Remember Mother's Day?

I know, it seems so long ago doesn't it... that Mother's Day when you felt loved and appreciated and were treated to cards, flowers, and a meal out. I've got a book and a challenge for you that will help recapture those warm-fuzzies you had just one week ago.

Mars Needs Moms! by Berkeley Breathed

I found this book too late for my mother's day list, but it's a worthwhile read anytime of year. It's a hilarious and heart-wrenching story with amazing illustrations you and your kids will love.

Milo doesn't get why moms are so great. They make you eat broccoli, do boring chores, and send you to your room when you paint your sister purple. When Martians steal his mom (Martians don't have mothers; they grow from the ground like potatoes) Milo stows away and begins to remember why moms are so necessary. When his oxygen supply is cut off, his mother sacrifices her own helmet to save his life.

Even without the lush, almost 3D illustrations, this would be a beautiful (and completely non-sappy!) story of sacrificial love. The subtle humor of the illustrations and the mischievous character Milo will endear this story everyone, but particularly little boys.

Take pictures with YOU in them!!!

I came across this post from Mandy at Sugar Bee via Fireflies and Jellybeans. She talks about a woman who made it her goal to take a picture with her kids once a month. This woman tragically passed away in a car accident, but she left behind tons of pictures her kids will have to treasure forever.

Like Mandy, this story really struck me. I have always made it a point to have pictures of me and my girls up in their room. I want them to have evidence, even when I'm not with them, that their mother loves them.

These pictures, while precious, are generally of the girls as babies. As the family photographer I take hundreds of pictures a year, but am rarely in any of them. The photo in my sidebar is a year old, taken last Mothers Day.

So, I'm taking up the challenge, and passing it on to you, to take a picture of you with your kids every month.

Okay, so it might take a little practice. This was my first attempt at holding my giant Canon Digital Rebel at arms length and snapping a shot. A better idea would be to have your husband take a picture. As Mandy notes, Ashley Ann @ Under the Sycamore has some great tips for getting into your own pictures, which mostly involve leaving the camera out and bossing around your hubby. :)

So how about it? You ready to get to snapping shots of you with your kids?