I gotta feeling: that tonight's gonna be a good night, the "third wedding anniversary" edition

I gotta feeling: that tonight's gonna be a good night, the "third wedding anniversary" edition, originally uploaded by Cat Johnson.

hfdt :)

Black Eyed Peas

James and I celebrated our third wedding anniversary by having a barbie at our house with some really good friends. Lots of my boy's school friends came along so it had a real family atmosphere, with fun and games. I have to say, these guys are ace! When asked to lie down on the floor, down they went, which is perhaps why it looks like a Stockholm syndrome hostage situation. Seriously, they all lay down willingly.

I love my friends beyond words, they are fabulous, and I wish that I'd been able to extend the invitation to people who live further away from us, and of course to my Flickr friends.

Maddison

Maddison, originally uploaded by Cat Johnson.

I love photographing Maddie, she is so incredibly photogenic and a delight to work with.

haiku (with hollyhocks and the merest suggestion of a fence)

haiku (with hollyhocks and the merest suggestion of a fence), originally uploaded by Cat Johnson.

hff :)

a hollyhock shot up to meet the summer solstice ~ Masaoka Shiki

I am feeling very Zen today.

Higham Colts Summer Holiday Football Academy

Higham Colts Summer Holiday Football Academy, originally uploaded by Cat Johnson.

We aren't a football family, but my lad's friends play football so who am I to deny him this? So, this week he's been attending a course for kids his age. He was pretty darned rubbish at the start of the week, tentatively kicking the ball, feeling nervous, generally not quite getting it. But today after completing the three day course, he was awarded a special Higham Colts drinks bottle for being the most improved player on the course. We are so proud of him. I think (and hope, because as I say, we aren't a football family), that he will be an avearge player, handy in a kickaround with his mates, but I am so happy that he won something for trying hard and giving his all.

here it goes again

here it goes again, originally uploaded by Cat Johnson.

hfdt :)

OK Go

I am a very broke mommie. Why, oh why, did I think it would be a good idea to get my boy on to a football (or soccer for my overseas friends) course this Summer, it's costing a small fortune.

We are not a football family, oh dear me, no! James is a rugby man, I am more athletics and swimming. But little guys like to do the same as other little guys, so I dutifully sent him on a vacation training academy course. And he loves it! Cool. But...and here's the rub, all the other kids are really into football and turn up in full strip, skin pads, football boots, the lot, and my boy is feeling left out. So today after the academy we went to a sports shop to purchase one set of shin pads and a pair of socks. Then we discovered the socks were so chunky that his trainers didn't fit, so we had to buy proper boots. Then I felt bad that he didn't have a fancy kit in which to run around, so more money...

My compensation for all thiis money spent? A facedown tribute to OK Go's seminal video. If you haven't seen it, check it out, it's fun. I just wish I had the boys re-enact a few of the moves standing up. Maybe next time...:)

bench Monday: a whoosh of hollyhocks

bench Monday: a whoosh of hollyhocks, originally uploaded by Cat Johnson.

hbm :)

My mom has been visiting with me this weekend and this afternoon we drove her home. My boy immediately jumped on to this old wall that my dad built roughly 40 years ago when I was the same age as my lad. I used to go up and down on it pretending to be a Russian gymnast on the beam, and I came off a lot. I still have the scars to prove it. My boy stayed still long enough for two or three shots, and then he was off pretending it was the vault. Not sure he was being a Russian gymnast, he was probably vaulting for England.

birthday girl

birthday girl, originally uploaded by Cat Johnson.

This little cutie-pie had her 5th birthday party and this is just one of the hundreds of shots I made. For some reason she adores my boy, so much so that she tells everyone they are getting married. My boy has other ideas, although I would be happy for them to pair up when they're older because Miss M is delightful. Howver, my boy says he will wait until they get all the presents, then cancel the wedding, mercenary little monkey! Expect more posts from the party, we had so much fun!