Jack-O-Lanterns

Tonight was Wendy's annual Halloween party, with pumpkin carving of course! Every one did a fantastic job. When they were done, I had everyone take them outside to a place in the yard that was fairly dark.

I put the camera on a stack of books. I laid on a towel to set the focus and exposure. This was taken in manual mode. I used the self timer to reduce camera shake. Lots of warning the kids not to walk by the pumpkins. And making sure everyone else had their flashes turned off. These both had a 30 second exposure due to the light. I think I am getting better every year.


Next year, I WILL take the wide angle lens for the group shot. woulda, coulda, shoulda!

This is Amelia's jack-o-lantern. She did it all by herself.

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Middle School Night at the Football Game

Tonight was middle school night for the band and color guard at the high school football game tonight. Amelia's color guard marched on the field with the high school guard. Then they sat together in the stands and performed. Here they all are together. The middle school girls are in the purple tie dye shirts.

They had a great time. This was a great way to school the younger girls what to expect in high school and how fun it can be.

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My Daughter.... The GEEK!!!

I am one proud mama tonight. I am beaming, literally. My baby is a geek. It is official!!!

She got pulled out of lunch today with 30 other kids, by the counselor. Her state test scores put her in the top 5%... yes I said the TOP 5% of ALL the 7th graders in the states of FL!!! Top 5%!!!!

She qualifies for the Duke University Talent Identification Program!!! Upon enrollment, she can take the ACT or SAT this year. She will be eligible for special programs offered by Duke and other stuff. I am going to enroll her for the ACT in February. Those high schoolers will get a quite a shock when they see my little on walk in to take the exam!!

Can you tell I am so proud!!! The biggest reason I am so proud... She is supposed to be in 6th grade this year. Because she was reading at 4 & 1/2, counting, adding and other stuff, I was able to get the school district to accelerate here into first grade. She has always done well, and is in advanced classes.

Excuse me while I brag just once more!!!!

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The Day! The Cake!

It is that day again. The one Amelia looks forward to for 364 days. The one I can't believe comes so fast every year... her birthday. As I sit her typing, she is becoming a 12 year old. My only consolation is that she isn't a teenager yet!


Each year she deliberates the theme for the party. She starts early. This year 'Movie Night' caught her eye. I ordered the decorations and looked for cake ideas. Thus far, I have made 10 of her 11 birthday cakes. Last year being the first time I ordered one. I enjoy baking, so I wanted to make this years. I found a beautiful cake that looked like movie reels. I did a test run. Good thing, the cake was a flop. Someone one scrapdawgs found a director's clapboard cake. That I could do.



I spent the morning baking two cakes. I dyed the chocolate frosting black and got busy. It isn't perfect. You can see the 'lines' I made smoothing out the frosting. The white is uneven. But honestly, I love it. I made it and that means something to me. Amelia likes it, and that is all that matters.

I hope that one day, when I am the bad mom, she will remember these little things I do. One can hope!!

Well, I am about to be over run with 12 & 13 year olds, wish me luck.

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