I can’t believe how long this gift from my sister and her husband entertained my kids for. I think it was over an hour. I am not sure though, I actually went through my mail while they were working with it. It is something like a flexible sticky pipe cleaner (if you remember the craft projects as a kid). I think it is basically a string covered with wax. Dunedin made flower after flower after flower. Thought I would pass the idea along. If your kids like to manipulate things and like stickers, you may want to check it out. ( Sidenote: Also fun to pull them out of the carpet)
They were both VERY impressed with mommy’s spider.
And griffin was thrilled to be able to mash them up and stick them on paper. (it was D’s smiley face but he embellished)
Archive for October, 2009
Wikki Sticks- wicked cool crafty thing for kids
Halloween costume failure
Don’t try this at home*… It was such a good idea. We would go as helicopter parents and wrap our kids in bubble wrap**. Unfortunately they have other Halloween ideas. Sigh.
I would like to point out the enthusiastic response we got at first when we told them they could throw themselves to the ground wrapped in bubble wrap.
*no children were harmed in the experimentation of this costume.
**children should only be wrapped in plastic under the strict supervision of a pediatrician.
Red barns in my sleep and a Vermont 1 year portrait.
What am I going to do about my red barn photo fetish? Since adorable children seem to be in no short supply and Miss M here can work a red barn photo like nobody’s business- I guess I will just continue to feed my addiction. Feast your eyes on this beauty (and her lovely handlers)
Yup, she is way to cute to be allowed out of Boston.
Almost makes me want more… If my husband is reading I said almost.
Who likes playing in the leaves???
Only thing better than catching a pediatrician Dad doing this is catching a lawyer Dad doing it too…
Pumpkins pumpkins
Ive been away for the weekend. Photography, relaxation, family and fun. Not necessarily in that order- but that is how I choose to remember it.
It is pumpkin time here in New England. Here are a few from the farmers market in Woodstock, VT. Nothing like fresh air, cozy fires and fall in the Northeast to get me motivated for work.
Creativity is all about perspective
Sometimes what it takes for a little inspiration is just changing the venue. 
One of the greatest things about having kids, for me as a photographer, is that my world view is changed irrevocably with their presence. I will never be able to look at a pine cone without thinking of it as a “porcupine-fish”, as my daughter described one once or as a projectile, as my son demonstrates often. What I mean to say is I try to use this childhood perspective in my own life to see things in a new way. When applied to photography, I have been thinking more and more about how to *see* with fresh eyes the things that are all around me. Here is a little photo/creativity exercise:
Pick a subject and decide to capture it in as many ways as possible. At least 8. Use your toothbrush, anything. Just change your perspective. I bet you will find the first 4 easy then it starts to get harder.
I have been reading this book : How to Be an Explorer of the World: Portable Life Museum by Keri Smith. I found her book after stumbling upon her blog entry 10 ways to infuse your work with your personality Which is a good read if you are feeling like you need a kick in the creative rump.