Congrats class of 2023!!

 This Kid...

is getting way too big! 

Landon graduated from Pre-K on Friday, May 20th! 

All the cute, little graduates did a program that was set up like a typical morning at CKS. It was so cute!

Landon had a speaking part and did great!

Oh, How cute!!

Two things that melted my heart today:

First I wanted to get a few more pics of you walking down the isle, but when you got to me, you stopped and gave me a big hug!! And you how cute you were about being sad about graduating! You have such a sweet heart!! (and on a side note, shout out to Dad! you get that from him!)

We are so proud of you!

You were excited that Mimmie was there! You did not know she was coming until we were on our way to the church. 

Sweet Friends!

After the program there was a really nice reception across the street at the park!

Ms. Nelli and Ms. Emily are Landon's teachers, they are both wonderful! I could not have picked them better myself! We have been so blessed to have them a part of our life! 

And Ms. Joy! 

Look out Kindergarten! Here we COME!!

(and look out CKS, here comes Allie Ruth!)

Few more randoms...

This little girl has been having a hard time! It must be difficult being a 2 year old girl! 

You are a great walking partner! 

Sunny, but chilly morning... Ms. Rains was sick today so I had to stay home with you! We had a great day. We went to Tara Oaks to eat lunch and then dropped by Aunt Shelly's work. 

Bubbles in the front yard, after school...

I wonder if her eyes will always be that blue?

Randoms!

Just a peek into what our spring-after-school afternoons look like:

Landon loves to ride his four wheeler around the yard and play on the swing set!

Found a little friend today...

Allie Ruth says "Get that thing away from me!"

School is almost out for SUMMER vacation! Mom is counting down the days until she can squeeze, hug, and kiss you all day!!

Mimmie gave Landon a blue teepee and Allie Ruth a pink one!

They are so cute and fun! Allie Ruth has not quite gotten into hers but Landon has been sleeping in it every night! Well, until about 4am, then you get in bed with us. (no judgement!)

Allie Ruth, are you going to be a photographer? Photos & Pacis could be your business name! Your "sassy" is not supposed to be out of your bed! (again, no judgement needed!)

Dad surprised you with a new bike today for your St. Jude trike-a- thon at school. 

You love it! 

Oh Happy Day!

I felt very blessed this Mother's Day! 

We went to Meme's for the annual Mother's Day breakfast and also celebrated Meme's birthday! Landon and Allie Ruth gave me a sweet singing card along with a gift card to Starbucks and Marshall's. Mimmie, Allie Ruth and I went to Marshalls to spend the gift card but did not find anything. Just had fun walking around and looking! 

I had several moms weighting heavy on my mind... One of my very good friends' mom is battling cancer, My own mom spending her first Mother's Day without Memaw, and a Mom whose daughter has been missing for a month. 

Wake up MOM!

Gotta love him!

Happy Birthday Meme!

I love you crazy kids! I am so lucky to be your Mommy!!

Fauxtography Friday!

Lesson Five: Composition 

I feel as though this is one of the elements of photography that are way easier to understand than the technical stuff. Composition and framing of the picture comes a little more natural to me! 

Composition means "the artistic arrangement of the parts of the picture." Remember, Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. So, something that I think is a good composition, may differ from another perspective. 

Tips for learning:

1) Keep it simple.

    Try to keep distractions out by removing, repositioning, or decreasing your DOF.

2) Apply the rule of thirds.

     Your eyes are naturally drawn to a point about two thirds of the way up on a photo. Most cameras have a grid that you can see through the viewfinder. If not mentally divide your scene. You want to compose your photo so that the subject or action is located at one of the intersecting points. NOT the middle, or dead center of the image. (this is not actually a rule, more of a guideline.)

3) Keep an eye on the horizon.

4) Frame your subject. 

    You can use things such as arches, fences, or things found in nature to frame your picture.

5) Fill the frame.

    Get rid of wasted space.
6) Try a new perspective. 
     Look at your subject from different angles, a new view can change the look of the whole photo.

Cropping photos in an editing program is a simple fix. These examples mostly show keeping it simple and fill the frame.

And an example of the rule of thirds...