Week 1! Self Portrait =/

Alright so here it is Week one of the photography challenge and it starts with a self portrait.  I had mixed feeling about this because 1 like most woman/mothers/people out there I HATE pictures of myself.  Well except the ones from when I was like 20 and then my wedding pictures which don't even look like me (in a totally fabulous kind of way) Any whoo... the thing that I did like about this was that it was easy all I needed was my camera and me! So after trying all kinds of nifty ideas that didn't exactly work the way that I wanted them to.  I did this accidental oops of a shot that totally spoke to me AND you can hardly see me in the picture BONUS! haha but I'm there and I think it's kind of neat. This is me as reflected by my horribly splotchy fingerprinted computer screen. I accidentally used my flash but it gave this vintagy (not a word) look to the shot.

Can you tell the kids have been touching the screen??

I cleaned my screen as soon as I was done BTW. Let me know what you think about it!

I also sort of like it a B&W as well.

So I'd say we're off to a good start. Next on the list is "what makes you smile"...it's either gonna be my little monkedoos or food most likely but you never know! HAHA Don't foget to check back next Thurs. and see.  Also you can see the details and the rest of the list here if you're thinking of joining in on the fun!

Point and Shoot is better than no shoot at all.

SO even though my beautiful DSLR is STILL in a unususable state and I have been mourning it's loss for quite some time now, I have decided to stop loathing my lil P&S that my mother-in-law kindly gave me so that I would have SOMETHING to take pictures with.
Step one was of course admitting that I had a problem. My name is Alicia and I am a camera SNOB (if only that were the only kind of snobery I was guilty of but I also have this thing about crayons... nevermind) Step 2 should actually be pretty fun! I came across this photography-challenge. Now there are quite a few of these that have been going around as of late and I have been passing on participating because again camera issues have clouded my judgement on me being able to pull this off, however I am ready to take a leap here. I like this photo challenge because 1.) It hasn't started yet so I can get in at the very begininning!
2.) It's being hosted by someone who seems fun and light hearted about the challenge NOT INTIMIDATING
3.) Comments indicate that other non pro P&S users are also planning on participating.
4.) it's a weekly challenge not daily like some others so I'll probably actually get to do the WHOLE list!



Tomorrow happens to be the first day. And the list starts with Self Portrait! So be sure to check out my post tomorrow to see what I come up with!

have a Fabulous day!

Landing on my business

I've got a new FB fan page for my business and I've made a brand new cool landing page for it.

My first time ever doing one of these.  I bookmarked how to do it ages ago and finally took some time to try it. Thanks to Melissa Love Design for the awesome easy to follow tutorial! I did this one kind of rushed and I like it but I may try out some others when I have some child free time. The best part is you can make it so that when they click on it they go to your website! nice right??? I wanted to have a pretty descent landing page because I just joined this Facebook Follow Friday  hosted by Shining 2 Save. You add your Fb page to their list and everyone goes visiting and liking each others pages.  AWESOME IDEA right? Great way for everyone to get more fans and their name out there. VERY EXCITING I've gotten some new fans already =) Just wanted to share.

Have a Fabulous day!

Toys? We don't need no stinkin' toys!

As my mom's visit is winding down I've been trying to take note of all her techniques, talent and genius.  Especially where the kids are concerned. while my mom is amazed by the crafts and projects I get together to do with the kids, I find it more amazing how busy she keeps them with little to nothing.  Yes I get inspired by many of the other mommy bloggers with their crafting know how and many toddler geared websites.  There is a lot out there to spark an idea (or sometimes just take and use) for some fun time with your toddlers but by the time I find a new idea and get supplies my mom has already made up 2 or 3 games with my little ones.  So I'd like to share some of these tips and tricks with you.

1.) Never underestimate a toddlers imagination.  Ok so although we all know kids have a vast imagination and we all encourage and support it how often do we use this to our advantage??  Here is where again my mother is a genius! The kids wanted to go outside on what was an extremely HOT day with a definite promise of storms ahead.  My little man started talking about going outside and throwing rocks in the pond.   So my mother starts throwing imaginary rocks in an imaginary pond in our living room all of a sudden this little boy is saying "wow! look how far that went." and "did you see that?" No more whining to go outside he didn't even think about it and he did that activity for about 30 min.  It was better than going to the pond... no bugs or sweat and an endless supply of perfect rocks! And for those kids who need a little more than just imagination you could get out a blue sheet and make some brown paper "rocks" for throwing. What a simple idea for a rainy day.

2.) Now that they're talking.... WORD GAMES! I'm not quite sure where these games started but one morning I awoke to my son saying "na na na TV"  followed by " NA NA NA... (about a million other things)"  And my mom would join in and finally explained that you  sing that little diddy and then add a word of something that you see.  My son and daughter love this and it happens almost daily now... it also gets them asking what things are called that they don't know!  

Another game my son calls "I like".  Simple you say I like (anything you like for food to animals to games to people" and the other person says "Me too!" and then something they like. That's it! and yet it is completely entertaining and you learn things about each other.

Best thing about these word games are you can play them anywhere. Just think of car rides and waiting rooms! Also these are great for when you're trying to do a chore and your kids want to play a game since you can walk and do this and no hands are needed to play.  

3.) Stories aren't just for bed time. While I have to admit this isn't quite a new idea for me or probably for you I am sharing it because it was by far one of my son's favorite parts of this visit.  My mom and little man made up a story together all about him.  She would get the plot going and let him put in all the details.  He drove a motorcycle (to my dismay he picked that vehicle himself) and decided what color it was. And went visiting relatives he'd sat who and what they did and my mom would add in things here and there.  We'd catch him acting out the story while playing in his room.  His best friend in the story is now the name that he calls his Teddy Bear!  And so the story is now also a game.  We keep adding more and more to the story and loves it! I was thinking that one day we'll write it down and when he get's a little older he can illustrate it and save it. Great if your kid is already old enough to do this. You can even scan the pictures and make a real book online for them to have! 

4.) SING IT! This is actually not one of my moms ideas.  When she arrived my kids had been OBSESSED with this old episode of blues clues where they sing song games (you can download it on itunes here!)  My mom helped me remember some of the others that we liked when I was a kid so that Id didn't have to sing the same 3 over and over again. They really like it when we pretend to forget the words or sing the wrong words and they have to help us.

So there are just 4 really great we don't need no stinkin' toys ideas! Enjoy them on a rainy day or a long car ride or even just a way to stay in the air conditioning a little longer today.

Have a fabulous day!