Author Archives: Nicole

Two Years

It’s been two years since the devastating earthquake and tsunami in Japan. While life goes on for the rest of us, many people in Japan continue to live in limbo.

Powerful images and stories here, here and here.

Let’s not forget.

Words of Warning and a Love of Literacy

We’ve been on a reading and writing frenzy in our house lately.

Thanks to Pre-K, Samuel has discovered a new passion with writing and our evenings are often spent spelling out words so he can write us a love note or two (or five). He loves periods (puts them between every word) and his favorite words to write are like and love.

For Thomas, the second half of first grade has seen an amazing improvement in his reading ability. Now, anytime we leave the house, we have someone who reads every single sign, headline or menu out loud. It truly feels like he was struggling with his reading one day and the next day he suddenly just got it. I’m sure Pokemon has a lot to do with this improvement, as much as I hate to admit it. (Ever read one of those books as a bedtime story? Painful.) The Pokemon character names are often spelled phonetically and Thomas has spent months learning the details of every single one. I’m so excited that he has this new skill. I just know Thomas will love reading and this opens up a whole new world.

While we’re on the subject of reading and writing, I want to share a couple of signs that I found posted to the boys bedroom doors a few weeks ago. We had a bunch of people over for the Super Bowl and Thomas decided that it was a good opportunity to set some ground rules for his guests.  I love how he put’s the “can’t do” list first and then follows it up with the “can’s”. For the record, jumping was accidentally put under the wrong list (he has a bunk bed and low ceilings).

Samuel was a little more direct.

“No girls in my bedroom”.

Here’s to making things crystal clear thanks to the written word.

Todays Photos of Seattle

Not much time to write today, just a few minutes to look back at some photos from my trip to Seattle last week. I found an hour to take a quick photo walk through the city and, although I wish I’d had more time, it was a nice inspirational boost. There’s nothing quite like a new location to make me excited about taking photos again. A little sunshine also helps (that was a special message for the Portland Weather Gods).

A quick walk along the waterfront confirmed that Seattle has the biggest seagulls in the world (in my very unscientific estimation).

Although I’ve been to Seattle many times before, this was the first time I’ve managed to stumble across the gum wall. In a word… ewwwww. As one colleague pointed out, I was lucky that I didn’t have my kids with me. Apparently they can’t help but touch something that looks so …ummm…. delicious.

Nothing says “If you trespass, you might die” quite like some very, very pointy artwork.

Thanks, Seattle. It was good seeing you again, even for a brief moment.

Today’s Photo Taken by Thomas

I’m back at home after a few days in Seattle and playing catch up. I think the tooth fairy must be feeling a little overwhelmed as well because she forgot to stop by our house last night for the second time this week. I blamed an overabundance of toothless seven year olds requiring her attention.

The weekend will be spent catching up on a few things around the house and, hopefully, some good old fashioned laying around. I need a recharge.

I leave you with a photo that Thomas took a couple of weeks ago. Happy Friday!

Today’s Photos of a Seattle Sunset and a Rubber Duck

I’m on a short business trip to Seattle and feeling just a little guilty about leaving Kei back in Portland with a pile of childcare and illness issues back at home.

And, although I have a lot of work to do while I’m up here, the Mummy guilt increases a little bit more when I look out of my hotel window.

But, then I take a bubble bath and remind myself that I’ll be back in a couple of days…

…and suddenly I feel a whole lot better.

You can blame it on the bubbles.

Todays Photos of A Few Moments to Myself

Last weekend, I was fortunate enough to have a whole three hours to myself. Thomas was at a birthday party and Kei took Samuel to the hockey giving me some time to do… well… whatever I wanted.

I could have used that time to clean up the house or do the laundry, but instead I decided to take a little trip downtown to soak up some photography inspiration. It began with a Vivian Maier exhibition at the Blue Sky Gallery (highly recommend), continued with an unexpected stop at the Charles. A. Hartman Gallery next door to take in some Danny Lyon and, after a stop at Peetes to pick up a truly indulgent cup of coffee, ended in the photography book section of Powells.

After three hours I felt fully recharged and inspired. I’d say that’s time well spent.