Happy 16th Birthday, Jamie!

There's nothing like having your youngest child turn 16 to make you feel old ... well, maybe having them turn 30 but I've got a few years to go on that one!

Needless to say I'm feeling pretty old today while Jamie's probably feeling pretty good about having attained that age where you're not quite a kid but not quite an adult. I'd ask her how she's feeling but unfortunately I'm at work for 16 hours so she's spending her birthday at home enjoying the last of her ice cream cake, admiring her new over-the-knee striped socks, drawing in her new sketch book, and probably spending way too much time on the computer! In other words, probably acting very much like a 16-year old!

In an attempt to at least do something semi-special for Jamie's birthday, the girls and I took a road-trip with my friend Amy to Sleepy Hollow Cemetery in New York this past Friday where we got to see some very cool gravestones and take lots and lots of pictures. Matter of fact, we took so many pictures that it's taking me forever to edit them so you'll have to wait a bit longer for a post on our trip!

I did, however, have time to edit some pictures of Jamie to share with you today on this most auspicious occasion of her 16th year of birth. As you can see, she doesn't possess my problem of not being able to not look like a goof as soon as someone points a camera in my direction!

As an example, allow me to present Exhibit A ... Jamie looks good while I look like I'm half asleep or something!

Jamie, on the other hand, manages to look good in spite of the occasional distraction ...

In addition to our trip to Sleepy Hollow, dinner with her grandmother on Saturday, and a few other assorted goodies, Jamie also got a new camera for her birthday; a Casio Exilim S10 that has some very nice features for a small digital camera. These days no teenager is complete without a digital camera that also takes video (just in case he or she happens upon the perfect YouTube moment) and I figured it was about time Jamie got an upgrade from the handed-down-twice-not-working-so-well camera that she possessed. Plus it's red which is one of her favorite colors!

I gave Jamie the camera last week before we went to Massachusetts so she could have it to take pictures while she was visiting with her cousins so she'd had a bit of a chance to practice with it prior to yesterday's trip. Like mother like daughter she took A LOT of pictures at Sleepy Hollow and then on the way home we made a brief stop at Lighthouse Point Park in New Haven where she took some more pictures. I wanted to share a couple of them as I think they're rather good - of course, I am also horribly biased what with being her mom and all!

She took this first one using the 'sunset' setting on her camera. I think the pink hues add a nice touch to the evening sky ...

This next one was shot using the regular setting but she also did a great job of capturing the sun reflecting on the water and the clouds above ...

Lastly, this picture was also shot with the camera set to 'sunset' and for once I really don't mind a picture of myself as I'm nicely hidden by shadows!

What do you think? Does this mean I'll be having both Amanda and Jamie fighting over who gets the Nikon once they pry it from my cold, dead fingers?? Oh noes!!

Happy birthday, Jamie; may your 16th year be one of your best ever!