How I Select A POTD

Selecting a photo of the day is a mixed affair. Some days as soon as I push the shutter I know, without a doubt, that I've taken THE photo. Other days I sort through photos hunting for something that feels salvageable. And on others days it is a matter of having  a really important story to tell. Something that impacts me. Something that must be remembered. On occasion the one photo is the same as the story. And quite honestly, somedays I just think...ok, that's the one because I need to sleep and tomorrow is another day with more photos!

I love the days when the photo appears instantly for me because of a story. I love the days when the photo may not be perfect but the moment is so important to remember.

Ian loves to stall. Don't all almost 4 year olds? He has two weeks of  "school" left before he gets to spend his days with us. He knows the days I am staying at home and the days I'm off to a client. He can tell as soon as he notices me getting dressed. He'll look at me and say, "why are you wearing THAT shirt?" LOL, reminds me of a similar phrase I often say to Shea as we are getting ready to go somewhere.

This morning he knew it was a stay at home day for me and a go to school day for him. So, of course, he asked for scones. And because it is summer and we had nowhere to be on time, we road our bikes to get scones on the way to school. The best part? He'd eaten two, looked at me and said, "I have one scone left! Take a picture of it!"

Ahh, my sweet child! I do love you! So we had a mini scone photo session before he headed off to school. Proof I didn't have THAT shirt on and proof that he has us exactly where he wants us!

He Calls Himself "Super Diver"

POTD 062909, originally uploaded by katrina.kennedy.

in the sprinkler, the bathtub and the wading pool! He is a super hero!

Growing UP

With the heat reaching 106 and brand new air conditioning on the fritz we needed a cool alternative! So what better than a movie? Last year we couldn't have considered it and would have just suffered through. How strange to pull up to the theatre as a family. Buy three tickets (ouch $$$) and head in.  Ian was excited to go announcing, "this is going to be so exciting" as we got out of the car. With only my iPhone for photos they are a little blurry, but I have proof of the day!

In the theatre I think he was just as excited at seeing the gigantic Transformer display as he was to see the movie. He would have gladly walked in to see Transformers if we'd let him!

As we walked into our theatre he kept asking, "where are we going?" The dark long hallway must have been a little strange! He walked right in, found a seat and then we moved three times. Too close. Not right. Too reclined thus eating a three year old bottom. It was pretty funny, the reclining seats kind of swallowed him right up! Finally we found the perfect seat and he was very pleased to move the seat up and down trying to simulate the swallowing of the prior seat. No booster for him, he was doing this big boy style!

Lots of commercials. He was a little confused by those asking when the movie was going to start. Since we don't have a television in our house the whole commercial thing is a little weird to all of us!

And then the movie started. Silly movie, I was crying within the first 10 minutes. The first time the audience laughed Ian laughed right along with them and then looked at me saying, "what's so funny?" LOL Trying to explain humor in the dark is fun! Only a few spots that scared him "just a little" with lots of movie that kept him entertained and in his seat for the entire time!

So exciting and so strange to have entered the new world of movies as a family!

It Was His Idea

Ian is obsessed with cupcakes. And because on a whim one day we stopped at a cupcake shop he now feels he's entitled to a regular cupcake excursion. Yesterday, after waiting as patiently as an almost 4 year old can for an entire day, he finally got to get a cupcake with dad. 

Of course, that is really not what this post is about.

While photographing his cupcake, which is a requirement anytime you are going to pay over $2.00 for a baked good, he put his little index finger in the air in that funny way he does. He then announced, "I have an idea! Let's take a family picture." When I said, my arm isn't long enough with this lens, he said, "with the thingy."

Of course! The thingy! So we got out the thingy. Set the camera up and got two shots. Well worth the trouble of setting up the thingy because can this kiddo see great light or what?!

Not focusing on the things I'd change about it (and me) but just loving it for the moment captured! And the cape? Yep, as soon as the tripod came out he insisted that he needed to get his cape as well. Perhaps just memories of this day?!

Reach for the Sky

Perhaps you remember this shot from April 30th. Today I was playing in the garden and took this shot. 

Yes, that little plant is now almost 9 feet tall! It still has 3 to go. What I failed to consider in planting 16 of these in my backyard (purely to take photos of them) is that they'd be 12 feet tall! That requires a ladder...and me on it with my camera. I don't know if that is going to happen! I know there is a flower growing but am not overly excited about asking Shea to drag the ladder to the backyard every afternoon to document the progress. So today a shot from below with my 50mm lens. Knowing that I'm 5'3" that gives you an idea of its size! When the flower gets larger it will flop down and I'll be able to shoot it then! For now I'll just continue to watch it reach for the sky!

Arrrrrr

POTD 062009 - Arrrrrr, originally uploaded by katrina.kennedy.

Today was Leo's 4th birthday party! Ian was excited about having cake and seemed simply amazed that Leo was going to be the same age Ian is turning next month!

His cake excitement was almost matched by the excitement over getting his very own pirate sword and parrot from the clown at the party!

He used my lens to see the reflection of his pirate imitation...so of course I had to snap it!

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And in our garden tonight? Squash...loads of squash! Our very first meal from the garden. Yum! Now if the tomatoes would just ripen a little faster!

Simon Says...

I found a new way to get photos of Ian! So excited about this since it was so easy!

We took him to the park to play tball, run the bases and just goof. He loved it! We ran, we tagged each other, he kicked up a lot of dirt. Tball evolved into "snowball" fights which led to other three year old games that only he knew the rules to! After a quick remade version of Red Light-Green Light he asked for Simon Says. He still doesn't quite understand the rules so he just does anything you say! Pretty funny I have to admit!

The best part? I said, "Simon says lay on the ground and smile so mom can take a picture." And complied perfectly!

Would You Believe...

he really is a well behaved child? It just seems he's becoming a real boy. Today he announced his burps, got really dirty outside and followed it up with a little showing of his frozen yogurt and mochi!

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On another note...it seems the purging and taking photos with greater intention is sapping me of my creative ability. I've taken fewer photos this week than I have in years. I miss it. I'm not liking anything I do snap. It is a nice feeling to be clearing up space. I just really really want my creativity back!

73 photos deleted from my hard drive today, 24 taken today