For the Grandparents

Just a head's up for the Grandparents who might be thinking about what to get Aidan for Christmas.

He is REALLY into the show Chuggington right now, which is a cute little show about young trains who are "training" to become big trains. It is an import from the UK and they are JUST now getting toys in the US. In fact, as far as I know, they don't even have the US version of the show on DVD yet although I have been able to get a few episodes on iTunes.



So, anyway, we are going to be getting him a couple Chuggington playsets. They are like the Thomas playsets with the wooden tracks, but they are plastic and look like the Chuggington train yard. We will be getting him probably all three play yards which come with a 'Wilson", "Koko" and "Brewster". And if we get it for him before the 24th, it will come with a free carrying case. But, if you wanted any ideas for what to get Aidan, he would love the rest of the die cast characters. And they are very inexpensive, which I LOVE! SO much cheaper than Thomas. You can only get them at Toys R Us though, so here is the link. Chuggington at Toys R Us

I really can't wait to see his face on Christmas morning! He is gonna FLIP!

A Sampling of My Work

Yesterday I took Aidan and some friends of ours to the Birmingham Botanical Gardens and took pictures. Here are three of my favorites from yesterday. He really is my most favorite model. When I take pictures of him, I can't help but imagining how handsome he will be when I someday take his senior portraits. He is just so good looking! I am just not sure how we produced him! LOL.

April Zark Photography

I know it has been a very long time since I last posted. I have been using Facebook to update everyone, but I realize that not everyone has a Facebook. Anyway, I have an announcement to make!

After being asked by my sister in law to photograph her wedding next year, I began researching and offering friends sessions so I can practice. Then my portfolio started to grow and I realized I had a real love for it. Thus began "April Zark Photography"! I really hope to become successful in this business. Man, that would be a dream come true for this stay at home mom!

I had a logo designed and I created a website. And I have 5 photo shoots scheduled right now! It came out of nowhere and has made me feel like I am really contributing with a talent. I always wondered what my talent would be since I grew up being taught that everyone is given one. So, perhaps this is mine?

So, check out my site and if you would like to have portraits taken, give me a call!

Tumblebus

IMG_0070, originally uploaded by zarkfamily.

Aidan and I have been spending our Wednesday afternoons at the Tuscaloosa Tumblebus. It's a school bus that comes to a local church parking lot and while Aidan goes in for 30 minutes and tumbles, bounces, slides and climbs, I sit in the parking lot with the other moms.



He seems to be doing okay, but he is still a little hesitant to be around people he doesn't know. I think a few more times and he will really start to open up and get excited.



Tell you one thing though, he is going to be sorely disappointed the first time he ever rides a school bus and realizes it doesn't have a trampoline on it!

Rainboots!

IMG_0069, originally uploaded by zarkfamily.

Aidan will be going to stay with Nanny and Granddaddy in about a month for a few days and Nanny requested that he bring some rain boots so they can stomp around in the creek behind her house. So, after an extensive search for the very best boots, I finally found them!



And I think he likes them!

Photography

IMG_0010.JPG, originally uploaded by zarkfamily.

I am absolutely HUNGRY for more photography knowledge. My sweet husband found a great deal at Sams for a Canon Rebel XS package, with two lenses, case, card, etc and I can't tell you how proud I am of it. Or how excited I am to learn more and more and MORE.

I am planning to sign up for a photography class through our local Parks and Rec dept. I really hope it is actual DSLR lessons and not "point here, zoom in, push button." I need to learn how to take it out of automatic! I need settings! ISO, aperture, etc... you get my point.

Of course, editing helps a lot. I subscribed to the Flickr program "Picnik" which makes editing simple. While I would like to say I use Photoshop to do incredibly complicated and beautiful editing... I am just as happy with the result I get from Picnik.



Stay tuned for lots more pictures, because I imagine I will be flooding it the more I learn.

Easter 2010

IMG_9224.JPG, originally uploaded by zarkfamily.

We had fun at Nanny and Granddaddy's house for Easter and as always, Nanny's garden made for beautiful pictures. So, be sure to go to Flickr and see all of them.

Here are two to give you a little idea.

A Spring Sunday

IMG_9072.JPG, originally uploaded by zarkfamily.

After church and lunch, we went River Walk park so Aidan could run around and I could get some pictures of him in his cute little outfit. (Which, by the way, he will probably hate me for some day. But, it is cute for a two year old!)





Now we are sitting at home with the windows and doors open enjoying a free energy day. I love this time of year because it is pretty outside and our power bill goes WAY down.

What have you done to enjoy this beautiful weekend?

A Haircut and a Smile

IMG_9050.JPG, originally uploaded by zarkfamily.

I tried REALLY hard to get some pictures of Aidan's new haircut, seriously, I took about 50 pictures. And then something magical happened. HE SMILED FOR THE CAMERA! Nick and I make a great team when it comes to taking pictures of our son. I snap the photos and Nick does the goofiest things to get those smiles. I do believe these were due to a bout of "hiccups" by one of his stuffed animals.



I seriously can not believe how much I love this kid!

Easter Egg Hunt

IMG_8995.JPG, originally uploaded by zarkfamily.

We went to the second annual Tuscmoms.com Easter egg hunt today. I love this group of families SO much. I have the best time with all the activities we plan. Aidan really enjoyed himself too. He got a few eggs, ate a lot of candy and got to play in a neat playground.



Nick helped him swing by himself for the very first time. He really really enjoyed that. Only fell back once, Nick caught him but he learned he had to hold on and keep himself in it from then on.

After we left the hunt, we had lunch at Chick Fil A and then we got his haircut because he was starting to look really shaggy. The weather is SO awesome today. I love this time of year when you can start sitting outside again. We decided today that the next free weekend we have (probably the one after Easter) we are going to take Aidan on his very first camping trip. Can't wait!!