It feels a little weird to put your first born child on a bus with a complete stranger at the wheel and no seat belts anywhere to be found for her to go out into the world all alone at the tender age of five.  After almost six years of watching her every move in public, buckling her in religiously to a car seat, noting who she was talking too and eyeing any stranger that approached her, now I must let her go.  It’s bitter sweet. 

It appears that the original blog inspiration for Best Shot Monday might not be doing it anymore.  Bummer because I enjoy it so I’m still going to post my favorite shot from the previous week here on Mondays. 

This is a shot that I love because a) I’m in it for once.  b) I’m holding two of my three biological children {hubby says the camera doesn’t count as a child but I say it does} c) I got to use my new Canon wireless remote and d) I got to use my new Canon 50mm lens with no flash.  Ah.  It’s a keeper.

1/25, ISO 400, F3.2

Last week at playgroup, I got this shot of a little cutie we know sniffing the flowers. 

For more pictures, check out the Best Shots offered at Picture This.  Check the links in the comments section.

I couldn’t pick just one.  They were taken as a series to put in my scrapbook.  Do you like them better in color or black and white?

I had a hard time selecting my best shot this week.  Since I’ve been envious of all the photographers who seem to have flare mastered, I tried one of my own again this week and it worked!  I still have a long way to go before I master this technique but at least I have one now.  Maile over at Relish inspired me with her Best Shot Monday photo.  So here is mine.

I was shooting a child’s birthday party this weekend and got this shot of one of the guests.  Isn’t he divine?!  What a darling little boy.  This image is SOOC except that I cropped his Mommy’s hands out.

For more Best Shot Monday pictures visit the comments section of today’s post over at Picture This.

Yesterday I spent 12 hours driving to and from my in-laws house so that my children could spend a few days with Grandma and Grandpa.  And, let’s be real, so I could have a few days off.  When I got up today, this is what I did…

(Yeah, that took 10 frames to time right and coordinate with the timer.  The things I do for your entertainment…)  Let’s call that my self portrait for the month.

Then I decided it was time to tackle the mounds of out-grown children’s clothes that have been hiding in my house.  First, I packed up 3 bags and 2 boxes of stuff to take to the Thrift store on my way to grab some lunch.  Then I came and tackled some more.

Each box has a size of baby boy clothes in it that I’m holding for two of my neighbors who I think might like to use them.  Whatever they don’t want is leaving my house to the Thrift store too.  It’ll be nice to have the space back but I have to tell you… holding each outfit that my boys wore and deciding where it goes is painful.  Sniff, sniff. 

To sooth my inner Mommy pain, my next task is to study my Photoshop book and see if I can learn something about this while my house is quiet.  Remember when I said I might be knee deep in Photoshop?  Drowning in it is a more accurate term.  To call the program overwhelming is an understatement.  It is not intuitive at all.  You MUST get a book in order to use the program.

That’s where I’ll be.  Yep.  Reading about how to edit a picture.  I lead and exciting life, don’t I? 

I don’t have any pictures of my wedding and engagement ring.  This picture was inspired by someone in the Picture This group over in our Flickr version.  I’m sorry I don’t recall who it was or I’d give credit.

**Edited**  I figured out who I copied from.  I got the idea from Eli’s Mommy and you can see her original shot here.

Over at Tracey’s blog, she sponsors Best Shot Monday every week.  The idea is for those who read her blog to post their favorite shot of the week.  Then we all tour around and visit each other.  This is my first week participating so here we go.

This was the final week of preschool for my two oldest.  There was an outdoor party for all the kids and siblings with a moon bounce, other games, pizza, ice cream and what-not.  Toward the end of the party, it started getting pretty hot.  Here is my baby indulging in one of those ice cream push up pops that are hard for a two-year-old to master.  He was basically shoving his face into it and then dunking his tongue into it as far as he could.