First time at the skating ring

After James practised twice last week at home with the skates today was the party at the skating ring. I had been forewarned about the very poor lighting conditions for photography but I'm sure it was supposed to be more about the skating than photography but you know me, I still want the photos. James did really well and after walking around the ring with him twice he said he didn't need my help anymore and was off. Some of these shots he looks as if he's a pro skater (must be my good photography!!) it certainly doesn't look as if it was his first time in a skating ring.

He got into the limbo with everyone, and happily skated the whole time apart from the party time which was icecream and cake. At the end of the 2.5 hr session James said that it was AWESOME so that means the seal of approval from a 6 year old. He loved it. Half way through the session I was almost convinced to go and hire some skates myself since it brought back so many memories and standing on the side lines didn't look nearly as much fun as participating. Definately next time. The pics' were tough and I ended up with an ISO of 3200, 1/500 and f2.8. Tough gig but took some video footage on the iphone which he thought was pretty cool. The last photo he looks like he is in the speed racing comp. Kids learn stuff so fast it's amazing.

Falling Asleep - Part 2

While these photos were taken a few years ago I thought since Sienna was getting the lime light with the falling asleep photos that I'd have to post these ones of James asleep on the stairs. It was about 5pm on Christmas Eve 2006 so he was 3 years and 1 month old. He was going upstairs for a little nap and later on when I went to fetch him to get him ready for Christmas Mass I found him fast asleep on the stairs. He must have really been tired to stop there but he was only little and there are a lot of stairs. I love how he looks quite comfortable even though it's such an awkward position. Adorable!!!

Falling Asleep - Part 1

One thing that is so cute when you go to put the kids in bed and they are already asleep on the couch. Last night when I went to put Sienna to bed I found her like this, fast asleep with a beanie on and she looked soooo cute. Naturally I had to race downstairs to get the camera, change the white balance setting and position myself to take the photos while holding it still as I do not use flash. Kids look so adorable when they are asleep and after I took about 6 photos she proceeded to roll over and instead of towards the cushions she rolled off onto the floor at which point I had to take care to put my other baby down carefully (my Canon 40D camera) and pick Sienna up and take her to bed. At least she rolled onto carpet so it wasn't that bad but was pleased I took the photos in the nick of time!!!

Playgroup Dinner

Tonight the lovely mum's from our playgroup are coming over to dinner. We don't get to catch up very often now since most of the kids are now at school however we decided to make it easy and order take away Thai food. I'm doing a lovely cheese platter and a delicious dessert to compliment it. It's been a while since the table was set with lovely placemats and the like so I've gone all out to make our eating environment very special. Here's some pictures of the table and the yummy white chocolate cheesecake. My inspiration for the lanterns and flowers in the strawberry jam jars are taken from the very talented Sarah at a Beach Cottage although she is the queen of table decorating. Looking forward to my lovely evening with good food and good company.

Happy Coconuts

Today was our first day back at a sports programme for small kids called "Happy Coconuts". Don't ask me where the name comes from but the kid sports is excellent. They run 12 week terms with 4 weeks of each sport. James has been going for a couple of years and Sienna started last year. We had the first term and a half off for a little break but the kids and I are pretty excited that we are back.

The coach Shaun is awesome and fantastic with the kids and they adore him. They learn about all kinds of sports including, rugby, AFL, tennis, soccer, basketball, cricket and they get a taste for each type of sport. It's great exercise as they run around a lot and have fun at the same time. It is not a competitive programme because they don't play against anyone except kids vs the coach which is hilarious to watch.

The kids are active, run around, laugh and joke and then exhausted at the end just in time to take them home to dinner, bath and bed. All in an afternoon's work. I took this picture of James and Sienna today with the rugby ball. Gotta love the black hand prints on the balls so they know where to place their hands. Very clever indeed.

Flowers

It's been ages since I've had fresh flowers in the house and today I was in the area where the flower market is so bought myself these lovely flowers. I should do this more often as it does brighten up the place but for now I will enjoy these little beauties.

Kindy Painting

I love it when I pick up Sienna from kindy and she shows me her latest painting. She told me in the car on the way home that she had painted a rainbow (she loves rainbows). When we got home and got it out to show me and it was the cutest painting of a little girl. Given that I was expecting just a "rainbow" I said, is it a girl with rainbow hair and she said yes but she doesn't have a face. I love the simplicity of kids paintings and it made me smile.