Safari Photos

As you already know, my kids and I have a season pass to Six Flags Great Adventure/Hurricane Harbor/Safari.  It is a good thing, too, because it has been a great disappointment this year as far as being able to ride most of the attractions. I'd be even madder if I had paid good money to go to the park one day and not be able to board any of the rides or have to wait in line for wait times of  45 minutes to 1.5 hours in the middle of summer.  

Six Flags Great Adventure:  The few times that we have gone to the theme park, it has been packed and just a total waste of time as we can't board any of the rides that we want.  The kids don't even want to go there anymore. I am hoping that I can take them when the temperatures are cooler.  We always look forward to Fright Fest.

Hurricane Harbor: With the heatwave we have been having here in New Jersey, I take the kids at least once a week to the water park.  Again, I have been extremely disappointed with the extremely long wait times to board the rides and the lack of equipment.  For example,  the kids love going on the Taak et esy Creek but they end up having to walk 2 or 3 times around the track before they can get a tube that someone will graciously give them.

I've noticed that there aren't enough tubes or floating devices to accommodate the amount of people entering the park.  I suppose that this is where their other lucrative business kicks in: tube rental. Due to the lack of tubes at the stations, one is "forced" to rent a tube to be able to ride the attractions for which we paid the entrance for.

So, what does one do when one lacks a tube? One has to go to the wave pool or walk the creek.

Safari: I like the safari a lot. My only observation is that the elephants need to be in a bigger enclosure. Yes, I know, that the safari only has so much space, but it seems that they always cluster around the umbrella by the small pond.
I often wonder why the bears walk around slowly and seem to lack energy.   I know that is not the most ideal habitat for the animals, but to be honest, this is the only way that most of us will ever get to see them live, at least, this is the only way that my kids and I will ever seem them.

Anyway, enough griping! Here are some of the photos I took while there.

Female Cardinal that visits my backyard.

Female Cardinal preening herself. Must look good for Mr. Cardinal, you know?!

 

 

White Tail Gnu.

White Tail Gnu and baby.

White Tail Gnu: Up Close and Personal

Male Ostrich

Black Bear in Algae pond.

Brown Bear

Sacred Ibis

Crested Crane

  9898

Safari Photos

Creating Scatters Tutorial: The Obsessive Compulsive’s Guide to Random Scatters

The Obsessive Compulsive’s Guide to Random Scatters

Creating Scatters Tutorial: The Obsessive Compulsive’s Guide to Random Scatters

Papa's Visit

I Love Papa.

Papa and I look good together.

There's no one like Papa.

I'd rather kiss Papa than to be kissed by Papa.

Papa's mustache tickles when he kisses me thus the reason I'd much rather kiss HIM.

Group hug.

Papa (Kait's dad) came over for a visit. He brought Kaylie Mom's collection of Tweety birds and movies.  He stayed for dinner and just before he left, I asked him to pose for a couple of picts.  You know, I don't have many pictures of the kids with Papa so I better work on fixing that mistake.
In fact, I vow to appear in more pictures with the kids. I will set aside my reservations and my "fat"complex and just enjoy the moment. :)
Have a great day wherever you are! 9845

Papa's Visit

Out for a Walk

Liam playing with dirt.

Kaylie and Liam in front of the base/root of a fallen tree.

Kay and Liam resting on a bench at the lake.

The kids playing by the edge of the lake.

Blue Heron catching a fish.

2 Turtles.

 

Liam throwing gravel in the water.

We had cooler temperatures again. I was surprised when Liam approached me around noon time asking if we could go for a walk at the lake.  He never wants to go to the lake, but he had an ulterior motive for wanting to go - he wanted to pick berries. We arrived at the park where Liam promptly headed over the to lake's edge to throw pebbles and gravel in the lake.  We walked around the dam, then went over to the pier where I spotted a Blue Heron catching a fish, and saw 2 turtles on a tree stump. The kids sat by the edge of the lake digging gravel, splashing the water around and getting their hands dirty. On our way to the playground we came across a huge fallen tree, which the kids promptly approached and started kicking it. The kids held their hands as they walked across the bridge - they looked so cute. We headed towards the playground where Kaylie went straight to the swings, while Liam and I went to the butterfly garden. The were lots of butterflies fluttering around the flowers, which I was happy to follow around. In all we walked over a mile and enjoyed it. Here' s a few photos of the many I took. Enjoy! 9830

Out for a Walk

School Class Assignment

E=MC2  - Just in time for school @ FunkyPlayground.

I guess you can tell that I am gearing up for the kids to go to school soon.

In fact, I got the kids' classroom assignment notices in the mail yesterday.

And just in time, I am starting to notice so many cute kits to scrap those back to school photos.

Now that Liam is going into the 3rd grade and Kaylie is going into 4th grade, things are starting to change. I think that this will be the last year that I will be able to take photos of the teachers and kids together. ;-) I can't wait to try out some of the ideas for back to school photos by Angie.  9819

School Class Assignment

Freebies, Tutorials, Back-to-School Photography Ideas

First,I want to give a "shout-out" to my friends for their "visits" and encouraging comments.  Getting a comment/message from you every once in a while makes me feel connected and happy. ;)

• Becky
• Robin
• Ann
• Karen
• Lynn

Now on to business...

If you struggle with including journaling in your pages, Elle's Studio is currently conducting a free 3-week journaling class directly from her blog, which will be useful to us all.  Thus far May Flaum and Ali Edwards have shared their thoughts and ideas on the subject.

Freebies:

• Grassy alpha by Sarah.
• Grade School alpha by KristinA 
• Note: You can pick up the Grade School kit for $4.88 only! 
• 
  
• Tiffany Tillman has a free quickapage/template at the Shutterfly blog. 
• Funky 3d Alpha by Sarah.
• Template by SBaird  at Two Little Pixels blog.
• Template @ Weeds and Wildflowers blog.

Photography
Back to School Photo Ideas
Many of us have children starting school in September.  And how appropriate that Angie Arthur from IHEARTFACES share with us her tips and tricks for getting the best photos possible.  The samples are fab and definitely worth a try.

Photography Tip: Manual Mode
For those of us with DSLR cameras that are trying to get off of auto and into manual mode, Persnickety Prints has a easy to read, visually friendly article that will get you started.


Photography Tutorial
How to create a high-key Image in Photoshop
Have you ever wondered how on earth photographers and designers create those high-key photo effects that you usually see in high fashion magazines?
If so, head on over to MCP Actions where Jodi has a tutorial that walks you through the steps.

Tutorial
How to Use Acrylic Elements on Your Layouts
While I was checking out Design House Digital yesterday, I came across this tutorial that gave me a few ideas on using acrylic elements on on a page.  I especially liked the journaling and painting under the acrylic ideas.  Go check it out and tell me which idea you liked best.

Gift Idea for the mamarazzi in your life.
Are you looking for a gift for your favorite photographer or mamarazzi? Maybe a birthday or Christmas gift? If so, I'd like to direct your attention to the Camera Lens Mug.  Doesn't it look like a real lens? You can buy this baby HERE.  9800

Freebies, Tutorials, Back-to-School Photography Ideas