Let me come right out and say it…I blame The Secret.

I am all for the power of positive thinking, but only when there is some honest work attached. Sitting on my couch mentally emitting fabulous photography thoughts is not going to get me anywhere. It is not going to get me a new camera and it is not going to earn me the respect of people whose respect I value. I do have a vision board though as I think it is often hard to remember what I am working so hard to achieve. Especially since the good stuff usually takes a long time. The board is not just covered with material goods, but also words that represent more intangible goals I have.

As far as the material stuff goes, I want the Nikon D4. I will allow myself to desire it, but I don’t expect anyone to hand it to me for free. I am also not going to just go out and drop a cool SIX GRAND on it because I think it is AWESOME. I have a camera and four years on, it still works well. Sometimes companies do contact me to work with their gear. If that happens it is because I have been working my shutter finger off at photography since I first picked up a camera in 1984. That’s right, overnight success (officially called myself a pro in 1995 when I took my first paying  jobs) has taken me years. And I still have to earn my way. Daily. I am all for that though and I am doing something I love so I enjoy the process.

The thing is, I am finding it very hard to raise kids in this climate of ask and ye shall receive for-not-a-whole-lot-of-effort-on-your-part-other-than-the-asking-bit. See, Gemma wants an iPod Touch. She has plenty of things…toys, electronics, circus class, vacations, daily meals, education, health, etc… We are very fortunate and Alec and I are aware of that. But there is always something new…something more. So, we have decided that if she saves enough money she can buy an iPod touch for herself. It will cost her about $200.00 and that is A LOT of money to save when you are seven. Sure we could just buy one and share it or give it to her for a Christmas present, but we have decided that would not help Gemma learn the value of all these things she wants or already has. Plus we don’t think she needs an iPod Touch, but if it is her money, she can have control over how she spends it. It is tough not to blow the cash on little bits and pieces along the way. Also, it is really hard to keep the faith when you can’t see the goal or how far you have come in the journey. To that end, we made her a wish jar as she is nearly to the finish line. Hiding her money away in a opaque piggy bank was not enough of a reminder that she was making progress.

Here is what you will need and a few photos of the process.
Clean jar. We used a pasta sauce one, but you can buy them from the craft store as well. This was more fun to recycle something we had on hand. A slit can be cut in the lid to deposit coins, but we did not bother with that.
Picture of what you want. Gemma cut the iPod Touch and price out of the store circular. (We glued it to white paper so it would look neater from the back.)
Contact paper or packing tape. Aussies LOVE to cover books with contact paper so we had some in the house. You can easily use thick clear packing tape. The image is going on the outside of the jar (facing in) so you can see it when looking at the money collected.
Gemma likes to keep track of her money the old fashioned way with a pen and paper, but I also keep a log of her earnings in an app on my phone. Otherwise, we would be counting it daily.

Despite saving for nearly a year now, Gemma still wants to buy the iPod. Waiting has just deepened her desire and I am hoping will extend her time using it once she actually has one. It is harder to lose interest in something that is so hard won. It is how we are getting the kids to try different vegetables. We are growing them in the yard. Something that is difficult to obtain has more value to them and since they grew those veggies, they are proud and excited to eat them. Everything comes with a snap of the fingers today, but the best still comes to those who wait.

Next up, my D4 jar.

When Clover and Kieran were born, we got ourselves a BIG GIANT pram for these teeny tiny twins (Ok, for twins, they were actually not that small weighing 6lbs 11 oz and 7lbs 3oz at birth thankyouverymuch). Trying to get that thing into cafes or down the aisles of shops was a joke. At the time, I was not really thinking about those elements of practicality, so we ended up having to get an additional stroller that could go through doorways and fold up easily to fit in the car. That second twin stroller was always a nightmare to push and I dreaded having to take it out. Well, cut to a few years later and those little babies have finally grown too big for the original pram so now both of those old strollers are no longer relevant. The problem is, we still need a stroller! When we go into the city on a big adventure, bringing a stroller is a must. Even though the twins are now three, they still can’t make it out all day long just walking and there is NO way that I am going to carry them. Now that I was no longer in a fog of maternal hormones, I knew what I wanted from my stroller. Some of my requirements are easy maneuvering with a great turning radius (it sounds like I am shopping for a car), simple to fold and great style. Basically, I wanted, small, light and not ugly.

I started my search and actually took the twins out to try many different styles in store. I was having a really hard time finding something that fit all my requirements and did not cost a fortune.

Then Valco called me! They are based here in Melbourne, so I was able to get a sneak peek at their new stroller ranges (they have so many gorgeous ones) and found that the reason I was having such trouble finding the ultimate stroller for my needs was that Valco had just designed it and it was not yet in stores! I really wanted to take the display model, but while that was not an option, they did say that if I could wait just a bit they would give me the brand new Valco Baby Evo2 for 2 stroller to test out. I weathered a lot of whinging about walking from the twins while I waited for the actual stroller to be released and am so glad that I did. We are loving it. If it had been around when the twins were born, I could have just purchased it as it covered all my needs.

Valco designed this stroller (and the single version: Evo2) with a “no pinch hinge”. Keeps little (and big) fingers completely safe from getting pinched when wrestling with folding. And the folding! Super easy, just like any other umbrella stroller. With 3 easy movements, I can fold the stroller up and have even done so while holding coffee in one hand.

Other great features include an adjustable footrest and full reclining seats which both operate independently on each seat, as well as the “EXpanda Hood” which provides great coverage and protection. I have used the special hood to completely cover the twins when we recently got caught out in the city during a rain shower.

Some other features include:

• Lockable Front Swivel Wheels
• Tubeless Wheels (no more popped tires!)
• Compact Fold with Carry Handle (light enough to carry one handed)
• Peek-a-boo Window for Each Seat (would have been perfect when they were small)

There are 3 design styles to choose from, with a variety of accessories that you can add to it.

I have had the stroller for a few months now and have been able to take it on many practical test runs. One day when Gemma was out of school we decided to spend the day in the city. I was able to take all the things we needed for 3 kids and myself (including my camera) in the baskets below the seats and my bag hung over the back. Unlike other umbrella strollers, it did not topple backwards from the weight when the twins hopped out. It was also surprisingly easy to push, feeling much lighter than the old prams we sold. The most amazing thing was not just did it fit through the doors of shops, but I can actually push this down the aisle of the train! That meant that when we accidentally got on the train where there were no free seats, we could just move down the car to another area. Before I would either be stuck for the entire trip or I would have to get off and back on at the next stop. Freedom! Kieran fell asleep, so I reclined his seat and pulled the hood over him while Clover was able to keep sitting up and enjoying her ride.

If there is one con, it would be for Alec when he is pushing it. Because the stroller is small and has a 3rdwheel in the middle, Alec sometimes kicks it while walking and pushing. I have not had that problem though, but I am a bit shorter. For me, it is all the perfect height.

This particular model is available only in Australia because each country has their own set of standards to meet. Valco does have a great range of comparable models available in the states as well.

The kids love their new wheels. I am hoping that they will not still be needing a stroller when they are 5, but until then, I am happy to have this one for them to enjoy.

NOTE: All images taken back in July when we first got the stroller and the color ones were processed with my upcoming Warm Film action for Photoshop that will be available for free (soon!) as a download for fans of my Facebook page.

a lot.

I have to admit, I am really digging the books we are getting at the library…the things I am learning from just having a curious three year old boy is fantastic. Makes me want to go back to school.

But, he is asking Santa for an Iguanodon. (Help.)

Photo info: This is with the 35mm lens again…I told you that I loved that thing. I did not really pay attention to settings, I just wanted to capture his enthusiasm.

She is mysterious and always intense.

My children give me new ideas for portraits of them daily because they are always changing.

That is why I love to photograph clients as well, their stories are always different from my own and from one to the next.

People are endless inspiration.

She is intense but hardly ever serious.

It has been go go go go go since we got here.

next up, horse farm and wedding!

off we go again.

This past week I have written a few blog posts for Digital Photography School about the things from my film days that I bring to my digital photography of kids. Have a look at the series starting here.

Also, Click! is only at the sale price until the 19th of October and if you have already bought it or buy it before that date, you are in the running to win a DSLR and lens combo! Just hit the banner below to go right to the page where you can read more about my eBook on kids photography and get your own copy!

My kids are obsessed with trains, big and little. Mostly it is the little boy who is so keen. Some of our favorite together time has been spent packing up a picnic lunch and heading down to watch the metro trains as they head to and from the city. We have yet to get out to the steam train in the mountains, but we have plans to. Gemma has been begging for us to do that since we moved here. We are lucky that we live in a city with a great rail system because Kieran gets to actually ride on real trains and not just play with them. We do however have a very extensive collection of Thomas stuff at home. I got Gemma a wooden train when she was a toddler because I never knew if we would have a boy and thought she should be in on the fun too. Well, I am not sure exactly how it happened, but shortly after giving birth to my twins (one of whom if you are a regular reader, you know is a boy) there was Thomas paraphernalia coming out of the woodwork. Some of it came from parents of boys already who silently slipped us a wooden train or two with a knowing look and said “You are going to need this.” Other things just seemingly showed up in the playroom one day. I mean really, where DID that tiny wooden railroad crossing sign come from? Clover even has her own little engine, pink of course.

Then I heard about a contest. One that if won would most definitely be THE best day ever in the life of the lucky child. Thomas and Friends are searching for Australia’s (tiny) Trackmaster. Now being the Trackmaster looks a lot easier than it sounds:

“Thomas runs clickety clack on Trackmaster track that I click clack.”

Say it three times. Fast. (Balancing a Thomas train on your head in the bathtub *optional*)

See:

So parents of kids…it is really easy to enter on the website and there are some amazing prizes up for grabs there. All you need is a little practice and then click on their website to record a video right there online (you will need an internet connection and a webcam for that) of your child saying the Trackmaster Tongue Twister three times! The top prize is a trip to England to go to Thomasland as the reigning Australian Trackmaster! That is crazy cool.

http://www.australiastrackmaster.com.au/

My three little Thomas fans can’t win this prize ,but they had fun trying.

Now for the extra special part, a reader here has a chance to win a Thomas Play Set just for leaving a comment here with your answer to  the following question:

Who is your favorite train from the Thomas series?

This is a sponsored post. I only accept the sponsored posts that I am interested in so you can be assured that the topic or product is something that I wanted to write about. Getting compensation for a post will never affect my opinions or the truthfulness with which I express them here. Ever.

Another great Adventure Thursday…this time to Chapel Street. Thank goodness I have my Valco Evo2 for two stroller or I would never be able to face the world with these guys…they need the respite of a stroller still and so do I. It is an amazing and strong little pusher…the only one we have now. I am going to review it, but if you are in the market now, go check it out.

Thanks goodness also for good friends and thrift store snakes.

I love seeing them so happy.

*I edited these as I was working on some new actions, but they will be on hold now for a bit…I will be swapping out the black and white one I have for free download on my Facebook page with one of the color ones here soon. We are starting out with a new system over there for fan page extras from Ripe Social and we will be having a great offer from them for all my readers! Join us on the Facebook page to be the first to hear all about it!

The boy’s nickname.

From the day he was born, those swoopy eyes have had me wrapped around his tiny chubby fingers.

When we found out that one of the twins was a boy, I was a bit stunned. I knew girls, what was I going to do with a boy? Funny thing, just like the girls, all I have to do is love him. And I have found out that I really quite like playing with cars.

Top image shot for me because the boy and his frog warm my heart.

Bottom image shot for a Digital Photography School publication on kid photography to be released very soon.

ISO 2000 because I welcome the grain.