Just a Mom's World

By 77 Comments

Mother’s Day Surprise and So Much More

Filed Under: Crazyiness, Kids Posts, Married Life Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Surprises are really still the best feeling in the world.  This past Friday night, I was just sitting down finishing up some last minute items before officially starting Mother’s Day weekend, when Kevin, Emma and Lily walked into the bedroom.  Emma was carrying this large brown mailing box.

“Happy Mother’s Day, Mommy,” she shouted with a big smile on her face!!

Kevin was beaming and Lily just followed along for the ride.  I immediately asked what was in the box and was told by Kevin to open it.  So open it I did.  I found the Canon N Series Powershot that I got to preview back during Easter Weekend.  I mentioned it here.

To say, I feel in love with the camera was an understatement, because it has all sorts of unique features, including wi-fi capabilities and even a creative shooting mode, where it takes one picture, but produces six different shots from that one picture, such as the original, plus black and white, zoom in, and even color enhancements.

Canon Series N Camera–My Mother’s Day Surprise!!

I was completely psyched and indeed truly surprised.  Saturday, we had a cousin on Kevin’s side of the family’s communion up in Middletown, NY at the Orange County Arboretum. And Sunday was, of course, Mother’s Day and also Kevin’s Birthday.

So, we had tons of reason to celebrate for this weekend, as well as take pictures.  I was so overjoyed to have a new camera to take pictures with for these occasions.  I honestly didn’t think I was getting this camera, because it wasn’t cheap and we are saving hardcore to buy a house in the near future.

I even asked Kevin Thursday night, if he could try to borrow the loaner N Series camera that he had from Easter.  When he came home Friday night, he had psyched me out by telling me that it was no longer available.  So, I resigned myself to using my older Canon Powershot for the weekend.  Yes, Kevin works at Canon and we only do own Canon Cameras, because of this association and discount he receives.

But again, I do have a wonderful husband who went the extra mile to totally surprise me.

However, no surprise comes without a bit of craziness, because I am the mother to two small children.  So, of course I have to share with all of you, because that is what I do best!!

Saturday morning getting ready to leave for the communion, which was over 2 hours away from us by car was chaotic to say the least.  I was dressing both girls to have Emma crying about needing help getting wiped in the bathroom, while I look up to see Lily, who has yet another cold (seriously so done with cold season already if haven’t mentioned this before) to having yellow snot in her bangs!!  Gross and now I had to wash the front of her hair and then dry it before I could even continue to dress my kids. Seriously, it took all my restraint not to blow a fuse and utter a few choice obscenities at this very moment.

But by the time, I finished I seriously needed a stiff drink to relax me, not to mention I still needed to get dressed.  Where was my knight in shining armor, you may ask?  Showering and then ironing his clothes for the day!  Love how he only had to worry about himself at that time!!  But I digress.

I had charged the camera the night before, but since I was so busy that morning never actually looked at the camera manual for any last minute details.  I used the loaner before, so I thought I would be good to go though.  But just in case was going to look on the way up to communion, while Kevin drove.

Well, the road to hell is totally paved with good intentions, because when I turned the camera on for the first time in the car, I found out it was in video mode and recording.  I had no clue how to turn that off and get back to just taking pictures.  Kevin, of course, acted like I was crazy for not looking at it sooner and told me he would look at it when we arrived at the party.

About an hour later, we finally arrived having gotten lost on the actual park grounds that Arboretum was located on.  As soon as we did arrive and park, the skies opened up and it was pouring raining.  I swear it was as if the god’s were against us in the moment.  I had a huge golf umbrella and carried Emma in as fast as I could.  While, Kevin carried Lily.

Thankfully, the rain was short lived and the sun came out after we had the main course.  We actually got to go for a tour of the grounds, which were spectacular complete with gardens and a water feature, too. Really just a wonderful party venue.

By the way, Kevin finally did figure out how to get the camera out of video mode by googling the camera manual online.  And we actually got some really beautiful pictures of the Arboretum, as well as our family, too.

And we even got to use the camera for Mother’s Day and Kevin’s Birthday too on the following day.

Happy Birthday Kevin!!
Happy Birthday Kevin (Poor Lily Still With a Cold)!!

Other then a few bumps in the road on both days, including getting ready as mentioned earlier, Lily getting spaghetti sauce on her fancy dress and waking out of a dead sleep on the way home only to cry so hard she made herself throw up (yes notice a trend with Lily!!), the weekend was a success.  And I am happy to report that I am now taking Saturdays and Sundays for myself through the rest of the spring and summer, too to spend with Kevin and the girls.

And now I would love to share the collage I put together on PicMonkey from Saturday.  I honestly love this new camera and playing around with the collages, too.  And seriously a wonderful surprise for sure. Hope you enjoy!

Fun Family Party!!

And please don’t forget to check out my web design company for specials running at J9 Designs for all your web design needs, too.

New Signature

 

 
 
 
 

For Spring Sale Special Advertising Rates, Please Use Special25!!!

Ultimate Confessions Ad Saver

One Click Is All It Takes!!

Top Mommy Blogs - Mom Blog Directory

About Janine

Hi, I'm Janine! I’m a professional Travel Advisor with Magic Universe Vacations specializing in Disney Cruise Line and Walt Disney World. My planning services are 100% complimentary—you get my decade of "boots on the ground" expertise and dedicated advocacy at no extra cost to you. Ready to turn your "Someday" into a 2026 departure?

📧 Click here to request your free, no-obligation quote today!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Robin Rue says

    WOW – what a nice surprise! I have a Canon Powershot (different model) and I LOVE it. I actually got it around Christmas time because we go on a lot of vacations and I was sick of carrying my big, clunky Nikon with me – I wanted a point and shoot and I think mine actually takes better pictures than my Nikon! Happy belated Mother's Day!!

    • Janine Huldie says

      Robin, I am partial to Canon, because Kevin works there and have to be honest never owned Nikon, because of this. But seriously, love the pictures it takes. And hope you too had a great Mother's Day!! 🙂

  3. Dani Ryan says

    So glad you got your new camera! That's awesome!!!

    And I hear you about the colds. I'm SO done with cold and flu season, and I am seriously considering hibernation next Winter!!!!

    Happy Mother's Day!

  5. Christina (Tina) Mor says

    Oh my goodness! I so don't miss the early years! I'm glad you had a lot of happy moments and got a really neat surprise. I think your girls (the youngest will probably have to get a bit older, but time flies fast enough) will love the mermaid e-book that's up for grabs on my blog. I've got 5 to give away. It's a fabulous new series and the author is giving the first one in the series away.

    • Janine Huldie says

      Oh thanks so much Christina and will so head to your site in a few to check it out and enter. So kind of you to mention it and think of my girls!! And hope you are having a great day today!! 🙂

  6. Kera says

    So glad that you and the family had such a wonderful weekend, Mother's Day, and birthday for Kevin! I love your pictures from the Arboretum and I know you love playing around with that new camera! So happy that the sun came out for a bit and you could spend some time outside on Saturday!

    • Janine Huldie says

      Thanks so much Kera for keeping me in the loop with the weather up there and really you were so right again. And I too was so happy we got some much needed sun and warmth to have fun and get some wonderful pictures, too. And hope you too had a wonderful weekend and Mother's Day!! 🙂

  7. Kat Biggie says

    Love the camera and those are beautiful collages! You are doing so great with your beautiful designs, even just on the collages! I look forward to seeing them cause they brighten my day! 🙂

    • Janine Huldie says

      Oh thanks Alexa for saying that and I really am having a ton of fun with this camera, the collages and playing around a bit here with all the photos I am taking now. And so happy to share with you!! 🙂

  8. 4TamaraEden4 says

    Happy Mother's Day to you! I'm a Canon girl myself. I've always been and at this point with the lens collecting, there'd be no point to switch to Nikon. Can't wait to see more beautiful pictures!

  9. Judy Haughton-James says

    Your Mother's Day gift is wonderful Janine. Beautiful pictures! I am glad that for the most part everything went well for you and your family over the weekend. Have a great week.

    • Janine Huldie says

      Thanks Lanaya so very much and it really was when all said and told a wonderful weekend. Tomorrow, we have Emma's Circus at school. So, a little fun during the week, too will creep up my way!! I hope you too had an awesome weekend and Mother's Day, too!! xoxo 🙂

  14. Dana says

    Great pics – I love making collages on PicMonkey – what a great way to highlight your family photos. My husband's birthday was on Saturday, so we had a weekend of celebrating at our house too!

  17. Cyndi says

    Sounds like you had a good weekend and I think I need a Canon camera now, LOL…I love those photos, too. Hopefully I can show some great pics I took over the weekend…it's a teacher workday here so I've been working on report cards and lesson plans…I'll get there somehow, haha.

    • Janine Huldie says

      Oh thanks for stopping by even though you are so busy now. If you do need a Canon and are looking at anything specific let me know, Kevin does get a discount with the Online Store working for Canon. Would love to try to help you get a better price 🙂

  19. Janine Huldie says

    Thanks Heather and she seems to be doing a bit better today, but it truly is the weather. We were at almost 75 late last week and today we are barely reaching 60 degrees. Just can't wait for summer and a nice stretch of warm consistent weather now. And I had a blast taking these pictures and love Pic Monkey to do play around with their collage features (such fun)!! 🙂

    • Janine Huldie says

      Kevin loves photoshop, but I truly don't know the program well enough I suppose and admit. But PicMonkey, is so easy and so true how convenient, too.

      Oh I am so sorry that you have a sick child home today. Seriously, I am so with you that it is May 13th and it is feeling more like Marc 13th today. Just chilly (even though the sun is out). It does need to warm up and stay warm already. Her is hoping out kids get better and stay better now, too!!

    • Janine Huldie says

      Happy Mother's Day to you, too Jessica and definitely enjoy playing around with PicMonkey, but try not to get lost on there, because I must admit I start something and find myself 2 hours later still playing around, because it is so much fun!! 🙂

  21. SarahA says

    Not only a wonderful present, a highly useful one! That is so sweet! My husband isn't so much for the surprises. He usually will say-I know you want (insert thing here), we have the money so go get it." That's how I got my cricut and my camera. 🙂

    My surprise this Mother's Day was a trip to Starbucks, which was fine with me! Sounds like you had a wonderful Mother's Day! 😀

    • Janine Huldie says

      Usually my husband does what your husband does and just tells me to get something if we can afford it. So this was truly a surprise indeed for me. And Starbucks sounds wonderful to me and glad you, too had a lovely Mother's Day, too Sarah!! 🙂

    • Janine Huldie says

      I know it is totally frustrating about the lack of manuals. Having to search online at times can be a real pain the butt. Thanks as always and hope you both had a wonderful Mother's Day, too!! 🙂

  26. Jenni B says

    So awesome that he tricked you for your present!!! Great shots!! As for the need of a stiff drink… Ya… I think I need one just from reading all that you went through! 😉

    • Janine Huldie says

      Jenni, what is really ironic is today UPS delivered a large, heavy package. Turns out it was 6 bottles of wine my cousin made with my grandfather a family name on it. I lot was totally like divine intervention at play. But seriously was a great weekend minus the few glitches along the way!! 🙂

  28. Stephanie Sprenger says

    What a great gift! I love taking photos,and I love making collages, and yours was fantastic! You know i feel your pain on the weekend chaos! Sigh. Happy Mother's Day!

  29. Amy says

    Aww, I love reading about ya'll. Canon is fabulous. Love the photos and I am glad your weekend ended up pretty nice. Happy belated bday to Kevin. Yellow snot in the bangs……eck the image is stuck in my head.

    • Janine Huldie says

      Oh sorry about that image, but promise you I cleaned he up immediately. But yes it was quite gross and only my child would do such a thing when I was pressed for time to get all ready and out the door!! And thanks so much Amy and happy to share about us here with you!! 🙂

  30. gigigirl says

    Enjoy your new "toy" and I look forward to seeing more photos/collages, etc. Glad you had a nice time after all. Hope Lily is better soon. See you soon. Love, Aunt Gloria

  32. Eddy Jones says

    What a wonderful Mothers Day present Janine;I hope you have as much fun as I am having with mine.
    Thanks for another gem and here's to a wonderfu day for you and your beautiful family.
    Lots of love from Wales.
    Eddy.

  35. Niki Caron says

    That is an awesome camera! What a great surprise! I always have to google the manual on mine, I've had it for almost a year and I still can't figure out half of the settings 🙂 It sounds like you had a great weekend and Mothers Day!

    • Janine Huldie says

      Niki, nothing is worse that having to figure out settings on a camera when you just want to take pictures. I pretty much have figured this new camera out, but still have one or two things that I have to look up like how to take the picture on the touchscreen rather then the button on the lens. But for the most part do love and thank you!!! 🙂

  36. Bianca A says

    Looks like you totally scored with a Mother's Day gift! Sounds like my kind of thing. Screw the flowers & breakfast in bed. Glad that you all were able to fix the recording issue.

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Footer

Works With

Published Here

Featured On

Our Partners

 
baby clothes on DHgate.com