Flying Photo School Comes To An End-Weeks 3 &4

Last week I finished my on-line photography class.

Week 3 was all about Aperture. I had heard and read a lot about Aperture, but I never really understood it.  After week 3 I had a much better grasp and I'm definitely able to adjust my camera accordingly. Aperture deals with light and depth of field. It's how people get the blurred backgrounds in their photos or bokeh. The lower the Aperture the shorter the depth of field and the more blurry the background (to put it simply). Week 3 also helped explain the different numbers on the lenses and why some lenses are more expensive than others. Our assignment for the week was to submit a picture in Aperture Priority Mode. 

This is the picture I submitted:

I like the brightness of the ball and I thought I did a pretty good job on my bokeh. I also thought I had my WB adjusted well since you can see GG's carrot lovin' nose!

Week 4 talked more about manual mode and different camera accessories and what you may "need" vs. what's nice to have. 

Overall I think the class was helpful. I certainly learned way more in 4 weeks than I did the whole time I've had my camera. The "classes" were very manageable for a busy mama, everything was explained very well and you can't beat the flexibility of going to school in your jammies. I liked the mix of videos and handouts and I really enjoyed seeing my classmates assignments and what our instructor had to say about them. I paid for my class with a Groupon so it was VERY reasonable. The downside is the lack of an actual classroom. It was a little frustrating that I could only submit one photo each week. It would have been nice to share a few and get feedback on why one was better than the other and hear what adjustments I could have made. I also feel that Week 4 was not very informative, I wanted more information about picture taking, not what to buy (again, my personal opinion). Another frustration is that the classes fill up super quick. The level 2 class I would need isn't available until June! I feel like I'm on a roll and I don't want to wait 4 months for my next class!

So would I recommend Flying Photo School? ABSOLUTELY! I think it's a great way to learn more about how to use your SLR camera, especially if you have NO idea how to use it (like I did!). I also think you need to be willing to practice, practice, practice (that's true with everything right?!?!). I don't think I practiced nearly as much as I should have. Sure I've taken lots of pictures these past few months, but most of them were "in the moment" shots. I really needed to take more pictures when the picture itself wasn't that important so when the important shots come up I'm ready!

If you want to try Flying Photo School you're in luck! I did a quick search and "for a limited time" you can get a Groupon for 68% off the regular class price. I picked up one for myself-you can't beat the price! I'm thinking of taking the Creative Composition Class in May. Click {HERE} for more information. 

Thanks for being with me on my photo journey! If you sign up for a class let me know! I'd love to hear about what classes you take and what you thought of them! 

Happy shotin'

It's A Boy! (more freezer paper stencil fun)

Last week we had a baby shower for a friend. She has two girls and #3 is a bouncing baby boy! I always think it's so much fun to make personalized gifts. One of my favorite crafty activities is freezer paper stenciling. The possibilities are endless and it's so much fun! For my full tutorial you can go {HERE}.

Little man is going to be named after his daddy, who is also named after HIS daddy, so he will be John III.

Oh boy so many fun ideas come to my mind!!!

Here are the ones I decided on...

There definitely is a mustache craze going on right now and I couldn't resist...

This one is my most favoritest!!! (...if you get the joke than you're my most favoritest and I'm going to take you to San Diego to eat a dolphin!...I like pizza!...Hi Steve!)

Package them all up real nice and purdy and you've got a super-duper fun and unique gift that didn't require any special crafting supplies!

Happy stenciling!

What I Like On Wednesday-Broward Patch

I recently got some new bling for my Big Girl Camera...

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my new camera strap from Broward Patch! I was shopping in her Etsy shop looking for a bday gift for a friend and couldn't resist picking up this beauty for myself! It was listed as a plain strap without the flowers, but after a few quick conversations back and forth she had a SUPER QUICK custom order listed and ready for me to purchase!

I've already gotten several compliments on my new accessory and I totally agree! Did I mention I LOVE it?!??!

Go checkout her Esty shop {HERE}. There are lots of fun camera straps and key chains to choose from. If you don't see what you're looking for don't hesitate to contact her. She was SUPER helpful and friendly, and my order shipped the very next day! 

The Long Run Diaries-Week 7

When I woke up yesterday morning for my long run this is what I found...

...and this is what I looked like...

To run in this ridiculously cold weather I needed the following: 

• jogging bra x2 (not because of the weather...b/c I'm still nursing GG) 
• Thick long-sleeve dri-fit shirt
• Shell
• running tights
• running pants
• 2 pairs of socks
• dri-fit running underwear
• 1 pair of gloves
• 1 pair of mittens to wear over gloves
• full face mask
• dri-fit running beanie

Additional items

• Camelbak water pack w/ insulated tube
• Yaktrax
• Honey Stingers Waffle Bars
• iPhone and ear buds 
• Money incase I need a drink or snack along the way

PHEW! Cold weather running is high maintenance!!! 

So week 7 was definitely NOT a taper week and definitely came with it's own set of issues. I had a lot of technical difficulties this week! The biggest issue was that our treadmill was, and still is, out of lubricant for the belt. It won't work without it making my mid-week runs harder to get in. It's been ordered and hopefully it will be delivered in the next few days. The weather does not look too favorable for outdoor running with a jogging stroller (as far as I know they don't make Yaktrax for strollers) and I REALLY don't want to run at the Y again. If I have to run on the tready I want to do it in my house in front of my own TV.

So...this week's long run...

Distance: 14 miles

Total Time: 2:32:00

Pace: 10:51

My running partner was out of town this weekend so I was running solo. Despite the low temps the weather really wasn't too much of an issue. Luckily I was warm enough and there was little wind. My biggest problems were with my accessories...listening to Pandora sucked my phone battery dry and I was without music for the last 8 miles and my water tube was kinked or something. I didn't have water for most of the run and wasted quite a bit of time trying to fix it. It finally started working towards the end of the run which made the last 4 miles much, much better. Overall it was a pretty good run. I could definitely feel that I had gotten stronger and I didn't have any belly issues. I got up two hours before I planned on leaving and had a bowl of Muesli, I wanted to make sure I gave it plenty of time to digest. I had a Gatorade Prime 30 minutes before I left. It was a great combination. I didn't feel full or heavy. I make sure I ate small pieces of the waffle bars every few miles and drank water when I could. Once I got home I had another bowl of Muesli, a Gatorade Recover (so gross) and took another electrolyte pill. I felt tired but not exhausted most of the day. 

Later in the evening I got a migraine and had to call it a night. I'm guessing it was from the lack of water on my run but it's hard to say. I get them occasionally so it could have been completely unrelated to the run.

So glad to have another successful week done! I really appreciate all the encouragement and suggestions you've been sending me! Your kind words keep me moving along!

Thanks for checking in!

Aleida's Challenge-January

Last month I told you about Aleida's Challenge (read more about it {HERE} and {HERE}) and how I was taking it on. I wanted to share with you the pictures I took of me and the kids (somehow Noa did not make any of the Mommy pics, but I did get a ton of her by herself...hmmmm gotta work on that...). Despite the fact there are only 3 pictures for the month, it's a HUGE improvement. It wouldn't have been uncommon for a whole month's worth of picture not to include me at all. Clearly I still  need to be better about handing over the camera, but I'm proud of my progress. These pics were taken with the front camera on my phone and as you can see they're not too great. I know the point isn't to have fabulous pictures, but it would be nice to have a few that aren't completely fuzzy! 

So how did you do on the challenge? Were you able to get more pictures with YOU in them?

Happy Sunday!

Check Ups

This week the girls had their check-ups. It's so crazy how fast they grow up!

We were not surprised that both girls had a HUGE growth spurt. Lo grew 3 inches and our little NoJo (who at one point we thought would need growth hormones) grew 4 inches!!! That explains all the pants turned capri and midriff tops! 

Both girls had a great check-up and Dr G was happy with how they are doing. Everyone is eating well, staying healthy and exercising their bodies and minds! Fortunately no one needed shots so there were smiles all around. The hubby and I are very thankful for our two healthy girls (and GG too) and all the love, joy and giggles they bring us!

Have a great Saturday!

I Had A Loose Tooth...A Wiggly, Giggly Loose Tooth

Lo has had a very, wiggly, giggly tooth. It was driving me nuts! ALL WEEK I have been BEGGING her to let me pull it. At one point I offered her $3 dollars to let me pull it, but she wasn't having it! How it stayed in this long I have no idea, I'm pretty sure it was just propped up by the two teeth next to it. She desperately wanted it to fall out at school so she could get the special tooth box from the school nurse. Every day this week she asked her teacher to go see the nurse, but each time she was told, "the tooth isn't ready." Last night during horseback riding lessons I guess Lo had enough, she just went in an yanked it right out. Right there mid-posting trot. I don't think she really planned it out because there she was with a tooth in one hand and the reins in the other not really sure what to do next. She was so excited she just hopped down off the horse and ran to give me her tooth-I think because she knew I'd be more excited than she was!