King Arthur Returns

I have photographed this little guy a couple of times now...these were from his newborn session. You can see how much he has changed! Still cute as a button and a huge love bug. He kept hugging his mama at her recent maternity session.

I can't wait to see him as a big brother!!! That is coming up soon, too ;) Love watching my families grow!

~ Dana Pugh

Friday Favourites - Monkey Mountain

We are a family that loves board games. Bob has no problem letting the kids win(just saying), but I am not one of those parents who let their kids beat them. Over the years, we have grown quite a collection of games. Some of them take a very long time to play and when the kids ask, we GROAN knowing that the game will take hours. But, when they want to play a quick game or two of something cool, our most recent choice has been Suspend by Melissa and Doug. Our kids alway compare it to an artist we saw in a Cirque show once. It is a quick, fun game to play when you don't have time for Monopoly or Risk ;)

Our favourite store to shop for games is by far the toy store in Okotoks called Monkey Mountain. They have an incredible selection of board games, not to mention an incredible selection of just about anything cool and unique. They are also super helpful and will bring in a toy if you can't find it. And, super fast shipping should you want to order from their website. Which if you do before May 1, 2014, you can use the code SHORTSWEET14 to get $10 off a minimum $50 order. There is a limit of 1 coupon code per customer.

And, if you are one of those sneaky Calgary people who come out to Okotoks to shop at our Costco(don't think we don't notice), you should definitely head downtown and check out their store. If you are looking for some Easter treats, they have these super cool Playmobil Easter eggs. A great alternative to chocolate(or addition). Make sure to check out their Facebook page for cool contests and promotions.  And, while you are there, if you are lucky, you might get a discount card for your next session with me in your shopping bag ;) Just saying...

Happy Friday!

~Dana :)

Dragonsssss

'Do you wanna play 'dragons' mom?' she asked. 'How does one play 'dragon'? I responded.

'Sssssssssss' she said.

'Pardon me?' I asked.

'Dragonsssssss' she explained.

'Okay, how does one play dragonsssssss?' I clarified.

'Like this' she said and she just started running up and down the hall with her stuffies mumbling important things I'm sure as she ran and jumped and threw things.

This is a common way for her to play. She is very imaginative and often in her own world. We encourage it. Soon enough, it will be gone. She is, after all, already 9 years old. She is not our first so we know that this kind of play will soon be gone from our lives. It makes me happy and sad all at once. As I sit her typing this, she sits just a few feet away in an imaginary world filled with stuffies who need the word 'sibling' defined apparently(that is what she is doing--defining the word sibling). I always smile while I listen to her disappear into one of her worlds...but, I am beginning to see the end of it. I don't often join in this crazy play, but I do often observe it through my camera.

Bob, on the other hand, walked in the door from work and asked 'what are we playing?'.

'Dragons' she explains. At this, knowing all too well how the game looks, he joins in the fun running and jumping down the hallway. The best dad ever.

I shared some of these over on the 5 Minute Project today as well. If you haven't checked out that site, you should. I am surrounded by awesomeness over there.

~ Dana Pugh

Telus Spark

As a particularly science minded family, one of our favourite places to spend a bad weather day is the Telus Spark Science centre here in Calgary. I don't often bring my camera(even though one of my favourite past images of Jack was shot there), but I did this weekend. Thought I'd share what I am calling 'an exploration of light at the Telus Spark centre' :)

~ Dana