Mac the Dog

Yesterday, I had the honor of photographing Mac the dog at the Ronald McDonald house in Ft. Worth. My friend Tricia works there and asked if I'd mind donating my services. The dog stays at the RMD house during the day (provides love and a distraction to the families that are staying there). He goes home with one of the workers at night.

They wanted to have him photographed so that they could give prints of him to the kids that are going through treatments that never get to see him (they're in the hospital) but hear about him through family or if a child does get to meet him they'll have a print to take with them to the hospital when they are going through treatments (kind of something to make them smile). They've had trouble trying to photograph him themselves because of his dark and dark eyes....the eyes kind of disappear. So of course I was honored and jumped at the chance to help them out. Here are few of my faves.

I can see why they had trouble. Those eyes do tend to disappear. Hopefully I got something they can use.

Father's Day

We started our Father's Day festivities with breakfast and presents.

Then we headed over to Nana and Paw-Paw's house for lunch.

The boys did their usual lounging.

While we took the kids out to swim. The boys eventually joined outside to swim.

And of course there was ice cream.

Sophia was eying Will's.

Happy Father's Day to all the dads!!

Happy Father's Day

Dear Dad,

     I can't believe you are only 22 in this pic. Or were you 21? Doesn't matter! You were so young! A baby. I can't imagine having a child so young and y'all did it on purpose!

     I just wanted you to know how much you mean to me and that I'm so grateful to have had 2 great parents who love me. I mean you can't get much better than that. Being born in America, as a woman, with 2 parents that love me and treated me with dignity and respect....in a middle class environment. I hit the lottery. I couldn't have asked for better. Sometimes I feel guilty for being so lucky...why was I born with so much and so many go without?

    But I have to say, it's been a pleasure watching you grow from my parent, to a grandparent and then to a grandparent of my child, a girl. The only girl so far.

     I frequently get the impression that you feel like a failure or that you've failed us in some way...or maybe you're just begging for compliments. :) But you haven't. You've never let me down. Think of all the times you helped me with a 3D art project! Or helped me quit a job! Or cheered me on on the sidelines of a soccer field....I could go on. Bottom line...you are a much needed, valuable part of our family. And I love you and I'm proud to be your daughter.

Love,

Erin

A Party Fit For a Princess

I started planning Sophia's 3rd birthday party back in March. And I put a lot of effort into making it a very special day for my little princess.

Starting with the invitation....

I made her a thrown.

A a scrapbook page to be put on display....

Floral centerpieces......

Tissue paper flowers to be hung from the ceiling....

An appliqued shirt....to be worn that day...

A treasure box filled with treasure bags for the guests.

Only to have the wind try to destroy it within minutes....literally. We were there for like 2 minutes and the wind blew over one of my centerpieces. Dang wind! Don't get me wrong. I appreciate the breezy winds to cool us off but we were having 28-35 mph gusts of wind. That's not breezy.

So I didn't bother taking good/detailed pics of the table tops because every time I turned around, something was blowing away. Some things blew away that I didn't even know about until nice park guests returned them to me. Some of them even offered to help (Russell had left to pick up the pizza and they probably heard me cursing...don't worry. Sophia was with my mom).

The banner fell down twice (breaking in half at one point). But a little duct tape fixed it.

I was so panicked. I didn't have everything set up and only had 10 minutes until it was go time.

So some things, I just scrapped due to the wind. I was literally on the verge of tears but then Sophia showed up with my mom and it put everything into perspective. It didn't matter if it was perfect. No one had seen the vision in my head. And Sophia couldn't have cared less if it was all set up correctly. She was just excited to go play at the park (and the promise of cake and presents).

And then guests started arriving.....yea!!!!!

And they headed off to the park to play for a bit.

Then Russell arrived with they pizza so we ate.

And then I showed them the castle.

And the swords, shields and crowns they could decorate and play with. I had markers and peel and stick jewels. I think the adults had just as much fun with the swords as the kids did.

They swords especially loved the swords. They were inflatable plastic ones from Oriental trading.

Then it was time for cake. Thanks Joanne and Tricia for helping me time the cake eating portion of the day. I got the cake from Hot Chocolates.

Right after that, Sophia was ready for presents. Everyone else was still working on their cake. So we gave them a few minutes to finish....

....before she dug right in. Apollo (Tricia's husband), volunteered to photograph the present opening. Thanks Apollo! At least this way, I got in a few pics! And yes, the dress does coordinate with the decor on purpose.

Sophia got so many great gifts and had so much fun!

And I think the kids did too!

And I couldn't have done it without the help of my family and friends who offered to help out in any way they could.

This experience taught me a lot. That it doesn't have to be perfect to still be a perfect party and that you just have to be flexible and go with the flow. And you can't fight the wind. Now that doesn't mean that next year, I won't go all out. Party planning is one of those things I don't do half-assed. There are plenty things I do half assed, like cleaning the house for example.....party planning is just something I love to do. But next year, maybe an indoor venue???