He thought it necessary get out of bed (again) to tell us that D.W. (a character from the audio book that plays on repeat every night in the boys’ room) said “stupid.” This is a well-known fact in our house; Ian tells us every third day or so. Also, “You shouldn’t say ‘stupid.'” Right, kiddo. Now go. to. bed.
Me: Hey, whatcha doin’, buddy?
Simon: Feeding my T-Rex.
Me: I thought T-Rexes were carnivores.
Simon: Yeah, but sometimes he likes to eat plants.
Me: Why’s that?
Simon: He thinks plants are tasty. And it helps his breath.
Me: What’s with the straw?
Simon: I’m pretending it’s my beak.
—–
When Jason was working on the coding so I could have a gallery in this post, he needed some text and typed “I had a wonderful time taking photographs of the Steiner family” five times in a row (or maybe he cut and paste; I don’t know). I was tempted to leave it at that. I did have a wonderful time taking photographs of the Steiner family. Times five. These are dear friends I have known for over a decade, and spending time with them is always a joy.
This year I tagged along as they went to pick out their Christmas tree. It was fun (and hard work) to chase the girls darting from tree to tree (Chad and Kacy occasionally reminding them to let me actually catch them once in a while). I loved seeing the girls’ distinct personalities come out more and more as the late afternoon turned all-too-quickly to dusk.
It’s been fun each day as I post the new photo to look back through my DPP photos from past years. It’s so interesting to me to see what has changed and what really hasn’t. We do a lot of the same things from year to year — make cookies, play in the park on unseasonably warm days, try potty training, build gingerbread houses, take naps. And I’m finding that when I’m looking for subjects for the DPP, it’s sometimes tempting, whether consciously or unconsciously, to try to recreate a photo from the past.
This weekend, the boys helped my parents decorate their Christmas tree, and, of course, Clara was fascinated with it (especially the low-hanging ornaments, courtesy of Ian). I remembered the photo I took of Ian gazing at my parents’ tree two years ago and shot probably fifteen or twenty frames trying to catch Clara in a similar pose or with a similar expression. But then I stopped. I realized I was trying to force a moment that just wasn’t going to happen. And, really, as cool as it could be, in theory, to have the “same” picture year after year, I don’t think it really counts unless it happens naturally.
I’m a day late in posting this one. That’s because Jason and I were out (not just awake, but out) until after 1 am. Believe it. We had one of the most delightful days in recent memory, spent largely with two friends from Japan, Yui and Yuri. Our kids were absolutely enamored with these girls, as were we. We went to the capitol, made cookies, watched a documentary about submarines (Simon’s pick), and rounded out the day with the Redeemer Christmas party and a late showing of The Hobbit.
DPP pics from past years: 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011
It was another pretty nice December day in Lincoln, so my mom and I loaded up the kids and spent the last hour of daylight at the Blue Park (Stransky, for you locals).
It occurs to me today that photography is so much about light and that it’s an interesting twist and added challenge for the December Photo Project that December’s light is so scarce. Perhaps that simply makes it all the more precious when you find it.
DPP pics from past years: 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011
This morning we made granola for Simon’s teachers. The kids like to help. I like peace. We had to do a little negotiating to make both of those things happen today.
As I was uploading the pictures for this entry (one for each hour I’ve been awake today, taken sometime within the hour but not necessarily on the o’clock), I realized that most of them are blurry. That’s so fitting for how today has felt to me: I have a head cold, and I was always a half-step or so behind, getting the general idea but missing some of the sharpness.
7 am: This one was actually taken at about 7:58. We were awake before 8, but just barely.
8 am: Cinnamon rolls and bananas for breakfast. Everyone is happy! Although Ian does look a little zoned out here. Remember, we just woke up.
9 am: Ian heads downstairs to play with his buddies . . .
10 am: . . . while I enjoy coffee and a book study with my friends — consistently some of my favorite ninety minutes every week.
11 am: We collected Simon from preschool at 11:30,
12 pm: and headed to Runza to pick up a few Italian Runzas for Jason, who has a well-known love for them. He got to introduce Clara to her first one today.
1 pm: Then we headed home, and Clara, belly full of Runza and a bottle, settled down for her nap.
2 pm: I snuck in a bit of time to work on editing photos (I guess we’ll consider this the preview of a fun photo shoot with the always-delightful Steiners).
3 pm: The boys played a game they called Punch Tiger. It had something to do with throwing balls into the air and yelling and running. I don’t know. It didn’t wake Clara up, nobody was hurt, and nothing was broken, so, you know, it was okay with me.
4 pm: I love it when the kids play together. Simon was pretending to crack eggs — to make gas for the fire engine, of course — and the littles were helping, as they do.
5 pm: Okay, okay. I really wanted to be dishonest and switch the library pic (see below) with this one. That was the original plan, after all. But the reality is that I was at the end of my rope, and I went to pick Jason up first (at the very tail end of the 5 pm hour) and went to the library second (at the very beginning of the 6 pm hour). There. Truth in blogging.
6 pm: The boys were asleep by the time I ran into the library, which is probably why they are still awake now. Boo.
7 pm: The third or fourth thing he had to check while I was trying to put Clara down.
8 pm: Not settling down. Not at all.
9 pm: Off to bed . . .
10 pm: Drat! I wanted to be asleep by now. I almost am.
I take photos of my three kids almost every day and of other people (and places and things) when I get a chance. I love to travel. I quilt and read and organize with great passion and in bursts of creativity and motivation with long (sometimes years-long) breaks in between kicks. I like cooking better than baking. Read More...
