Have you talked to your children yet? Have you told them about what's going on in the news? Have they heard the name George Floyd? No? Why not? If your gut instinct is to respond with any of these: They're too young.I don't want to worry them.They’re anxious enough.I don't want to stress them out.They… Continue reading Have you talked to your children?
Category: Children
Creative Kidface
Even though last week was technically Spring Break to keep our routine and sanity I hosted a relaxed learning week. More time was spent reading Tom Sawyer on the couch and discussing life. We watched The Hate You Give and discussed many of the injustices blacks are faced with today. The compassion and understanding our… Continue reading Creative Kidface
Taken by surprise
Friday was my first day out of the house in 2 weeks. I drove downtown for a doctor's appointment to have the last of my staples removed. Thankfully the prosthetist was able to meet me at this appointment to fit me with shrinkers and complete an exam required for ordering my first gel liner. I… Continue reading Taken by surprise
Social Distancing & Home Schooling
This whole practice of social distancing has brought a couple of things to my attention. Things specifically related to my lifestyle. As many of you know I had a below-knee amputation three weeks ago. With this, I am still on leave from work. Generally, I work remotely from a home office. This means that at… Continue reading Social Distancing & Home Schooling
Halloween – Pushin’ Boundaries
Even though it is December I want to share this story. I have come a long way as a parent. Our eleven-year-old challenges us to learn, grow and improve nearly every day of her existence. Now, this particular story fills me with pride. Not only am I proud of our daughter, but also of myself… Continue reading Halloween – Pushin’ Boundaries
Gang Initiation
August 29th we moved from a suburb of Madison to Eau Claire, Wisconsin. With moving to a smaller city there is one thing that we did not expect to happen on the first day we arrived. Our 10-year-old daughter was initiated into the neighborhood gang. Roughly an hour after we closed on our new house,… Continue reading Gang Initiation
Tiny Dancer
Taylor always looks so different all dolled up. At 10 years old she doesn't get to wear makeup except for very special occasions and even then it is limited to lipgloss and maybe eyeshadow. After her picture session, for her ballet recital last week, I decided to take a few snaps of her in the… Continue reading Tiny Dancer
Teaching Consent
Most of Taylor's life I have been sneaking in tiny conversations about consent. This started when she was very young (she is 10 now). The conversations revolved around not being forced to hug friends or family members - for any reason. This was important to me because I wanted to instill that it is okay… Continue reading Teaching Consent
Our Spring
Wowza! The last few months have flown by! So much has happened that I have struggled to keep in touch with everyone. At the end of February I chopped off all of my hair. Taylor has always been very attached to her hair and I wanted to show her that hair not only grows back,… Continue reading Our Spring
To be or not to be…
Mother's Day is a very interesting holiday for many. a joyous for those who have mothers who are still living, and they have a good relationship with. a sad reminder that your mother has passed or that you are not in touch with her. a wonderful day that you get to spend with your children… Continue reading To be or not to be…
Doing it better than before
This month an interesting parenting situation presented itself. Honestly as a parent we find ourselves in a plethora of situations we would not have anticipated. Taylor keeps us on our toes, constantly challenging us to learn and grow right along with her. This time however, it was someone else who made us consider all sorts… Continue reading Doing it better than before
She be campin’
So Taylor is gone this week at Girl Scout 'Ninja Girl' camp. It is her first week-long overnight camp. The day before she left we were looking over her packing list and the camp map. While holding the map she turns and looks at me very straight-faced and says very matter of fact like "You… Continue reading She be campin’
New England
This August Taylor and I went to New England to visit my folks. It was her first time on an airplane since she was one and a half. Due to how young she was, she really doesn't remember it. Ever since Tay learned that we would be going to visit Papa and Grandma she has… Continue reading New England
Badger Youth Camp 2018
In July Taylor attended her first overnight camp without a family member being a chaperone. She was surrounded by children, away from home and was determined to cause trouble. This is something I always wanted to do when I was a kid. I dreamed of meeting my twin just like in the original Parent Trap… Continue reading Badger Youth Camp 2018
Power Struggle
Sometimes I wonder how I will survive this whole parenting 'thing'. Saying it is challenging or difficult is an understatement. While it has more than its fair share of positives, it can be a struggle. Right now my, I mean our, daughter is nine and a half years old. She is smart, kind and creative.… Continue reading Power Struggle
Limitless
I want to teach my daughter that she can do anything. Anything that she puts in time and effort to achieve. Nothing is only for boys or only for girls. If there is something she wants to do or learn it can be done. Everything just takes research, practice and dedication. In the last few months I… Continue reading Limitless
Wordless Wednesday (series): 17
Fashion Police
While raising Taylor I wanted to try my hardest to raise her in a home where style isn't mandatory. I wanted her to have confidence in herself and her choices. Since she could walk I began having her choose her own outfits. As long as it fit and was weather appropriate; it is considered fair… Continue reading Fashion Police
Through Her Eyes
Over the last six months Taylor has been taking pictures with her Fuji film Instax Mini 9. In essence it is a modern mini Polaroid camera. She received it as a gift for Christmas last year. Recently while picking up around the house I gathered and assembled all the photographs I stumbled upon. I enjoyed… Continue reading Through Her Eyes
Posing for Portraits
Natural light is my dear friend. It has assisted me thus far on my photography journey. Until now. Recently I have been trying to learn how to take studio style portraits with an off camera flash setup. Here are a few of my images, well more than a few of Taylor, but who's counting?? The… Continue reading Posing for Portraits
Savoring Life's Moments 