Melissa Miller Photos

My Entomologist Friend

My entomologist friend turned six last week.  He is the neighborhood bug expert, and full of information on the insects under my rocks or on the play structure, as he calls it (the rest of us say swing set). 
D is way too used to my camera, and in that squinty, frozen "cheese" face stage that all kids go through.  We loosened him up a bit, and these shots really show his personality.  Lil' sis joined the fun, too. Happy Birthday!

**Their mom is my tutu lady...(baircreations.com) for good kid stuff!

I am always amazed by D's eyes and lashes! 

Double Fisting

My visitor yesterday was very thorough in eating his birthday cake for the camera.  He dug right in, sampling frosting, then starting double fisting the sugar into his mouth! I love cake sessions for the fun factor, but also because of the extra oomph it adds to the session....any baby, no matter how many outfits or how many poses endured, will perk up when a cake shows up.  See what I mean?

Hello, dimples:

12 months and 20 pounds ago, below.  Time flies!

The Man Routine

E-Man has always been an early riser, and usually starts his day by showering and getting ready while my husband is getting ready for work.  It is so precious to watch my little man mock shave along with his Daddy, then follow every step along the way: shower, deodorant, hair gel, cologne. This "Man Routine" as I've named it, has been going on for years.  I used to be paranoid about sending E to school smelling like Right Guard and Caroline Herrera for Men.  Now, I treasure the process as my little man turns himself into Rico Suave in the morning. 

E let me invade his bathroom time the other day to document the process:

 

The Library

The summer reading program is a great memory from my grade school years. We piled into the car with our books and library cards to check out books every week at Willa Cather.  I felt like a dinosaur trying to explain the card catalog and date stamping from twenty years ago ("Why couldn't the computer tell you where to look, Mom?") to my oldest.  The process has changed, but my kids always look forward to checking out their own books and movies weekly. 

We have two libraries within a mile from our house, and usually opt for the "big" library.  The children's room is amazing and modern, with lots of nooks and crannies to explore.  There are also great sources of light, textures, and colors for a photo op! 

My monkeys at Hardesty:

Yep, she makes herself at home:

Junior Shutterbugs Contest

Tulsa friends...
I love this summer contest! Check it out on the Junior Shutterbugs website. Junior Shutterbugs offers lessons with digital cameras at different age levels.  Cameras are provided for the small group instruction, for events from play groups to birthday parties.  Kids love digital cameras -- almost as much as they love looking at themselves on the digital view screens.  

Children ages 3-6 years and 7-10 years are invited to submit their best photographs for a contest that runs through the end of July.   Each category has a first place prize of $150 savings bond! The theme is summer fun. The details are posted on the website, so get your kiddos snapping this summer.  Clients, please let me know if you have a winner!

One of Big B's (age 8) masterpieces from our Memorial Day adventure.  We even followed the "No Photoshopping" rule:

Meet Ruby

Meet Ruby Dooby Guinan, the latest member of my extended family.  My sister caved and finally got a puppy, a flopsy little puggle.  My kids were ecstatic to have a bunch of sleepovers last week with Ruby, and took turns spoiling her.  

My parents took the leap this spring (refresher on that adventure HERE), and so far so good.  Our crazy weiner dog now has two canine friends in the fam to play with.

Meet Ruby:

L treats the dog as a favorite new accessory, much to Ruby's dismay:

And one of just L, because she is so ridiculously adorable and photogenic:

Chicago

Tick Tock, Tick Tock

Tick Tock, Tick Tock
Now it's time to pray

We bow our heads and close our eyes
And this is what we say

God is good, God is great

Thank you for our food. Amen

This is often the best part of my day, thanks to the prayer from the kids' preschool.  E-Man has become the 'peek police' and reprimands us if we don't close eyes or bow our heads at the right moment.  My big second grader will put his two cents in, as the religious expert who recently received his First Communion. I just smile and appreciate these simple moments with my babies.

(These photos also taken with my new point and shoot, Canon G10)

Cabbage Patch Kids

Perfect complexions? Check.
Squeezable cheeks? Check.
Round, happy faces? Check.
Baby buddha belly? Check.
Well behaved? Check. 

I am convinced that this gang is straight from the cabbage patch.  This is an elite title that I reserve for that perfect combination of beauty that makes me think of Cabbage Patch dolls.  I wanted to sniff these kids for that powder scent and look for an Xavier Roberts signature on Baby J's booty!

See what I mean?