I Heart Faces Contest Week 37

This weeks contest is "Completely Candid". I choose this photo of BellyBean. We were waiting for the boys to get off the bus and she had soooo much energy to get out. Here, she is jumping off the sidewalk and I caught her in mid-air.

You can go see the other enteries or submit your own at http://www.iheartfaces.blogspot.com/ or by clicking the link below. Thanks for stopping by!

Day 6, 7,8, and 9 (Project 365)

Ok so I'm a couple days late on this. Had a run-in with a virus that shut down my computer. Then, between losing photos in the system restore and battery issues with the camera, I finally got everything back to where it was!  So here is my POTD for 9/16/09:

BellyBean before school

Here is the photo for 9/17/09:

Line of buses after school

9/18/09:

BellyBean jumping off the sidewalk

And 9/19/09:

This is the McDonalds in Coralville. I waited in the parking lotacross the street for a ride, because my car broke down! It was a Hawkeye home game this weekend, so it was interesting to see all the fans make their stop into McD's before the game.

Fix-It Friday (I Heart Faces)

So today is Fix-It Friday at I Heart Faces and they have given us a wonderful photo to work with. It was already so lovely, I didn't want to do much to it. By the way, this is my first entry and I am using Photoscape photo editing.

Here is the original:

She is a cutie! For the first edit, I added backlighting and bloom light, sharpened and brightened the photo. I also used the region out of focus feature to really focus in on her face. I really love how her freckles just popped! Here is this photo:

Next I did the same edited photo with the sepia coloring:

I love doing photo edits! Thanks for stopping by and for those of you that haven't done so already head on over to I Heart Faces and enter your own edits! Click on the link below to join the fun!

Day 5 (Project 365)

"A brother is a friend given by Nature."

~Legouve

The above photo was taken this morning of BellyBean running to catch up to Joker. The bond between the two them is amazing and warms my heart.

Today was fairly uneventful. I worked on getting the laundry all done--sadly, its not. I got some of my stuff ready for my first day at Kaplan tomorrow. I helped a few neighbors with their errands.

I saw the neighbors new baby, finally. Oh my, she's so tiny! I've forgotten how tiny, and helpless littles ones are. I watch my kids and they are all so independant now. Joker does his homework, for the most part without reminding or much help. Poley gets his own snacks, and is constantly building things with his legos or lincoln logs by himself. And BellyBean is a pro at using the toilet and dressing herself now. (By the way this is the third day in a row she's worn a pretty, twirly dress!) Its amazing how quickly they learn to lean on themselves instead of Mom. I love watching them grow into little people, but I miss them being babies, too. Then again, I don't miss the constantly getting up at all hours of the night, and I really don't miss the diapers!

Here is another collage from this morning at the bus stop.

                              

Day 4 (Project 365)

"I do not want peace that passeth understanding.

I want the understanding which bringeth peace."

~Helen Keller

            

Today was a good day, for a Monday. First thing this morning, we all rushed about getting ready school. As we russhed out the door I saw that Poley still did not have his shoes on. Told him to get them on while I was getting everyone else out the door (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday I watch another little boy in the morning). We get down to the bus stop, and it wasn't until I started taking photos that I noticed my little boy and the shoes he was wearing...well, here he is:

            

At least they are on the right feet! We're making progress!

Here is another photo from this morning while waiting for the bus:

I had orientation at Kaplan today. Am nervous and excited. Luckily for having three classes, I only have two books! I received my student ID today, my photo on it is worse than the one on my drivers' license. Mercy me! Hopefully I won't have to show it to that many people...

As we were watching a movie tonight after dinner, Poley tried to tell me that everyone has a step-dad. I said thats not so because he doesn't have one. He insisted that we all do so. When I asked him who his step-dad is, he informed me that he didn't know because his step-dad must live on another planet! Oh, from the mouth of babes!

I Heart Faces Photo Contest Week 36

This is my first entry into any contest, so please bear with me as I try to figure this out. This weeks contest at I <3 Faces is "Contemplation". I had a couple good photos to use, but I think this one matches their definition well. This photo is of my neighbors son this morning while waiting for the bus.

There are so many great entries, I have enjoyed looking at all the great photos. If you would like to check them out or post your own entry, make your way on over to http://www.iheartfaces.blogspot.com/ .

Day 3 (Project 365)

I almost didn't make it today. That would have been a shame. Only three days into this challenge. It was just a very stressful day, not just for me but for the kids too. The two girls were expecting to finally go home today, but Dad didn't show up until after 8:30pm. Too many kids in such a small space is never ideal. Although BellyBean was in her "twirly dress" today. She is just so darn cute! That dress will soon be up at my other blog, with her spring photos. (The link to the blog is http://ortizarchives.blogspot.com/)

Tonights blurb will be short, as I am so looking forward to a glass of wine and a good book. So without further ado, The photo of the day:

Ortiz: A Year in review

Photos and events from the past year can be found here: http://ortizarchives.blogspot.com/
Enjoy!

Day 2 (Project 365)

"Let me tell you the secret that has led me to my goal:

my strength lies soley in my tenacity."

~Louis Pasteur

Another long and exhausting day. Five kids. 14 hours. 30 bumps. 20 bangs. Countless screams. Two boo-boos. One cool bug. And finally bed time! Whew!

The set of photos above is the photo of the day. There were just so many good ones to choose from! I decided on this set, because this really sets the tone of how my little family is. And thats what this is about, finding one photo that tells about our lives. She worked so hard to get up on the beam, for so long, almost giving up, but didn't. And finally she made it and was so proud!

It was a pretty good day, all in all. We all had a great time at the park, although the two younger girls hogged the swings, and boys got too rough. Another family of kids came out to play at the same time, so there was someone for everyone. I had a great time capturing the little moments on camera, only putting it down to play catch with boys and a football or to push the swings.

Day 1 (Project 365)

"A 3-year-old child is a being

who gets almost as much fun out of a

fifty-six dollar set of swings as

he does out of finding a small green worm."

~ Bill Vaughn

My first day with this new blog. Well, actually this is my first day with any blog. I am a bit nervous about this. Its been awhile since I last wrote anything meaningful.

This week has been very stressful for me, as I've been taking care of two extra kids, on top of my normal everyday activities. The girls' mom went in a bit earlier than expected to have her cesarean done. The girls are excited to have another sister!

Of course, my kiddos are loving the company. Its been complete chaos here. The photo I am going to try to post in a minute are of the kids, minus 1, playing at the park tonight.