Gramdma Lala (Presley was trying to say "Linda" and it came out Lala) sent this painting project to her for her birthday. I didn't get any photos of us painting them, I was trying to just enjoy it. Sometimes I think the photographs are too much and I just need to be present in the moment...
Presley was so involved in her birdhouse that we didn't chat during the 30 minutes she painted her birdhouse. I painted the blue one, Moses got to it first. I didn't mind, I knew if I didn't paint I would be trying to "help" her with hers and I know she would not like that. I'm still trying to figure out if there is a way I can hide the damage, hmmm...
I've attached a video I found on Youtube. You may know that I have a personal problem with companies advertising to my toddler. The video is clips and information on that subject. It's a problem I'm struggling to find a comfortable balance with. I did watch some television growing up, but we didn't have dvd's, play stations, wii, cell phones, ipods, car dvd players, 24 hour cartoons, tivo, internet and companies marketing to us at school and on all those other devices I just named...
I enjoy painting projects like we did today. I know we need to do more art and creative projects together. However this other stuff is just creeping in around us. I'm not perfect, I use the television to distract her at times or I get distracted from playing with her by my cell phone...
A scene keeps replaying in my head. A few summers ago (before Presley watched any t.v) I saw this toddler in a swing and a young Mom with her nose in her phone and I just felt so sad. It was as if I could feel the child was there alone. I remember thinking why would this mom do this? I now find myself doing the same thing thinking to myself, she won't notice and then I have a flash of the little girl in the red swing.
I don't want her to ever feel she is not important enough. I've now turned off my ringer during the day, not that it rings that much. It's more my desire to look up something (online) before I forget, or turn on the television so I can work on that photo, or pick up around the house and yes try to nap. With all of this weighing heavily on my mind I am really looking forward to summer.
Summer is a time where we are always outside in the grass, in the lake, picking berries, chasing fire flies and being with friends! This summer's plans are still up in the air, we sold the New York house. We still have a few great options. It's my goal to make sure what ever happens Presley is somewhere where she can be outdoors with kids and away from "the machine".
www.foramomentphotography.com