Oh, this is gonna be good!

The original title for this post was going to be, "In over my head!" because, thanks to the BTST, I came home from the camera store yesterday with a brand new Canon Rebel XS kit with an additional 75-300 mm lens, filters, a 1G memory card, DVD tutorial, and a backpack to carry it all in. I listed all the "extras" because that is part of the reason why I went to an old fashioned camera store instead of a chain or buying it on the internet. The guy there threw in some of the little things I needed (filters, memory card, DVD) and set up the date, time, strap, etc. for me AND showed me how to put on and take off the lens. I know that doesn't seem like a big deal, but really it is. Plus, I also figured now I have someone to go to with any questions as I start experimenting with this amazing piece of equipment.

So last night after Grace went to bed I charged the battery and watched the DVD trying out many of the different modes and features of the camera. I took a lot of really bad pictures of Daisy, Grace's toys, the wall, and the plants. Today, I left work a little early and took some uninspired photos of flowers in my garden. This is the only one I dare to show you.Yeah, nothing to write home about.

But then I picked up my favorite subject from daycare. Let the games begin! I had the baby pool all ready so we went out on the deck for playtime and a photo shoot. I started out in full "auto mode" where the camera did everything for me.

Grace looks like she is saying, "Wait a minute" but she is really pointing to a helicopter. Daisy wanted to get in on the action.

I also played with the "sports setting" (another type of "auto") which they say is what I need for kids and pets. Since I have a 2-year old who only stops when she is asleep, I think I am going to get to know this mode well!

Wow! That water is cold!Don't you just love my swimsuit?

And, I tried out the "portrait mode". I was trying to get some close-ups of Grace with the blurred background like a "professional". Don't misunderstand. In theory I understand how to get the blurred background but I have no clue how to make it happen on the camera. Anything you see here is due to the camera's ability to focus on the subject. I can't take any credit.And, yes, Dad, I took MANY, MANY more pictures than I saved. That is a huge deal for me. I always wait for the best shot but I really should just keep snapping away and edit later. In the sports mode you can hold the button down and it will fire off 3 pictures per second. Grace thought this was pretty interesting and the noise of the camera clicking got her attention. Hmmmm. That's one way to get a toddler to look at the camera, I guess.

All these were done with the "auto" mode.

I have to admit, when I left the store yesterday I was really worried that I dropped a whole lot of money on something that I might not use. Then last night (and into the wee hours of the morning) I played with the camera and felt like I was taking the worst pictures ever! That made for more panic and no sleep.

Close up in "auto"
Close up in "sport"
Close up in "portrait"

Ahhhh, but today, all I can say is there is some hope and this is gonna be good! Stay tuned.

(One feature I really like on my point and shoot camera is that I can zoom, edit, and save right on the camera. This is not possible with the SLR camera. Too bad. It is a nice feature. But I guess I am about to get really picky about my photos. The next purchase looks like some editing software.)

Mommy and me day

I love this blog. It gives me the opportunity to share Grace with all of you who are out there reading it, but, more importantly (not that I don't love you guys) it reminds me every time I post what a gift Grace really is. She is such a pleasure to be around and I am grateful for every minute we have together. Like today...we had a "mommy and me" morning - just the two of us hanging out together. I won't bother telling you where we went. I am pretty sure that will be obvious from the first couple of photos.

Once you look past the cutie in the front, there is a tortoise on the logs in the back.And lions in this photo.

I had planned this zoo visit and toddler class months ago when the zoo first announced their schedule for the spring. At the time I had no idea we would end up there last weekend, too! But it is a nice place and we would not get as close to the animals as we do during these visits. Today the topic was family groups in the animal world and we got to meet Decoy and Donald - who are brothers. Grace knows all about ducks since there are many in our lake. Kyle has been teaching her the word "mallard" but today she just kept saying "duck", "quack-quack" (with this funny shoulder move), and "bye ducks" at the end.She also fell in love with this snow leopard and held it most of the time we were in the classroom. I thought I was going to have to buy one at the gift shop, but, luckily, she got distracted, I put it back, and we managed to escape without purchasing another stuffed animal for the collection!

Grace enjoyed Miss Nancy, the EdZOOcator who does these classes. Miss Nancy even remembered us. I suppose that shouldn't be a surprise. We have been there several times now!One thing about just being on our own, we were able to wander a little in a part of the zoo I had never been to before. They call this area the zoo gardens and they are formal, planned gardens that remind me a little of the castle and manor gardens I have seen in Europe with paved and brick paths, arbors, fountains, and plants specifically chosen to attract certain butterflies and birds.Grace liked the fountains and this curved ramp area where she could run up one side and down the other. I took advantage of the sunshine, surroundings, and a distracted child to try out a newly-discovered feature on my camera - the "kids and pets" setting! These pictures aren't anywhere near as good as what I imagine I can get with a digital SLR camera, but they aren't bad (if I do say so myself!)We brought lunch home and played outside for a little while before nap time. It is funny how a dandelion, a stick, a chewed-up dog ball, or a tree can be enough to entertain a 2-year old. I just love watching her!My heart skipped a beat when she decided to climb on the rocks, but I really try not to force my own fears on Grace. I'm trying not to mess her up. The daughter of a friend at work is graduating this weekend, first in her high school class. She is going to college in the fall on a full scholarship and he was ready to celebrate at a party tomorrow - not the graduation as much as the fact that he didn't mess up!

Sweet feet

These are the cutest toes I have ever seen.

Poor baby

My poor baby is suffering from her 3rd day of diarrhea. She doesn't want to eat much, but luckily she has been drinking Pedialyte (which we are calling "juice" today). You know she is sick when she sits around like this for more than a few minutes, says "yes" when I ask her if she wants medicine (just baby Tylenol), and goes right to sleep for a nap.

More zoo fun

Grace was so different at the zoo yesterday than she was last year at this time. The cool, sunny day and new friends certainly added to her excitement and active nature. The new stroller allowed Grace to get in and out whenever she wanted (we chose not to strap her in) so she had a lot of freedom to jump out when she saw something she liked.
It all started with the penguins,went on to the lemurs (who were leaping around as they were being fed by a zookeeper),and continued with the goats in the "farm" area.I think all the girls liked this part a lot because the sheep and goats were looking for food by sticking their noses between the slats of the fences. They were right at toddler height so the girls all got a little shock each time a wet nose poked through! There were certainly a lot of giggles!
Here is another example of why I need a new camera...this photo (taken by Aimee) was inside a log playhouse. The lighting was bad and my pictures weren't even usable. The difference is amazing even compared to the one above that was outside in the sunshine.I didn't even save my version of this shot (below) and Aimee's is wonderful. (Okay, I know the camera is only part of it...a bigger part is the photographer. But, I want to learn how to make my photos this good.)