What I learned from my 4 year old

I felt as though my middle child was neglected a little (typical of a middle child right!), so I made a date with her.  Selfishly our first stop was a photo shoot :)  Don't worry the rest of the day was all about her.

During that day I learned so much about her and myself.

So we started on our adventure to the location - she was as happy as could be.

But - then she kept stopping. And at first it drove me crazy! I was thinking to myself - Hurry Up! She kept stopping and putting her foot in the fresh snow to see her foot print, then wanting to see mine.

I stopped and thought - what am I in a hurry for? Where are we rushing too? If this day is for her - why am I rushing her through it.  Is it a race - a race to what? 

So I stopped my crazy fast pace - and just stopped. Stopped to just be - and just be with her - and learn with her in the simplicity that she sees. We were out there for about an hour or two - and her fresh prints in the snow never got old to her.

So we took our time and found our location. She marched forth with a new world surrounding her.  She soaked up everything behind her and rejoicing in what was in front of her.

She is so energetic.  She takes life by the horns.

She smiles - all the time.  She exudes happiness and joy! If you hang around her long enough - it's contagious. You can't help but smile too. 

If I had to guess, she'll keep moving forward, only to turn back to reflect on the fun that she's enjoyed, not the mistakes she has made.

She is carefree...a free spirit...

Happy - to the point where people ask me if she is ever sad.  "Does she really wake up like this" And the answer is yes.

She wakes up smiling at the world, ready to take it on.

Never bothered if someone has something negative to say to her - she just keeps marching forward. Even at 4 she is confident in who she is.

She is so small in this big world - and has taught me so much.

She continues everyday to teach me to slow down, embrace life and find the joy in the little things.

Even if it's just a foot print in the snow.

Beauty surronds me everywhere - Hay's showing me I just need to take the time to slow down and enjoy it more.

Bedtime routine

I am trying to capture more of the day to day in my house - these are my girls as they are going right to bed.

1/60sec at f1/8, ISO 5000 (On 35mm f1.8)

1/250 sec at f1/8, ISO 5000 (On 35mm f1.8)

Sick kids - no fun :(

I think the part I like least about being a mom is the feeling of being out of control. Especially when they are sick.  My oldest isn't feeling well - a few days with a fever, and out of school all week.

They make these cool thermometers now. You can stick it on their forehead for up to 48 hours and it monitors it.

Then we went from upstairs to the couch for some healthy lunch....Lucky Charms!

Mmmmmm....Yummy

4/52 - Imperfection - My Four Hens Project 52

4/52 - Imperfection, a photo by Carrie Callahan Photography on Flickr.

Via Flickr:

When I first saw the challenge was "Imperfection" I couldn't really think of anything. I was at a loss. To say that 2012 has gotten off to a rough start would be an understatement - so when my oldest came down sick - again - it ranked right up there for my "imperfection" opportunity. She is on day 3-4 of a 103.5 degree fever. So today I spent all day with her. Checking her temperature, giving her medicine and finally ending up on the couch eating Lucky Charms for lunch while watching some old school Pink Panther. Imperfection at it's finest!

Project 365 Day 66-75

Day 66

Good day of just playing - Hay playing with the toys her mommy makes.

Day 67

I love this shot - don't know why - but - I love it.

Day 68

Hayden entranced.

Day 69

It makes me so happy to see the kids sitting on the table I built.

Day 70

I am doing a 30 day challenge - and the first day was a self portrait.  I set up my lights and played around.

Day 71

Our Zone Doggie

Day 72

This was also part of the 30 day challenge - clouds - I had to wait till sun set to see an

Day 73

Again - part of the challenge - something Green. 

Day 74

My HayHay first thing in the morning as she is waking up.  I could just squeeze her!

Day 75

Another challenge one - low angle - this is another one of Zone.  It shows her character a lot.  

So excited - I am 75 days in - and haven't missed a day!  I think I am all caught up here - I am going to try and post once a day.

Project 365 Day 56-60

Day 56

My mom getting my daughter on the bus - pleasant surprise. 

Day 57 

I felt bad - she was sick too - it's been taking it's course around our house.

Day 58

Took a trip to a new park - one of my favorites of the day of my Hay.

Day 59

All the kids went to bed and I was looking for something to take a picture of - haven't missed a day yet.  This stood out to me - med's for my little man.

Day 60

Hay stepping up and doing her share around the house - the dishes.

Project 365 Day 51-55

51/365, a photo by Carrie Callahan Photography on Flickr.

We were waiting for my husband to get out of the store - and I was loving the light coming in from the windshield!

52/365, a photo by Carrie Callahan Photography on Flickr.

A mini accomplishment - getting blinds hung in my kitchen - I love the lines!

53/365, a photo by Carrie Callahan Photography on Flickr.

This is my Hay putting her shoes away when we get home from school.

54/365, a photo by Carrie Callahan Photography on Flickr.

Trying to get in front of the camera more with my kids.  I set up the tripod and randomly shot some pics.

55/365, a photo by Carrie Callahan Photography on Flickr.

Whenever I see this pictures it makes me sad.  He was so sick - temp at 104 for three days - just curled up in my bed.

Project 365 Day 61-65

Day 61

MP doin what he does best - playing trains in his room.  It's a Thomas overload.

Day 62

Kids were in bed - this was my subject for the night "Big Linc"

Day 63

Ahhh - the vain of my existance - dishes!

Day 64

First day of a lot of snow - what did we do - we went sledding - it was a blast!  Good family fun.

Day 65

We shaved off his mohawk - we were hoping that would knock out some of the punk...we were wrong.

Girl time

This year I am going to try and document more for me.  I have been loving exploring photography, and I want this to help me preserve the memories.  Also - I want to try and focus more on my family - so tonight we did girl time when MP was in bed - we got out Barbies and our magnetic dolls.

My Hay - she get's so intense about things.

Bean - getting ready to open a Barbie.

She was so excited that she could use her scissors from her new art set - too bad they didn't work.

I don't know why - but I love capturing my kiddo's feet.

Just like her mommy - trying to hoard all the pieces.

She got so into brushing the Barbies hair.

Time to pick out our book for bed!

I set up the camera on a dresser - got the remote - and got in a few myself.  The girls didn't even know I was taking their picture.

Side note for those photographers out there - I didn't use any flash - this was all at 8pm so it was dark outside.  I don't think I shot below a 6400 ISO (1/60 @ 2.2). On the last one I wanted to up the f/stop and shutter speed a little - so I shot at 8000 ISO, 1/100, f/2.8)