photos of the night

As many people know.. my 'reward/motivation' for getting all my scheduled tasks/homework done on Fridays is the afternoon off and play time with my camera.  While I did take many photos this afternoon of the clouds, trees, and backyard, the most fun I had was just after dusk when it started to rain.  I messed about with the camera settings to get some different shots but these are my favorites. Enjoy.

I love how the orbs (here they are just the reflection of my camera flash) are all around!

 These 6 tall trees are in the neighbor's yard, but I like them as they appear to be reaching upward.

 Oh so pretty night sky!

 I took this photo from the front porch down to the cul de sac, I love the color of the sky and the orbs!

 I love that I can caption rain at night on my camera. It is so pretty.

Probably one of my favorite shots of the night; it is so striking! Or maybe that's just my opinion.

Either way...

Tag! You're It!
Michelle

Valentine's Day

Despite being a bit under the weather, and tired, and armpit deep in literature homework,  I did manage to get Valentine's Day together.  The kids each made special cards this year, neither of which I have photos of. And for their teachers, all 6 of them, yes 6, homemade mini apple pies. Which I don't have photos of either! But I did take a couple photos at Kody's school during their Ice Cream Social on Valentine's Day.  Enjoy!

DeErra and Kody. The girls are bffs.

Boyfriends come and go... but best friends are always best friends. DeErra has been a constant friend to her.  They are both just like each other and somehow it works!

DeErra, Kody, and Ryan (no, not her bf, just a friend.)

Kody and her classmates have continued to drive straight into the crazy world of boyfriends and girlfriends. And Valentines Day just made it worse! LOL! So I had to specify that he is not her boyfriend.

Kody screaming during the song in which they were supposed to scream!

After getting the wiggles out (aka dancing and screaming) the kids settled down and made cards for the senior center in our town.

After cards, they sugared up with ice cream sundaes with toppings, lots of topping.  Thanks for the sugared up 5 years old hopped up on more valentines candy than I could ever imagine!

Happy Valentines Day!

Peter-Leo's 10th Birthday!

Can anyone believe he is 10? Another wonderful birthday, this year we kept it simple. Very. Simple.
Just our friends from down the street (our kids play together) and Zach is Peter-Leo's best friend down here. Just an ice cream cake and simple decorations this time.

Birthday boy and cake.

the boys while singing happy birthday to Peter-Leo.

Zach and Peter-Leo.

Just Peter-Leo. Handsome guy.

Momma and Peter-Leo

A girl, her camera.. and a puffer fish!

Yes, that's right. Just over a week ago I ventured down to the beach for the morning.. you know the usual.. taking photos, looking for lettered olives (a special type of sea shell), and picking up dead puffer fish to take home. WHY?! BECAUSE IT WAS A PUFER FISH! poor little thing, died and washed ashore. I decided his death should not be wasted, his remains must be photographed for all to see (ok mostly for me to remember and to be able to say I touched a puffer fish and lived!)  If you can handle it.. scroll down and see the poor little puffer fish..

Well hello there, ya little cutie!

 

I guess he was being koi.

This amazing creature was poisonous so gloves were on and caution was very present.  I loved how the spikes were so artistically placed.

This angle of the spikes reminded me of some predator teeth of dinosaurs, sharp and curve for maxium damage!

 Not even the underbelly was safe, he had spikes there too!

The two back fins that helped this little guy motor around!

Side view of Spikey (yes I named the dead puffer fish Spikey!)  The creations of God (or whoever/whatever you believe made this animal) never ceases to amaze me.  Somehow I am lifted by the fact that beauty and awe can be found just about everywhere, even in a little dead puffer fish, named Spikey.