DON'T Read This TRIP REPORT If You're a Princess Hater!

[mom2rtk]

Replies in red!

It's hard, especially with boys! They just don't want to do anything that they think looks silly! I'll face that in the near future with my student.

Yep. That.

Don't be afraid to have him turn the other direction, sit, stand, put a foot up... if they won't give you variety, direct them to do so!

For the National Merit Scholars photos I did (there were 2 kids), I shot 4 different poses in 15 minutes, just to cover my bases.

So what 4 types of poses did you use?

I do think I'll still spend a little at the local studio that does most of the senior pics here. I think if they ask him to pose a certain way, he will. If I ask, he'll argue with me about it. Simple as that.

I know. It was great little corner to tuck something in and still manage to maximize traffic flow!

I just hope that whatever they do, it will retain the quaint feel of the area, even if it is just a bathroom.......


It’s not the greatest per se, but I was darn proud of catching him decently for a first timer. I saw other pictures of him from that night and no one on that side caught the front of the horseman’s pumpkin.

P.S. - I only used my on-camera flash for this. I most likely shot this at 1/60. I didn't open up too much and I should have. But at least I got separation in my blacks.



You did great! It really is a tough catch. And boy he did turn to the other side for you! I knew the moment I took my first shot that I'd be doing the parade again just to give it another try.


But the Snow Queen is supposed to look grumpy!

Well, nice to know I was in character!

I’d take it back and do it again in a heartbeat!


We had several issues with PP last trip. Several of the shots with the major landmarks – well, let’s just say WE were out of focus… but the Castle, SE, Hat, and Tree of Life looked AMAZING!!!

We didn’t know the image was lost until after we got home. Each time E called, they said it was common for the magic photos to take longer. We only had 2 days left on our trip after MNSSHP, so there was no chance of a redo.






Well, that would be disappointing!

I was really disappointed with the pictures we took in the rose garden. Every single one, over a period of days.......... was out of focus. Seriously? That's the best they can do? And not even just ONE time period........ but different days. I just couldn't understand that.

DH REALLY wants to do it again, but sans kids. Well, he just wants a trip with him and me anyway. But it’ll never happen. He’s too much of a sucker to leave the kids behind.




I know. I'd love to do an adults only trip. But then I'd probably spend the whole time sad the kids weren't along!

From what I hear, DLR doesn’t really have a viable DP anyway… something about credits/vouchers/coupons… DH wants to go to DLR after Carsland opens, but for what it would cost us to get to Anaheim and stay for a decent trip, we could spend nearly 2 weeks at WDW. He’d rather spend the money in Florida – less time on a plane.

That's exactly my problem with the DLR option. For the same money, I could have something like a 4 day trip there or a 9 or 10 day trip to WDW.

And I love that we can stay at a value resort at WDW and still feel totally immersed in Disney. For the value alternative at DLR, you have to stay offsite. It's just not the same. That said.......... I do love DLR and will find a way to get back.......

 

[jenseib]

I love that shot too. Thats a great one. He looks too young to be a Senior though. He must be a late bloomer. There were a lot like that in Paiges class too.

 

[mom2rtk]

I love that shot too. Thats a great one. He looks too young to be a Senior though. He must be a late bloomer. There were a lot like that in Paiges class too.

Thanks Jen. And yes, definitely a late bloomer. He just turned 18 last month. And the year he started kindergarten, I didn't get the memo that said everyone with a spring birthday was being held back. Because we found out later that was mostly true!

 

[jenseib]

I held Michael back and he did an extra year of preschool and still he was behind a lot. But that was just him. He has a Jan b-day. He still acts like a 2 year old a lot!

 

[mom2rtk]

I held Michael back and he did an extra year of preschool and still he was behind a lot. But that was just him. He has a Jan b-day. He still acts like a 2 year old a lot!

LOL! So you're saying age is just a number, right?

Robbie could have read Newsweek magazine to you when he entered kindergarten (for real). He probably couldn't have explained what her read, but he could have done it. So we didn't hold him back. Years later he says he wishes we had. How's that for perspective? It's tough being one of the youngest. At least he gained some height in high school. It was really hard through middle school when he was also one of the smallest.

 

[Caretames1]

I like your sons picture, and I agree with Jen. He looks so young. Maybe because I'm a getting older

 

[jenseib]

I like your sons picture, and I agree with Jen. He looks so young. Maybe because I'm a getting older

Ain't the truth!

 

[Caretames1]

Ain't the truth!

I don't know if it's just me, but a lot of Sam's classmates look way too young to be seniors.

 

[mom2rtk]

I like your sons picture, and I agree with Jen. He looks so young. Maybe because I'm a getting older

Ain't the truth!

I don't know if it's just me, but a lot of Sam's classmates look way too young to be seniors.

Whew! I feel better.

I thought it was just me!

 

[MyPeanut&Bug]

That is an AWESOME shot of your son!! And yes, he does look young - though I'm sure he hates hearing that.

That kind. decision is never easy - our son started and turned 6 two weeks later because he just wasn't socially ready to start at 4. My daughter will turn 5 in June and start in August and I worry about her seeming so young. Just once I'd like to make a decision and feel 100% confident in it!!

 

[jenseib]

Do you see the pictures in my signature? All of a sudden they disappeared for me. Just the Tims peeps thing in there? Weird?

 

[MyPeanut&Bug]

Forgot to add that man... your pics are making me want to do at Christmas big time!! I doubt I could ever get my husband there with the crowds and temps though...

Awesome fireworks shots as usual - they all just make me think they could be in a Disney brochure or something!

 

[MyPeanut&Bug]

Do you see the pictures in my signature? All of a sudden they disappeared for me. Just the Tims peeps thing in there? Weird?

Jen, I see both pics.

 

[jenseib]

Jen, I see both pics.

They are now back for me too. Weird.

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

You aren't helping my case of when to start...

We intended to hold DS back by doing 1/2 day and then full day kindy.

Well, he got called to test for the high abilities class. So we're off to the races. If he stays on track (and we don't hold him back) he will be 17 when he graduates...

 

[mom2rtk]

That is an AWESOME shot of your son!! And yes, he does look young - though I'm sure he hates hearing that.

That kind. decision is never easy - our son started and turned 6 two weeks later because he just wasn't socially ready to start at 4. My daughter will turn 5 in June and start in August and I worry about her seeming so young. Just once I'd like to make a decision and feel 100% confident in it!!

You aren't helping my case of when to start...

We intended to hold DS back by doing 1/2 day and then full day kindy.

Well, he got called to test for the high abilities class. So we're off to the races. If he stays on track (and we don't hold him back) he will be 17 when he graduates...

So I've already said my oldest (birthday in April) says he wishes we had held him back.

So we asked the 16 year old, (birthday is in March, so also young in his class) if he wishes we had held him back. He the "go with the flow" type, so I expected him to say he was fine with where he's at. Nope. He says he wishes we held him back too. But for different reasons. You know he's a runner. Well, turns out he's competing against a bunch of other kids who were held back. Go figure.

These are all things that you can't anticipate when they are 4 or 5. You don't know if they'll be small or large for their age. You don't know if they are socially easy-going. You don't know if they will be athletic. And mostly you won't know what the OTHER parents are doing.

Jen (kwitcherkicken99)..... YEAH for your son testing so well! All I can do is offer my perspective from the other end of things. Obviously I don't know your son or how he adapts socially. But I felt very strongly about starting Robbie because of his high abilities. I can honestly say that if I had it to do over, I'd hold him back. So while I can't tell you to do it, I CAN tell you not to immediately rule it out.

Forgot to add that man... your pics are making me want to do at Christmas big time!! I doubt I could ever get my husband there with the crowds and temps though...

Awesome fireworks shots as usual - they all just make me think they could be in a Disney brochure or something!

Thanks! If you haven't been during the holidays, then you are in for a real treat. And you don't have to go during the high crowds. Early November has much of the holiday spirit going. The week before Thanksgiving is one of the slowest weeks of the year. Even early December is manageable. Not "slow" any more, but manageable.




OK all....... I'm off to go pick up my indulgence for the week. I decided to have a little fun. I'm renting the Canon 70-200 f/2.8 IS lens for graduation. There's a rental place in town, so I reserved it last night and am picking it up this morning! Can't wait to give it at try!

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

Jen (kwitcherkicken99)..... YEAH for your son testing so well! All I can do is offer my perspective from the other end of things. Obviously I don't know your son or how he adapts socially. But I felt very strongly about starting Robbie because of his high abilities. I can honestly say that if I had it to do over, I'd hold him back. So while I can't tell you to do it, I CAN tell you not to immediately rule it out.

That's my biggest worry!

He's is such a caring, compassionate kid. Yesterday when we were waiting for his friend to get there, a little girl was looking for something to play with. When she got over to DS, he said, "Hi, I'm T. Would you like to play?" And they sat together and worked a puzzle.

BUT, he's also the kid who does his work accurately, but quickly, so he can go play.

We'll make our next move after we get his results in the next week or so. Oy! Such decisions to make!!!

OK all....... I'm off to go pick up my indulgence for the week. I decided to have a little fun. I'm renting the Canon 70-200 f/2.8 IS lens for graduation. There's a rental place in town, so I reserved it last night and am picking it up this morning! Can't wait to give it at try!

That's great Janet!

You may want to consider using a mono- or tripod too. Who knows where you'll be sitting and what type of situation you'll be dealing with once you get there.

Good luck!

 

[Caretames1]

Have fun with the "new lens"

I'll share my kid starting school story; Sam's b-day is July 22nd. She will be 18 this year. Our school says a child must be 5 by Sept 1st to start kindergarten. Sam was a bit shy at that time (just turned 5), and we lived out in country at the time, so I thought it might be good to start her so she gets more social.

It turned out that it was a good thing for her, she blossomed into a chatterbox and did well.

Kadence's b-day is Nov 14th. She started at 5, but turned 6 soon into the year. I'm glad she is a bit "older" for where she is in school (1st grade now) looking back now, I don' think she would have been as ready if she would have been a younger 5.


I do think pre-school is a good determining factor on readiness. So if that option is available to you I'd go for it.

 

[jenseib]

Have fun with the "new lens"

I'll share my kid starting school story; Sam's b-day is July 22nd. She will be 18 this year. Our school says a child must be 5 by Sept 1st to start kindergarten. Sam was a bit shy at that time (just turned 5), and we lived out in country at the time, so I thought it might be good to start her so she gets more social.

It turned out that it was a good thing for her, she blossomed into a chatterbox and did well.

Kadence's b-day is Nov 14th. She started at 5, but turned 6 soon into the year. I'm glad she is a bit "older" for where she is in school (1st grade now) looking back now, I don' think she would have been as ready if she would have been a younger 5.


I do think pre-school is a good determining factor on readiness. So if that option is available to you I'd go for it.

Paige's b-day is in June and she was a younger one too, but she did fine. She had one good friend that was 11 months older than her, but in the same class.

 

[basketkat]

Have fun with the Canon!!! I hope you will share some pictures with us!