enough so that they never get caught. I tell myself I'm not that bad, but because I felt that I could relate to the article, I realize that I may have a problem. And the problem may be more than just loving the high, but as the article mentions, more of a compensation of losing your self in the process of becoming a wife, mom, and in general, an all to all for all.

So as I look at the 25% off coupon at Coach and I'm eyeing that gorgeous little Ergo clutch. I have to ask myself if I really do have a problem. Is it just a really good deal or do I really have problem?

And because a no picture post is boring...here are some more sweetness:

ro ro birthday recap

Roan's birthday invite. I used a template that I found on ILP.
He cooperated for about two minutes.

The day of the party was cloudy and cool. In the sun, it was nice, but we were under canopies so for some of us, who went hoping for sun; it was a bit cold.

It was a wonderful location, but I was not able to take any pictures as I was hosting. The following pictures were taken by my friend, Christine, and I processed them. They are not technically mine, but I watermarked them for her protection.

Above: presents are starting to pile up.

Above: Appetizers.

Above: this was Roro's expression the whole morning. He had the majority of his cousins and friends with him.

Above: more smiles from the birthday boy.

Above: Mommy cutting the cake. I bought a cake from Costco and made a sailboat cake, but we didn't get a picture of the cake...or the favors...or the canopy...or the giant pizzas. :( Very sad.

Roan's most favorite thing in the world...CAKE!

It was cold.