(or how you can make anything a reason to take photos of your kids)

My husband, Erik, and I are in love with all things magical and fantasy.

Harry Potter. Disney World. Lord of the Rings.

You know. The things BIG KIDS like?

So, we finally decided to introduce our kids to the Lord of the Rings over the holiday break.

To say they fell in love with it is an understatement.

Last weekend, after watching the first two movies they decided to make

bows & arrows out of popsicle stick and use blankets for elvish capes.

Yeah. That makes them pretty awesome.

So when I suggested we head out into our corn field behind our house for a ‘battle’ they squealed in delight.

(I did too.)

First we set inspected our weapons.

Then, it was time for the battle!

He attacks!

But wait! She gains his weapon!

He charges…hoping to gain it back.

Alas, he is defeated.

After the battle, I told the kids to stay at the top of the farmer’s hill and show me their profiles…

as the light was just perfect that night…so they did.

Oh, and then they charged at me too!

Hey….that wasn’t what I said!

After I got tackled, we explored the woods in the center of the field.

Soon,my teeth were chattering and it was time to head inside…but not until I got one last shot.

Both kids have already requested these images for their walls in their rooms.

I’ll be making a huge canvas of this one:

Isn’t it amazing how simply introducing your children to a favorite movie can turn into images you will treasure for a lifetime?

Go ahead…take your kids on an adventure.

Bring your camera…you don’t need fancy clothes, the perfect light or even the perfect setting…

just some blankets, popsicle sticks and a lot of imagination will do!

(oh! and send me a link to what you do, I’d love to see it!)

Devotedly yours,