363/365 Dad's little helper

Jodie likes to help us when we're painting. And we like to let her help. I always remember wanting to help my Dad with decorating when I was around Jodie's age, and he never let me. So we let Jodie help, on a bit that doesn't matter or can be easily rescued :0)

359/365 Rip, rend, tear... !

Another tradition in my family: on Christmas morning, open presents first - before anything else, before breakfast, still in PJs, that's a rule!!! (I remember so many years when I was little of waiting and being so unhappy about it!) Oliver was thrilled to get his top two hopefuls, a phone and a particular PS2 game. Result! His phone has a camera function (I use the term 'camera' loosely here!) and once he found that, he immediately shot his game! LOL! Jodie got a pony game which she has played on the laptop, Playmobil (pony/unicorn!),

lots of arts and crafts things, and they both got lots of books. We had a very relaxed Christmas Day, we all got something we really wanted.

347/365 Two out of three

Seeing as Oliver the reluctant won't sit for a photo, it was just Jodie and her Dad this afternoon, not smartened up but looking good nonetheless, before I packed away the kit after a busy week's shooting. I've had a fab time with it, Jodie has thoroughly enjoyed playing to the camera, and I've captured some great images for some good friends - thanks all for helping with the fun! And thanks too to PM for kindly lending me his kit! Now, how long will it take to save up for some lights of my own...?

"Dear Father Christmas, Haven't written for a long time, but..."

345/365 Mother love

There is nothing more precious in this world than a baby, and no love as strong as the love felt by a mother for her child. I was honoured to be able to shoot S & baby L today, such an emotional time, as we have both lost precious babies, and we'll never forget them. (See 96/365)

342/365 Jodie

Although Oliver was not keen to be photographed, Jodie was! Outfit changes, gel colour changes, hair tied back, hair loose... What can I say? The camera loves her!!

326/365 Wheeeee!

Wheeeee! Jodie spent some time getting dizzy today in one of our new office chairs. We picked up 2 large desks and 2 comfy red swivel chairs from Finlay today for our new study/office. The builders have gone, there are just a few little bits to finish (vertical rad to install, a wiring issue on the new boiler controller, the skip hasn't yet been taken away...) and the kitchen fitter starts tomorrow, 8am sharp. We've been decorating, even Jodie helped with a small roller! Clever girl!

316/365 Me & my shadow

Jodie does star jumps in the new extension making shadows on the wall from the floodlight left here by the builders.

276/365 Jodie

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Jodie didn't want me to photograph her face, just body parts, she said, thrusting her elbow at me! Luckily, I was focusing on her eyes! ;0)

239/365 Flatten it some more

Jodie got out the Play-Doh this afternoon. Haven't played with that for ages.

238/365 Marble run

We built a marble run this afternoon. Some of the marbles escaped, When you send them all down together it makes the whole tower wobble. I had the camera on a tripod ready and said "1-2-3-go!" for Jodie to release the marbles. This made her giggle!

235/365 Unic-orn-ament

We went to Paint-A-Pot today in Markeaton Park. Jodie chose this rather lovely unicorn ornament and concentrated very hard while painting it. I chose a very small unicornament so mine was done quite quickly, leaving me free to take pics of course. They'll be fired and glazed and ready to pick up on Wednesday. After all that hard work, Jodie said she needed an ice cream.

225/365 A good day's work

Today was my second day working with Rob Bird at Playtastic. I asked Mark to bring Jodie along for a play and for a quick photocall! (She was smilier in some of the others, but this was a nice one with her Dad!) Rob, & Nadine (of Lots for Tots) will be judging competition entries for the Tot of the Year Competition next week, I don't envy them that task!

216/365 Wishful Thinking

Jodie added 'pony' and 'horse' to the shopping list today. I use a spreadsheet for my list (I know, I know!), it prompts me so its more reliable than me just trying to remember. Jodie helped fill it out by putting a tick next to things we needed and adding in a few things that are not already on the list. We don't need a pony or a horse, really we don't! Wishful thinking!

193/365 Look at those eyes...

Couldn't you just dive in to those beautiful eyes? While I have the pop-up backdrop out of its bag Jodie wanted to have some pictures taken in front of it. I have a big piece of red satin draped over it whichi I had been meaning to try out anyway. Not to mention a new lens that came a few days ago - and heck, I don't need asking twice!?

191/365 Jodie

Jodie likes to play at the kitchen sink sometimes. Yesterday she washed a load of ponies, or rather a herd of ponies, toy ones of course, kept her happy for ages. Today she's helping me by doing some 'cleaning' in the kitchen. She's so busy! (Trying out a new lens here... )

190/365 Welcome Little One

I was thrilled to be able to meet baby Olivia this morning. Olivia is one week old today and mother and baby are doing just fine. Many thanks to H & G for welcoming me into their home to share their little ray of sunshine. Wow...

179/365 Proud Dad

I had the chance to photograph a beautiful littly lady this morning with her Mum, Dad and 2 big brothers. She's about 10 days old and such a beauty. Here she is with proud Dad. Many thanks to J & J for letting me spend time with them this morning, I can't wait to get the pictures to you in a few days.

174/365 Hello deer

Jodie re-aquainted herself with a deer this afternoon. After school we went to see Pollyanna Pickering's summer exhibition at her home near Matlock. Last year Jodie made friends with this little deer statue in Pollyanna's garden (see below) and enjoyed saying hello again today! Click here to see PP's site - awesome paintings - and currently displayed top right on her home page is my favourite that I saw today, "Monsoon", of a tiger in the rain.

154/365 1st Sports Day

Today was Jodie's first Sports Day at school. Teams of children rotate around the field doing all kinds of different activities, jumping, throwing, running, various types of mini obstacle courses, and the top three teams in each year group get medals, with everyone getting a special "I'm a good sport" ribbon. Jodie was in the Swan team and had a good time taking part.

150/365 Ponyville dans la salle de bain

Isn't it always the way when you set up something (quick and easy in this case) for the daily blog shot, then you turn around and find your offspring doing something, you shoot and that's it, The Blog Shot?! I spent most of today getting stuff listed on ebay as it was too hot to be in the garden, but I wasn't going to use a 'product shot' for my blog. And late this afternoon when it was cooler we popped to Toys R Us (which I dislike intensely, but needs must) to choose a gift for a birthday party coming up and I took a handful of 'pink aisle' shots while we were there, but none of them shouted 'pick me! pick me!' So, while Jodie was in the bath I set up a cosmetics shot on the opposite windowsill in the bathroom, but Jodie's Ponyville car/ice cream van or whatever it is wins today's shot.