Saturday, May 23, 2009

My Lil' Pastry Chefs

My little 9-year old sister convinced me that I absolutely, positively needed one of those coupon books her school was having her sell for a fundraiser. I dislike these books. So many coupons and yet they are usually for places I never visit. I thought I would support the cause anyway.
I was flipping through it last week and found a coupon to Little Pastry Chefs, a cute little bakery over by my parent's home. It was a buy one get one free so I thought it would be a fun activity for Chloe and Naomi...and maybe Beckham.
The girls picked out their cakes and colors of frosting and they decorated like professionals. We got a cupcake for Mr. Beckham, however, he was much more excited about the frosting (a man after my own heart...).
They did such a good job and it was so cute that they each complimented each other during the whole process...
"Chloe, that looks awesome!"
"Naomi, I love those colors you picked!"

They have a summer camp schedule and I think I may be signing them up for some fun summer classes!


Monday, May 11, 2009

Mother's Day Gift

I hate (okay, dislike very strongly) pushing people on swings. I don't know why, but I do. Chloe's favorite thing to do in the entire world, other than dressing up, is to swing. She could stay on a swing for hours...that is, if there were someone who would be willing to push her for that long. 

Last night we went to my parent's home for Mother's Day. As with every trip to my parent's house came Chloe's request(s) for me to push her on the swing. I usually find excuse after excuse, but yesterday I didn't mind. I began pushing her and after a few pushes, she told me to stop pushing her. I was surprised that she had grown tired of her favorite activity so quickly.

To my amazement (and hers!), she began pumping herself on the swing! Back and forth...back and forth. I ran into the house to grab my camera and when I returned...back and forth. She was still going! She just giggled and smiled. She just kept telling me how big she was. Maybe a small feat to some, but to Chloe and me, it was big.

It was a great Mother's Day gift.



Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Rock Stars

When I was 19, my favorite singer in the entire world, Martina McBride, came to Vegas. 
I knew all of her songs. I knew how many kids she had (names and ages!). I knew her concert schedule. Okay, I stalked her a little. 
Anyway, when I found out she was coming to Vegas I, of course, bought tickets. But her visit to Vegas this time also included a meet and greet CD signing at a local mall. 
Seriously? I could meet her in real life???
No question. I cleared my schedule. My Mom and I ran to Tower Records to purchase clean, 
in-the-wrapper CDs of her latest album so that it would be perfect for her to sign. We waited in line for our turn. The closer I got, the worse I smelt. Ridiculous amounts of sweat. This person for whom I had become slightly obsessed with was sitting a few feet away from me. I was completely star struck.
When I reached the front of the line and I approached the signing table, I panicked. All of the clever things I had rehearsed to say to her slipped my mind. She asked my name. I told her. My mind raced. I need to say something!
And then it happened.
"Martina, you are such an awesome singer!" I blurted out.

Are you kidding me? You are such an awesome singer??? Did I just say that out loud? As if she didn't already know that.  

Fast forward to this past weekend.

As a photographer, I find myself constantly researching other photographers and their work. I have kind of become sort of obsessed with a few of them. One of my favorites is a woman by the name of Cheryl Muhr and I spent this past weekend in Dallas at one of her workshops. She only allows a limited amount of people to attend each workshop and so I felt like I was just hanging out with her. From the moment I saw her, however, I was star struck. She was famous to me. I felt like I knew everything about her (I've got to work on that stalker-ish side of me!). 
She is amazing. Not just her work, but as a person.
At the end of the workshop, I wanted to thank her and so I approached her and she reached out and gave me a hug. My heart started to race. I wanted to say something. I wanted to thank her. I wanted to praise her. Instead...well...
"Cheryl, you are such an awesome photographer!" I said.
Are you kidding? Is that the best that I could come up with? 



Point of the story? 
If I ever call you awesome, it's not just some lame attempt at complimenting you. I reserve that word for those who I think are rock stars!

Check out my photography blog to view some of my favorite images from the weekend!