Pet Store Party!

For an animal loving little girl, there was no other option for her birthday party but California Pets!

From puppies, hamsters, and chinchillas to lizards, snakes, and frogs… she got to hold them all!

No frogs were kissed, but puppies were played with, hamsters ran about, the chinchilla was soft… and the lizards and snakes hung out… and afterwards there was cake!

 

 

American Girl Birthday

Recently, I traveled to the American Girl Store in Los Angeles for a birthday extravaganza… having been an American Girl Doll fan in my childhood (I have a Kirsten doll, and a whole lot of her stuff!) I had never made the pilgrimage once the store opened in adulthood. For me this was a fun opportunity to not only photograph an awesome birthday party, but to get to see this store, which was more than just a store… it was a destination experience!

The birthday girl and her friends celebrated in a private room in the American Girl Cafe, with a special menu of “Olivia’s 9th Birthday Celebration” which started with delicious “warm welcome” cinnamon rolls (the girls could have munched those all day!) and ended with cake and ice cream… between which were appetizers, main courses, and a lot of laughs, games, and fun!

Here’s some favorite images from the day… enjoy!

 

 

Superhero Night at Chick-Fil-A

Chick-Fil-A Orange‘s Kids Nights are so much fun!  This particular night was Superhero Night!

So of course I went in costume too, and brought my assistant as my mini me (we were both Bat Girls!). We met super-kids from many comic books, and had a heroic time creating masks to disguise our secret identities.

Costume People was there making balloon creations for us to play with too.

Here’s a few favorite images from the adventures of the evening!

 

Pajama Party!

It was another fun evening at Chick-Fil-A Orange’s Kids Night… it was a Pajama Party! So of course I wore my comfy flannel pajama pants too (though only kids in PJs got the free ice cream).

Peggy had a wonderful craft idea – T-Shirt Pillows! The kids had a blast working with fabric markers to create customized cuddle pillows that they were able to stuff full of softness and then take home for sweet dreams.

So stop on by Chick Fil A on a Tuesday evening (I’m there from 5pm-6:15 most Tuesday nights) and join the fun!

And check out the entire gallery of images from the Pajama Party on the Carlson Photography Facebook Page.

 

Ice Cream at Chick-Fil-A

Last week I attended the “Ice Cream Sunday Extravaganza” Kids Night at Chick-Fil-A Orange… it was a delicious and treat-filled evening of fun.

I attend these events as the Chick-Fil-A photographer and its been fun getting to giggle with the kids and capture the fun they’ve been having at the restaurant.

On this particular night, I teased the kids about their ice cream having boogers in it (don’t judge, it got great giggles and smiles) and asked several to share with me… which had unexpected results: one little boy jumped up and ran over to ask his mommy if I could have some too. Another little girl looked at me skeptically, then told me that I could have one small bite of hers.  And my goddaughter handed me her spoon… that’s trust!

No, I didn’t eat any of the children’s ice cream… and for those that offered I complimented them on their wonderful sharing manners and let them know I was teasing.

So here’s a few favorite images… you can view the whole set on the Carlson Photography Facebook Page. Enjoy!

(PS – come join us at Kids Night – its every Tuesday from 5pm-8pm – I’m there most Tuesdays from 5-6 and stay later when I can)

Baby Shower at Chick-Fil-A

Last Thursday I attended the Chick Fil A North Orange Baby Shower event – my studio was a sponsor – I donated a Newborn Photography Session with 11×14 print –  and I was there to photograph the festivities as well.

Seven mommies-to-be competed in different games to win Chick-Fil-A prizes, and at the end of the evening as everyone was enjoying their desserts, they drew names for the raffle prizes…

Check out the Complete Slideshow of Images on the Facebook page!

Princess Sophia

Sophia is now five (where did the time go?) and she invited her favorite Disney Princess, Belle, to come to her Belle Birthday Party!

Now, if one is having a princess come to her birthday party, she needs to be dressed for the occasion. Mommy & Daddy gave Sophia her own Belle dress, with matching crown and shoes, as her very special birthday present. Sophia even got to have her hair done up with beautiful yellow flowers and glitter!

Sophia and her friends had a ton of fun! They played games with Belle, danced, got their faces painted and then had cake and ice cream.  What a great way to celebrate a milestone birthday!

Val Weaver Dance 2011

Another year, another amazing show!

July 8 & 9 was the Val Weaver Dance Center‘s annual Recital and it was an inspired showcase of tap, jazz, ballet, Irish, & hip hop.

Great music that sticks in your head combined with stellar choreography, fun costumes and dancers excited to showcase how hard they’ve worked (and how much they’ve learned) since last year…

The full gallery of images is available in the online proofing shopping center, but here’s a few favorites!

Train Birthday Party

Last week I was photographing with BKids Birthday Parites at the Coyote Hills Country Club in Fullerton, CA.

Little Kai was turing three, and his family celebrated the occasion with a party!  This Thomas the Tank Engine obsessed boy had a party fit for Sir Topham Hat- from the balloons to the cupcakes, this party was about a little engine with big adventures and the boy who loves him so.

Kai and I got along great, playing trains on the rug while we waited for the guests, and giggling away. And he LOVED my fake sneezes, they were guaranteed to get a smile every time.

So here’s a few favorites from the party to share. Enjoy!