5-2, Em' "new" Trike

I think Sven's going to go crazy.  Every time I see a cute prop for children's photography.....I buy it.  Yep, no restraint, cash on the table.  (And he says, "where are we going to put all this stuff?!) Take this vintage trike, for example.  Last weekend, Sven and I took a drive 'out to the country' daydreaming about one day having a ranch house on five acres (easier said than done---afforded--- in the booming Denver real estate market.  And, that's not even adding in our wish list items of RV garage, workshop and detached studio.  Alas, a person can dream...)  Anyway, we passed this cute little antique store that wasn't open on a Sunday.  I bravely took Em there with me yesterday (bravely, yes, a 3-year old in an antique store?!).  I was particularly fond of a weathered, child's rocking chair (of the outdoor variety).  Em was captivated by this trike.  The smart shop-owner brought the trike down from the table so Emalie could ride it up and down the sidewalk in front of the store.  Ok, yeah, how could I not buy it then?!  It was practically glued to Em's bottom and hands.  Definitely a partner in crime, that little Emalie is!  I'm just hoping that little rocking chair is there next time I go (you know, can't go too crazy all at once....).  But, now that I think about it, I'd better make that drive out to the country sooner rather than later.  Don't want to miss another cute prop.  LOL.....

4-30, Nik's Brown Belt

Ordinarily, I would bring my camera to one of Nik's belt tests.  Not this time.  There were several reasons:  the studio has moved and the set-up is not as 'film friendly' as the previous one, the higher in ranks Nikolas gets the less I want to distract him, and I wanted to be more present with my own eyes rather than through the viewfinder.  Needless to say, he tested wonderfully and earned his brown belt!!  The next step on his path to black belt is the candidate black belt.  I wonder if it has happened as quickly for him as it has for us, his parents.  But judging by the passage of time for kids, I'm thinking it probably has (ie, Emalie tells endless stories about things that happened 'yesterday'.....or a year ago, but who's counting....).  We're so proud of him and his martial arts studies.  We couldn't be more happy with the school or his Shihan.  He's learning wonderful skills and techniques that will help him as he matures, and not just of the physical nature.  Since I didn't have photos of the actual test, I bargained with Nikolas to get pictures of him in his uniform with his newly acquired brown belt.  You'll notice that recently the only real pictures I get of Nikolas are karate related.  I have learned that a toddler will be the subject of a photo shoot just for the pure sake of being the subject of a photo shoot but that it just isn't so with a pre-teen.  If you can't beat them, join them.....right?!