I Really Love to Dance

Something tells me that you just might have the perfect photo for this Blog Blast contest.

Do you? I thought so. What are you waiting for? Post it and WIN!

Dancing + Shoes = Dancin' Shoes! Like the kind you can win in the contest.

As soon as I post mine, I'll post the link, I promise. Do let us know in the comments here is you entered!

Pretty Is...

Kaia Rae.

Born August 28th, 2007.

How lucky am I sharing my birthday with my pretty little neice? I'll never forget my 40th birthday. Ever.

Picture a Word

Over at my other blog, I just reviewed a new show that will soon be coming out on PBS Kids called Word World for The Parent Blogger Network. If you want to find out how much my daughter loves the show, go read all about it over there.

If you'd like to win yourself a copy of the show on DVD (it's got 2 episodes on it) just leave a comment here and you'll be put into a random drawing. Here's the only catch; you must post your child's favorite word (let's keep it clean moms) in your comment. I would admit that right now my daughter's favorite word is "poop" but since I've asked you to keep it clean, I won't. Yep, the Clark family has been reduced to lots toilet humor. It's nothing I'm proud of, believe me.

But, back to Word World. The series begins on Sept 3rd so stay tuned and like I said, if you want to win a copy, comment here (note-I'm offering the exact same giveaway at Mother May I and yes, you may enter at both blogs but you must leave a comment at both). Oh, AND, if you somehow manage to take a photo of the word you are using, include a link to where the photo is and I'll throw your name in for the drawing twice. That's doubling your chances I think but then again, I don't do math. I do words.

So, what's your word?

Summer Fruit

As August slowly slips away, I find myself capturing all those little things that speak of summer.

I shot a series of these, but this one holds some kind of sweet mystery for me.

What kind of shots have been speaking to you this week?

Beautiful Inspirations

I have been inspired lately by how so many photographers are capturing everyday in the loveliest of ways. Even the most mundane of life's routines can prove themselves pretty if we just recognize it. The fun part is capturing it and sharing it with others. I love that.

I stumbled across Today is Pretty only to realize that it's a blog by someone I already know (but I had never seen this particular offering).  Small blog world, isn't it? My favorite is this shot.

And then there are people like this gal who can even find poetry in breakfast. How she does it, I have no idea. But, she does. And it's awesome.

In honor of those who inspire me through their keen eye for gorgeous daily details (consider yourselves as muses as well) I am giving you the word PRETTY for your Thursday's Theme. What do you consider PRETTY? I can't wait to be inspired.

It seems I'm not the only one who has beauty on the brain. I got the call from Crazed Parent of Maya's Mom to post a photo under the guise of "beautiful things". I encourage you to join that pretty invitation. I did.

The Little Big Winners

Today is the big day. Susan, Sheri and I are revealing the winners of our kid's photo contest A Little Perspective. Yay! I've said it before but there were so many amazing photos submitted by you all and your kids! Wow. It's impressive and not to mention really difficult to choose winners.

But, without further adieu, here they are...the winning images (shot by YOUR children);

Under 6

First Place: What is This by Kerian

Second Place: Day at the Park by Faith

Third Place: Here Comes the Curl by Eve

Honorable Mentions: Green Swing by Olivia, Self-portrait by Marielle, My Brother by Melody

Please note that the self-portrait was shot by a 6 month old. God, I love that!

Under 9

First Place: The dog by N (Natalya)

Second Place (tie): Lake Tahoe through the Trees by Alana and Snow from the Back Window by Delilah

Honorable Mentions: Alyssum by Celie, Hungry Gators by Matthew and Princess Leia by Vincent

Under 13

First Place: Overboard by Dakota

Second Place: Luna Moth by Caleb

Third Place: Spiral by Lil Zoot

Honorable Mentions: Turtle by Ryan and UIL from the 2d Floor by J

Congratulations to all the winners and a big thank you to everyone that submitted photos. Kudos to the kids and to you parents!

Now for the fun part...PRIZES! Photojojo, HP and ClubMom rocked our world by donating cool stuff so thanks to them too! Here's the breakdown:

First Place	Photojojo Camera Case HP Pen Club Mom Water Bottle
Second Place	HP Notebook with pen Club Mom Water Bottle HP Bomba Pen (one)
Third Place	HP Ball Cap  (pink or blue) Club Mom Water Bottle
Honorable Mention	Fruity Cheerios Club Mom Water Bottle

Thanks again everyone for getting involved. The contest was a big success. The Flickr photo pool is open for your submissions anytime you'd like to add more of your kids photos!! I'm going to, that's for sure. We hope this encourages you and your little ones to keep on shooting!

Fade Into You

Are you feeling the summer fade away?

Picture Your Child Cooking

I just reviewed a great kid's cookbook called Spatulatta for those of who who have kid's in the kitchen (and who doesn't?). My daughter loves it, as do I so I wanted to share it with you. Photos to follow, I am sure of it.

Monkey Around Monday

On our trip to Florida we visited the Metro Zoo in Miami. There were no traditional cages. Just  lot of open space with wild animals roaming around and as you walk the grounds, it gives you the illusion that you are just kin of roaming around with them. It was pretty cool. Except it wasn't really cool at all. It was like 98 degrees with 100 humidity which just about kills a person's ability to enjoy anything. Ug. However, we braved it anyway and to our surprise, the animals were active just the same. it was pretty awesome.

So, in case you didn't know this about me, I have a real thing for primates.

Especially Mountain Gorillas. In this case there was a viewing window that offered shade for the gorillas so a few were sitting together right there on the other side of the window. Wow. There was a female and the silver back. Holy Primate! They were enormous and sooooo incredible beautiful. Having a gorilla a mere 3 feet away for you, looking right into your eyes is an incredible experience. In nearly 100 degree heat, the family wasn't nearly as taken as I was. I could have sat there all day (even dripping sweat) just watching them and snapping photos.

Even through a thick (and filthy) window I got some pretty neat shots.

What did you capture this week that has you captivated?

End of Summer Theme

As we head into the new school year, the memories of the carefree warm summer days begin to FADE.

Hope you can bring some vivid color into this week's theme!