Fix it with Nutella

It broke.

Shattered in a tiny spider web pattern.

You know that moment when something that you absolutely love breaks?  It seems to happen in slow motion.  I mean, not really.  If it were in slow motion, my cat like reflexes would have caught it in mid air as it descended from the back seat of hubby's truck onto the hard, dark newly paved asphalt of the cul de sac.  Instead, it fell with one loud thump and that was it.  But when I replay it in my mind, I see the off white lens (still attached to the camera) slowly tumble over and over in the air several times before violently hitting the ground.

Ouch. I love that lens.


So, what happens next?  Well, after the initial *shock* comes the calm, then the  dissection.
Removing the UV cover, I discover that the L-glass is still in tact.  In fact, there isn't even a scratch on it. Flawless... like the day I got it. (If this was my classroom: insert teachable moment here.)
I remember when I paid almost 80 bucks for that UV cover.  I went to George's in North Park and bought the cover as an afterthought.  It wasn't about clarity or color enhancement. At the time, it seemed to be just another 80 bucks that I was spending.  Whatever.  The camera shop might as well be the candy store.  I just pick up this and that.

So today, I thank my lucky stars.  Not because my lens is still in tact, but because it (all of it) is material stuff that can be replaced or not. The lens, the glass, the UV cover... all of it. What can't be replaced is that fact that both boys have practice tonight - football and basketball - and I can't wait to watch both of them hard at work.  In fact, basketball season is coming to an end soon.  The camera gets to come with me and capture those images.  That's what's important.  It's not like my relationships, friendships, or morals have been shattered... that's the stuff that can't be replaced by picking it up at the shop or ordering it online.

That said and understood,  I woke up and saw it on the table where I left it last night.  Still shattered.  Still broken.  And for a second, it brought back that feeling of sadness and panic.  (After all, that lens has seen it all... birthday parties, football games, wrestling matches, jun jitsu competitions, all the important events.  It has been my constant, reliable companion through all of it. ) But, my little guy thought of the perfect way to fix it... Nutella.

Yeah.  I don't know if Nutella will actually fix the lens.  But it sure did repair the spirit.  Man, he has the answer to everything.

After this blog, I'm going to order a new UV cover, shop around on the B&H website a bit,  and wipe that little guy's hands and mouth clean... in that order.

Let's shoot each other

When I say, " I want to shoot you!"  This is what I mean:

When my son yells," I'm gonna shoot you!"  This is what he means:

Here's the set up for the 11th b-day party at Westview Park in Mira Mesa.  There was a lot of shooting and shooting.  And laughter, and soda, and running, and yelling, and screaming.  It was fun to play and it was a joy to watch.  How blessed am I to have such a good natured son with a solid group of positive friends that come from good families?   God is very good to me.

Kids + Costumes = Typical Times at our home

Each time the little ones put on the costumes, they ask me to take their picture.  So, here it is.  A favorite shot of a few of my favorite people.

These two love lip gloss and imaginary play.  They say they are best friends and they ask to go to each other's houses.  Early friendships are the best!

This year, the two olders will be 13 and the two youngers will be 11.  Wow.  Where did the time go?  It was just yesterday that these three were in the backyard playing in a plastic swimming pool.  So much has changed, yet one thing remains:  they are as close as ever and still enjoy each other's company. 

Starting 2012 surrounded by lots of kids.  Lots of love.  Lots to be thankful for this year. 

A Simple Request Gone Wrong

Christmas cards.  Everyone sends them.  Some are more simple than others, but for weeks after Thanksgiving, we get them almost daily. 

I love hearing from our friends and family, near and far.  It seems that with things like Facebook it becomes less and less personal (Gosh, I would even group this blog in that same category!)  I get that technology today allows for us to keep in touch and stay updated with those we love.  But it really is great to get that envelope in the snail mail once a year with tangible pictures, not just digital attachments.

I started thinking about Christmas pictures in June when I mentioned to J-Shutterbug that we should shoot each other again.  Problem is that with - well, I guess we call them kids - it is hard to set aside time to do a "quick" family picture.

So here I am, a week before Christmas, with visions of sending out the cards " no later than New Years." 

Here is my feeble attempt at portraits of the kids.  If you will notice, I was clearly not specific enough with my very general instructions:  Get dressed , boys.  We are taking pictures, so put on a clean shirt and get a festive hat."

After the requested "costume change"  the pictures did not get any better.  In fact, we ended without one that works.  As you can see from the picture below, it ended when someone got hurt.  Seems that how it always ends with sons.