We have the theme FIVE here this week with a cherry (or five) on top!

Kimberly‘s photo is sublime, isn’t it? I adore her processing and the texture!

While I was wandering around trying to decide what to shoot I mentioned to the girls that the theme was five. Addie’s face just lit up, “Oh, Mama! Can’t we use my candle? My five candle? I will hold it for you because I’m going to be FIVE!” (Yes, you have to scream that last FIVE!)

So Addie art directed this shoot for me today. I’ll have to publish the outtakes tomorrow because they are sweet indeed. Just like my almost five year old.

In the meantime, pop on over and see what everyone is up to today.

Hosted by Megan and Hip Momma

Good morning, all. Although, I woke up this morning feeling a little like I was hit by a truck. A raging flu from our Raging Waters adventure, I’m sure. But Kimberly’s morning (on top) looks like it is going to lead to a stellar day. My usual morning (on bottom) is my favorite time of day. I like getting up early, alone with my thoughts, the crunch of my sneakers, and the unspoiled dew drops. It’s a good way to hit the day running.

Hosted by Megan and Hip Momma

The two most unlikely subjects for the Moody theme this week, eh?

I mean – YES! Kimberly’s photo is incredibly moody – the lighting and the blackness, but that smokin’ Mama? I find it hard to believe that she is moody.

Now the bottom half, that sweet little angelic face? Why would I put that sweet face up here for moody? Well, let me tell you – I can attest that girl is M-O-O-D-Y. Seriously. She is perhaps the moodiest child I think I have ever met. We have black…and over on this side, white. Happy one minute, and a complete 180 degrees the very next. I know someday I am going to admire her extreme stubbornness and her determination and that “self-confidence” is going to take her far.

And I can’t help but keep thinking, “it can only get better.” I mean like in ten years from now. When she is fifteen…oh my God. I’m so in trouble, aren’t I?

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Kimberly’s moody, atmospheric and lovely photo is on the left, I’m on the right this week. I can’t even tell you where in London this is. That was the beauty of having alone time and my camera, I just wandered around and took shots of anything that struck my fancy. I am particularly fascinated with doors, so when Megan announced the theme was Doors, I was thrilled. (Also happy that we didn’t have to come up with a theme on our own!)

Make sure to check out more doors over at -

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So…Kimberly suggested Lights this week and I knew instantly what I wanted to shoot. I am in love with the architecture in London. All of the buildings are so beautiful, especially the pubs. Especially when their lights come on…

I found this pub on our last night in London. It was not one of the ones we sampled when J. and I had our pub crawl. Next time.

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Both Kimberly and I have been (still are!) traveling, so I picked travel as our theme. I cannot wait to hear the story behind hers!

Mine? Well, as fun as traveling is, it is still a lot of work and very tiring. And sometimes you have to improvise and use Bear’s bottom as a pillow.

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My partner-in-crime is on vacation this week, but look at us! We both managed to get our acts together and do TWO photos last week so we could participate this week.

Kimberly suggested walking 100 steps from our front doors and shooting what we find. Apparently she has all kinds of deliciousness right outside of her door!

When I paced off my 100 steps – I was smack dab in the middle of the street…so I turned around and faced my favorite place. With all of the traveling we are about to do, I love remembering how great it feels to come back home.

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Life is a bowl of cherries, or sticky lollys, depending on how you look at sweet this week!

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We have been doing a lot of splashing with the cousins this week. It. Tires. Them. Out. And when Mama is already a little weary, I need all the help I can get to get them into bed and sleeping. All at the same time.

It looks like it has been non-stop action over at Kimberly’s place, too. Just look at that incredible action shot!

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You’d think with a blog name like BarelyControlledChaos we would have all kinds of photos for this week theme, Chaos. But wouldn’t you know…this week we have had very little chaos around here. I think it is a well-deserved break, or maybe the calm before the storm. Because next week? Next week - there will be chaos.

A little bit of chaos over at my partner’s place, though. Can’t you just hear Raya, “OHHHH! You want this toy? This one? The one that I have here in MY hand? Yeah….I think…NO.”

Ha! I love it.

Over at our place, the pets are ruling the roost. What? Littlest Pet Shop and Pollys shouldn’t cohabitate?

Well, I only have so many bins and so much patience. So they all live in chaos over at our house.

Hosted by Megan and Hip Momma