Everybody and Their Dog

It's amazing what digital cameras have done to the world of photography. Looking around on facebook, myspace, blogspot, etc., I am amazed by the number of folks who have made photography a new hobby, and how many of those are thinking of making it more than a hobby. 

A lot of people (me included) have been liberated by the fact that they can take multiple shots with their digital in their attempt to get that "perfect shot"-- without wasting film (and, therefore, money). It is freeing to be able to snap away without these woes, and to also be able to check our work and make changes in positioning, lighting, etc.-- IMMEDIATELY! (although, admittedly, I often don't get a chance to do this until later).  

I love to take pictures and, yes, I too have had dreams of doing it as more than just a hobby (someday, once I figure out what in the heck I'm doing). But, with everybody and their dog doing it (and so many doing it better than me!), is there room for one more?  

Rophone

Today is Rophone's birthday-- Happy Birthday, Rophone! I love him so much, and he is a fantastic husband and father. 

This day is all about Rophone, I just hope we are able to make him feel loved and appreciated the way he deserves (sometimes the kids lose sight of that goal as the day wears on). 

We got him some gifts, I made a (slightly burned) Carnegie Deli cheesecake (his favorite!) for dessert tonight, and I'm in the process of cooking the meat for the pork burritos he wanted for dinner. 

We love you, Rophone! Thanks for being you! Happy Birthday!

Halloween!

Halloween was a lot of fun this year. It was Big's first real trick-or-treating experience, since last year he was kind of just along for the ride. 

Big was a lot of fun to watch. At first, he had a look of confusion on his face as people put candy into his bucket. It was like he was about to say to them, "Why are you putting things into my bucket?! You're nuts!"

Before too long, however, he figured it out (or at least accepted what all the crazy people were doing. I mean, why not?! It's candy!). Big went from standing on the porches with uncertainty, to wrenching open screen doors and latching onto giver's candy bowls with a death-like grip. He even tried entering a few homes to help speed things along. 

Thanks goodness Big wasn't a complete heathen about it all. He actually said a few thank you's and said good bye to a few folks. I took his bucket (a basketball bucket, of course) at one point to find a piece of candy for him to eat, and boy did he give me a dirty look as he snatched it back. Better not try that one again. 

All of the kids were cute. Once, when we paused to chat to a candy giver, she was holding the candy bowl at Bud's level and he kept reaching out and caressing the side of the bowl. You could tell he wanted to take another piece of candy so bad, but would stop himself and just caress the bowl instead. It was so cute to watch.

Anyway, I'm tired and I'm sure I'm not making much sense (or making much sense very well), so on to the pictures!

Bud was going to be a cowboy, but changed his mind and went as a wizard instead:

Ginger couldn't decide either, so she combined her 2 choices and went as a fairy witch:

Pen, as a "Fashion Disaster":

Big, as a bear with a basketball bucket:

Big, wearing Ginger's hat:

I wish the pictures were better, but standing still for photos is not what they want to be doing once they're in costume!  I hope you all had as much fun on Halloween as we did!

Trick-or-Fish

We headed down to my folks' place today so Ginger and Pen could go fishing with Grandpa Fish (that's his name for a reason, you know!) and their Uncle Kevis. They had a grand time, and both girls ended up with a fish.

Ginger was happy to find out that hers was a male:

Brave Pen touched the fish directly-- no stick needed (no comments about the headband Grandma loaned her are necessary, because I know):

The fishing trip went a little longer than expected, as they often do (and as we thought it might), so we ended up trick-or-treating down in that neck of the woods. It worked out great-- I think my parents really enjoyed spending Halloween with some grandkids, and my sister, Aunt Opera, and her husband are in town. 

It's just a good thing we thought to throw our costumes in the car. The only drawback is that the 2 big bags of candy that I bought are still hidden in my cupboard because I wasn't around to hand them out. Oh, well. The girls loved fishing, so it was worth it.

Enjoying the Warm

We have been experiencing crazy warm weather. I wish it were just a little cooler-- I really miss that fall nip that is usually in the air-- but I guess I shouldn't complain. We decided to go for a family bike ride (without Pen, who was still doing homework) to enjoy the weather. I took a few shots while Rophone was pumping up a few tires. 

I love this face:

I love how his hair does a "farm boy" part in the middle when he does his "Baywatch" run:

Big parked himself on Bud's tricycle while he waited:

Ginger, next to the sun drenched street:

I can't believe that it is the end of October and we are still dealing with mosquitos and bees! If anyone knows how to get ahold of Fall, tell him (her? it?) that I'm waiting.

What a Thoughtful Child

The other night I was discussing with Pen some of my laundry woes (okay, maybe discussing isn't exactly right, but a mom's allowed to gripe now and then, isn't she?!). My woes are never ending, of course, just like the laundry.

Some of you may remember that this blog's inception came about because of my frustration over laundry and my desire for some laundry respect. I am beginning to give up on my dream. I never gave my mom any laundry props, so I don't know why I am clinging to the hope that my own children will be different with me.

Anyway, I was telling Pen that I don't want to be a nag (we're forced into it, right?!), but that the fact that she and Ginger had yet to gather their dirty clothes and bring them to the laundry room-- despite numerous reminders (See?! They made me do it!)-- was really wearing on me. 

I told Pen, "Doing laundry is really not much fun for me, so I don't need you and Ginger to make things even less enjoyable." 

Pen was listening very attentively (not tuning me out as usual), and she told me she had a great idea of what could be done to make doing the laundry way better. I allowed my mind to wander, coming up with all sorts of ways the girls could help more (we would be laughing gaily and singing while we worked, of course)... I began to get excited! 

Then Pen announced her plan-- "Mom, I'm going to have Dad take me to Burger King and I'll get you a crown to wear while you do the laundry, since you're the Laundry Queen and all. Won't that make it a lot more fun for you?"

It's nice to have such a thoughtful child. 

Tying One On

Bud put his own tie on today, without any help at all (I know, it's kind of hard to tell). Boy was he proud! He took me all over the yard to find places to take his picture. I loved every minute of it! I mean, look at that mug!

Pen and I worked on some more pumpkins together this evening after dinner. We had a great time talking and hanging out. Here's what we ended up with: