X-Man

Hi, I'm Xavier, otherwise known as X-Man. It's spring, so my mom and dad were thinking it was time for some pictures. Mom found this snazzy suit for me on sale at Toys R Us! It's also right around that time for those cool cherry blossoms on UW campus.

I am obviously happy and like to ham it up from time to time. I've got those parental units all figured out. Shh! I think I'll try these poses:

My parents are about as cute as I am.

Love this grassy stuff!

X-Man, Superman... What the heck, I'm rolled into one.

Quick outfit change... and go, Seahawks! This has gotta be our year with Coach Carroll (fingers crossed).

Easy, pretty mama, I just had a snack!

What happens if I look over the edge?

Feelin' the love, pops. Thanks, mom and dad, for showing me a fun afternoon.

Thank YOU, X.

Deliciously Kolo

While I don't offer albums at this time, here's where I might send a client or go to make a personal project. I'm digging the simplicity of these Kolo albums made from cloth and paper, although a few leather options are available. Lots of fresh styles to choose from. Affordable, too, so of course me likey! My faves are the Noci and the Vineyard. (I wish I could take credit for these cool product pics.)

Did I mention the pretty ribbon?

If you're in a lazy kind of mood, toss those prints into a Havana box (not too shabby, I say).

I love the opening for a picture on the front cover:

Whether you're doing an album, a photo book, or a scrapbook, I hope this gives you an idea for your next photo project.

The Madden Family

Here are a few from a recent session that made me smile. I love it when kids are feeling comfy at home, doing their own thing. Gianna was full of life and knew how to keep herself (and me) busy! Every time I turned around, she was doing something new and fun.

This is little sis with her shiny gold slippers that I wish came in adult sizes:

Baby brother at just a few months, adorable and alert...

And the reason for some family pictures -- Grandpa visiting from Cali for the weekend.

Almost Spring

Just a quickie here to celebrate springtime around the bend. Tulips are right up there with gerbera daisies on my favorite flower list, and why wouldn't they be? Simple and so, so pretty. They perched on our kitchen counter this lovely afternoon -- day threeish, still standing for now! If only they made up for the hay fever that plagues us this time every year...

I hope your spring is filled with simple and pretty.

Hands-On Fun

This week at I Heart Faces, the challenge is all about hands (whew!), and it's a borderline-strange coincidence that I'm doing a picture project for my son's school auction. The parents are supposed to guess which hands are their child's, and I snapped this one last week of Ana's holding the globe in class. As another mom put it, "She's got the whole world in her hands." I can just hear the song now... Anyhoo, each kiddo is supposed to express him or herself by doing something they like, represent, or are plain good at. This one's for Ana!

I like how these quick posts are making people join in the fun when they can. I'm starting to think I won't be blogging much about anything else! More hands here:

I Wanna Dance

I discovered a fun site called "I Heart Faces" and am a little giddy about being a new follower. It's aimed at all photographers -- well-seasoned or brand-new (anyone with a camera, really) -- and offers great tips, and holds weekly photo contests. This week's challenge is I Wanna Dance. I figured since I just posted about my baby girl's ballet class here, I would use this one instead. Perhaps this is more like upside-down dancing, but hopefully it still counts!

Please check out all the other groovers and shakers below. I hope to meet some of their mommas and picture-takers through this awesome, new-to-me find.

Kung Hei Fat Choi

Translation: Congratulations, and here's to prosperity! A little formal maybe, so for practical purposes, Kung Hei Fat Choi can pass for "Happy New Year" in Cantonese. The Lunar New Year is coming up; the Year of the Tiger. It's a celebration that spans several days and begins on the first day of the Chinese calendar. I really like the colors in this traditional silk shirt. Red brings luck. And lai see (red envelope) for the kids is usually filled with money -- bring it on!


Since it's also Valentine's Day, the kids got a double deal for their school party. Diversity at its best. No uniforms either... who doesn't love free dress day?

The classroom felt so fun and festive. I had to appreciate this hanging mobile made out of paper clips, rubber bands, and straws:



Can't have a party without food. Not so fast, buddy -- get off my cupcake!

This is Elly B. with her angelic face and her sweet heart...

Laughter:
Loot:
Love:
It was a good day. Thanks for looking!