I used to dread summer vacations almost as much as I dreaded summer itself. I’m no summer person. I detest the heat and its combination with humidity and the idea of spending long hours outdoors does not appeal to me. I can’t remember a time when I didn’t feel that way about summer.
The kids’ summer vacation is something else. I used to get stressed over the constant fighting and bickering when they got bored. Respite only came during the last two summers because they were busy with summer school activities. Last year, it was soccer for Sam; English camp for Alex.
Bored kids are not exactly fun to be with. They are irritated and, often, irritating. Dealing with them when I’m not feeling too swell myself considering the suffocating heat was often an ordeal.
Well, kids grow up and they learn to deal with situations.
I was in their school earlier to turn over some of the administrative functions of the school’s website to the High School Coordinator. Alex went with me to go to her twice weekly Kumon class. She knew she was going to do a lot of waiting so she came prepared. She brought her digital camera.
Look what Alex came up with as a result of pure unadulterated boredom.
I think it’s part of a vine. Had I posted it as a separate entry, I would have entitled it “Curly.”
Above, the buds of the flower popularly called “yesterday, today and tomorrow”, shown below.
You might also want to view how she captured the details of the bougainvillea. 
Years ago, back in 2003 or 2004 or thereabouts, I remember posting a comment in someone else’s blog about how, over the years, I have kept my children’s drawings from the day they could draw. I remember saying that I had a briefcase bulging with their drawings and “notes to mommy.” I still have that briefcase and their drawings and notes are still there.
But they don’t make childish drawings anymore. They take wonderful digital photos these days. So, I thought I’d augment my bulging briefcase and make their photos a part of this journal. Well, actually, I initially suggested creating a separate photo blog for them but Sam had other ideas.
There are two new subcategories under Photography — one for Sam’s photos and another for Alex’s photos.
hehe I keep all my kids drawings and notes to me. They are now in a treasure chest which I gave to each of them. Such is mom’s pride.
Nice photos. Galing. Lauren is so bored.
ang sarap ano, to dig into their old drawings and notes, and think about how much they have grown not only in terms of size. their VERY FIRST drawings, I included in their baby albums, protected with adhesive plastic to preserve them.
It’s a productive way to channel their energy. Since they are starting young using digital cams, they’ll only get better everyday. Good photos.
I am keeping some my daughter’s drawings and water paintings, some is the word because if I keep them all, I will have to rent extra storage. My daughter is 5 and she likes to entertain herself with her drawings and cut-outs.
those photos are gorgeous! they are so talented! i can hardly figure out how to use the Black-white feature of my own camera, let alone capture details like that!
LOL KK, ok lang yun. 10 years from now, it’s so pleasant to leaf through their childish scrawls.
kat, a photographer friend once told me: give a child a camera and he will come up with photos you never even imagined. of course, i don’t take that in the context of The Ring 2. I wouldn’t want them taking pics of ghosts. LOL
i guess children have a different approach to things. PLUS they have very STEADY hands. LOL
mom used to pack us off to 2-3 lessons per week every summer — and when we were older she explained that she had to get us out of her hair or we’d be calling her at work every 10 minutes. and i thought it was because she wanted us to be well-rounded individuals! she said, “that, too!” hahaha!
i’m so glad the girls are great with photos like their mom. the great thing about digital photography is that it will not cost you an arm and a leg to develop photos the way we had to do it with film!
this is lisa, signing off from baguio city where summers are always cool! nang-iingit ako, connie …
Aha, nandyan na kami sa Friday. hahahahaha
hi connie, i, too, kept some of my daughters’ artwork, poems, and report cards, some of which i have already misplaced. wow, your daughters are very talented and they will only get better each time. i love taking pictures, too, but i have never tried taking close up pictures with my DSLR camera.
Hi Connie. Me, I love summer. I love the sun. I love the free time I have because school is out. I just enrolled my two girls in swimming class. I don’t expect them to be olympians at the end of the program. I just want them to develop a love for the water. I also encourage some of their other interests like artwork (more like scribbles), and trying to cook like Mama. Photography is my department. Even if it means using an old 3.2 megapixel digital camera. My fave subjects are my girls who can strike their best “America’s Top Model” pose at the snap of a finger.
Kongkong, swimming is a life-saving sport. Worth training for.