When The 3 Year Old Is Away...

We sent him away Thursday @ 640AM. He more than eagerly jumped on the train with my mom, his Mumzy, and away they went. No tears. No sadness. Just his eager shouting of "this is so exciting." 

It seems I was the one with tears as I saw this pull away from the station. So strange to have him so far away. 

We went to work without the preschool drop off. Came home without the pick up. Sat around with no demands to play up stairs, no requests for water, or goldfish. No protests over bath time or bed time. No good night hugs and kisses. No little boy laughter. (sigh...)

It seems we aren't completely good at being without him. We talked about him (a lot). We wondered what he was doing. We spent FOREVER trying to decide what do/where to go for dinner. It didn't seem right to stay at home. So finally we decided on this.

and this

And a Friday night outing for dinner with Justin & Breena and this

as we listened to him play great cover songs!

Oh and of course I took some to time for a little photo excursion. I love that this was next door to the Pyramid Alehouse!

A great two days...but now I'm ready to go pick the little man up! And my mom said she tried to take photos of everything they did! She knows me too well!

Take Me To The River

What a great weekend! It was just the right combination of business and do nothingness. We started with a visit from Shea's mom and aunt. A nice visit and also the catalyst for the house cleaning of all house cleanings! They left Sunday morning and I just wandered the house saying, "can you believe how clean it is?! We need your mother to visit more often!"

Today we spent most of the day at home. More gardening. The last 4 beds were constructed today! Total=11 It looks great and is GROWING! I discovered cute little green beans beginning to replace the flowers from last week. And, well, I may have squash madness soon! Anybody want some?

Ian really wanted to see the new dog park that opened on Saturday. In the midst of our mad cleaning we forgot about the grand opening so made it up to him tonight. No. We do not have a dog. No. We are not getting a dog. Ian thinks he is. But he also sometimes thinks he is a monster, an alien, a jedi master, and sometimes even a girl. So I'm not too worried. He enjoyed the dog park but was a little confused about the absence of a slide! We left when he told us he was going to " 'tend he was a dog" and got on all fours.

The river is just a short walk/bike ride from the dog park so we headed to a spot a neighbor had mentioned would be perfect for Ian. Down this trail or the "forest" as Ian pointed out.

The sandy bank was perfect, the water was freezing, and the light was amazing (to me anyway!)

POTD 052509 - Discovery, originally uploaded by katrina.kennedy. (click to see it larger, so much better!)


He LOVED it! Bucket after bucket of water either dumped on our feet and a big hole nearby. He shouted, "I'm filling up the Nile!" A little protest over leaving, but now he's out!

A good weekend. And tomorrow my mom visits! And my house is already clean! 

Proof I Take My Camera Everywhere

This not very focused photo is proof I take my camera everywhere, slung across me ready to shoot! Today as we were riding home along the Capital sidewalk (notice the sign indicating the legality of our route) I decided I needed to capture my frequent view from behind Shea as he pulls Ian in the trailer. I love the shadows from the palm trees. And if you look at the bottom you'll notice my basket and to the left my shadow. Nope. I didn't stop. And yep, I just held it up and took a guess about where they might be. It makes me smile :)

My Top 10 Photography Subjects

I snuck a little scrapbooking time in today. A few of my favorite things to photograph! I love photos against a black background. It just makes the colors sing! Everything from Designer Digitals. Credits and journaling here.

Floral Fireman

POTD 052009 , originally uploaded by katrina.kennedy.

When we picked Ian up from school today he'd found a new hat! He willingly modeled it for about 60 seconds! I don't know what I love most here, his big eyes, his funny expression, the hawaiian print, the hat. Well, maybe I just like it all!

Inspired by World Magazine 1970ish

Do you remember the back cover of World* Magazine? They had wonderful close up detail photos and you had to guess what each photo was. I loved that. So here is my version using photos from my Weekend in The Life project inspired by Ali Edwards.  I used her Grid Template and This Is The Day Word Art.

How many can you guess?

*As 1970ish was a few decades ago I claim all right to not remember the correct title as I was a mere adolescent it has nothing to do with my recent inability to remember anything at all.

430 Alarm

POTD 051809 - Waiting, originally uploaded by katrina.kennedy.

After a tough night and a long napless day the alarm on my phone went off at 430PM with the notice "Carousel Opening @ Zoo." We almost forgot! We quickly piled into the car, drove across town and were the 2nd in line for the grand opening of the zoo's new wooden carousel. Ian was so excited and had his animal picked before we got on -- the polar bear.

Once we were on the polar bear just wasn't it for him and he quickly moved the praying mantis. Around we all went. We got in line a second time and he was determined to get the eagle, but someone beat him to it so he happily settled for the ant eater next to my ostrich.

A quick ride around again only to notice the line was now SUPER long! A trip to the chimpanzees and the lion and we were on our way home again.

What fun! What a great photo spot it will be!

Something For Everyone - Photo Extravaganza!

So my garden photos were slightly more in demand than the other categories, but given the results were so close I thought I'd throw out a little something for everyone!

So first, join me in the garden.

Squash

I can't recall if this is the ruffled or yellow crook neck!

Sweet Corn

I may have not planted enough rows for it to pollinate so we'll see if I get more than photos!

Sunflower

We have an entire bed of sunflowers and a garden full of lady bugs! They are everywhere this year!

And for those of you (mom) who wanted to see Ian. Here he is spied through the fence at school before we picked him up and before anyone little shouted "Ian's mom and dad!" I love how excited they all get when we arrive. They don't ask me why I have my camera anymore, now they just ask if they can see their pictures!

And one from last night!  Walking to Thrifty for ice cream season has begun in our house. Before we left Ian decided he wanted to try brown ice cream (thank goodness, before it was the neon blue completely sugared cotton candy grossness). He was so proud of himself for eating it all! I was happy to know half of it fell off and another quarter of it appears to be on his face and clothes!

Now off to the garden for a little photo taking and planting fun! More photos later today! I'm just in that kind of mood!

Viewer's Choice

POTD 051309 - Reflected Reflection, originally uploaded by katrina.kennedy.

Feeling like changing things up this week! I took an average number of photos this week. Had an average week. Nothing too exciting. Nothing horrible. Just average all around.

With that, I'm giving you a choice. Tell me which category from the week you'd like to see and most votes wins. I'll post photos tomorrow afternoon!

How Does Your Garden Grow?
Food & Beverages
Seen At The Park
Found Around

Flash Back Two Years

Today this made me happy

In The Garden

There are a few things in life that bring me great joy.

• Photography
  
• My boys
  
• Collecting memories/thoughts/words
  
• Reading
  
• Beer
  

Not always in that order :)

I have to add gardening to my list. I've planted vegetables before. Messed with a few things here and there. But this year we have the space and have made the time to create a true garden! After removing 20 years worth of tree growth from the back yard, Shea has essentially leveled most of the garden space with a shovel. I figure it is a nice alternative to gym dues.

POTD 051109 - Looking Up, originally uploaded by katrina.kennedy.

I now have 7 raised beds. 8 more to be completed soon. I wake up in the morning and it is the first place I want to go. I love seeing the progress that each plant is making. I love seeing the garden take shape each day. I love watching the sunflowers follow the sun throughout the day. And strangely, I'm finding joy in smooshing the silly asparagus beetles before they eat anything. (and yes, I'm proud to have identified them using this website)

Most of the garden was grown from seed which has been such an amazing process. I know, I'm waxing sentimental over a little dirt, water and sunshine, but it is truly like watching a miracle unfold without all of the pain of child birth.

Speaking of children... Ian likes being out there with me in short 3 year old bursts. He now has a board over a spot that a root was removed so he can walk the plank, board his ship, or whatever works at the moment! Watering is his favorite thing, but unfortunately only with my wand not the purple watering can he insisted on when I really wanted the red one! Later this week I'm building a teepee for my edamame to grow up complete with an open space so he can crawl inside! Hoping to find ways to keep him interested in staying out in longer stretches!

So if you don't hear from me for a while you know where I am.

Happy Mother's Day

It wasn't until this little guy was born that I discovered just how much my mom meant to me. It wasn't until we took him home that I realized what my mom must have felt like raising her own kids. I had no idea.

So today I'm a mom because of him and because of him I know just how important my own mom is.

Thanks mom! I love you.

You Know It Is Going To Be A Good Day When...

POTD 050809 - Comfy, originally uploaded by katrina.kennedy.

• you take 46 photos by 9AM
  
• there is a heart on your coffee
  
• you are wearing your favorite holy jeans
  
• little people cooperate and ask to be dressed
  
• you find your keys in the first place you look
  
• there is less than one load of dishes piled on sink
  
• your floors have stayed clean for more than a day
  
• the sun is shining
  

The Boys In My Life

PersonOTD 050609, originally uploaded by katrina.kennedy.

Some days I'm overwhelmed at just how lucky I am.

Today is one of those days.

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And just in case you were thinking Ian is always so cooperative...

Tales From The Garden - 3 Days Later

Credits here
based on a Debbie Hodge Sketch

Yesterday I created this layout celebrating my strawberries! I was so proud. I'd already planned my photos for picking it and cutting it into three equal pieces that we would each enjoy. The first product of our garden.

And then today...

I went out to check the garden (...ok, to take pictures of it!). I checked the tomatoes, beautiful. My first little tomatoes are forming. Corn looks good, needs to be thinned a bit. Sunflowers taking off. Green beans in serious need of staking. Carrots bigger than just two days ago. And then I see it. A sad little stem that once held a plump almost red strawberry. Gone. Robbed. Stolen.

I don't know who did it. I assume they either had two feet and a beak or four feet and a bushy tail. Not happy! I hope they enjoyed it. The funny thing? As I made the layout I kept saying, it's a strawberry. Why am I making a page about a strawberry? And I guess, now I know!

Not Scary!

PersonOTD 050409 - Not Scary!, originally uploaded by katrina.kennedy.

Ian is obsessed with all things Star Wars. He doesn't watch the movies after a stern talking to his dad, but he's seen enough to know all of the characters. His favorite? Darth Maul. Go figure. Today he asked me to paint his face like "nice Darth Maul." He wasn't happy with my first try so we had to find a photo and redo it. I'm getting better at it! Now I just need to get real face paint and he's set. Face crayons definitely try a little boy's patience!

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On another note,

Thanks for all of the kind comments after my last post! I loved reading the reasons you click by here! And Mandy, thanks! I'll post more photos of the girls! (come visit and maybe I'll have more to post ;) )

Origins of a Blog

It all started in 2006. With an almost one year old in the house I needed to keep grandparents up to date and reach out to the world more than I ever imagined! I had heard about blogs, read a few, and it just sounded like a fun thing to do. 

In the beginning it was all about Ian. I even wrote in his voice which now gives me the creeps! What was I thinking? As he gained a voice of his own I moved to my own voice. 

Somehow About A Boy became much more about a boy's mom. Then a few more people started reading it. Then it became about a mom's photography and scrapbooking. And then it became an amalgam (I love that word) of thoughts, ideas, and photos always trying to remember the point was About A Boy. But I guess being About A Boy means also being about that boy's mom's emotions, that boy's house, that boy's backyard (I mean garden) and other such stuff. 

I'm not really certain what brings people here. I love that you stop by! I'm humbled and honored to be part of a daily routine for many of you! I love that you leave kind comments and well the compliments on my photography are always good for my ego. I know at least one grandparent still stops by every day to see if there are photos of her grandson. So what brings the rest of you? What do you enjoy? What do you look forward to most? What would you like to see more of? What has been your favorite post?

I know a lot of questions, but I'm curious. And of course, I'd like to make you happy! It's the middle child in me! :)