Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Day 181


Day 181, originally uploaded by AprilMN.

This is our bean jar. Whenever he does what mommy asks, or is nice to his sister etc, he gets some beans in his jar. When the jar is full, he gets to pick a toy from the store.

Before this we were having issues with listening, sharing, kindness etc. The jar helps me to focus on the positive things he does, and gives him reinforcement for his actions. The bean jar has worked like a charm and we are much happier around here!

I can't believe June is over, 6 months down, 6 more to go :)

hooray!

Another one of my pictures was featured on Shutter Sisters One Word Project!  It is the black and white picture of my kids!


For those of you who don't know: "Shutter Sisters is committed to honoring and celebrating the beauty that women behind cameras can capture. We embrace the belief that we are all creative equals, eager to share with one another our work; our art. It is in that sharing that we thrive and grow not only in our creativity but in all facets of our lives."

Shutter Sisters is a wonderful community filled with amazing and inspiring photographers!   

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Day 180


Day 180, originally uploaded by AprilMN.

sunset in the grass :)

Monday, June 28, 2010

Day 179


Day 179, originally uploaded by AprilMN.

Oh I love me some rainy bokeh :)

Sunday, June 27, 2010

Day 178


Day 178, originally uploaded by AprilMN.

I really love b&w pictures but I don't know how to process them in PSE and I don't have any actions... so here is my effort :)

And this pictures cracks me up for so many reasons!!!!

*edit*

hubby said I should explain why this is so funny!

1. The boy loves to ring the door bell, he is asking if he can

2. The dog is anxiously waiting to see if he will ring the door bell (and yes he will bark even when he is on the outside, dumb dog!)

3. The kids were just in their kiddie pool so their diapers are HUGE

4. The girls belly! I.LOVE.IT :)

Saturday, June 26, 2010

Day 177


Day 177, originally uploaded by AprilMN.

This little man had 2 cupcakes 2 bowls of ice cream and kept sipping everybody's soda tonight!

Can we say hyper??? I took this at 10 o'clock and he is still wide awake! Hopefully he will sleep in tomorrow :)

Friday, June 25, 2010

Day 176


Day 176, originally uploaded by AprilMN.

More hydrangeas :)

Umm so my son decided TODAY that he was going to potty train, sort of... he wants to wear big boy underwear but can't figure out how to go on the potty.

It has been a LONG day.... :)

Hope you had a lovely Friday! It is way past my bedtime, I will catch up this weekend!!!

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Day 175


Day 175, originally uploaded by AprilMN.

Carrots from the garden :)

I am not feeling super great so I will catch up later.

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Day 174


Day 174, originally uploaded by AprilMN.

Hydrangeas :)

Apparently there was a small earthquake while I was taking these... my neighbor felt it but not me, weird!

hello lady bug

My lady bug picture (scroll down) got featured on the Shutter Sisters one word project!  The word this month is "hello"


Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Day 173


Day 173, originally uploaded by AprilMN.

Happy Birthday to my baby :)

Monday, June 21, 2010

Day 172


Day 172, originally uploaded by AprilMN.

Hey lady :)

Sunday, June 20, 2010

Day 171


Day 171, originally uploaded by AprilMN.

Happy Father's Day breakfast!

Do you see the heart in the crepe?

Hope you had a wonderful day :)

Happy Father's Day!



This is my second picture to be featured on Shutter Sisters 365!  Hooray :)  Happy Father's Day everyone, I hope you have an enjoyable day.

Saturday, June 19, 2010

Day 170


Day 170, originally uploaded by AprilMN.

Had a crazy yet fun day, filled with family and friends! Hope you had a wonderful day and enjoy the holiday tomorrow!

Friday, June 18, 2010

Day 169


Day 169, originally uploaded by AprilMN.

Today is the last day of creative boot camp I had so much fun, and especially loved all the nice people I met!

Today the theme was smile :)

I hope you had a chance to smile and had a wonderful day!

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Day 168


Day 168, originally uploaded by AprilMN.

Today's theme for boot camp is "smooth"

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Day 167


Day 167, originally uploaded by AprilMN.

Day 11 of boot camp the theme is "hush"

Here is my little sweetie, lying on a pillow... letting me know she is ready for her nap, and fully equipped with her binky and bunny!

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Day 166


Day 166, originally uploaded by AprilMN.

The theme today for boot camp is "full bodied"

Did you know the definition for full bodied is "Having richness and intensity of flavor or aroma" mostly in context to coffee or wine.

I had no idea, I guess because I don't drink coffee or wine :)

Anyway here is my interpretation of full bodied, fat juicy cherries!

Monday, June 14, 2010

Day 165


Day 165, originally uploaded by AprilMN.

Today's theme for boot camp is drizzle

This was a little tricky and very sticky!!!

Sunday, June 13, 2010

Day 164


Day 164, originally uploaded by AprilMN.
Today's theme for Creativity Boot Camp is “Ornament” {which by definition is something that lends grace or beauty}

The spider web ornaments the tree, the rain ornaments the web :)

Here Tammy this is for you from your comment... not quite a bow, but still an ornament!

Saturday, June 12, 2010

Day 163


Today's theme for boot camp was flying.

Eh I don't really like this picture 1. it goes better with yesterdays them 2. IT.RAINED.ALL.DAY so we had to stay inside 3. My 50mm f/1.4 is still in the shop, and I miss her so much.

 Look at THIS, and THIS and THIS  I like them much better!!!

Friday, June 11, 2010

162


162, originally uploaded by AprilMN.
Day 6 of boot camp:

The theme for today is "fluid"

Using water probably wasn't thinking outside the box too much, so I thought I would slow it down. I really like how this turned out and had fun doing it!  Check it out large

Today we were supposed to get out of our comfort zone and shoot something different.  I like things sharp and with alot of depth.  Today I smoothed things out by having a slow shutter speed.  That is why the water looks so whispy, it almost looks like smoke which is fun.  Here are a couple other shots.  They are taken with faster shutter speeds, so the droplets are more formed:





Oh and my kitchen was such a mess after this, haha!

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Grow


Grow, originally uploaded by AprilMN.
Day 5 of Boot Camp

The prompt today is "grow"

Not only is my little baby growing (she will be one in 2 weeks!) Her HAIR is finally growing, yay :)

Oh also my picture from yesterday(scroll down to the rain drops)  made explore in flickr which makes me happy!

Day 161


Day 161, originally uploaded by AprilMN.

yummy peas from my garden :)

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Thanks!

I am so happy because a lovely person, Tammy, passed on the beautiful blogger award to me!  How fun.  The best part is that I "met" Tammy in April when we both took the online picture spring class.  I love meeting new blogging friends!

Now part of the award is that the recipient share 10 things that others may not know about him/her. Here are the top 10 things you may not know about me...


1.  I used to have blonde hair, but sadly it is getting darker as I get older :(


2. I got a full scholarship to play volleyball for Fordham University in the Bronx, NY.


3. I really really really hate the feel of cotton balls.


4. When I was little I really wanted to be a mermaid because I loved the water so much.  Boating and swimming make me so happy :)


5. I have a degree in mathematics (how nerdy! hehe)


6. When I put cereal in the cupboard I always make sure the non-nutrition facts side is showing.  It really bothers me, and I fix it when hubby puts them in wrong!


7. I hate the feel of sea weed or icky gooey stuff in the sand ( I didn't say I would make a good mermaid)


8. I am an extremely light sleeper and I have to sleep with some sort of white noise.


9. I enjoy mowing the lawn and folding laundry.  I find both activities very relaxing and stress relieving.

10. I love being barefoot, and I would love to be sans shoes as much as possible!

Now here are 10 blogs that I love to look at everyday.  You are all inspiring and beautiful :)


Day 160


Day 160, originally uploaded by AprilMN.
Day 4 of boot camp:

The theme today is "heavy metal" which was tricky for me + the kiddies were crazy + it was rainy all day.

So here is the metal from the table outside, and yes it IS a heavy table :)

By the way, this "boot camp" is not only for photographers, it is for any medium, and it is free so YOU should check it out :)

Check it out large!

Day 159


Day 159, originally uploaded by AprilMN.

Day 3 of Creativity Boot Camp

Today's prompt was multilayered, so I took it literally and we had some more fun with our friends visiting from VA :)

Today's daily thoughts are about "creative buzz-kills" I believe my biggest buzz-kill is myself. It most often comes when I try and compare my self to others talents and abilities. Fortunately I am a pretty positive person and try to pick myself up and there are 2 main reasons:

1. This 365 project has really helped me develop as a photographer. I know that every day won't be an award winning photo, but I am able to try and do new things every day and track my course through out the year.
2. Photography is my outlet. I brings me up so much faster than it lets me down (sometimes I have bad days of feeling inadequate) BUT, photography helps me to maintain April as a person and not just wife and mommy (which are also very important)

So yes, I like everyone have creative buzz kills, but I won't let them bring me down!!!

Day 158


Day 158, originally uploaded by AprilMN.
Day two of Boot Camp

The prompt was picnic, which was perfect because we had some friends visiting from out of town :) How does this picture depict picnic? Well those 2 boys, plus my 2 year old(not shown) chased my hubby around for about an hour! wore.him.out!




lots and lots of running :)

Some daily thoughts from today's Boot Camp was the meaning of artist, and if we consider ourselves one. Up until this point I would not have considered my self an artist... but I do love beautiful objects, moments, memories and every time I press the shutter I try to capture that beauty. So maybe I am an artist, but I think I may keep that thought on the inside for a little bit longer :)

Ivory


Ivory, originally uploaded by AprilMN.

I saw some of my flickr and blogger friends participating in Creativity Boot Camp so I thought I would join the fun!
The first day prompt was Ivory. Since I didn't find out about the class on the starting day, I pulled this clover that I took about a week ago. I think it has a nice ivory glow :)

I have been a little slow lately with friends visiting from out of town, but I plan on being caught up soon.

Monday, June 7, 2010

I am so so sleepy, so I am not going to post today. Hopefully I can catch up tomorrow. Have a wonderful night :)

Sunday, June 6, 2010

Day 157


Day 157, originally uploaded by AprilMN.

I didn't have a lot of time today, so here are some more weeds :)

Hope you had a lovely Sunday!

Saturday, June 5, 2010

Day 156


Day 156, originally uploaded by AprilMN.

Umm seriously what is up with this bee's eyes?!?

View large, seriously !

Friday, June 4, 2010

Day 155


Day 155, originally uploaded by AprilMN.

Happy Fence Friday :)

I am running my first 5K tomorrow so I am going to dump and run, I will catch up later.

Have a lovely weekend!

Thursday, June 3, 2010

Day 154


Day 154, originally uploaded by AprilMN.

Happy news: My baby took her first steps today! 3 in fact, it was very exciting :) I bet she will be walking in no time!

Sad sad news: yesterday my cruising, reaching, grabbing baby pulled my camera off the desk and onto the floor. No damage looked to be done and forget about it ( I was making dinner) Anyway this morning when I went out to take some pictures it wouldn't focus correctly :(

*tear, sigh, sniffle* It is my NEW 50mm f1.4 lens! Anyone have any advice on getting it fixed? Do I send it to Canon or find someone local?

sniffle....

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Day 153


Day 153, originally uploaded by AprilMN.

I am having a fascination shooting wide open with my 50mm f1.4! So. Much. Fun :)

Hope you had a lovely day!

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Day 152


Day 152, originally uploaded by AprilMN.

What a great way to start June, my children letting me take a picture together, YAY!