I am part of a Meet-Up group of Hiking Photographers who put together outings (often hiking) but also of other interesting events around LA to check out and photograph. We were also able to photograph in the Auto Parts yard of Caine's Dad's business. Such a treat too!
I spoke with his Dad and they had just returned the night before from The Exploratorium in San Francisco. If you are ever in San Francisco, it's a must see. So this freak little viral movie got the attention of the interactive museum there who flew the entire family up to San Francisco and sent a truck to bring all Caine's Arcade there for a special showing! How cool is that?? He told me that Caine got a lifetime membership to the Exploratorium and they commissioned the original "claw machine" for permanent installation there (he made a new one for the Arcade in East LA -- we played it!).
So three cheers for Caine for bringing us this simple joy. Cheers for cardboard boxes and all their possibilities. Cheers for kids and free orange and grape sodas and bags of treats, labeled with a Sharpie instead of corporate logos. Thank you, Caine Monroy.


Open for business! We were the first ones to play that day and, duh, yes we bought a fun pass. :)

These are a few cuties who showed up. Every kid gets a little bag of candy, and Caine's uncle is there marking the bags with a sharpie and filling them and lining them up on the counter. 

Ok, also thought I'd share a few of the pics I got in the auto yard in the back. A good part of my childhood was spent around my Grandfather and his yard of boat and auto parts, wood piles and other deliciously dangerous spots to play. He would have loved this photo of Declan. I also loved seeing the old toys throughout the yard, probably from cars or from Caine and other kids who played among the parts and wrecks.




© 2012 Robyn Davis, www.birdznest.com
Earth teach me to forget myself as melted snow forgets its life. Earth teach me resignation as the leaves which die in the fall. Earth teach me courage as the tree which stands all alone. Earth teach me regeneration as the seed which rises in the spring. --William Alexander
Hello there you poor abandoned blog! I'm back, at long last. I thought it appropriate to begin again at Easter and Spring, a time for renewal and forgiveness and cleansing and planting new seeds. I had to take the last year off to take some things apart, starting with my family (separated after 18 years) and then myself. So, uh, yeah, that happened.
It sent me on a journey I wasn't prepared to take. I wasn't ready. I had no idea what to pack. I didn't know where I was going or what to expect. I only knew that I had to go to try to find the place I've been looking for and you'll be happy to know I think I'm at least heading in the right direction.
My bucket was full of a whole lot of broken parts and a bunch more that weren't working (but fixable). Dumped the whole damn thing out and been doing some serious sorting. It's been the hardest work I've ever done in my life and I am not done yet. But I've found some amazing good things in there that I am keeping, I've been blessed with new wonderful things and friends to add in and I made room for new wonderful things to come. I can't wait to see what they are going to be!
I know so many people who had a really tumultuous year last year. Like A LOT of people. Something is brewing and it's part of why I'm sharing this. I think the collective nervousness is shaking the ground we are standing on. So many can relate and so many folks are reassessing and retooling. With the economy and this crazy world we've created, I think we're all feeling a little shaky and unsure and trying to figure out maybe a new way to do things -- because the old way isn't really working so hot. The upside is that I also think that it's bringing people together in new ways and they are sharing their stories and their solutions and things that help them make it through. I see it on Facebook and all over the place -- more positive than negative. People reaching out to one another with photos and quotes and stories that give hope or just share beauty. Keep it coming everyone, we all need it and it's really spectacular.
So now for my fun sharing part of the program! For Spring Break I had the kids all week and I declared my house "CAMP AWESOME" and did little fun things, colored eggs, watched lotsa movies and had a great snack supply. For Easter weekend, I thought of no better way to celebrate renewal than with my awesome amazing kids at our favorite spot by the Ocean, Pt. Dume, just north of Malibu. I thought I'd make my re-entrance by sharing our wonderful day. Enjoy. <3 Robyn

She's looking for teeny tiny white sand crabs. She finds lots. Never has been afraid of bugs or wiggly things of any kind.
Dec wasn't going to get in the water but finally couldn't resist looking for critters too. We chucked his shoes and socks and he braved the cold water. He found a cool star fish and some crabs. 
This is very interesting web content and it is one of my favorite and i always suggest you to post quality posts like this, Pleasure thanks for your all hard stuff.
(12.30.12)
Stay tuned for a new Facebook Page about the Collective and its services! For now, let me introduce the first...
Sabrina LaBow (pictured below right in blue with her sleepy adorable daughter) is the creator of SLING AND DANCE, a new and fun exercise class for mom's with babies small enough to mount on front and go. It is taught by well-renowned dancer/choreographer/instructor Lacy Darryl Phillips (Mariah Carey's World Tour, The Academy Awards). How cool is that??
If you are in the area and are looking for a fun way to work out with your baby -- check it out!! She's holding classes at the following times/locations:
The next class will be at Wallaby in Silverlake Thursdays at 1:15 starting March 24th and then Tuesdays at 1:00 at The Treehouse Social Club on Robertson starting April 19th. Read on for more info on the classes!
Sling and Dance class--for Moms and Babies!Classes are for moms/caregivers and their babies. Babies welcome with a sling or any type of carrier. The class is 45 minutes. No dance experience necessary. Classes are designed to be fun, both for caregivers and babies.
Combine a great workout for yourself while bonding with your baby and introducing him/her to music and movement. Socialize with other parents and learn some great dance moves from dancer/choreographer/instructor Jennifer Tseng. Jennifer has danced and toured with Disney and been seen in national commercials for Honda, AT&T and others. She has ten years experience teaching dance as well as parent participation Mommy and Me classes.
When: Thursdays 3/24, 3/31, 4/7, 4/14
Time: 1:15 pm - 2:00 pm
Where: Wallaby
1835 Hyperion Avenue
LA, CA 90027
323-662-0128
http://wallaby-la.com
Introductory cost: 4 classes for $100
SUPPLIES: You will need to bring a sling or any type of carrier. (There are slings that can be used for babies up to 40 pounds--what a great workout!) Also, please feed your baby half an hour before class.
Please contact Sabrina to reserve a space at slinganddance@gmail.com or at 323-363-2395.
And of course I got distracted by all the adorable siblings there, playing alongside! They were dancing away to the music and hanging out.Love this class! It looks like so much fun~like zumba for toddlers!
(03.15.11)as usual, you've made the babies look delicious and the moms look great. you've captured the spirit of this group and made me want to have another baby and move to california just so I can join!
(03.15.11)Wow ...
Very interesting site, simple and easy.
I’ve just stopped by to say thanks for this cool information. Take care!
You know what you’re doing, so keep at it.
Thank you for blogging.
David,
(03.24.11)This is a good site for Moms and babies to have fun together.We are also running classes on the same concept.
(09.13.11)The most comfortable and lovely place for a baby is mother's lap.
(10.10.11)Wow! that was awesome. thanks so much doing that man.. good karma. i was there.. this was a great day..
(10.28.12)
When I began the business of photographing children and families, I knew that I loved to do it. What I could never have predicted was how much I would fall in love with shooting them again and again. The clients who shoot every year (or more) and allow me the privilege of documenting their family history. What an unbelievable gift to me it has been.
Thank you Jan, Chris, Jet and Charlie. You are one of the coolest families ever and I am so lucky to know you. See you next year!
Everybody who sees this hanging in my house comments how unique, well done and interesting this piece is. How cool to have 5 years on one wall.
(02.25.11)I want to see it on your wall! Send pics or I'll grab one next time I'm back in Chicago.
(03.18.11)I want to see it on your wall! Send pics or I'll grab one next time I'm back in Chicago.
(03.18.11)Nice canvas! I especially like children photos, they are so charmihg!
(10.27.12)
Holy moly what a perfect day! The surroundings were so lovely with the old fence and fall colors I was almost worried they looked like a cheezy set!
When I posted the full proofs to her Mom, I had to say "It's only too bad that she's not more expressive." Pfffft. LOL

LOVE this piece. Jet has Cains arcade in his bedroom. Thank god for the future creatives of the next generation! Not everything in this great country is baseball, soccer or football!
Few understand great genius!
(05.11.12)Hi Robyn,
(05.12.12)I love that you visited the arcade!!! Great photos of your experience there!
Susan
Hi Robyn,
(05.12.12)I love that you visited the arcade!!! Great photos of your experience there!
Susan
Hi Robyn,
(05.12.12)I love that you visited the arcade!!! Great photos of your experience there!
Susan
Great angles on these photos. I love each shot. Thanks for sharing :) Caine rocks!
(05.16.12)What's the equivalent of a Pulitzer for photography? These are soooooooo great. O.M.G.
(06.16.12)I discovered many new things from your article. Thank you for this!
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(08.21.12)Very funny and cute:):)
(08.21.12)Nice effort!!!
(08.27.12)Hm. interesting, but i don`t think that it wiil be very useful for me.
(08.27.12)Great photos!!!!
(08.30.12)very impressive:):)
(08.30.12)Cool photos!
(09.03.12)Nice effort, very nice:)
(09.03.12)The moment I saw your site was like wow. Thanks for putting your effort in making this article.
(09.27.12)Super freaking cute!
(10.01.12)I'm not feeling very well and can barely laugh but this little fella just cracks me up, he's such a silly sod.
(10.11.12)hahahahahaha i loveee you guys so much i was like crying from laughter :)
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(01.25.13)That my little brown eyed Lillian that can get anything she wants from the gramma if I have to turn in every bottle in the alleys of Eugene even.
(01.28.13)I love the photos especially the photo of the kid wearing the star eyeglasses. He is so cute.
(02.27.13)Ahaha, cool photos, thanks for sharing))
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