2012-05-31

While we were "in the area", we also visited with DH's dad (my parents live about 3 hours away from Vidalia), which necessitated a stay at a hotel (which Luke loves). This was them in the morning, both combing their hair in the mirror. I wish I could have gotten a shot with their faces in the mirror, but this will have to do.

2012-05-30

(Make-Up) This was taken the same day we went to the beach (5/27), though this was in my parents' back yard. Tropical storm rain bands do have occasional advantages. This was even after it started to fade. My parents' photos I'm sure are much better!

2012-05-29

(Make-Up) Oh yeah, Luke was at the beach, too! I didn't get any really good wave/water pictures this time, but I thought this one was nice.

2012-05-28

(Make-Up) I actually proceeded to not take a picture for 3 straight days, starting "today." So you get to see more beach pictures. I just love this photo of my mom (not sure how she feels about it! LOL).

2012-05-27

I know I usually post a picture of Luke when we go to the beach, but it is so rare to have a picture of my parents in the same frame, especially when one of them doesn't have a camera up to their face. We never did get the kite to behave. This picture also shows how stormy the skies were. Tropical Storm Beryl was on her way in; both the sky and sea were very angry. We could even see whitecaps out near the horizon, which I have never seen at this beach before (been going there since I was a kid, and I lived nearby for 4 years).

2012-05-26

Sort of the "official" picture of the afternoon. We try to take one of these every time we go, since we never know when it will be the last one. My grandfather is 92 and in declining health. He has absolutely no short term memory, and even his long term memory is starting to go (he doesn't seem to remember WWII; he was stationed in India). He still knows us, even calling Luke by name, which surprised me.

2012-05-25

(Make-Up) This photo is actually from "tomorrow," 5/26. My brother Jacob and my grandfather, while visiting my grandfather at his assisted care home. It was really hot, and the horseflies would not leave us alone, so we didn't sit outside very long.

2012-05-24

Hey, I'm on a roll. Two in a row taken on the right day! (Don't worry, it won't last.) The photo on the left was obviously not from today; it's actually from the first day of school back in August 2011. But the one on the right is, taken his last day of being a First Grader. I just had to post the comparison. It is so hard to believe! I know he changed a lot this year, but wow. I am just blown away.

2012-05-23

Hey, an actual photo taken on the correct date! Something of a novelty. Too bad it is such a bad photo! And sadly, this is one of the better ones from the day. None of my pictures from awards day came out. Not enough light + big zoom zoomed way in + moving kids = blurry photos. A flash would not have helped, as we were much too far away. Need to learn how to twiddle with the settings and maybe crank up the ISO next time. Somewhat noisy is better than so blurry!

2012-05-22

(Make-Up) Also from 5/19, also at the birthday party. I just love how all the boys are staring at the cake, waiting. You can almost see them all holding their breath! (And yes, her party planning skills make me feel inadequate!)

2012-05-21

(Make-Up) Actually, most of the rest of the month is make-up photos. I don't know what on earth I was doing, but it obviously wasn't taking pictures, especially when I was at my parent's house. This photo is from 5/19, and a friend's circus/carnival themed birthday party. Luke is doing the beanbag toss.

2012-05-20

(Make-Up) Okay, apparently May just isn't my month. I missed another one. This picture is from all the way back on 5/10. I really liked the way the light was playing on the leaves. Not sure I ever really got the shot I wanted, but I like this one okay.

2012-05-19

My current manicure, China Glaze Skyscraper over NYC Skin Tight Denim. Wow, my fingers look rough! Sorry about that.

2012-05-18

(Make-up) Dangit, what is wrong with me?! I keep missing days. This one is also from yesterday, 5/17 (a busy day, apparently). I just love the look on Cleo's face!

2012-05-17

Ah, one of my favorite parts of spring, a basket full of genuine Vidalia onions! These were actually picked up in Vidalia by someone my parents know, and they were reselling them. Nothing like them! Mmm-mmm-mmm, so good.

2012-05-16

Not a very good picture. It doesn't even look that appetizing (sorry). But it's the only picture I took today. This is a new crock pot chicken teriyaki recipe I tried, and it didn't used bottled sauce. It tasted pretty good, it just doesn't look pretty.

2012-05-15

(Make-Up) Well, I missed another one, so this photo is actually from two days "from now." I've finally decided to read the most recent Outlander novel by my favorite author, Diana Gabaldon. I've had this book for at least a couple of years (at least), but I did not enjoy the previous two novels much, so I'd been dreading reading this one. It was actually very enjoyable, and with all my new "free time," I read it from start to finish in under a week, four days to be precise. That's 800 pages with small type (smaller than a typical hardback). Other than maybe the Harry Potter novels, I don't remember the last time I read a book in less than a week. That was fun! What do I read next?

2012-05-14

My Mother's Day cards. Bottom row, left, is one of the four cards Luke and I made (got the idea from Pinterest). We made one each for my grandmother, my mom, DH's mom, and me. Luke picked four different color combinations and decided who got which one. Bottom row, right, is a card he made in art class. I remember seeing this drawing at our last conference with his teacher. All the kids drew birds, but it was fairly easy to pick out which one was Luke's. The card on the top row, far right, was also made at school. My favorite part about it is that it says, "From: LG, To: MG". I had to think to figure out where the M came from. (Mommy Gaston!)

2012-05-13

Pay no attention to the kitten under the clothes.....

2012-05-12

Celebrating Mother's Day at my mom's mom's house. She's showing Luke pictures of my mom from when she was about Luke's age.

2012-05-11

(Make-up) I missed today, so this is actually a photo from "tomorrow," 5/12. I didn't end up with the best pictures from the game, but I really liked the sense of motion in this photo. The only part truly in focus is the spinning center of the ball. This is Luke's teammate M.

2012-05-10

According to my grandmother, these are gardenias. I believe this is the first time this bush has bloomed in the 3 springs we've been here. They're beautiful and the fragrance is both amazing and powerful.

2012-05-09

Mom brought us these glasses. They're the insulated Tervis cups. Gee, I wonder which one(s) belong to whom?

2012-05-08

Since when did Star become a pillow for Miss Princess Kitty?

2012-05-07

I obviously had to wait until after Mother's Day weekend to post this picture, but this is what Luke and I have been up to for the past couple of days. Yep, I saw it on Pinterest, but I loved it the moment I saw it, and we absolutely *had* to do it! I'm sure everyone will love them.

2012-05-06

I was in the living room late, pondering the fact that I hadn't managed to take a picture yet for today, when i thought I heard Luke crying in his room. It has happened, on occasion, for him to wake up upset. When I opened the door, he was out cold, but he looked so cute, I absolutely had to go get the camera.

2012-05-05

DH got to be "bench dad" at today's game, just to make sure the kids don't get too unruly with the coach's back turned.

2012-05-04

We had one last quick conference with Luke's first grade teacher to see if there was anything particular we should discuss with his second grade teacher before the school year starts in August. On the way out, we passed the school's garden. Each class has a small plot (roughly 3 feet (1 meter) square), and he proudly pointed out his class's box. I have to admit, theirs is doing much better than several of the others. Well done, Mrs. C's first grade class!

2012-05-03

Again, I didn't ask. But can I just say how much I *love*the low light setting on my new (to me) camera from my Dad? It's the same one I used to get all those great shots at Disney (that I really need to get posted on my blog).

2012-05-02

Papa sent Luke some children's books on Titanic. He had a great time looking through both of them this afternoon (plus who doesn't love getting gifts in the mail?).

2012-05-01

I didn't ask. Wasn't sure I wanted to know.