byMelinda Website is Up!

Check it out! My new website for photography is up and running at www.bymelinda.com. It may change over time, but it is a good starting point. Let me know if you find any errors. Also, let me know if you like or dislike the site.

Little Lego Master

In between soccer, swimming, chess, and everything else, Riley has started playing with legos. I love that he ditches the pictures on the box and creates his own masterpieces. He creates transformers (that actually transform into different things), robots, vehicles, animals... This is one from a couple of weeks ago. How cool is that!?!

Officially a Soccer Mom

It had to happen at some point. The boy decided to play soccer with his best friend Trey. So, I guess I am officially a "soccer mom". In the first game, Riley took off at the sound of the whistle and went straight for the goal. SCORE!!! He also played excellent defense. He is loving soccer, but gets pretty tired from all the running.

First Chess Tournament

Riley has been taking chess lessons for two semesters at Montessori Center School. He has been asking us to let him be in a chess tournament since they sent the first flyers home last year. He used to bring home three copies each week - one for Jay, one for me, and one for our cat, Taco.

He was so excited when we relented and signed him up for a tournament in September. I guess he was ready. He placed fourth out of fifteen in the kindergarten division, and won a trophy. We had no idea what we were getting into. There were hundreds of kids and tons of parents. The entire gym was full of tables with chess sets. The parents were banished from the gym. I managed to snap a few photos with my point and shoot camera before the event started and from a little window in the door.

Riley had so much fun that before we even got in the car to leave, he started asking when he could go again. At least we will know what we are getting into next time.

Make it happen!

I'm finally making it happen. I'm going to be a professional photographer. I lucked into a 13-hour per week job that will pay most of the bills. That will leave me most of the week to pursue a career in photography. Hang on! The adventure begins now!