WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW WHEN PHOTOGRAPHING YOUR KIDS

Taking pictures of my kids is one of my favorite things to do. To capture their sweet faces on camera is the absolute best. I am no photographer by any means. I am just a mom with a camera. A camera that I enjoy bringing along. Something that has become a hobby. Snapping photos on regular basis has gotten my kids to become comfortable with it. But that doesn't mean we also don't have bad days.. because with kids you are guaranteed at  least one tantrum for the day. Yet that doesn't stop me from planning photo sessions with our photographer- who I tend to call every month for new photos.  But that ugly truth is it can be quite a struggle. It can become painful if your kids are not in the mood for photos. So if you scheduled a session with a professional photographer start planning ahead. You have to keep in mind that photos cannot be forced because kids cannot be staged. You might have a certain pose in mind and you might want to follow through with it but chances are it may not happen.  Keep in  mind not to get disappointed.  Also planning their outfits to coordinate with each other is a top on the to do list. Start with the youngest or with yourself and focus on that person as the main focal point. Plan the pattern and colors as you are putting only one outfit in your mind and go from there.  With all that in mind I want to share the "behind the scenes" of the not so pretty out-takes that my husband took while we went out for lunch. You know the ones that don't make it out on social media because.. 

KIDS will be KIDS! Here are some tips to get your kids to smile when you have a photo session: 

• Let Them Be-  the best advice is to stay away from poses, or the famous saying of "cheese" just don't. Let them act silly, be themselves. Candid shots capture your child's personality the best. When they act themselves you are able to get the most innocent moments. 

• Get Social- start talking to your kids. Distract them so they relax and get comfortable. Ask them about their day, or what they want to eat after they are done with their pictures. Snapping the genuine expressions on their faces are quite irresistible for us parents. 

•  Make it Fun- Let them run wild if you have to. The best way to capture those smiles is when they are naturally smiling and laughing. You don't have to force it, it'll come on its own. 

• Bring Your Diaper Bag Packed- Get your everyday essentials. All the things you know your kids will need to calm them down and stay entertained ex: snacks, juices, an iPad, and also can't forget the wipes to clean them up for photos, the hand sanitizer and those Kleenex Go Anywhere packs to wipe their noses or dirty face. With allergy season here I know it can get messy so why not stay prepared with something easy to take on the go plus it's gentle on your kid's faces. Going out with all kids can get hectic so wipes, sanitizer and Kleenex tissues are a must for me! All I do is strap it my Lily Jade diaper bag and I am ready to go. 

Find your #KleenexGoAnywhere Packs at your local Walmart and save .50 cents by clicking here

How do You plan photos with kids? What tips have helped you accomplished family sessions with good results?

MY BOYS TURNED 2 AND 7

A week ago my boys turned 2 and 7. I cannot begin to express how shocked I am on how another birthday came by so fast. It is bittersweet and hard on my mama heart because it means 7 years ago my first born entered the world. May 25th changed my world, my heart, my life forever with Ryan...Five years later another blessing surprisingly came on the exact same day, my spoiled child Luke. I still have to remind and tell others how both my boys happen to share a birthday. Yes both were born on May 25th. And no this was not planned at all.. although both were c-section babies (you can read more about my birth story with Luke here) Luke was my Memorial Day baby and a total shock as he came two weeks early. 

So last year we celebrated the boys birthday here at home and we had a small amount of friends and family join us. We kept it small but fun as my oldest picked an Avengers theme party so it all seemed to work out since Luke was just turning 1 and seriously had no say in it (funny how that worked out for Ryan) Sometimes I hear negative comments on how it must suck to share a birthday with your sibling or how it's the parents fault from taking the special day from a child. I can't help but to feel disturbed with these negative thoughts from other people.. for one- I as a mother have no control on when my child is set to arrive, it is all in god's hands and second my oldest has not once felt less love or less special for sharing this big day with his brother.
If anything I love watching their bond and love for each other grow.
This year I was eagerly looking forward to May but to be honest it turned out to be a stressful month with bad things happening one after the other so again we decided for no big party and instead decided to take out the boys for a fun family night out. We had a few of our close friends join us for a bowling night at Bowlmor Lanes and I was completely excited since it was Luke's first time bowling. He went a little crazy and wanted to go each time even when it wasn't his turn to bowl. He also had one of his first of many more to come- tantrums because those terrible 2's are coming hard. I think it was the perfect setting for my wild child that helped me not have a breakdown moment (at least not a visible one) with a crying toddler. Between the arcade games, night light lanes, and all the food coming his way he let his crazy side run wild. 

With their rustic modern style and good old fashioned fun Bowlmor Lanes had music constantly playing in the background and that seemed to distract Luke a bit by putting him to dance. Not to mention the staff was so kind and attentive, checking in on us  and making sure we were not missing anything.The older kids had a blast as they bowled and snacked on the food Bowlmor provided us. So many choices but I think the cookie cake took the win for us all!

And can't forget to share this great deal going on right now Bowlmor is offering summer season passes where you get to bowl 3 free games everyday. For a small gathering with friends it was a fun stress-free night. I didn't have to worry about decorating, crafting, planning, nor cleaning up. Celebrating my boys with the people we love was the highlight of this month.