Wink

An Easter Wink...

Did you miss me? I know, I know... it has been forever since my last post and despite my new year's promise... I have failed miserably! I never thought job and new photography business and new photography blog and toddler and family illness and LIFE would get in the way so much? Okay, so maybe there are a few more things on my plate these days, but no excuse when it comes to documenting the family and I am so far behind, it is going to be hard to catch up... but catch up I will. I thought I would start with a little wink from Easter.

When it comes to creating classroom treats for 2 year olds, you have to get creative. I will be ready when small objects and candy are no longer a concern, wink! Pinterest has been a great tool for me, like the Valentine heart crayons. This next one is a spin off of an idea of a friend's class and I was so excited! Thank you Ashley! I really try and get Liam involved whenever I can. I think it adds a personal touch and even though they may not be perfect, they have character and he is so proud of his work!

Wednesday Wink 018

Wednesday Wink 018

Did you miss these? I am back with a Valentine's Day wink inspired by a guest on one of my favorite blog's Enjoying the Small Things. I always struggle with finding the perfect toddler appropriate classroom gifts for all of Liam's friends. Last year we made our very own Love Song Remix CD which I think was a hit. This year we made heart shaped crayons and I was thrilled with the results!

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Wednesday Wink 017... late

This year I was in charge of class gifts, room teacher gifts, and of course my husband's office gifts! For our very special teachers, we created giving trees with tons of gift cards and little notes from the children. I think they turned out really great...

Wednesday Wink 016

Wednesday Wink 016

So I am going to give away a Christmas gift with this wink, but I think it will be totally worth it! But not before having a cup of coffee and first chocolate milk from Starbucks. Grandparents, do not read on if you don't want your surprise spoiled, otherwise... here we go!

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Wednesday Wink 015

Happy Thanksgiving!

Wednesday Wink 015

Wednesday Wink 015

Next week I will bring you back to your regularly scheduled programming, but as for this Wednesday... I have been working really hard to launch my new website. Kate Robinson Photography started as a dream and I have finally turned it into a reality with the help of some wonderful supporters, family, friends and an amazing designer at Lilly & Louise who created all three of my logos. You may have noticed that http://www.kathrynscamera.com/ has changed to better serve you. Whether you are looking for my personal blog, my website or my soon to launch photography blog you can find it here. As for links directly to Kathryn's Camera (the blog), you can use http://www.kathrynscamera.blogspot.com/. Thank you for going on this journey with me and allowing me to share something that I am truly excited about. I would love to know what you think about all of the changes at Kathryn's Camera and any feedback on our sister website! Be sure to check out both Kathryn's Camera and Kate Robinson Photography on facebook!

I would also like to thank Truly Yours Designs for the amazing new header art... if only I looked that good! More to come on these talented ladies...

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Wednesday Wink 014
featuring Lilly & Louise

As the end of October nears and pumpkin patch photo sessions are wrapping up, it is time to start thinking about the holiday season. Start thinking about your yearly family photoshoot with perfectly coordinated outfits to show off to all of your friends. Yes, little brother might have been pinching sister from the back and the mom monster may have come out a couple of times... but you got the perfect pose! Or maybe you have chosen the best from your favorite vacation spot in the mountains or barefoot on the beach to share. In any case, your family photo deserves to stand out above the rest. Leslie, the creative designer behind Lilly & Louise has revealed this years 2011 Holiday Card Collection and it is truly spectacular. From whimsical to classic to modern, Lilly & Louise has created a custom designed card specifically with you in mind. Imagine your friends and family receiving this year's photo complimented by one of these incredible designs:

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Wednesday Wink 013

I have tried everything to get Liam to eat his vegetables. I clearly was not preparing them in a way that he found appealing. Not dicing, not hidden in pasta or smothered in cheese. It only took a technique out of Haley Maglieri's cookbook. Egged, breaded and baked zucchini wheels are a staple in the Robinson house today.

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Wednesday Wink 012

Need a Christmas or birthday idea for your 20month - well, adult? I cannot say enough good things about the Platinum Toy Award winning PlasmaCar. It truly is the perfect gift for all ages.

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Wednesday Wink 011

This week is the bookfair at Liam's school. Some of my favorite school memories were when my mom would meet me at the fair and I would spend an hour going through each book and choosing my favorites like Judy Bloom or the ones with the stickers in the back. Liam also has a love for books and our little shelf is overflowing with Eric Carle and Dr. Suess. Of course he loves "The Very Hungary Caterpillar" (thus his first birthday theme) and we finish the night with prayers and "Goodnight Moon," but we recently discovered a new favorite from our best friend Noah. A book that we must have read fifty times already and I find myself singing "I love my white shoes" all morning on my way to work. If you are not already familiar with "Pete the Cat," we highly recommend you introduce yourself.

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Wednesday Wink 010

Playlists are important. Especially when it comes to running, walking or jogging. My "work-out" playlist looks vastly different than my regular playlist. I need something that will keep a pace, and typically angry girl music fits the bill. Here are a few from my current playlist if you promise not to laugh! What are some of your favorites?

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 Wednesday Wink 009

When you think about it, we spend a lot of our time with the people that we work with. Many of us sometimes feel married to our computers. I spend Monday-Thursday and every other Friday at the office, which can easily become depressing and often times I find it difficult to prioritize and become successful in my personal and professional life. Sometimes I wish there was a handbook. A step by step manual for moms, business, and women in general. And while I do not have all the answers and learn something new everyday, I actually feel pretty good about where I am today. It isn't perfect, but it is pretty great. My father has been a huge influence on me when it comes to my career. I leaned on him when I first entered the professional world and to this day call him for advice. When it comes to being "business savvy," I think about my father. I pretty much owe most of my success to him. The rest of my success could not have happened without several key people and a few tips that I thought that I would pass along on today's wink.

Wednesday Wink 008 & Winner

Wednesday Wink 008

 I love finding the perfect gift for every occasion. Recently, I have been gathering gifts for children's birthdays and baby showers which has been so much fun, but I was so thrilled when I found out Diana got engaged over the weekend because I got to go shopping for engagement gifts! Just a little something to say congrats and I am so happy for you! I haven't gone "I am happy for you" shopping in a while, but I rely on a few favorites when it comes to girlfriends receiving new jewelry! A ring holder, in my mind, is the perfect engagement news gift. Something to highlight her bling! Waterford makes several beautiful crystal holders and for a more modern flare, check out Red Envelope (Choose the elephant and come up with a cute message like "Never Forget"). My favorite ring holders are these hand blown ones from Henrietta Glass. They come in tons of amazing colors and no two holders are alike. For Diana, I chose an aquamarine inspired holder since she will be married next March. If you know your bride's colors for the wedding or the special date, choosing a coordinating color pallet makes the gift more personal. I truly hope she loves it as much as I had fun shopping. Congrats sweet friend!

Wednesday Wink 007 & $100 Giveaway

Turkey sandwich, peanut butter and jelly, chicken nuggets... Repeat! A variety of healthy, pick-up friendly foods for a toddler's lunch is such a struggle. As a working mom this is probably one of the biggest challenges. Not only do you have to worry about whether an item is healthy, but also if your toddler will be able to eat it without making a complete mess. Or how about keeping the milk cold and the pasta hot? I am better when I plan. So, this school year I decided to come up with a monthly meal schedule. Something a little more creative.

When I get our daily report card home, I will be able to check those meals that worked, and then 'X' those that were not kid-approved! I would love to hear some of your lunch ideas! And all that lunch planning makes me exhausted... so let's eat out tonight! I am giving away $100 GIFT CARD TO PAPPAS BROS. This card is good at all the Pappas Restaurants: Pappadeaux, Pappasitos Cantina, Pappas Seafood House, Pappas Bros. Steakhouse, Pappas Bar-B-Q, Yia Yia Mary's Greek Kitchen, and Pappas Burger!

Note: This was purchased by Kathryn's Camera and is NOT affiliated with Pappas.

HOW TO WIN THE $100 PAPPAS GIFT CARD

1. You MUST comment on this post with your lunch or dinner menu idea by Noon, Wednesday September 14, 2011
2. One winner will be selected using Random.org and posted in next Wednesday's Wink

Want additional Entries?

1. Become a new fan of Kathryn's Camera on Facebook and tell us in your comment here.
2. Get a friend to 'like' Kathryn's Camera on Facebook (up to 5 additional entries) and let us know here.

GOOD LUCK!!!!

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Wednesday Wink 006

I get a lot of questions around firsts and when we introduced certain items or we crossed certain milestones. You have to do what works for your family and every child is different, but I am happy to share our story of firsts. And honestly, I thought I would be that mom that would remember everything... but as it turns out, I am guilty of the first year blur as well. If I missed anything you are curious about, just let me know!

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Wednesday Wink 005

This week is the last week that Liam will be in the infant class. It has been a pretty emotional week to say the least. Because Liam has been with Ms. "Bita" and Ms. "Manda" since 3 months old. And just as they have formed an incredible bond, so have I. I love the way they love my son. They have been a huge part of Liam's growth and development. From that little blonde baldy in the crib to the class coloring king... they have been there for him. They have been there for me. I am so thankful and blessed to have had such phenomenal teachers/school mommies taking care of his every need while I am away at work. I am going to miss them scooping Liam up in the mornings and making him giggle. I am going to miss the B108 stars! Our amazing class. The most incredible moms. The BEST teachers in the world! Because even though they will still be around and even though a few of the littles will be in our class next year... it will be different. And not necessarily a bad different... but different. Our new teachers definitely have big shoes to fill!

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Wednesday Wink 004

THE GREAT DSLR CAMERA DEBATE: NIKON VS CANON

I cannot tell you how many times I get asked this question - in fact just this week I was asked to weigh in on my thoughts once more. Let me first get a few housekeeping items out of the way:

• I am absolutely not getting paid for my opinions on this subject and these are completely my own opinions based on research, personal experience and thought. Nothing more... nothing less. I also reserve the right to change my opinion as new products are released or I learn new information. wink!
• I truly believe that you cannot go wrong with either camera and that it does come down to personal preference.
• It is ALL IN THE LENS!
• There are Nikon people and there are Canon people. Once you decide on one, you are usually theirs for life as once you start collecting lens, etc. it is way too expensive to switch!
• We are not talking point and shoot cameras here... I have completely different thoughts on those.
• I know plenty of people with Canons and plenty of people with Nikon's... I envy both sets of photos.
• And finally, I am not an expert on the subject by any stretch of the imagination. I have a passion for photography, love the creative release and am the most happy when capturing memories. I am pretty sure I only get asked this question because my personality flaw of over-analyzing. I research and make lists and research and make more lists and graphs and more lists and THEN and ONLY THEN do I make my decision. Let me put it to you this way, my husband and I both have this trait and we physically entered 42 apartments before choosing our first one when we moved to Houston. That was after crossing the other 56 off the list that we did not want to see... Don't even get my started on buying our first home (maps of our routes to work) or purchasing my new car!

So, here are my thoughts on the subject

Wednesday Wink 003 and Winner

Wednesday Wink 003

ARE YOU HUGGIES OR PAMPERS PEOPLE???

When Bill and I arrived at Babies R Us to sign-up for our baby registry, I was the overly excited first time mom. I couldn't wait to pick out all the cute baby gear items to prepare for our new arrival. We sat down, received our complementary blue, congratulation's carnation, a paper list of suggested items and a scanning gun. So as not to overwhelm myself, I started with the baby bottle isle. Simple. Picking a set of baby bottles would be easy enough, right? WRONG. ABSOLUTELY THE WRONG ISLE. There were Dr. Browns, Advent, Platex, Tommy Tippie... ones that look like mommy's boob, ones that had curved nipples... clear ones, glass ones, BPA free ones... those with plastic inserts. AND then... levels 1-5 nipples, colic free nipples, nipples for rice cereal...

I sat down in the middle of the baby bottle isle and sobbed. My excited baby shopping bubble completely burst. What was I thinking? I cannot even pick out a baby bottle. How am I ever going to be a good mom? I felt defeated and discouraged. Never again would I enter Babies R Us blind. Next time, I would be prepared for battle. The diaper battle.

Wednesday Wink 002 and Giveaway

Wednesday Wink 002

An Ouch Pouch. Why didn't I think of this? It's every mother, grandmother, babysitter, sports fanatic, clumsy person's super hero.

Wednesday Wink 001 and Winner!

Wednesday Wink 001

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Going on a vacation? Roadtrip in your future? Last week our family took a ten hour journey to Destin, FL for a much needed vacation. Now, for some of you ten hours doesn't seem that long, but when traveling with an 18 month old and others with an additional three hours travel... I can promise ten hours is about our max! To prepare each traveler for the drive and to kick off the vacation with a proper Bon Voyage!... I assembled travel packs! (Any excuse to gather prizes, do I have to remind you that stockings are my favorite?)

I had been collecting each passenger's favorites for weeks. The monograms, believe it or not, were done in under 5 hours by taking them to Lids, a popular place for hats. They do monogramming on hats, so why not bags? Okay, so I cannot take credit for this little tidbit... my father-in-law actually let me in on this secret. Thanks Bruce! Each colorful, drawstring backpack from oriental trading cost $2.08 ($25 per dozen) and could later be used for sunscreen, water, and beach reading material!