The Kids and Kahlie

I’m Being Crazy and Silly and Funny and So Running

Originally uploaded by Thomas Miguel

Today’s Halloween recap, as dictated by Thomas:

Once upon a time it was Halloween. And then, when there was a storm coming and then one day it went to daycare and then we’re lost and then we had to see the queen. And then here come the letters and here come abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvw xyz and here come all the letters and then there was a day and then we come see everybody today at daycare. And then we played with our friends at Halloween. And then what I was being a scarecrow, Thomas, and then Thomas went to do something and then we get some treats there was yummy treats at the mall and then I smelled them and then there was so spooky foggy and then there was curvy things. There was a lot of trains to be and then once upon a time, there was a beautiful day the sun was coming out. And there were yummy treats in my bucket today. The End.

theTyee.ca has a neat article on trying to raise a brand-free child. The conclusion: basically impossible but you can limit the effects with careful parenting and an attempt to model the values you want your child to follow.

Thomas is well-branded and, for the most part, I am interested in observing the process. I take it to be inevitable. But, perhaps, I could do better at choosing the brands to which he is exposed.

Hello Chum

Originally uploaded by Thomas Miguel

Taking pictures of salmon, even when they are in less than 15cm of water, is hard. Sometimes the fish are just gnarly. Other times, the fish are lost in the struggle to climb the rocks. I reached this conclusion after shooting dozens of pictures of salmon returning to spawn in Coquitlam. It’s far easier to take pictures of Thomas (Burnaby Mountain Park) or of the Stellar’s Jay. Even better is seeing Abuelo and Thomas together.

(Still, watching the magnificent chum salmon splash in Hoy Creek and Hyde Creek was amazing.)

Climbing Up

Originally uploaded by Thomas Miguel

Our last extended photoshoot in the park was in May 2006. These pictures bring you up-to-date with the climbing boy.

The Source of All Yellow

Originally uploaded by Thomas Miguel

I was pleased today to get a picture of ‘The Source of All Yellow.’ Check one more gotta-have shot off the list!

The clouds lifted around here today. And, underneath was new snow on the North Shore Mountains. You know what that means, eh Thomas?

(We always told Thomas that his sister would arrive when the new snow was on the mountains.)

Lynn Creek

Originally uploaded by Thomas Miguel

Lynn Creek is a favourite place. We often walk there even on the rainiest days. In the past few weeks, Lynn Creek has flowed incredibly high. Many of you have been there, so we thought you’d like to see. (A few more pictures are here.)

The RED Fish

Originally uploaded by Thomas Miguel

It is never dull at the fish hatchery. Even posing with the diorama fish is fun. But, check here to see Thomas being pusued by a coho. Check here to see the fish in the ladder.

The Photog and Subject

Originally uploaded by Thomas Miguel

Thomas, Abuelo, and Papa were out in the drizzle today. First, we went to the fish hatchery. Lots of fish; miserable weather. The water is incredibly high.

Then, we went to the beach. There, we took several pictures of a small boy in blue. Check out these two sets on flickr:

1) Abuelo the Photographer
2) Rainy Day at the Beach

Thomas announced that he wants to be a scientist, because science is fun. He also said that he wants to be the type of scientist that goes out on the water in a boat and goes diving. He was very excited to hear that Uncle Gui is a scientist, has a lab and is a very good swimmer. He thinks it would be great to go and visit the lab and “do science” with Uncle Gui, Elias and Gabu.