behind the camera
Saturday, September 10, 2011 at 4:12PM My children are used to seeing this version of me.
But on a recent tromp through the woods near our home, I nervously handed over one of my cameras to my kids.
I could tell you about how children have a different perspective on the world, and isn't it refreshing to see the wonderment that young people experience in something as simple as blade of grass?
I could tell you that. And it would be true.
But I could also tell you that my kids were whining about it being muddy and were lobbing pinecones at each others' heads, resulting in ear-splitting screams.
And also, they felt very hungry and exceedingly thirsty. Because mom, you never, ever feed us, and we did not just eat breakfast.
And that would also be true.
I told them they could each have ten minutes with the camera, but only if they behaved themselves.
The first thing this young 'un did was take a picture of me. (Above.)
Then she said, "Cool! Mom! You have big legs!"
"Here, I want to take another picture of you!"
<Side note: Yes, she picked that outfit out for herself. Yes, she is my daughter with the turquoise and hot pink. Don't think I wouldn't wear that if they made it in my size.>
"Let me see if it turned out."
"Oh, wait. The camera is upside down."
"Look at you, mama! You have big BIG... camera!"
Let us take a moment to thank our lucky stars that she used the word camera instead of the 19 other inappropriate words she could have chosen to complete that sentence.
*****
And now it is time to play a game. Let's play a little round of,
WHO TOOK THAT PICTURE?
Mom or four year old?
If you said four year old, you grossly overestimate my four year old's camera operating skills.
<Another side note: This is the river I grew up several blocks from. There are many waterfalls and swimming holes with fast moving currents. I was here with my sisters nearly every day in the summer, swimming, unattended.
I would like the record to reflect that my mother let me swim here without lifeguard or adult supervision at age 12, and I lived to tell the tale. I jumped off all the rocks. One time I slid down a waterfall and cut up the backs of my legs.
I would also like the record to reflect that my mother will not let my nine year old play in her backyard unattended while she sits at the kitchen table, which is next to giant windows that overlook the backyard. Her backyard in a quiet, residential neighborhood.
I'll wait a moment for the record to be reflected.>
Back to the game. Mom or four year old?
I believe this is a blurry picture of the side of our dog's mouth.
If you said mom, you grossly overestimate my desire to lower myself a not inconsiderable distance in an effort to take a blurry picture of large mammal slobber.
This one's a little harder. Mom or four year old?
Props to the preschooler for noticing some of the first orange leaves in the forest.
Mom or four year old?
Also the four year old. A great example of how children's brains notice things -- like orange lichen on the side of a birch tree -- that we don't, because their brains haven't habituated the information yet. Hence, the wonderment that children often experience in the mundane.
I still got nothin' on the pinecone throwing.
Mom or four year old?
This one goes to the mama. And to the horsedog, who could have played swim-and-bring-back-the-giant-stick-because-it-is-my-biological-destiny-as-a-Labrador for sixteen hours, if allowed.
The day after her tromp through the woods with mama's camera in hand, Miss Four Year Old set off for her very first day of Montessori preschool.
This girl has more spunk and joie de vivre than anyone I've ever met. I wish I could bottle it.
She chose the dress. Don't think I wouldn't wear that if they made it in my size.
Ah, little one. How quickly you grew from this:
To this.
Cut it out, would you? It's going by too fast.
Pardon me while I daub my eyes a little. No, I'm fine. It's just allergies.
Sniffle.
Reader Comments (14)
She has your spirit and joie de vivre!!!
She does take after her mama, in many ways, as far as I can tell. Glad she's a budding photog - that's something valuable you can pass on to her!
Awww, thank you, Cheryl! Now if the toddler department at Target would only start making clothes for me...
Love it! I've done a similar thing-- I gave my 6 yr old an old Olympus waterproof/shock resistant camera to shoot photos whenever and wherever she wants (well, mostly). It is awesome to see the world from a child's perspective!
Don't take yours eyes off that child; the next time you look you might find she just started college!
And yes, she really is every bit as beautiful as you think she is.
LOL... I started at 6 with the taking of photos... only BIG difference? I had to spend time in the dark room afterwards to see the results of my 'hard work' :) Yes, my mom took my brother & I into the dark room with her and taught us how to develop film & pictures (is develop the correct word? Non native English speaker :)).
And I totally understand your mom... it is not HER kid she's watching but yours. I think that makes a big difference. I'm pretty sure that if I were watching someone else's kids I would be a lot more careful with them than with my own kids.
Cheers, Eva
Oh how I know the feeling - my precious little baby just called me this weekend... from college... 1639 miles away, not that I would happen to know the exact mileage from my front door to her door room on the 3rd floor. I'd like to lie to you and say that it gets better but the allergy attacks I have when I get off the phone (or Skype) with her are horrible... so basically, invest in a tissue company.
Rest assured though, you've got us to sit with you while your eyes leak and we understand perfectly.
Your daughter is beautiful! As well as digital cameras! And weren't you having horsedog babies at some point?? I love your yarn and your blog! Thanks for putting more beauty out into the world.
Sarah, thank you!
Something happened to the horsepuppies. :( We're not sure what exactly, but animals reabsorb things when a pregnancy goes awry, and it's clear that that's what happened.
awww, great blog post! Your daughter is adorable and looks like she is full of life and joy!! I hope she enjoyed her first day of school! And thanks for posting neat pictures - I do love looking at the first change of leaf color. You do live in a beautiful place - I must make plans to visit the states around the great lakes - I keep hearing how beautiful they are.
What a gorgeous child with a killer smile. Take lots of pictures, she'll be grown up before you can even believe shes that old. And yes, I totally understand your mom not letting the kids in the backyard by themselves, it's a grandma thing. You will understand someday, hopefully not very soon.
Thank you Eva and thank you Cheryl! :)
What a little beauty - looks just like her mamma! She's a budding "Yarnista's Assistant"!
Sorry to hear about the horsepuppies, though I'm sure it also brought a secret little sense of relief. Your lovely horsedog gets to be a puppy herself for a while longer.
What a sweet post! Now off to daub my eye a little. And no, it's not allergies:)