Category Archives: Family Life

Childhood is Awesome

20 March, 2011

Being a kid rules. Being a parent of kids like this rules.

I mean, seriously, when did we all decide that it’s not cool to wear a construction paper headband with kangaroo ears stapled to the sides?

Alisa and I are (obviously) awaiting the arrival of another little boy. Could be any day now. We’ve both been thinking a lot about what it means to be a parent, and what it means to get these kids raised in such a way that they can (a) function, (b) succeed, and (c) rock this world. It takes time and it takes patience and it takes a willingness to make all kinds of mistakes, but it is really the coolest thing I’ve ever done, which is why we want to do it again.

Sure, there will be lots of crying and sleeplessness, and poop, but there are also moments you get when your shy daughter gets on stage to sing and dance and when your son says, “Wait, let’s stop and clean my room, Zoë. If we don’t, I won’t be able to have any screens tomorrow.”

I have more to say on my style of fathering (cheeseburger + Marvel Comics iPad app), but suffice it to say, I’ve been feeling kind of glowy and happy about being a dad lately.

Also posted in From the Camera | 0 Comments

Why Two Hearts?

15 February, 2011

Why does this little boy have two plush hearts sticking out of his shirt? If you have to ask, then no one in my family will talk to you.

Hint: BBC America

Also posted in From the Camera | 0 Comments

My Doctor is Five

09 January, 2011

I will be the first to admit that this kid is a little obsessed right now with Doctor Who, but given all the possible things in this world a little boy could become obsessed about, I am okay with a hero who doesn’t like guns or things military, who gives every creature in the universe a choice and a chance, who thinks that human beings are “brilliant.” And, he could totally be the Doctor if they ever needed a five-year-old blonde version.

The thing is, this stuff (hair, screwdriver, etc.) is pretty much all his idea. Even the pose here was 100% his. He got all set up like this and marched off to church, gaining all kinds of attention, mostly from old ladies who wanted to gobble him up and lick the sweetness off their fingers.

More photos from the shoot at Facebook.

Also posted in From the Camera, Metablog, Rave | 3 Comments

Finally Got the Zoë Portrait

19 September, 2010

It took a while, but we finally have a full set of portraits, now to send off for printing, then matte, frame, and hang in the house. I was shooting for naturalistic, informal portraits that focus more on what the family feels like. It think it all worked out.

Also posted in From the Camera | 0 Comments

Add One of Ike, Too

23 July, 2010

What started with a lens and camera calibration check is turning out to be a full fledged family portrait project. I think these photographs really capture personality as well as the look of each person at this point in our lives.

Here’s the five-year-old, Ike. Next will be to catch the elusive critter, Zoë Ingrid.

Also posted in From the Camera | 1 Comment

But You’d Be Wrong

20 April, 2010

The other day we found this drawing in the house. It was done by our four-year-old son, Ike. At first glance it might seem that our sweet little boy is a little bit fixated on—let’s just call them “lady parts.”

But you’d be wrong. Dead wrong, actually. After a little questioning we discovered that these are actually the young artist’s rendering of a pair of Cylon Raiders.

Innocence restored, for a season.

Also posted in Strangeness | 4 Comments

Look at Those Bad Boys

10 February, 2010

On Superbowl Sunday, we made all the game day food (wings, guacamole, etc.) and then Alisa watched Masterpiece Theater. I read Proust. And, oh, yay, without any help from the Petersen family, Manning took a dive so New Orleans could win, selflessly healing the country, just like Sandra Bullock.

Sorry, America. Football is boring.

Also posted in Culture | 0 Comments

Big Star

31 January, 2010

Zoë has astounded everyone with her announcement that she would very much like to audition for a local production of Seussical: The Musical. This comes from a kid who is pretty close to winning the Oscar for shyest person in the universe.

Here’s a secret video of her song rehearsals. She chose Priscilla Ahn’s song “Wallflower,” which isn’t really a Broadway hit, but we don’t listen to many Broadway hits around here. In this respect, Alisa and I are useless to her budding career in musical theater.

Zoë’s Audition Practice from Todd Robert Petersen on Vimeo.

We’re proud of her. She auditions at 5:15 on Monday. Wish her luck.

Learn how to manage your kid’s career by taking a few courses through one of the many accredited online universities. A class or two in management and your number one star will be on the way to fame.

Posted in Family Life | 2 Comments

Look Away and They’re Gone

19 January, 2010

It is nearly ten o’clock, and
from my chair I can hear
pages turning crisply, slowly
in another room.

Thinking I am the only one
still awake, I walk the house
until I find a canted box
of light painting the hallway
in front of my daughter’s room.

I stand in the doorway
with an elbow against the jamb,
fist to my temple.

She’s contorted in her bed,
angling a book toward
the lamp. One sweep of her finger
reveals an ear.

She turns one page, then
another. How long until she
is just a snapshot on the fridge?

Posted in Family Life | 0 Comments

On Living Somewhere

29 November, 2009

My job isn’t perfect. Most aren’t. I’d like more money. Most people do. I’d like a lighter teaching load. That goes without saying. But I decided a while ago that I didn’t want my primary identity to be through my job.

Why We're Not Anxious to Move

The photo above is a simple shot of the world through my front window. I’m not sure there are many jobs for which I am trained and suited that can outstrip having that view available. There are plenty of other reasons for wanting to live in a place, and the job should be in support of living in a place that makes everyone in your family feel right. So, that said. I’m really happy here. Who knows what that’ll mean in the future, but for now, we’re very happy.

Posted in Family Life | 3 Comments