Kid with a Camera

She takes after her mom.

We got Zoë a camera for Christmas. It isn't a very fancy camera. It doesn't have a flash, or a view screen. But, it can take pictures at two resolutions (small and extra small- the largest is 640x480 pixels. I think that's 0.25 MB), can shoot (silent) movies, and can take more than one shot at a time. Zoë has worked on it, and does rather well figuring out the buttons. However, she is still learning her technique at photography- such simple things like framing, content, and holding the camera still.

Yet, I think she got some pretty cute shots of our trip on the South Shore Train to Chicago and the Shedd Aquarium yesterday. We had a great time. Zoë said that the train was her favorite part. Miranda loved all the animals (including the coral, but I'll put a picture of that elsewhere). Megan had fun being with her big sister, and seeing the turtles, jelly fish, riding in the stroller, on the train.

One of the coolest things I thought was that the train conductor invited Megan and Zoë to come and pull the train whistle! They each got to pull on the rope twice to sound the LOUD horn, and were so happy and excited as they came to sit down.

Here are some of the things Zoë captured on film:

Travis liked the look of the building being built.

Zoë got Megan and Travis in this shot.

There is a glass floor in one section of the aquarium where you can walk out over the top of a bunch of stingrays.
Miranda was unsure of how to act- she was afraid she was going to fall through.


Zoë wanted to see the sharks first.

On the train ride home, Travis kept them entertained the first hour so Miranda (and Mom) could catch a snooze. (I took this pic & the next four).


Megan loved looking out the window and watching everything going by so fast.


We packed lots of snacks and some activities.


Miranda had the hardest time. She needed a nap, but couldn't fall asleep.

Here we are, all 5 of us scrunched into a 3-seat bench.
It is making me dread our flight to Utah this summer.

I read Five Children and It to Zoë while we were on the train.
She loves listening to stories. (Zoë took this pic)

Here's the movie Zoë took with her little camera: