Shared photo book from cathy

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Holiday wisdom

Today I asked my daughter Chloe (age 8) what made the Holiday's special and if she could share a favorite holiday memory with our bambini friends. Her eyes lit up at the opportunity to share her joy with all of you and she was eager to sit down and write. Amazing, who knew getting your child inspired to write could be so simple. Chloe enjoyed this so much I thought why not open this "Holiday Wisdom" forum to our bambini friends. We invite, encourage and welcome your child to share his/her favorite holiday time traditions or memories with us and our readers. We'll publish this to the delight of your bambini and mom/dad...you can feel the amazement I did at seeing your child eager to sit down at the computer to think and write rather than the usual computer play of google games and youtube music videos! Please send us your child's favorite holiday memories to cathy@bambinistudio.com

"Holidays Are Awesome" - written by Chloe

Holidays are awesome because people are kind. Me and my family go to Leavenworth in WA to see the twinkling lights and we sled down a giant hill. We eat at our favorite German restaurant! When we go there I have a big pretzel. When its snowing its like sparkels falling! We shop till we drop!! then we see all the displays in the windows. My favorite part is just hanging out with family and taking pictures.


photo: "window shopping" bambini studio in Leavenworth, WA

bambini Photo Contest!

bambini studio is offering a complimentary infant, kid or teen portrait session to a lucky winner in the Seattle area and surrounding counties. Prize includes: a portrait/fashion session with coverage of up to 2 hours, carefully selected and digitally edited photos in color and b/w, online gallery slideshow for viewing and a CD of full resolution photos. This offer does not include travel charges (if applicable).

*travel charge information on our website: www.bambinistudio.com under the services tab.

This contest is open to the children of our bambini fanpage and or blog. All contestants’ parents must be/become followers on our fanpage or blog in order to qualify.

The contest opens on November 15th, 2009 and will close December 20th, 2009. The winner will be announced on January 2nd, 2010. You may send in your submissions to cathy@bambinistudio.com. You can send up to 3 photos per child. If our winner has siblings, your session will include all siblings! just let us know when you enter your child(ren) for the contest.

Submit a recent (taken within the last 3 months) photo of your child(ren)limit 3 kids per entry – between the ages of 1-17 along with a brief story on why they should win. The winner will be announced on our facebook fan page and blog! and your complimentary session photos will be featured too! Send your info, story and photo to cathy@bambinistudio.com with subject line: Children’s Contest Submission.

bambini spotlight: Whisked Away In Fun at Frog Legs Kids Culinary Academy

By Noelle Graf

Kids love to cook and time spent in the kitchen can be fun and a great way to learn—not only about food and nutrition but also about planning, organization, co-operation, and patience. Frog Legs Kids Culinary Academy (KCA) in Seattle teaches all that and more, as kids from ages three to twelve learn to measure and mix ingredients, roll out dough, and whip up delicious treats and batches of fun.

Bambini Kids Photography recently had the opportunity to stir up some fun in the Frog Legs KCA kitchen. Visitors know they are in for a special treat from the moment they step onto the inviting front porch and are greeted by the adorable Frog Legs logo and hand-written daily menu. Through the spatula-handled door you’ll find a mixture of modern appliances and vintage charm, where brightly-colored mixing bowls stand ready for fresh, fabulous ingredients, ceramic canisters hold colorful spatulas and mixing spoons, and wicker baskets cradle wooden rolling pins. Children immediately feel at home in this warm, cozy kitchen.

The brain child of Laura Vida Thompson, this unique cooking school for kids opened it’s oven doors in August 2008. Laura’s love of cooking started at a young age, and manifested into a career centered around her love of food, first as a prep and line cook for a four-star hotel, then as a gourmet food buyer, product developer, and consultant for several major coffee companies. Laura also owned the Firefly Fandango gourmet cookie company, and currently teaches adult culinary classes at Sur Le Table.

Throughout her busy career Laura says she realized that many families are simply too busy to cook, but she believes that cooking together is the perfect opportunity to slow down and find joy in the moment. She loves spending time in the kitchen, especially with her own children, and knows that kids find something wondrous about turning simple ingredients into delicious meals and treats. Classes at Frog Legs KCA are centered around this magical transformation.

Each class begins with a sprinkle of playtime and a dash of active learning; then it’s time to mix it up! While the kids wait for their treats to finish cooking or baking they can let off steam in the play kitchen, at the coloring and play dough table, or in the kid-friendly backyard. Classes end with a tasting and discussion, and a story relating to the day’s menu. Kids even get to take home a sample of their creation to show off to their families.

Frog Legs KCA classes highlight the flavors of the seasons. Planned menus for fall include roasted butternut squash and apple soup, farm stand vegetable hummus, ricotta and blueberry pancakes, pumpkin pie pinwheels, and apple upside-down cake. It’s a great opportunity to introduce children to delicious and healthful new foods.

Classes are held once a week for eight weeks, and are separated by age groups: The Sweet Potatoes, ages 3-5; The Soufflers and The Mac ‘N Cheesers, ages 5-10; and The Ham Bones, ages 6-12.

Individual Saturday classes are also available and focus on seasonal menus, such as the upcoming “Thanksgiving Sweets and Treats” class, where kids will create (and gobble up!) Tom Turkey cupcakes, chocolate pilgrim cookies, and old-fashioned caramel-dipped apples.

Frog Legs KCA also hosts birthday parties, and offers party packages that can be customized to any child’s taste. From petite princess sandwiches and pink lemonade fizzlers to pirate pizza and cannonball cupcakes, Frog Legs KCA has the all the ingredients to whip up a delightful batch of birthday fun.

For party package details, upcoming classes, pricing, and registration visit the Frog Legs website at http://www.froglegskca.com/. For more information, call 206.954.9094 or email info@froglegscka.com.

Noelle Graf is a freelance writer specializing in features about people, places, and things. Visit her blog or email noelle823@yahoo.com for writing services.

Should my child be a model?

A successful career for a child model depends on whether the parents have the available time and are willing to make the commitment to take on the responsibilities that come with the job. While the desire to see little Johnny Jr. or Jane on the cover of a magazine is enticing, the work that's involved to get to that point can be overwhelming. It's therefore, highly recommended that you understand the business of modeling, the commitments and sacrifices required before you pursue a modeling career for your child.

There is a wide demand for all types of kids as models. Kids of all shapes and sizes and ethnic backgrounds are always sought after by agencies and advertisers, provided they photograph well and have the right attitude for the rigors of the work. A day in the life of a model can require a significant amount of waiting. Patience is definitely expected and required. For adult models, even like myself back in the day when I modeled with Elite Model Management, waiting can be tiresome and draining. Adult models accept it though as part of the job description and endure it with a positive attitude. When you are finally needed on set, the expectation from art directors and photographer's is that you're ready to jump up, fresh, perky and eager to begin.

If you know that you or your child is the type that doesn't adjust well to situations that demand patience and tolerance, you may want to give this serious thought beforehand. "Hurry up and wait' is a common phrase in the modeling world because of it's reality. Waiting for studio preparation or hair and make up styling, waiting for your turn to meet with a client at a casting call, waiting for your flight to travel in and out of town for photo assignments, etc. It all adds up to quite a bit of down time. Understanding this beforehand will help you in determining whether a modeling career is a good fit for you and your child.

Additionally, the success of a child as a model depends on parents making a positive professional impression on clients. Parents must be punctual. This is crucial. The expression "time is money" must have been invented by someone in the entertainment field. The studio time and fees paid out to photographers, stylists, art directors, talent, etc. can add up to a pretty hefty sum. Showing up late will extend the duration of the shoot and the client will not be happy when they are required to pay more due to your late arrival. Punctuality is therefore critical. I highly recommend packing up the diaper bag, snacks, activity books to keep your child entertained during the "waiting periods", etc the night before a shoot. Also, strive to be early to the set or location in case you have trouble finding it. Studios are often in industrialized downtown areas of a city and finding it can sometimes be tricky. Arriving late is a surefire way to cost your child future bookings with the client.

Modeling can be a demanding career but it can equally be very rewarding. There is financial gain and huge earning potential if you are professional and personable. The potential earnings can pay for college, sports or other activities to enrich your child's life. Modeling can also increase self esteem and independence. Knowing how to approach a career is crucial though and understanding the business politics will be an advantage to you and your child.

- Cathy Metschar

www.bambinistudio.com

bambini has entered the blogosphere!

Recently we enjoyed a fun and exciting afternoon at Froglegs Kid's Culinary Academy in Seattle. We were welcomed with a warm reception by all the kids in class and by Laura Vida, Froglegs KCA owner and instructor. Our photo session of the academy was fun, successful and rewarding. To share this and future exciting bambini adventures, we are leaping (with our Froglegs story, no pun intended) into the blogging world! Look for our first featured article about our visit and photo assignment to the charming Froglegs Kid's Culinary Academy written by the very talented, Noelle Graf, freelance columnist.