Sunday, October 30, 2011

Annual Halloween Playdate

Our playgroup this morning had our annual Halloween party. Every year we try to get a group picture with the kids in their Halloween costumes. Its getting harder and harder especially when it is the middle of  the day in the bright sun and there are little babies involved. Yet, here it is. Three babies missing from the group, but all our kids dressed up for the holidays.

Erik is going as a skelton this year, but he knew his friend Audrey was going as spiderwoman so he wore his spiderman costume instead today.

Happy Halloween everyone!

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Friday, October 28, 2011

Preschool Halloween Carnival

Every year the church where Erik's preschool is located puts on a Halloween Carnival. Its super age appropriate and free so every year we have been attending this preschool, we have gone. This year was even more fun because Elliot "gets" trick or treating this year and understands the value of candy so we not only have one, but two avid trick or treaters on our hands this year.

This year for the boys costume's I just couldn't come up with a theme or was unmotivated to do so since neither boy had a strong opinion, other than Erik wanting to be a skeleton. Then for the last month Elliot kept saying he wanted to be a ghoul for Halloween, but I got him a train costume, so I was in a dilemma. Here is what happened. Erik is a skeleton, for Elliot's costume I decided I didn't like it and just tucked it away and instead he is a train conductor, the same thing Erik was when he was two and its adorable. Honestly watching him wear it again this year makes me happy I am getting a second use out of it.

Carl said all the old people like it because he wasn't a character but just an old fashioned train conductor. I never saw it, but I was with Erik and taking pictures, so I'll take his word for it.

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This event is really good practice for the actual event. They got to trick or treat and say their thank you's. Erik wore his mask almost the entire event which is just shocking. I am not sure how he tolerates it honestly.

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Then after they are done trick or treating for $10 they can play a ton of games and win all these prizes that aren't candy. It was honestly a bean bag game done in 20 ways, but the boys really enjoyed it and thought it was fun. Elliot was sure adorable and had a really good arm for a two year old.

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Lastly there are the friends we saw. We got a picture with almost all of them, and it was fun. Erik kept his mask on the entire the entire time so his friends couldn't figure out who he was until he told them. Its fun because last year he had just started preschool, but this year after being there for a while he has his go to friends who know him and his brother. Its nice having a familiar place for the boys.

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Wednesday, October 26, 2011

The Yearly Pumpkin Patch

We've barely had anytime to fit in the pumpkin patch this year, but on Sunday we made a point of going. Unfortunately it was almost 100 degrees out there, very crowded and very pricey. I think we're going to keep it simple next year or go very very early.

We only got to go on one ride that day, the train, but we did explore all the free things and eventually pick a pumpkin. Honestly our day lasted all of 40 minutes at this pumpkin patch with tons to do. We just didn't have the patience to shift through the people in the heat. When it was time for lunch we decided to head out instead of eating there. I guess in life you sometimes just have to go with it.

Here are a few of the things we got to do that day.

Run around in a hay maze, which both boys were totally thrilled and perplexed over.

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There was a lot of hay to climb all over the place. We did see animals, but nothing captured here.

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They also have a lot of play structures you can climb and play in. I tried to get the pumpkin shot again for each boy, but there were too many people that day to make it happen.

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Then there are rows and rows of pumpkins and I was not going to leave that day with one of each family member. The boys picked out all our pumpkins, but had just as much fun running through the rows of pumpkins. My rule is that same one my mom use to have. If you can carry it, you can get it. It was pretty cute watching Elliot carry a heavy pumpkin and after about 10 feet he said "Mom I can't carry it," and I didn't have the heart to be strict about the rule so he got a heavy pumpkin.

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So although we made the trip short, it was sweet and the boys had fun which is all the counts most days.

Boys will be boys

October is busy and we haven't been up to a whole lot these days. We mostly go to school, our afternoon activities and just playing with friends. Our life is pretty ordinary and we have been going on less and less adventures.

Here is a moment I was glad to capture. I was going to play Candyland with Erik, but instead he decided to play with his brother and teach him. They didn't make it very far, but it was cute to watch and see them try to figure out this board game together.

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One thing I still get to do with the boys is take them to mommy & me class. Elliot goes while Erik is in preschool and Elliot goes to a babysitter provided by the school while I take Erik. Its really nice for me to be in a classroom setting appropriate for their age group with each of the kids.

This week I was the assisting parent for Elliot's class and when that happens I try to bring my camera around and capture all the moments of the day. Its funny the last couple of times we have gone to school Elliot is really developing a routine. Out of both my kids, Elliot thrives on routine best and develops his own constantly.

When he's inside his first activity is always to head towards the legos and make a train out of the legos. Its his special activity and if anyone tries to play along or interfere he gets very angry.

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Next he heads over the rest of the toys and looks for all the trains and starts putting them together. Did I mention how train obsessed he is? More so than Erik was at this age.

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Then at some point he will head over to the puzzles and do a few. This whole time I am repeatedly asking him to do the artwork or paint and 50% of the time he says yes, but not on this day.

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Outside he is not into a routine yet, although he is in love with the teeter-totter and is constantly looking for a companion to join him. These were my favorite shots of the day because Elliot and his new favorite friend Dayton were having so much fun. They actually kept falling down from the top of it on purpose, boys!

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There is the sand yard, but he doesn't seem to spend as much time there as his brother did.

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Lastly there are bikes and he one of a few who can actually ride a bike in the class. He is one of the oldest kids. This was adorable because he was riding Mickey around all morning and both of them were having the best time.

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On Tuesday I took a couple images from Erik's class. After all our years at BPEC the 4's are finally allowed to wear their costumes to school. When we got there a few kids didn't have them on and Erik started getting self conscious and asked to take his off. I persuaded him to keep it on and then more showed up with costumes until he finally started having fun with it. He put on the mask during circle time and kept it on the entire time. Several mom's were amazed at his patience wearing that thing. Honestly so I am.

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This is what we do for half our week, the other half is just randomness or hanging out at home. Yet it keeps me too busy to take pictures or blog these days. I really need to work on it.

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About Heather

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I am a Los Angles based photographer and mom of 2 wonderful boys. Photography has been a passion of mine over 15 years now, ever since I picked up my first camera in journalism school and started developing my black and whites in a darkroom. The instant an affordable DSLR came out on the market in 2002, I had to have one and have been shooting digital since. Once I became a mom I realized how much I enjoy photographing children and how much better I could understand their nuances so it became a passion of mine. Their is such innocence and beauty in their pictures and I feel privileged to be a part of that. I am constantly trying new approaches and tuning my skills to create the art that is in my head, not just the art that I can create right now. I am very interested in off camera flash, and the depth and clarity it adds to my photographs. Sometimes I take breaks from my blog and photography, but it seems to never leave me completely. I always come back.