Lately, I am constantly bringing the camera along to my kid's friends' birthday parties. It gives me plenty of opportunity to practice. Last week was Anna's friend's party at a local toddler play place. I love the place - except! - when I have to take pictures there. Very challenging! The walls are this terrible shade of green that casts a horrible color over everything, the lights are florescent and then there is this huge picture window throwing another color of light into the room. Very frustrating for a newbie like me.

Erica, I hope you like these and thanks for inviting Anna.

Our town held it's opening day baseball parade this past Saturday. You couldn't ask for a nicer day! I think the adults had more fun than the kids. We have been stuck inside for a long winter and it was great to see everyone!

I know these are getting old ... but I did this one to make two of my friends smile ...

(turn the volume up)

Is it the music? The pictures? The kids? Not sure, but the combo just gets me.

Anna had her Mommy and Me egg hunt this morning. She was excited as usual about snack time, ring around the rosie and eating the playdough. One of the other girls in class, Mckenna (sorry if I didn't spell it right!) was happy to pose for me! I got more good pics of her than of my own kids. That's OK with me since my kids run the other way when they see me with the camera.

My friend Kate asked me to take pics of her family and they all showed up in pink ... even the men. They all looked great and I give the guys in the family kudos for feeling secure in their manliness and proudly wearing pink. I know Kate's kids pretty well (especially Christopher, the oldest). And they were awesome to work with. Emily wasn't too happy to have her picture taken halfway through, but I got some unbelievable ones of her.

Thanks Kate, Craig and kids.

ps kate .... I have only gone through HALF of the pics so far!