* All content including photographs are property of Tracey Washington and copyright Inspire Me Photography by Tracey Washington

Friday, August 26, 2011

Sea World

We have season passes to Sea World and Ella and I enjoy going during the week.  This year, she's been able to ride all the rides in the kids area herself and even wanted to try the bog water shoot ride, Journey to Atlantis...
Here she is waiting in line for the 'big' ride...
Going up for the first time.....
And after... she had so much fun we did it 3 times in a row (she was soooo proud!)  and then she watched mesmerized at the towering fall while enjoying the splash...
Playing at the new Sesame Street Bay of Play

The Pool

We caved in April and bought a pool.  It was great for almost three months and then the inflatable ring that holds all 3700 gallons of water in began to deflate.  Slowly some water gushed out, but we were unable to keep it inflated enough to keep the pool up for more than half a day.  So, reluctantly and sadly, we drained it over 2 days.  Ella wasn't too upset because she determined that meant we could now go to Sea World more.

Ever wonder if your kids are smarter than you? :)
 And speaking of Sea World....

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Spring... In a Nutshell

I've been busy with photography so here's a recap of our Spring in photos...

We went to the Helotes Cornyval for the local rodeo.  She sure makes a cute cowgirl!
Learning to snap...
 Playing soccer with Daddy...
Ella helps me scout locations for photo sessions and acts as my model while I test light and poses.  This is behind the San Antonio Museum of Art, a public park along the river walk.  We have come here often to take pictures because it's so pretty with all the brick.  I was testing light and finding out if it was going to work for our ballet portraits.  It was perfect!  Of course, when we returned the following Saturday with the ballerinas, we were asked to leave as we weren't allowed to take photos.  I got into an argument with the girl but ended up doing the photo sessions on the River walk anyway.  I contacted her boss, who wanted to charge me for photo-taking and when I came back on a Tuesday with one last ballerina, I was escorted off the grounds to the River walk.  Without signage or any website information stating photography was not allowed, I contacted the curator of the museum and received a profuse apology, a free family membership ($75), and the information I requested.  Photos are allowed at anytime on the grounds during public hours... it is OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.  They only charge for commercial/ professional photography that requires a dedicated set up (lighting, assistants, etc.).  Me with a camera does not constitute any violation of a photography policy.   I firmly believe the young girl was trying to exercise some sort of power and was mistaken, but too prideful to apologize.  
 Ella running, dancing and being silly.  I call this her rain dance... 
A couple of photo outtakes from out ballet session on the River walk... where we were banned to after being asked to leave SAMA.  They turned out beautiful anyway! 
Ella and her friends, Bela and Paloma on the River walk ...
Bedtime stories..... 
My little poser on the patio.  We love our flower pots this year... 
Ella's last day of school.  With her teacher, Ms. Donna and her two besties, Alexia and Mia...
Ella had her second loose tooth and it had been loose for weeks and weeks!  Ron finally popped it out with some floss right before we were leaving for her ballet recital (hence the makeup).  Thank goodness!  I was worried she'd end up playing with it the whole time (fingers in her mouth or using her tongue which gave her this silly look) or worse yet, it would pop out mid-performance and she'd freak out on stage looking for it, possible crying that she couldn't find it, or crawling around the stage looking for it.... so I am very thankful Ron took care of it and her ballet performance went off perfectly.   
Waiting for the tooth fairy....

Preschool Field Day

Ella's last big school event was the Spring Field Day... a sports day for the kids.  I volunteered so was able to get some pictures while the kids rotated  through the stations...

Lining up for  a egg race...
With her best friend, Mia
Obstacle course...
Fishin'
Cheering on her classmates...
Duck, Duck, Goose...
Parachute...
Scooter Race...

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Ballet Class

The girls are getting ready for their recital at the end of this month.  Each week they practice their routine and Ella is getting excited that she'll get to be on a 'real' stage soon.... and of course she's over the moon that Grandma will here to watch!