We have had a string of the coolest people live in the house next door. When we came to Providence a couple of years ago, Dunedin had her first crush on Max the 4 year old and his dog Sultan. (BTW: coolest name for a long haired German Shepard.) The mom is an awesome hobbyist photographer who I think could go pro. We were sad when they first moved a couple towns South and then, just recently, way way west to start a pediatric dentistry.
Then we had a great young pregnant couple move in to the apartment, find a house a few towns over and promptly move out again.
But we lucked out a third time with these guys. They greet us from their windows when we get home and my kids are always angling to see if they are back from school yet and trying to get out of eating dinner to go see them.
So thanks for moving in and making many school nights way more fun, A and R.
The Mom ain’t so bad either. Now that we are the ones moving, Dunedin asked if they could move with us to our new house. Luckily they aren’t so far away.
Archive for the ‘the kids’ Category
Our Favorite “new” Neighbors
Crying Tiger Hidden Griffin | Providence wildlife photography
I picked my kids up from a benefit for Brown Street Park in Providence. Griffin had had his face painted like a tiger and they had both received balloons. When we got home I ran inside to get my camera to catch the animal he had transformed into and left them with our neighbor. But when I made it back out, camera in hand, I found poor Griffin and sister in a state of pure dismay. His balloon had slipped off of his wrist (Mommy failed at the simple balloon preservation knot)
Is it terrible is it that I still took this picture? He was so heart broken as we watched it, a little speck, traveling up into the clouds.
Luckily he is 2 and his innate Happy isn’t that far from the surface of whatever Tragedy he has just endured.
And it wasn’t too long until his inner tiger came out again.
And he was on the hunt for a new adventure in no time.
I hope that he is able to endure all that life throws at him with the same flexibility he managed to muster with this loss. He still talks about that balloon and asks if we will find it someday.
My little tiger-griffin.
WEEEEEEEEEE | World War 1 Memorial Park North Attleboro.
Perhaps you look at the photograph below and think (like I do on most days), “Wow! what a cute 2 year old!”
Then perhaps you come to a slide that looks like this and think, “What self respecting parent would send their kid down that thing? I get vertigo looking up at it.”
Now. Let me introduce you to my son Griffin. He was up this before I could set my camera to manual… And that is fast.
Speaking of monsters, my daughter has been known to tame a few wild beasts of her own.
But if you really run into trouble, they will both come on the double.
If you are in the neighborhood, I highly recommend World War 1 Memorial Park and Zoo in North Attleboro, MA
Parks, slides, GIANT sandbox and a petting zoo. Who could ask for more? My kids can’t.
poodle portraits? | projects for kids
This was one of my favorite projects to do when I worked at the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp. I can’t even tell you how much I enjoy having kids old enough to do “projects” now. So in between the jumping, running, rolling, imagining, rock banding, shrieking and twirling that makes up much of my time with my little ones I have been trying to squeeze projects in. This one is one that never seems to get old. I have the kids lay down on a long rolled out paper, head to head, and crudely trace their outlines.
I tried doing it with precision, but well… you try tracing squirming 2 and 3 year olds. After hanging the results over the easel and pinning it there, they each went to their respective sides and had at it.
As you can see, Dunedin sees herself as a eyelash model.
Griffin took a slightly different approach to painting his self portrait. I think this is another case of life imitating art.
Then, of course, we had to involve the poodle. Dunes traced it herself. You think it is a better outline than mine? Fine, but my subjects were far more challenging.
*Important note. You could have the kids trace you, but I would stick with colored pencils.
This awesome marker holder was purchased at Kreatelier on Hope St in Providence. It all rolls up and ties neatly together for travel. One of those things you think to yourself- “I’m creative, I could totally sew a couple of those in the time it takes to clean up all the marker mess from the floor and wall.” But then you think to yourself, “hmm, I could squeeze that into the time I have between editting an album and picking kids up from daycare, OR I could just walk the kids over to Kreatelier and let them pick thier own paterns out…”
Dunes actually keeps her markers fairly organized in this thing. Although, the one I got for Griffin hasn’t helped a lick. hmmm.
Field of Dreams | Child Portraits in NH
Some friends just got a house in NH that sits on a gorgeous property with an incredible view. And this was what my camera drew me to… What is it about sticking a kid in a field that makes me all camera giddy? See for yourself…
You will have to take my word for it. Their view rocks.
But so do my kids.
*Note to self: new technique to get smiles from my daughter…. Get a bug in your ear and freak out a little.
Ahhh- what I will endure for a real smile-with-the-eyes kind of photo…
