ABC: Challenging the photographer in me

by Lara Anyone who knows me knows that photos are my thing. I love taking photos; if I got good photos of an outing, it makes that outing all the more successful in my eyes.

But, I feel a bit blah about my photography lately. And I feel inspired by bloggers like Dani, Andrea , Anna, Amy, this list could go on forever, who take amazing photos! I want to do better!

This past weekend, however, with the challenge of finding some interesting photos for the Kids in the Capital header, I was able to get some great shots I feel really proud of:

So in the interest of getting more photos that I can feel proud of, I am going to set a challenge for myself:

In the next 14 weeks I will get at least one photo I am proud of in each of the categories (in no particular order) in my following ABC list. Every week I will present you with 2 of the photos (hmmm, maybe photos from two categories so I can show you more if I feel like it), as well as a photography tip I have discovered that I can share with you.

Art Books Climbing Discovery Eating Friends Green Hugging Inside Jumping Kisses Laughing Mealtime Night Outside Playing Quiet Riding Swinging Trees Umbrella Vehicles Wet Xcited (OH! Cheater!) Yellow Zoom

And I would love it if you would join me! I set up a flickr group where we can all share our photos with each other. Together we can not only share our beautiful photos but highlight some of the amazing spots in our fabulous city, from all its different angles.

Lara is the mom to 3.5 year old Kiernan and 10 month old twins Quinn and Juliette. You can find her at her blog Gliding Through Motherhood.

Binoculars

by Brie I am not crafty. I would like to be, but I'm not. I sometimes pretend to be, but even that doesn't last very long. Still with two kids it is sometimes necessary to do something creative. My easy craft? Binoculars.

We always have a few empty toilet paper rolls around. Who doesn't? After letting the kids play with them as is for a while I take some masking tape and wind it around and around two rolls until they are firmly stuck together. Then I hand them over.

Once the novelty of that wears off I wrap them in coloured construction paper (more tape please!) and get the kids to decorate them. Paint, crayons, stickers and stamps all work great. When the masterpieces are finished I punch some holes and thread through some ribbon to make a strap.

The first time I made binoculars the girl, then two, played with them for days. She went on jungle expeditions. She searched for moose. It was a hit!

As you can tell I am all about finding projects to do that will entertain my kids for the longest amount of time possible.

This is an easy craft and one kids can make themselves. For the little amount of time and energy spent to make a pair of binoculars, there are hours of enjoyment.

Learning as we go

by Brie and Lara The Ottawa we knew before kids is a very different one than the city we live in now. Before, we were up to date on the latest restaurant openings, movie showings and art exhibits. Now all we want to know is which restaurants have the best kids meals, where the play groups are and which park has a splash pad. The city has stayed the same but all of a sudden the hidden world of children's Ottawa has become visible to us.

We have had to learn as we go. As the kids have grown we have searched out and discovered new activities and attractions around the city. We are always looking for something to do that will amuse the kids. And ourselves.

While we continue to find excitement around the city, we are also eager to learn of fun things we can do at home. Baking, cooking, reading, crafting and creating are all great ways to pass the time with kids. Ideas are a valuable commodity around our houses.

If you are on this crazy parenting journey too, come along with us as we share the things we like to see and do.

Brie is mom to 3.5 year old daughter "the girl" and eighteen month old son "the boy". She blogs at Capital Mom.

Lara is the mom to 3.5 year old Kiernan and 10 month old twins Quinn and Juliette. You can read her blog at Gliding Through Motherhood.