1. Have a day of fun. One last hoorah is a great way to end the summer and bring in the school year. Have the kids write down 3 things they want to do. Pick at least one thing from each and HAVE FUN. Take a day off work if you can! (And take lots of... Read More →

In June, I sent out a Facebook ‘Bat Call’ for Pokemon cards. A few weeks ago, we got this package in the mail. Ryan… 1) was thrilled to get a box in the mail 2) couldn’t believe it was for him 3) has no idea how to open a taped box 4) was amazed at... Read More →

Mother’s Day is here, and it’s my eleventh Mother’s Day as a mom. My world shifted so significantly in becoming a mom that I almost can’t remember who I was before. I had goals, but they were selfish goals. I had a really organized house, but I never had a home like I do now. I didn’t have... Read More →

We used to go a few times a year, when Isabel was too little to even KNOW we were going anywhere at all. We got our last season pass when Ryan was about 3 years old, and Isabel was 6. Neither of them remembered anything about Magic Kingdom. How was it easier to go when... Read More →

It was my birthday weekend, and I’d spent most of it working on a design project. I wanted to go to the beach. I needed to. Something in me just HAD to feel the sand and the breeze and the waves. So at around 2 p.m. on Sunday afternoon, we drove the hour it takes... Read More →

A few years ago, I was introduced to LaVerne at a Craft & Hobby Association convention. We were kindred spirits and became fast friends. And she kinda changed my life. We were going to Best Buy to get me a new flash, so I could take pictures of the product samples and she told me,... Read More →

… it wasn’t popular. And that was in the 1930s.       Then I went, got married, and changed my name from Marilou Allan to Marilou Jaen – and doomed myself for life. It’s pronounced Mary Lou Jah-en, if you were wondering. That’s ‘Jah’ as in Jamaica. En as in End this post already. (Alright. I... Read More →

December is in full swing. Loads of homework makes staying festive hard work, but I’m trying to keep in the spirit. To help, each day, the elf comes and leaves a holiday activity for the kids to do in our advent calendar. Usually while they are taking a bath. The kids alternate days on the... Read More →

1. Take ‘Golden Hour’ Portraits The hour before the sun goes down is called the ‘Golden Hour’ for its soft, golden light. Take advantage of the outer light of the sun and the inner light inside your excited kids. Shoot them ‘in character.’ Ask them about how excited they are to go trick or treating.... Read More →

We have been to Michael’s twice in the last 4 days (birthday presents), and will go again tonight or tomorrow for a science project. (Bad planning.) Seeing the pumpkin display, observant Isabel asked me, “What is in the orange paint that’s so special?” We HAD to Instagram that, of course. So we took a few... Read More →

Ryan is my candid subject. He doesn’t notice the camera. He doesn’t pose. I get my most natural shots when shooting him. Well, I used to. Seriously? That is NOT how you were raised. It took a “That’s okay. I’ll go take pictures of Isabel,” to get him to ignore me. Okay, not TOTALLY ignore... Read More →

By now, you’ve probably seen the #hashtag video with Jimmy Fallon and Justin Timberlake. I’ve included it below for the 10 of you who haven’t yet. I debated showing the video to my kids and decided it was fine. The only bad word/part is bleeped. Isabel would probably figure it out. Ryan probably wouldn’t. My... Read More →