Self-Portrait by John

I was just talking to my sister this afternoon.  She asked if it was a mistake that she lets her 2 1/2 year old daughter use her nice camera....which means that whenever the camera comes out her daughter wants to take photos.   I agreed---no.  But we also agreed that sometimes the choices that make us good parents---letting our children experience independence and creativity in a safe and supportive environment---sometimes make life a big pain.   Because we must admit that sometimes it is nice to just be able to take photos without having to supervise a two-year-old's attempts. 

Sometimes my kids get to use the camera.  Sometimes not.  If I never let them use it, I'd never have treasures like this close-up of John's nostril.  I know I'll look fondly at this photo sometime far in the future....when he and his nostrils are all grown up and I miss getting to wipe his nose and snuggle his tow-headed tangles under my chin.