The Digital Age

We model for our children everyday. That said, it is no wonder my preschooler is an avid photographer. My small elph camera resides in my jean pocket, always charged and ready to capture that special memory; Pickle has picked up on my passion for photography and carries around a Crayola digital. He prefers using my camera because he can instantly look to see the captured image. I’m amazed how easily he has learned how to manipulate a “grown up” digital camera.

For his age, he composes very good photographs. I’m thinking of entering several of his entries in the fair this year. It is always fun to see what he thinks is interesting. When I download his images it is like Christmas; it is a gift to view life from his perspective. His favorite things to photograph are family, everyday items around the house, and himself. Seeing his captured memories makes me understand once again what it is like to be 3 feet tall and full of wonder.

If you have children around and haven’t done so, give them a camera to explore their world. It can be something as simple as a disposable camera, or as elaborate as your own “grown up” camera. You, too, might enjoy seeing life from their perspective.

Goofy Big Brother!

I wanna drink!

shoes and socks

Toy Truck

Me! Me! It’s All About Me!

A Cross

Pick Your Own Peaches

On the way to visit Meme and Poppy, we happened to pass a “Pick Your Own Peaches” orchard. Everyone should have the experience of picking their own food at least once in their lifetime. I think it helps one feel connected to the earth, and not to take something as simple as eating for granted. It also reinforces to young children that a grocery store is not the source of food, but our nation’s farmers; natural, healthy food comes from the dirt, not a can. So,of course we had to stop!

As a more experienced picker, it is my opinion that the best fruit is not really at 36 inches or less. I also know that fruit can be turned into wonderful ice cream! Pickle at first was not sure what to do. I showed him the peaches on the tree, how to gently pluck the fruit and softly put it in the bucket to avoid bruising. This led to a mad dash from one end of the orchard to the other, yanking peaches from their peach-laden limbs and, channeling Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma Thunder, dunking them in our plastic container. He had a great time! It was difficult for me to let him enjoy the experience, but I held my tongue and let him pick bruised ones, pick green ones, pick hard as stone ones, and pick the wormy ones. The end result is that we made a great memory. Isn’t that what it’s all about?

 By my calculations, two plastic containers of preschool-picked peaches equal just enough for home-made ice cream.  We decided ice cream is definitely better when you pick your own ingredients!

Cicada Emerging!

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  Once emerged, it was quite friendly!

  The erratic sound of cicadas is a sure sign that summer is here! We happened to be outside when a Dog Day Cidada was emerging from its shell. Its wings were curled up, and over the course of about an hour they unfurled. Pickle got a little impatient and decided to help it come out. Luckily, I was able to catch it and put it on the ground. It decided to crawl around after me! I had to pick it back up and deposit it on a tree because I thought it would wind up in the pool. It was a brave moment for me to let it crawl onto my hand!