My photos of my kids are better than your photos of your kids.

I took this collage I recently created and made two black and white copies of it. I gave a copy to each of my kids and asked them to take the images further, however they wanted. I provided colored pencils, markers, stickers, pastels, and other random tools and they went at it.

This is Sophia's (she's 4):

This is Nick's (he's 7):

The advantages of lighting equipment, a home studio/office, and a willing subject.

My daughter is that kid.

You know the one: the kid who likes to jump into the frame and make a goofy face when a photo is being made. Especially when it's not one of her.

However, when I deliberately try to make a photograph of her she's as fickle as a four year old can be. Sometimes she plays along, other times no way. Bribes are common when faced with the latter. As are my desperate pleas of "just one."

Then there are the other other times. For those there are no words.

Don't you know we're living in stolen moments
You steal enough it feels like we're stopping time
These days are gold we're living in stolen moments
Just grab hold and feel these days are yours and mine

John Hiatt, Stolen Moments

My three-year-old daughter Sophia recently studied George Washington in her preschool class, what with President's Day and Washington's birthday during this month and all.

We got a real kick out of this coloring assignment she completed. Blue hair, orange rouge, and red lipstick. Makes us look at old George in a whole new way.