Sunday, July 24, 2011

A Photographer in the Making....

I am always amazed with my children and the things they can accomplish. I believe in letting them be who they are, go along with what they are into, and encourage them to be themselves and to ignore what others may say or do about it. If it is something they like... then that is what's "cool". This past school year was the first time I had to talk to Olivia about a girl who made fun of her outfit. I knew this would come due to the fact she wears mismatched earrings and socks, handmade clothing usually designed by herself, fun shoes and countless other silly things. I have caught myself a few times before she heads out asking if she is sure that is what she wants to wear....she always leaves the house in pure confidence so why not!!! Well this  girl really must have said something really mean because Olivia's favorite Pinafore was staying in the closet. The same pinafore I stopped hanging in closet because as soon as it was washed she was wearing it. To be frank I was ticked...at the girl for being mean and at the fact Olivia cared so much what this girl said. I mean who did this girl think she was...... So after days of discussing the situation and the fact that she (Olivia) sure wouldn't give up Poke' mon or Star Wars for this girl...why would we give up our favorite pinafore....2 weeks later and back to the washer twice a week it went....

   I just want to paint a picture of my child... She wants to be involved in everything, always wants to be doing something, she keeps three journals #1. her Animal discovery book...she draws animals and logs facts she knows about each one. #2. her sketch book this is were she draws her characters and totes along to draw random things at the places we go. #3 Journal she writes made up stories and actual things that has happened and draws blueprints of her inventions .... And she also has a Project Runway book she designs outfits for me to make... Someday I would love to make every single one. When She grows up she wants to be a Singer/Scientist/Zoo Vet...not just one but all three...because she says she can. She is so stubborn if you tell her she can't or she is wrong she will believe in herself till proven otherwise... Yes OLIVIA is AMAZING...and I love her for who she is...

To my point of this post... Olivia wanted to use my camera on vacation and take all the "vacation pictures". After saying "no" two or three times I finally asked myself...Why Not??? Sometimes I think I tell my kids "no" out of habit or maybe because it is what I think I should say...but really...WHY NOT???? This was their vacation. So she took my CoolPics...cheap <$200.00 camera (3 years ago) and carried it around the whole vacation. Of course I kept an eye on her, she is a kid and a very unorganized forgetful kid... but she did great!!!! Not once did she set it down and forget to pick it back up. It did take us twice as long to see things because she had to wait and get the perfect picture. At the time my husband and I rolled our eyes, giggled and just went with it. Let me say... now that I have seen her pictures I am soooo glad we let her do this. I will now be giving her and her brother a camera every vacation. Not only did she take the most amazing pictures but we got to see our full vacation from a 48" child's perspective. One never really thinks about what we see at eye level, our children are looking up at and what we are looking down at they see at eye level...it was exciting for me to experience our vacation as they did.... I definitely recommend this to all parents! And I do have to say ... Olivia will grow up to be a singer/scientist/zoo vet/photographer no doubt.