How to Take Your Own Family Pictures

In our house, we love pictures, all of us which comes to a surprise as most husbands really hate it but my husband loves taking pictures and I can't complain. As much of a clique as it sounds, I love the idea of freezing time and most of the situations that moment is also frozen in your mind and heart, especially when kids are involved.

Time goes by too fast, and count me in to freeze it as often as possible, hence the reason why we try to take as many pictures as possible. Now, being completely honest who has the money for that? Who can really afford to have their picture taken every month? So we have come up with a way of taking our own pictures. Whether you want inside or outside here are a few tips that have helped our family

1. Get a tripod. 
 Tripods come in all size but make sure the one you get is tall and very sturdy. Some cameras weigh more than others so you want to make sure it holds your camera. Ours holds mine, my husbands, and even our video camera.

2. Have the right settings.
In my book setting it to automatic works, but according to my husband Manual is the key to great pictures. So he recommends to take a few pictures here and there and adjust the WB and Shutter speed according to your surroundings. Don't know anything about shooting in manual? As always check pinterest for the best tips.
 You can also use Picmonkey.com  to edit your pictures for free.

3.Get to know your camera. 
Every camera has a timer function and that button lets you choose how many images per shot and how much time in between each shot. We usually do 3 pictures with a 5-second lapse in between. With this option, you can choose where to look, to smile, to make funny faces or simply to give your child the option to have a tantrum. (It happens)

4. If you live in the south and are shooting outside you'll thank me for this next tip. Buy a remote.
Guys this is something we didn't know about. My poor husband would run back and forth to the camera pressing the timer button 3 to 5 times to be able to get 4 or 5 good pictures. Yes, it takes a while. Out of 15 picture, we sometimes get 1 good one or sometimes get 6 and that's worth it.
 This remote is for my camera and this one is for my husbands.

5. Have an outfit change.
This matters. Sometimes clothes don't photograph as well as you think and having that option is the world. Also in Texas is super hot no matter the time of year so change that sweaty shirt (eww) and go on with the show.
This also a plus if you want to use your pictures for two different occasions!

6. Have fun. 
It's simple but yet so hard. Toddlers sometimes don't want to cooperate, the camera may auto-adjust itself or even blur you out and that's ok, but remember why you are doing it in the first place. Once you see the pictures you'll be very glad you did it.

7. Have treats available. 
This should really be number one if you have kids. We pack clean treats. Veggie Fries or gummy bears! No lollipops!! They get sticky and they get lollipop color!If you got  TODDLER you know what I mean. Same goes with fruit, sadly! We have tried apples and the slobbery mess is too much to handle! So just for this one time make their day! It will show in your pictures.

Hope you enjoy this post and try it out with your clan!

If you try these tips let know if they worked for you!

How do you take your family pictures?

Why her 2nd Birthday is harder

My baby is now two!
I say my baby because she will always be my baby
I remember the moment I found out I was pregnant as I jumped around in the bathroom by myself as I wanted to be more than sure before telling Lester.

I remember that feeling of hearing her heartbeat for the first time and seeing her on the screen. I remember calling her my sweet pea.

So many prayers came true the moment I held her in my hands and I'm so blessed to be her mom, and I mean really blessed.
But, I have to be honest, I cried every day on her birth week. Every.single.day.

Most of the time happy tears but other, many others, were really sad tears.
Tears that wished I could have my little 6.5 lbs baby back.
I know it sounds horrible and ungrateful, but it's truly how I felt and feel sometimes.

I'm terrified of the moment I'll want to kiss her in public and she'll be embarrassed and I know it will happen because I was once there with my own mom.

Just last week I asked her if she wanted me to carry her and she responded with "hand mama".

Don't get me wrong I completely understand that she has to grow up and I enjoy our conversations, her little saying and how she mimics everything we say and do but it's so bittersweet.

The selfish person in me want to hold her forever, keep her little and avoid at all cost anything and everyone that can hurt her, but the mom in me can't wait to see her grow up, enjoy life and see her develop in life.

And that's why two has been harder than one. When she was turned one we were still breastfeeding, she was walking already but preferred to be carried, she still fit perfectly on my hip and chest. Now she is longer, heavier and oh so much bigger.

I now have a full force toddler with personality and a whole lot of attitude.

Now she tells me what she wants and doesn't want. Now she just wants to grow up. She just wants to be like us and my heart rejoices as I see my little girl learn, and want to achieve so much. She is the smartest little girl I know and as much I wish I could keep her little I'm in love and cant wait to see who she will be one day! All that she will accomplish and all the work God will do in her life.

Cereal clusters with Cheerios

Cheerios is the number one cereal for kids, and it was the first cereal we gave to Bella when she started teething. In fact, I think is a tradition for most parents to give their babies Cheerios on top of being delicious it helps them practice their motor skills at an early age, but the fun doesn't have to stop in babies.

Today we want to share a recipe and a special treat at our house in honor of El Dia del Niño.These clusters can be a quick afternoon snack or an on the go mess free snack allowing us to enjoy as much time as possible with our niños (kids).

Ingredients:

2 tbs of Unsalted Butter
12 ounces (or the whole box) of Cheerios
10 ounces of mini Marshmallows
2 tbs of all natural honey
1 1/2 cups of Dried Cranberries (feel free to use our child's favorite fruit!)

   

                                                          Can I have one, please?

The best thing about this clusters is that they are super easy to make and delicious.

1. In a large pan place your butter and once melted add the marshmallows. Those also melt fast, so be sure to have everything handy.
With a paddle stir the marshmallows to help them melt completely.
Once the marshmallows are melted add honey and stir until it's completely mixed with the marshmallows.
Then add the Cheerios and cranberries.
Mix it until all the melty-marshmallow goodness has covered every Cheerio and cranberry.
Allow it to cool for at least 5 minutes, this is very important if you have little hands helping you!
Line a plate or a cookie sheet with wax paper for an easy cleanup and no sticky mess!

And now the fun, and tasting, begins. You can just scoop them up and leave them as clusters or make little Cheerios balls with them. We did both!

That's it! It took us around 20 minutes from start to finish.

Now, because us adults need some cariño (love) too here is a sauce that will take these clusters over the top.

Adult version:
1 cup of mini Chocolate chips
1 pack of your choice of instant coffee

Melt the chocolate chips. Add instant coffee. Place in a cute serving dish and dip your heart out! The coffee brings out the chocolate, which brings out the yummy nutty taste in the cereal!

How do you eat your Cheerios?

My beard boss babe!

Just like us girls men also like to change their hair and appearance. Over the years my husband has let his hair and beard grow, left it half way and a stubble or short hair and no beard but through it all he has always looked hot and kept it clean looking.

The difference between our hair and theirs, is that their hair grows by the minute, literally. Unlike many men, Lester's work environment doesn't require a baby face, but it's important to him to always look well groomed. As his wife, I have never seen him looking ragged or ungroomed, he is probably one of the cleanest men I know and it wouldn't be any different with his beard. 

With that in mind, when we were given the opportunity to partner with Remington Beard Boss and Walmart it was a no brainer. We had a blast shooting this post and as many straight face you'll see, he was cracking up in between. We love daddy and his beard! #beardboss

3 tips for a groomed face

1. Know your face shape. This one is coming from a women's perspective. Some men wear beards without ever know what works for them. Do your research
2. Your hair matters. Long hair and long beard don't always go together unless you are trying to go for that look! What do I mean?! 

• A full beard looks best with short hair or even bald. 
• The Goatee looks good with medium hair. 
• Stubble, my favorite, looks good with any hair length. In my opinion, the stubble goes perfectly with longer hair too

      3. Have the right trimmer and kit. This is where Remington Beard boss comes in.My husband says this kit is amazing and here is why: 

• It has different blades allowing you to customize your looks as much or as little as you want. 
• The fact that it charges and you can use cordless is huge.  
• It takes no time to achieve his desired length

All this took him less than 15 minutes because Remington beard boss has a turbo boost that cuts through all that thick curly hair of his and the clean up was a breeze since the actual trimmer is 100% waterproof!! Remington Beard Boss Perfecter Stubble and detail kit is available at Walmart or Walmart.com

If your significant other or dad in your life doesn't have the Remington Stubble and Beard grooming kit remember that Father's Day is coming up and this kit makes a great gift for that Boss in your life.

Click here to get yours today!

This post is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Weave Made Media®  & Remington  but all my opinions are my own. #weavemade #RemBeardBoss  http://my-disclosur.es/RgFrEH

Books that keep 2-Year Olds Entertained

Last month we shared a few of the learning activities we do with Bella and this month I want to share with you a few new books that have been added to our collection in honor of national reading month!

As a teacher's kid I know the importance of reading and have it inscribed deep in my veins since my mama was a Literature teacher while I was growing up, so not reading was never an option. 

Till this day when we go on a cruise or a laid back vacation you will always find me reading a book, and now as busy as life may be I still find the time to squeeze a little reading here and there!

Is our hopes to instill that in Bella's life as well, and we have bought her plenty of books and so have our friends. A few months ago her aunt (from El Diario Pink Blog) gifted her the cutest book ever. 

Peek-a-boo, I see who? A Bible Guess Who Book goes into Christian stories and simplifies them enough for kids to understand.

We also have Counting with- Contando con Frida. She loves counting the fruits and veggies in it. I have to be honest when we first got this book I use to put it aside during reading time but now is one of my favorites! Bella counts and names everything in the book perfectly.

Lastly, in our book list is this Einstein baby book collection Bella got last year and it still is a favorite of hers. We carry these in Ziploc backs or pouches and bring them out when we are on the go. She loves making every animal sound and pretending to read.

Here are a few more for your collection!
Hope you enjoy them as much as we do!

Shop our favorite books: