#embracethecamera

I'm sure you guys have heard of a photo challenge: some random person makes a prompt for each day for you to be creative with your camera/phone -- {eg. Day 1: Up || So you post something in the sky or your on ceiling or atop your roof, etc}.

I've never done a photo challenge but this week some of my favorite bloggers/instagrammers had a charge specifically to us mothers, who are so often behind the camera. I for one looove taking pictures, it's one of my favorite things to do. But besides being all done-up for my once a month night on the town, I don't mind staying behind the camera. These ladies encouraged us for a week to embrace the camera and include ourselves in the memories and the moments of photos...so that one day our kids will look back and be able to see their moms along side them, growing up.

Here's what I came up with.

Monday | Smiles

This week I was intensely focused on cutting out Caleb's naps. 

He had been going to bed around 10pm every night and even though I enjoyed my peaceful house for an hour each afternoon, I was more than over it. Keeping him awake was a stretch at first, but I think he's mastered it now, and I'm so happy to have some quiet time in the PM. 

This photo shows my smile, since Caleb konked-out in the middle of our hymn singing.

Tuesday | Making Memories

Three days a week after we drop off Caleb at school, I put on my sneaks, strap Lilly in the stroller, and we head for a little jog along the beach. I'm really enjoying my sweet one-on-one time with her. It'll be soon that she'll be off to school like Bug and we won't have these quiet moments together. So I propped up my phone, set the timer, and snapped this little ditty of us. When I was posting, she leaned over and said "It's Mama!" like she'd never seen a picture of me. She really loves the ocean. I hope this will be a fond memory for her.

Wednesday | Everyday Moments

Every day when Lilly and I pick up Caleb, there's a mad dash of parents waiting to get their kids, which makes parking impossible. I'm always early for everything, so why not this too?! We park twenty minutes before the last school bell, and I let Lilly roam around the car with me. Yesterday she discovered my secret compartment of chapstick and we rocked out to some Katy Perry {Roar is her fave, okay}. Also the anchor is for daddy. 

Thursday | Creative

Honestly this photo could've been anything. I decided to take it literally and figuratively. 

The kids had had a monumental screaming match in the two-point-five second car ride home from school, which Caleb didn't recover from for thirty minutes, and I was trying to juggle challenges with Caleb's school and a whole sleu of other things that I needed a moment. I had also just picked up this awesome chalkboard at Home Depot for ten bucks & gave it a little chalk-love.

Friday | Faces

And well since it's impossible to get all of us in the same picture {I tried}, here I am with Caleb, by the glow of the television, showing you my face for the last time this week! 

Thanks to Under the Sycamore and The Anderson Crew for the inspiration.

*love you Tj