Self portraits are hard. Family self portraits are even harder…my kids being so used to hearing the shutter release kept trying to pose and set up the shot. I had this dream of a perfect shot of us–first thing in the morning, running around the kitchen(the place where we HANDS DOWN spend the most time together) getting ready for school and the day. The kids had other ideas. One thing I have learned about my style of shooting is that if kids have other ideas, do them. They’re probably better Here’s me setting up my camera:

In that last shot, I am telling Georgia to just ignore the camera. I love that it is out of focus. Those are my 3 Christmas presents to myself in the background(three lovely 11×14 canvases). Love them. Here we go…kids sitting down to eat, Bob and I cuddle(we do this a lot our kids are used to it), and the kids decide they have to get in on the action…

And, then finally…a shot I am happy with.

February flew by. Usually a slow month for us, this year it was crazy and chaotic. Which is okay…truly…but when you are expecting one thing and you get another, it just takes you by surprise.

It started out with me flying to NY to meet Kristen’s baby and it included a couple of trips out to the country to look at cars as we needed a new one. We did finally find one in Innisfail. And, we are now the proud owners of a rocking station wagon. Jack kept calling it a van until I finally corrected him. He asked why it was called a station wagon. Here are some of the February moments we won’t soon forget:

*the return of Pretend Friend. Georgia has had this imaginary friend for a long time, but it had been months since we had seen her. She has returned full force. Her mom now has twins(right after we spent a weekend going to our friend’s twins’ first birthday party AND our neighbour had twins–does Georgia think everyone has twins???). It is still often her birthday and grand plans must be made to accomodate this(including once Georgia demanding a chocolate cupcake at Starbucks for pretend friend. I told her I bought a pretend cupcake. This did not go over well), but now, Georgia often wants her to sleep over. In fact, one night this month, she announced that Pretend Friend’s mom was going to sleep over as well. Bob was very interested in knowing what this pretend mom looked like and where she was going to sleep. I just shook my head at the conversation and then asked ‘Is there a pretend dad??’

*We took Jack to see Avatar. In Imax 3D. For those of you that know me, you will know that this is a big step. Poor Jack does not get to see action movies and thrillers like so many of his classmates(at least he tells me they all get to go) because I am concerned that he is too young. We decided that Avatar would be the exception given the significant buzz around this movie. We took Georgia to her friend’s(Kiella–a real friend) and the three of us spent an afternoon with 3D glasses on completely buying into this digital world. Jack was embarassed as I kept asking him if he was okay during the fight scene. He assures me he is not scarred for life because of this.

*Georgia had her 4 and a half year old shots. Yes she was 5 in January. This is how we roll. Apparently, she is in the 50th %ile for height and weight. We are surprised it’s that high

* we were invited to our friend’s house for supper. They live so close we can walk. We did. Walking home was an issue. After an evening of Crokinole and Catch Phrase and much to much wine, walking home took a considerably long time. It was worth it though as we laughed so hard. And, we continue to laugh. Face offs will be Puck Drops from now on in Pughville. –sorry for the inside joke.

*we were greatly moved by the Olympics. Alexandre Bilodeau, Joannie Rochette, John Montgomery, Charles Hamelin…the list goes on.

We look forward to March being a little slower.

Later skaters,

Dana

PS–I forgot to add that this project is being done with my friend and fellow photographer, Tara…if there is anyone else doing it, please feel free to post the link in my comments to your entry. Wreckless Girl–I’m counting on you

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