2008 & Children
For those of you who observe the Christmas holiday, I hope Christmas Eve and Christmas Day held some special moments for you. It’s hard to believe, though, that Christmas has now come and gone, and that we’re approaching the end of 2008.
Another year of our life is closing, and a new one is just ahead. What has 2008 held for you? And what do you anticipate in 2009?
Looking Back
As I look back on 2008, a few things have become clearer to me regarding my own path. In the realm of photography, I’ve realized — and I claim — with great joy, that I absolutely love photographing children. As much as I enjoy other areas of photography, few things stir me more than the faces and hearts of the littlest ones in this world.
One occasion this year during which I experienced the joy of photographing children was in June at Lewisville Library’s 2008 Summer Reading Kick-Off. The above photo was taken of a delightful young lady who sat patiently for me as a bluegrass band played on the shaded grounds next to the library. Her expressions and demeanor captivated me at the time — and they still do.
In the remaining blog posts for this year, I’ll be sharing more with you about what 2008 has meant to me, as well as about my expectations or hopes for 2009.
Meanwhile, if you’d like, you can check out a few more photo highlights I’ve pulled from the photo gallery of that fun June day at the library. CLICK to see a few more FAVORITE PHOTOS
Eyes of a Child
The Friends of the Lewisville Library sponsored the Holiday Cheer Event this past Saturday morning, December 6. Children and their parents showed up at the Lewisville Library to enjoy the variety of holiday crafts, games and tasty treats so well-presented by the Friends and the library staff.
As soon as I arrived, I began moving about the room, attempting to capture in photos a sense of the energy and fun of the event. In the children’s eyes, I observed some universal themes:
When it comes to playing, children unquestionably love to have fun. When it comes to learning, their eyes frequently light up when they try new things. When it comes to dreaming, those same eyes sometimes appear to see into another world — as when the children spoke to Santa — and they believe that something good can happen for them.
I love seeing what I saw Saturday morning in the eyes of those children: joy, delight and innocence. Maybe we see what we want to see sometimes, but sometimes what we see really exists.
Please stop by the Holiday Cheer Event photo gallery to view more images of the exhilarating morning.
Creative Christmas Crafts
Margie Carter, also known as the “Wallpaper Queen,” taught the Creative Christmas Crafts class yesterday at the Lewisville Library.
Using wallpaper samples from discontinued wallpaper books, Margie led the eager class in making gift bags, gift card envelopes and bows. She also brought in samples of gift bags, earrings, beaded necklaces, tree ornaments and other items she’s made from wallpaper.
It was really quite astounding to see what Margie’s creative mind — coupled with her self-professed frugality — can do with seemingly ordinary sheets of wallpaper. And I have a feeling that Margie’s samples barely dent her repertoire, when it comes to transforming wallpaper into something delightfully decorative.
This class was the second in a new series of monthly Creative Crafts classes that the library will be sponsoring. The next class in January will be on creative things that can be done with used Christmas cards. If you’re interested in attending that class, please call the Lewisville Library at 703-2940 for more information.
Take a few moments to visit the Wallpaper Crafts photo gallery, where you’ll see yesterday’s class in progress, along with samples of some beautiful wallpaper crafts.
One Year Later – Lewisville’s Library
This little “actress” takes a break to listen attentively to Books Alive teacher, Kay Smitherman, who teaches the class once a month at the Lewisville Library.
Yesterday, Lewisville Library held a Birthday Open House to celebrate its first year in its new facilities. Many of the library’s patrons stopped by to celebrate and to enjoy refreshments provided by Casanova’s Coffee and Fudge. A large birthday card was also signed by patrons, from preschool age and up.
Elsewhere in the library, the children’s program, Books Alive, was teeming with activity. Led by teacher Kay Smitherman, the children began by taking part in a two-minute “actor’s warm-up,” followed by reading the book of the month, Oh, What a Thanksgiving!.
Then, in keeping with this month’s theme, Festive Families, the children became little actors and actresses by taking on roles similar to those described in the book. They became Pilgrims preparing their first Thanksgiving meal. They pretended to live in a time before electricity, when candles were used for illumination. They even took sleigh rides together!
At the end of the program, the children wrote on a decorative tag the title of a book they’d like to be purchased by the library. Then they hung the tag on the library’s Christmas tree.
You can see the children in action in the Books Alive – Festive Families photo gallery. Also, be sure to visit the library’s Birthday Open House photo gallery to catch a glimpse of some who stopped by to celebrate Lewisville Library’s first birthday.
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