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I know I said this last week, but our week was fast and furious again. I can’t list what we did. It was nothing special, but this is our life at the moment. Our days are filled with busyness, and tasks we need to complete. The do-list seems endless, and most days the to-dos get added to the next days list. But in among the craziness of our ordinary life are the quiet moments. The moments of beauty that I see, and that I pause my day to capture. Why they grab my attention I do not know, but in my reading this week, I stumbled across this quote.

“Photography is, for me, a spontaneous impulse coming from an ever attentive eye which captures the moment and its eternity.” – Henri Cartier-Bresson

And maybe…just maybe that is an answer to why I love photography.

Now follow the link to visit Shelley of Time to Play photography and see what captured her heart this week.

“Mum, Dad said…”

When I hear this, well my Mummy radar kicks in.

“Mum, Dad said we can buy some red frogs(the lolly version) from the canteen”

“Really? Why are you telling me?

“He said to ask you first but he said it is ok!”

“What did he say exactly?”

“He said to ask you”

“So he didnt say it was ok”

Pause…..long pause

“Can we buy some red frogs…..PLLEEEASSEE!”

“Well….we are going out to lunch shortly. Which would you prefer….the lunch at your favourite cafe or the red frogs…”

Pause…”Lunch”. SIGH!

While they begged for red frogs, I snapped so I can cherish these Mummy moments forever.

motherhoodprojectimage421.compressed

This week we have had rain, and lots of it. I am not complaining as I know there are many who need this rain. But we are at the point in winter when you start dream of wearing a pair of flip flops, maybe less layers, and feeling the warm sun on your skin. With my world being grey and dull, colour and light attracted my attention this week. We also enjoyed book week at school, and wore red for “well read day”, and we played at a video arcade to celebrate my daughter’s birthday. A family that plays together, stays together.

Now take a peak at Julie’s world and what captured her heart.

We celebrated a birthday this month, and there is a little tradition at your school to bring cupcakes or a cake to school on your birthday. We are not a traditional family, so we made cookies. Yes, we always do things outside the box. You love cupcakes, but are not a fan of the icing. You like one of the icing but not the other, and you couldn’t describe to me which one you liked. Rather than set up an icing taste testing to make sure I get the right icing, I went left of field. Cookies! Motherhood has taught me this, that sometimes we need to go around the problem. I don’t always get it right but in this case I thought I would be ok.

I baked the cookies while you were at school, and you iced and decorated the cookies. It took us a little longer than we expected. We ran out of sprinkles, and we needed to run to the supermarket. When we got back, I needed to make another batch of icing. By this time, the light had faded and our dining table doesn’t get much natural light. I don’t like using a flash, and I didn’t want to turn on the lights, so we lit the candles. And that is how we have images of you decorating cookies by candlelight. A problem solved by going around it.

Now follow the link to Holly of Holly Donovan Photo. Holly joins us for the first time, and I cant wait to see what captures her heart this month.

Our afternoon schedule is busy, even though I have worked hard at keeping our activities to a minimum. There is snack, homework, downtime, lunches for the next day, dinner, bath, family time. It is a busy 5 hours in our life, and sometimes it is a blur. But then there are afternoons when I see you sitting next to the window. The afternoon soft light is falling on your face. You were waiting for me to take you to ballet, and even though we were running late, I couldn’t help myself but to pause and grab the camera. I took only 4 images but the different expressions are so you. These moments are what I cherish.

This week flew by. It was fast and furious, filled with homework, sport, birthdays, birthday parties. The moments that fill our life, while we wait for something special occasion. But my photography has taught me to see the beauty in these ordinary moments. Noticing the rain drop on the branch as I jump out of the car. Celebrating a normal morning with my favourite breakfast. Teaching my girls to knit, while I learn how to free lens. Yes there are more than 7 images here. On Sunday at 5pm, I walked around the house with my camera to capture all 5 of my children at that time. To be honest, it was nothing exciting. But these ordinary moments are what filled my week, and my heart is filled with gratitude to capture and tell our story.

Now take a look at what filled the heart of Jana from Photography 2204.

You came home from school with that look. You were tired, and looked like you had a day that was long and hard. You asked what was for afternoon tea, and instantly my answer changed. “how about we make some chocolate chip cookies?” And you looked at me sheepishly, and said “Can it just be me and you…no-one else?”. “Of course! Just give me 10 minutes, and we can start. While you wait, why dont you get changed.”.

I came back to find you waiting for me in kitchen wearing a pretty dress, and a necklace. You looked like you were going out to dinner, not about to make cookies in the kitchen. As I have grown in motherhood, I have learnt not to question these choices, and just go with it. And so we made cookies, and thankfully the rest of the family left us alone with me asking. We chatted, and laughed. I didnt ask what had happened at school, but by the time we ate the cookies, your smile was back.

This month at www.rocktheshotforum.com the theme for their August challenge is dancing. This is one of my favourite images of my daughter at her ballet class. It is an in-between moment when she paused to tie up her ballet shoes. I love her grace and emotion.

The thing I love most about a 365 project is that it makes me pause and look for the beauty in the ordinary moments. The moments that fill our every day, just our life. Nothing spectacular but moments that I am so grateful to see.

And for those interested, I tried freelensing. Gah! I am still trying to work it out, but I do love it.

Afternoon tea…

skipping….

stepping out….

Sunday Funday…

Can you play with me….I can never resist

Maths homework…sitting in a chair is optional.

Ballet bun…it has taken a while but I may have mastered it.

Now take a look at what Julie snapped this week.