When I heard that there would be a small trade show before the start of the Workshop on the Waterfront, I was quite excited.  I love getting a look at all the new and fabulous things that are available to us photographers out there.  I also heard that Epiphanie Bags would have a display.  I really wanted to pick one up while I was there, save on the shipping, go home in style, all the good things came to mind.  Unfortunately they weren’t selling any of the bags that day.

There was, however, a drawing to be held at the end of the workshop where they would be giving away one of their bags.  I did my thing and filled out my card.  On with the workshop.

Everywhere I turned I saw Epiphanie. Many of the fabulous speakers had an Epiphanie bag and lots of guests had Epiphanie bags.  There may have even been a couple used to carry beers to a pajama party, not that I saw this or anything.  Needless to say, I had made up my mind to go back to my room and order one.  Except, I ran out of time.  Oh well, I would order it as soon as I got home.

As we were wrapping up the Workshop Marta Locklear, who was sponsored by Epiphanie,  headed up to the front with not one, but two bags for the drawing.  I had pretty much forgotten about it since my head was so full of amazing information and insight.  Marta called out a name and the lady went up and chose the red bag.  I thought to myself, good now there is still a brown one left for me, not really thinking that my name would be called because honestly, that just doesn’t happen to me.  Except that this time it did!

And as Marta called out my name, I actually said, “are you kidding me?” to which she replied, “no!”.  I really couldn’t believe it.  What a fabulous way to wrap up an already fabulous Workshop.   I have already been out shooting with it and if I took off the little camera tag, you really truly wouldn’t know it was a camera bag unless you looked inside.  My camera, lenses and flash all fit nicely with extra room for my wallet and all the little stuff you need to have tucked into your bag when out shooting.

Thank you Epiphanie, both in sponsoring Marta so we could learn from her and in sending along a couple of bags for gifts.  I appreciate it very much and rest assured, I will be telling all my friends about your fabulous camera bags.

The weekend started off on all the right notes.

The weather was more than we could have ever asked for.  Blue skies and warm breezes.  The kids played outside all day long only stopping to grab lunch or change into swim suits for some sprinkler fun.

 The Easter Bunny made his visit Sunday morning and once again left just a little too much chocolate.  But, I have to say that J was very sweet in sharing each time he found some chocolate he made sure to put an egg or two in his Sister’s basket even though he knew we were putting it all into one pot at the end of the hunt.

And just look at J’s little bitty basket compared to his Sister’s.  He knew how to fill it though.

And then things went terribly wrong.  I was inside, just finishing up a load of laundry and sending my girlfriend a note when I heard cries from out front where Apple and Hubby were playing.  Hubby called out for me, so I knew it wasn’t good.  When I opened the front door all I could see was the blood pouring out of my little girls mouth.

I kicked it into gear, grabbed some towels dampened with water and got them sitting on the toilet seat.  As we got the blood a little under control we could see the gash in her upper lip.  She had apparently tripped and went lip first into the step out front.  We started icing it down and got a better look in her mouth.  Two of her teeth were bumped back a little so we figured we needed to head on over to CHEO.  We packed up J and the Easter ham and dropped them off at Grandma’s.

We spent four hours at the hospital only to be told there was nothing to do for her gash given that it was on the inside of her mouth.  The Doctor also didn’t think that there was anything wrong with her teeth and that they would eventually move back. Her gum is still bruised and although they have moved back a bit, we will be calling the dentist tomorrow to be sure that no permanent damage has been done.

In the meantime, our smiley girl is a little less smiley.  It hasn’t affected her talking my ear off, but it has affected her smile.

I should also mention, for the record, that she cried for all of about 30 seconds after she hit the step. Then, cried when the Doctor played with her mouth for another 10 seconds.  That was it.  She is one tough cookie, which we can’t exactly say about her two brothers….

I hope you all had a much less eventful Easter than we did.  And I should shout out to Grandma for saving the day with the Easter Ham.  I had wanted her to not have too much work, but she did pretty much all of it in the end, bless her heart.  Easter was saved.