Camera phone collage

Some pics from the last 6 months or so, taken with my camera phone.

Charles & Marie

Super cool site that I just had to share with you all. Just check it out!

The Beautiful Wee Monster

A portrait of our little guy. This is definitely a transition phase for our J-man. He's potty training and doing pretty well, with the occasional soppy pant leg or shite-filled big boy underpants.

Here he is sporting his new big boy underpants look. At the time of the photo he was still adjusting to the responsibility of owning his bowels and bladder—rather than them owning him. I think you can see it in the eyes. A trace of fear, but a strong, subtle confidence.

Watch Out for Cyclists

Hello all. With the weather improving bit by bit, my mind is wandering to getting on the bike. The thing is, I have a family at home that I'd like to come home to when the ride is over.

Any one of you who has a loved one who rides probably realizes that cyclists have as much right to be on the road as cars do. But I can tell you that during every ride, some guy/gal behind the wheel takes risks to get past me, in order to get to where they are going 30 seconds faster.

Last September I was riding in Orange, Virginia. A small town in the middle of farm and wine country in central Virginia. At a stop sign, a southern gentleman told me that "there has to be a better place for you to ride than here." I told him that I'd take my chances here over a city any day. I thanked him for his concern, and as he drove away in his jacked up 4x4, he yelled "It's not concern if you're dead!" Though his statement is unintentionally cryptic, one message is clear: MOST DRIVERS WANT CYCLISTS OFF THE ROAD. And some, run them off.

Check this out. It's a public service announcement running in the UK.

Overheard on the Way Home

C (Ellie's Friend): Miss Jen, my imaginary friend came over for supper and a sleepover last night.
Me: What is your imaginary friend's name C?
C: Mimi.
Me: Oh. Ellie you have imaginary friends too don't you?
Ellie: Yes I have lots. Do you think C has a lot?
Me: I don't know, why don't you ask her?
Ellie (turns to her friend sitting next to her in the backseat): C, how many imaginary friends do you have?
C: Seven.
Ellie: I have 21.
C: Well I have 100.
Ellie (quietly): Hmmm. That's too many. (pauses) Is my number more than yours?
C: Did you mean you had a 121?
Ellie: Yeah. (confidently) One hundred and twenty one.
C: Well then that's more.
Ellie: Oh. Okay.
(Both girls giggle)
Friendship remains intact.

The Scene of the Accident

We found this after putting the kids to bed. We're not sure if Jonah or Diego was driving. Diego was released from the hospital this morning and is expected to make a full recovery.

Practice

The New Campaign

So here's the new Ellie Bellie Kids Campaign.* When it was first pitched to me, I was so gob smacked I think it took me a full minute to respond. I think it's perfect. Of course when you have an amazingly talented Creative Director, you expect nothing less.



*New website coming soon...