So, today I'm not really offering any specific tips, but instead, a reminder that you are important too.  And what I mean is...don't forget to be in photographs WITH your children sometimes! I took the following images right before Valentine's day.  My daughter had a snow day, and  we decided to make cookies, just for fun.  I had been aching to try out the remote and tripod that my husband got me for Christmas, so I figured this would be a good opportunity for me to sneak in a few of the shots with them.  I did an absolutely terrible job at hiding my remote (check out my hands ;) ) but I don't really notice that when I look at these.  I just see how much fun I had on an ordinary February day with my kids.  Fortunately, since taking these photos, I have learned how to to hide my remote a little better! 
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I know these probably aren't anything special to the average viewer, but to me, they mean the world.  I am so thankful that I took the time to set everything up to catch these.  And, I really hope you will try to capture your special moments with your kids too!! Even if  you don't have a DSLR, just grab whatever camera you do have (cell phone included!) And, If you don't have someone else to take photos for you, or a tripod and/or remote, then work that self timer baby! I took this shot of my son and me playing at the library.  I used my self timer, and my camera was placed on top of a stool.  I was extremely worried that the librarian would think I was a weirdo, so I hurriedly got my settings in place, and accidentally focused on the bookshelf behind us, rather than, well... us.  But again, that doesn't even cross my mind when I look at the image.  I'm just glad that I caught the moment, whether it's technically perfect or not. 

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These are some of my favorite photos that I have with my kids and I.  I often forget to hand my husband the camera when we are out places, and usually when I do, my kids will not stand still long enough to let me get a decent picture with them.  When I do it this way, they are just hanging out, doing what they always do, and I get to see myself from a different perspective... the way they might see me every day. It freezes moments that feel so routine, and ordinary to us right now, so that one day, when they are no longer routine and ordinary, we can remember how special they actually were.