Donuts, Romps in the Rain, and Stomach Viruses

Getting donuts has become almost a weekly treat.



Usually Daniel takes one kid or another as a special thing, but the other day I took all three.



It was really fun.  Oliver had never been before, so he was not happy that he couldn't immediately eat all the yummy things visible through the glass. 


 I don't suppose there's  really a way to adjust the expectations of a 16 month old.  At least he did perk up when we got home.


I've embarked on a photography challenge more ambitious than any other I've attempted. 
 

It involves the submission of 150 images that are graded on a scale from 1-7 in seven different categories.  
 

As part of the preparation process, I've joined a group of other aspiring photographers, and we critique each other's images. 

It's been really fun, but it's caused me to view my photos (and the others' in the group) much more critically. 



And it has certainly expedited the learning of some material I've been meaning to get around to for a while but just haven't had the energy for. 



I'm hoping it doesn't ruin my enjoyment of photography, the way serious critical attention toward your shortcomings sometimes can. 



I don't think it will, though.  I think it will open doors that I didn't know existed before, and I'm hoping that through this process I will grow in good ways.



There are plenty--plenty of photos of my kids and family that are imperfect, and I don't think I will love them any less after I complete this process.



On a totally different note, the kids adore playing in the rain and splashing in the puddles.



We babysat my niece Hazel the other day, and after watching her bigger cousins for a bit, she decided she wanted part of the action.  Since it was nice and warm, I let her crawl out into the rain and feel the drops for a few minutes before we all got dried off and into clean clothes.  It was nice. 


This--as it turned out -- was mere days before every child (including Hazel) pictured above came down with a stomach virus. Yuck.  Those are the ups and downs of caring for children, though.  Donut runs, delightful romps in the rain, and stomach viruses.