Make it Easy

I finally picked up my camera again. I did my first engagement photo shoot. I am a little rusty. I need to work on the focus. My lens has been driving me nutsos. The good news, these two love having their pictures taken, and they aren't getting married for awhile, so we still have time to practice. Family is good like that. Being guinea pigs.

I had so much fun with these too. They make being the photographer easy. We are doing another shoot this weekend. Different location. It's for fun. I will take all the practice I can get. I get to do another engagement shoot in a couple weeks. I can't wait.

Hot Crustacean Band

I put soap in my boots, rubbed it around, buckled them up, and jumped in the water like I was some kind of pro. I just knew today was going to be the day. The day I would clear my first wake. The boat took off. I pulled myself up out of the water. The boat gained speed. The rope tightened, and I cut for the wake. Yes, today was going to be the day. My speed increased as I got closer to the wake. I prepared myself for the jump, and I hit the water. Hard.

I am sure I was quite the sight EVERY time I did these massive cartwheels in the water. I would come home from every lake trip with at least one good bruise, usually multiple. I never was able to jump the wake. I am okay with that. I was just happy to be out on the lake. I loved that summer. Every weekend out on a boat. My friends doing some crazy tricks, and me doing crazy cartwheels. I made falling look good, or maybe I just made falling look like it hurt.

The dirty, creature filled (and who knows what else filled) lake water never even phased me, but put me in a swimming pool, and I am one unhappy girl. Pretty, clear, sparkling, cold water. . . can't do it. I have never been a big fan of swimming pools. I am the girl that still has to plug her nose to go under water. You won't find me jumping off a diving board. Terrifies me. I took swim lessons. I know how to swim. I learned how to do pretty swan dives. I just don't enjoy it.

My kids on the other hand LOVE the swimming pool. Me being the wonderful mother I am, take them. Unfortunately, I don't have a swim suit yet this year, so Mike has had to take the kids when he gets home from work. Bummer for me. Actually I am more than thrilled to sit on the sidelines and take pictures, and shout out words of encouragement to the rest of the clan.

We have gone twice to the pool so far this summer. I will hold out as long as I can, not taking the kids by myself, during the day. The water is too cold for me still. The kiddo's don't last very long either. Like I said the water is cold. They live it up though, even if it is only for five minutes.

They hold out as long as they can, teeth chattering and all. Then we spend the next 30 minutes wrapped in towels, or lying in the sun warming up, watching everyone else play in the pool.

People watching can amuse me for hours. My children are the same way. For now I am fine with "people watching" from the side of the pool. Soon enough I know it's going to be too hot for watching from the sidelines. Like I said earlier I am a "good" mom, so I will break down and buy myself a suit, but for the next few weeks I am more than happy to be the cheerleader on the side.

Where the Wind Comes Sweepin'

I admit, the kids and I are rarely "up and at 'em" before 8 o'clock on any given morning. Yesterday I woke up early. I thought about going back to sleep, but I knew it was going to be too good of a day to waste on extra sleep. The hint of sunshine peeking through my bedroom blinds told me so. After the sun spoke to me, I got up and decided to head to the store, and get my shopping done before the kiddos were up for the day.

I love making shopping lists. There are times when I stray from those lists. Yesterday was one of those days. Walking past the toy aisle, I remembered my kids were running out of play dough. I found the play dough and into the cart it went. Then I thought, bubbles could be fun, so into the cart they went. That's when my eye caught the "travel toys". That's when it happened. I decided right then and there we were going on a road trip. Right now.

I got a few "travel toys", paid for my purchases and went home to pack up the family. I knew exactly where we would go, but it was going to be a surprise for them.

Have you seen the Disney-Pixar movie Up? I took the kid's to see it Friday. We loved it. To quote the movie: "The wilderness must be explored!" That was exactly my plan. To explore the wilderness.

We went to the Arbuckle Wilderness Zoo, in Davis Oklahoma. You drive through the "wilderness", and the animals come up to your car and you feed them special food. I can't remember a time this past year, where I have laughed so hard, for so long.

Isaac giggled so hard from the emus and ostriches I thought he would wet his pants. I laughed so hard from him laughing so hard, I feared the same for my pants. Yet, as hard as I was laughing on the outside I was crying on the inside. Those birds scared me. They were crazy. They would stick those long necks clear across my body and reach the middle console, where we had our cups of food sitting, and try to rip the cups out of our hands. My vote is crazy.

The llamas didn't make a good impression on Ainsley.
Nor did the donkeys. She insisted they were trying to eat her. Come on now, who could resist this smile?
Okay when you put it that way. . . I can see your point.
I think Mike had a soft spot for the zebras. Was pretty amazing to be feeding a zebra out of the palm of your hand.
My pick of the day. . . drum roll please. . . the giraffes. I have never given much thought to the creature before. Never on my top picks of favorite animals. I have always thought it an interesting, almost awkward kind of animal. Abnormally long neck. Abnormally long, wobbly-looking legs. Two small odd looking horns things on top of it's head. Odd.

I am now 100% in love though. These guys were so gentle, and really just amazing. It was love at first sight for Ainsley. She probably could have fed the giraffes all day. I would have stuck around all day with them too, if I could.


A day WELL SPENT "exploring" the "wilderness". The sun never lies.