Saturday, May 11, 2013
What I've Learned About Family Photos
What I've Learned About Family Photos
By Derek James, WCCB News Rising Anchor
When you become a parent you also immediately become the family photographer. Thanks to digital cameras it's possible to take great pictures of your little one as he or she grows up in front of your eyes. It isn't as simple as dropping several hundred dollars on a digital SLR. Owning a great camera doesn't make you a great photographer and using Instagram and Flickr doesn't make you an artist. Just this week I was reminded of how difficult it is for us to get a simple family picture taken. Here are the truths of do-it-yourself family photography.
Few Pics of All of Us – Since My wife and I are the ones taking the pictures there are very few photos of both of us with our two boys. We have 7,159 photos in our iPhoto library. Less than 100 of those feature all four of us together and less than 10 have all of us looking at the camera at the same time. We attempt a picture of all four of us at least twice a year. Once on Christmas morning in our pajamas and when our huge Azalea bush blooms in the spring (see above). I'm a fan of candid photos but a few posed photos are nice to have. Get a friend or relative to be your designated picture taker.
You Need A Game Plan – Now that you have someone to take a picture of your clan, make sure everyone is prepared. You have about a 4-minute window before your chances of getting a good group photo are gone when young kids are involved. Pose the kids too early, fail to scope out the background beforehand or take too long getting in position and you're out of luck. We've realized that hot, cold, tired, hungry or thirsty kids don't do well with picture taking. Make sure the family member or friend taking your picture knows how to shoot without putting his or her finger over the lense, can see through the viewfinder and understands how the auto focus works. Your designated picture taker should be invested and preferably sober. That's nearly impossible during the holidays.
Friday, May 10, 2013
How Healthy Is Your Child's Room?
How Healthy Is Your Child's Room?
By Barbara Green, CharlotteParent.com blogger and owner of Sensibly Chic Designs
Children spend a lot of time in their bedroom. Did you know that studies show some health problems such as allergies and autism can be attributed to dangerous compounds that are found in some home products? If you want to optimize your child's bedroom for health, keep these things in mind:
- Use No- or Low-VOC paint. VOC's (volatile organic compounds) are gases emitted from paint that cause respiratory distress and some believe contribute to the meteoric rise in autism.
- Remove wall to wall carpeting and replace with hardwood floors. These will be much easier to keep clean and help improve air quality.
- Choose natural latex pillows and mattresses. They are allergy proof and don't emit toxic gases. Synthetic foam or polyester pillows and mattresses are made with over 71 chemicals that are toxic to humans and can cause headaches, nausea, eye and throat irritation.
- Select organic cotton, hemp, or bamboo sheets and comforters. Gallons of water and pesticides will be saved and a healthier product will be next to your child's skin.
- Purchase sustainable, real-wood furniture finished with Green Guard instead of particle board or composites that are pumped with harmful chemicals.
See more at the blog At Home With Kids
Fit Family Challenge
Fit Family Challenge that's taking place through June 10. Giving away great prizes including a grand prize to Universal Orlando Resort.
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Evolution of a Mom
OPI: StatesvilleMommies
Yes, parenthood changes everything.
But parenthood also changes with each baby.
Here are some of the ways having a second and third child differs from having your first:
Your Clothes
1st baby: You begin wearing maternity clothes as soon as your OB/GYN confirms your pregnancy.
2nd baby: You wear your regular clothes for as long as possible.
3rd baby: Your maternity clothes are your regular clothes.
2nd baby: You wear your regular clothes for as long as possible.
3rd baby: Your maternity clothes are your regular clothes.
The Baby's Name
1st baby: You pore over baby-name books and practice pronouncing and writing combinations of all your favorites.
2nd baby: Someone has to name their kid after your great-aunt Mavis, right? It might as well be you.
3rd baby: You open a name book, close your eyes, and see where your finger falls. Bimaldo? Perfect!
2nd baby: Someone has to name their kid after your great-aunt Mavis, right? It might as well be you.
3rd baby: You open a name book, close your eyes, and see where your finger falls. Bimaldo? Perfect!
Preparing for the Birth
1st baby: You practice your breathing religiously.
2nd baby: You don't bother practicing because you remember that last time, breathing didn't do a thing.
3rd baby: You ask for an epidural in your 8th month.
2nd baby: You don't bother practicing because you remember that last time, breathing didn't do a thing.
3rd baby: You ask for an epidural in your 8th month.
The Layette
2nd baby: You check to make sure that the clothes are clean and discard only the ones with the darkest stains.
3rd baby: Boys can wear pink, can't they?
Worries
1st baby: At the first sign of distress--a whimper, a frown--you pick up the baby.
2nd baby: You pick the baby up when her wails threaten to wake your firstborn.
3rd baby: You teach your 3-year-old how to rewind the mechanical swing.
2nd baby: You pick the baby up when her wails threaten to wake your firstborn.
3rd baby: You teach your 3-year-old how to rewind the mechanical swing.
Activities
1st baby: You take your infant to Baby Gymnastics, Baby Swing, and Baby Story Hour.
2nd baby: You take your infant to Baby Gymnastics.
3rd baby: You take your infant to the supermarket and the dry cleaner.
2nd baby: You take your infant to Baby Gymnastics.
3rd baby: You take your infant to the supermarket and the dry cleaner.
Going Out
1st baby: The first time you leave your baby with a sitter, you call home 5 times.
2nd baby: Just before you walk out the door, you remember to leave a number where you can be reached.
3rd baby: You leave instructions for the sitter to call only if she sees blood.
2nd baby: Just before you walk out the door, you remember to leave a number where you can be reached.
3rd baby: You leave instructions for the sitter to call only if she sees blood.
At Home
1st baby: You spend a good bit of every day just gazing at the baby.
2nd baby: You spend a bit of every day watching to be sure your older child isn't squeezing, poking, or hitting the baby.
3rd baby: You spend a little bit of every day hiding from the children.
2nd baby: You spend a bit of every day watching to be sure your older child isn't squeezing, poking, or hitting the baby.
3rd baby: You spend a little bit of every day hiding from the children.
Friday, April 26, 2013
Jumpstart your Summer with Girl Scouts!
Jumpstart your Summer
with Girl Scouts!
Rising K-1st Grade Girls
Take the Girl Scout Journey!
Girl Scouts can earn badges, serve their community, discover,
connect and take action in the world around them! Girls scouts is a volunteer
led organization. We need parents like YOU leading the effort. Don't miss your
chance to see how you can make a difference. Kick off your daughter’s Girl
Scout experience in the relaxing summer and not have to worry about it this
fall. To help new leaders, curriculum and supplies will be provided for the
summer.
$45 (includes Girl Scout registration through fall 2014,
Journey book, 1st set of badges, and all activity supplies for the 6
week summer program)
Each new troop will also receive one Daisy Girl’s Guide to
Girl Scouting to continue the journey.
Dates & Locations
Tuesday May 7th, 2013 at 6:30PM
Girls Scouts, Hornets’ Nest Council Service Center
7707 Idlewild Road
Charlotte, NC 28212
Holy Covenant United Church of Christ
3501 West W.T. Harris Boulevard
Charlotte, NC 28269
St. Mark’s Episcopal Church
8600 Mt. Holly-Huntersville Road
Huntersville, NC 28078
Monday May 13th, 2013
New Covenant ARP Church
2541 Elkwood Circle
Charlotte, NC 28205
Good Shepherd Church
13110 Moss Road
Charlotte, NC 28273
7707 Idlewild Road
Charlotte, NC 28212
Holy Covenant United Church of Christ
3501 West W.T. Harris Boulevard
Charlotte, NC 28269
St. Mark’s Episcopal Church
8600 Mt. Holly-Huntersville Road
Huntersville, NC 28078
Monday May 13th, 2013
New Covenant ARP Church
2541 Elkwood Circle
Charlotte, NC 28205
Good Shepherd Church
13110 Moss Road
Charlotte, NC 28273
Friendship Missionary Baptist Church
3400 Beatties Ford Road
Charlotte, NC 28216
3400 Beatties Ford Road
Charlotte, NC 28216
Thursday May 23rd,
2013
Girl Scouts, Hornets’ Nest Council Service Center
7007 Idlewild Road
Charlotte, NC 28212
7007 Idlewild Road
Charlotte, NC 28212
South Mecklenburg Presbyterian Church
8601 Bryant Farms Road
Charlotte, NC 28227
8601 Bryant Farms Road
Charlotte, NC 28227
Sharon Methodist Church
4411 Sharon Road
Charlotte, NC 28211
4411 Sharon Road
Charlotte, NC 28211
Contact, 704.731.6500 / hngirlscouts.org
Monday, April 22, 2013
jumblzar
Are you a mom who likes to buy and sell your used kids gear or who enjoys the consignment sales? Check out our new partner, jumblzar -- an invitation-only buy/sell platform for moms. Only available for moms in established "Mommy Communities" like ours, you interact with other moms, just like you, ensuring a much safer experience!
Lucky moms in your area get to be the first to try out this great new service in the limited testing run! So if you are a current member, check out the posts in the Mommy Forum or B/S/T/F to learn more and sign up for this limited time pre-launch!
Not a member of one of our communities? ANY mom is welcome to join us and membership is ALWAYS FREE! Visit us at www.themommiesnetwork.org to join these or any of our other 75 local chapters! No chapter in your area? No problem! Our National Chapter is available for moms across the country!
Join us and thanks to jumblzar for including us in this exciting, exclusive event!
Lucky moms in your area get to be the first to try out this great new service in the limited testing run! So if you are a current member, check out the posts in the Mommy Forum or B/S/T/F to learn more and sign up for this limited time pre-launch!
Not a member of one of our communities? ANY mom is welcome to join us and membership is ALWAYS FREE! Visit us at www.themommiesnetwork.org to join these or any of our other 75 local chapters! No chapter in your area? No problem! Our National Chapter is available for moms across the country!
Join us and thanks to jumblzar for including us in this exciting, exclusive event!
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