I love the way my niece’s fine hair is in focus on this shot, and I love the baby-round shape of her cheeks…and those beautiful eyelashes. You know, sometimes I feel guilty for not taking as many shots of J when we’re out with family.

Sunday afternoon was like most of our get-togethers. I was busy trying to get some nice shots while the kids were playing outside in very different places. They’re still young enough to not really play together much. J and his older cousin, E, did dance together a bit, and there were a few other moments that were photographable, but I was busy socializing and didn’t have the camera near (and I’m not upset about it at all–I can’t miss out on life just because I’m the family photographer).

Later, when they went outside and I got out the camera, they went in three different directions and J was doing what he does best. Testing boundaries, far away from the rest of the group. I made myself busy getting shots of the girls and keeping an eye on him, but letting him explore.

I don’t know. I should probably make sure I spend an equal amount of time on each of them, but since I have opportunities at home with J, I’ve been concentrating on the others when we’re all together. I hope he doesn’t look back on the huge photo archive I’ll have by the time he’s 18 and wonder why there are so few shots of him when they’re all at Grandpa and Grandma’s. It’s not that I think he’s any less cute…but I’m worried he’ll think so.

I actually think he’s The Cutest Thing Ever. (Yeah, I said it. Your cuties can be the cutest ever, too. It’s a shared title.)  In fact, so shared that I’m offering the full-sized PNG file for the little badge on the above photo for your use…who knows, maybe you like to scrapbook or add even more personality to your photos!  Right click on the link and select “Download Linked File” to get the big version for your own personal, not commercial, use.

Head on over to Tracey’s to see all the other Cutest Things Ever for Best Shot Monday. You won’t regret it!

Tags: Best Shot Monday, freebie, photography, scrapbook, scrapbook elements

It’s not really a pompadour, but I happen to like alliteration, so pompadour it is.  J’s been sickly the last week  or so–even though I’d thought we were finished with that snotty nose and fever business.  Because he’s sickly, his appetite just isn’t where it should be, although his sense of play is slightly elevated.  Consequently, any fun, sticky-yet-fluffy food that comes within his reach is destined to become fodder for the camera.

This is the highlight of my Mother’s Day.  Happy BSM!

Tags: Best Shot Monday, BSM, dinner, food, toddler

I’m SO excited for this week.  It always starts out great with Best Shot Monday, but not only did I get all my backed-up grading done this weekend, but I’ve there’s also all this great stuff going on in blogland.  Please, read on!

First, I want to remind you of my little contest going on this week.  If you want to take part, make sure you get your post up by this Friday at 8 p.m CST.  Oh, and remember to link back to me–it will get a few more people involved and help spread the sunshine even further!   And speaking of the contest–would you all try to help me test the poll to the left?  It’s a test run of the plugin so that I know that it’ll be working when the poll phase of the contest is up.

Second, I remember that a few of you were interested in participating in Karen’s postcard swap last August when I mentioned that I was getting mine ready.  Well, she’s doing it again.  Postcard Swap 2008:  The Love Edition is in the planning stages, so get your heinie over to Chookooloonks and sign up by Wednesday, January 16.

Finally, I’m taking part in a Pay It Forward exchange that Starfish turned me on to.  (Starfish, by the way, is the one of the nicest bloggers I know–J frequently sports the coolest hat she knitted to keep his then-bald little head covered.)   If you’d like to take part, be one of the first three to comment mentioning that you’re signing up for the PIF exchange.  You’ll have to agree to the this pledge:

I, [insert your name here] will send a handmade gift to the first 3 people who leave a comment on my blog requesting to join this PIF exchange, and who make the same pledge on their own blogs.

Did you say it aloud?  Come on, put your hand over your heart and say it like you mean it!

I’m not quite sure exactly what your gift will be, but right now I’m leaning toward a set of notecards (so, technically not handmade, but originals).  Oh, and you won’t get stuck with something with my son anywhere on it.  I swear!

And C, I’m getting to you later this week, I swear!  Note to self:  work on avoiding repetition.

Tags: Best Shot Monday, card swap, Contest, photo, photography, PIF