Healing with Horses Camp 2015 - Day 1

Once again, I'm thrilled by the crossover of passions in my life.  This week by volunteering at Healing with Horses Ranch summer camp, I get E.B. (my son) + horses + photography + helping individuals with special needs.  I'm definitely a happy camper!  Here's a peek...

E.B.'s first mount on a full-sized horse.
I chose horse camp for him to increase his confidence...I'd say it's working already.

Golden Stirrup Horse Show

It's Rodeo time in Austin, and that means time for the Golden Stirrup Horse Show!  This is an exciting event for riders with special needs, and includes opportunities in Showmanship, Trail, English and Western Pleasure, and Barrels.  My friends at Healing with Horses Ranch competed this morning.  

Dude says, "check out the action..."

Healing With Horses Ranch

One thing I love about being a photographer is the convergence of my other passions with the art of photography.  Recently I started volunteering at Healing with Horses Ranch, a therapeutic riding facility.  Not only have I fallen in love with the horses, but also with the amazing individuals that come to Healing with Horses to seek inner peace through equine therapy, and with the staff and amazing volunteers.  

Healing with Horses currently has 14 horses... a lot of personalities to get to know!  In order to help the other volunteers (and myself) get to know everyone, I've started a photo project of capturing the individual physical features and personalities of each horse.  Below are a few images from the first photo shoot...

Cool Man

Friday Senior Sneak Peek

I recently had the joy of photographing high school senior, Friday.

Friday's Mona Lisa smile beautifully captures her calm demeanor and striking intelligence. 

We had a blast at the Austin Botanical Garden and in her yard with her cello.

She was a real pleasure to work with, and I wish her the best in college next year!

Jensen Family Sneak Peek

Play for All Abilities Park: An Expansive Enclosed Park in Round Rock

Welcome to my second installment of posts highlighting awesome ENCLOSED play places in the Austin area.

As a mother of twins, and photographer of children with autism and other special needs, I know that a fenced in playground can sometimes be the only way to safely get the kids outside for play or for a photo session.  In light of this, my camera, family, and I are scouting the Austin area for fun and safe enclosed playgrounds. 

This post features Play for All Abilities Park at 151 North A.W. Grimes Blvd. in Round Rock, TX.

This is a newer park, which opened in 2011 to serve children of all abilities.  And, wow...it has some incredible features!  

The park boasts several areas (which they call pods) including:

Lost Creek Park: An Awesome Enclosed Playground in Austin

view of "Littles" playscape

As a mother of twins, and photographer of children with autism and other special needs, I know that a fenced in playground can sometimes be the only way to safely get the kids outside for play or for a photo session.

Though they are few and far between, the Austin area does have some pretty great playgrounds and restaurants that have fenced in play areas.  This will be the first of several posts detailing awesome ENCLOSED play places in the Austin area.

Up first... Lost Creek Park.

This place is a true gem!  My family and I had a blast there, and though it's not close to our place, we plan to visit again soon.

nice grassy area for running

Here is the extensive list of PROS for Lost Creek Park:

• Fenced with secure child-proof latch on the gate
• BATHROOMS! (taking potty-training kids to parks with no potty can be such a kill-joy)
• Wheelchair ramps that go in to the play area
• A functioning, clean, triple water fountain
• Lots of shade... from trees, canopies, and a pavilion
• 2 play areas, for bigs and littles
• An attractive pavilion with fans, lights, a porch swing, tables, and a gas grill -- BBQ party, anyone?
• A cute little log cabin club-house
• A "spider web" climbing structure
• Grassy area (not shaded)
• Swings, including baby swings
• A small scooter/bike track with a little hill for added interest (and speed!)
• A roller slide (fun sensory activity)
• No dogs allowed in the fenced area.  I love dogs, but for those of you who need a dog- (and poop) free area for your kids, this park is a great choice.
• Located conveniently near 360, but not too close
• Community bulletin board 

E.B. loves the spider web!

Adlai also digs the spider web... it's a great feature!

Toddlers enjoy the music feature.

Bring a wheeled toy for fun on the track!

Fun excavator, but a little too tall!

And there are just a few CONS:

• Playscape structures are pretty high... if you've got an over-confident climber (or two) you have to keep an eye on them to prevent falls.
• The sand boxes were out of sand when we went.
• The excavator toy is too high up (might be fixed with more sand).  My tall 5-year olds couldn't reach the ground to spin the excavator.

This park totally rocked, and my kids were sad to leave.  The features here make for a fun, safe place to bring your children.  

Feel free to contact me if you'd like to schedule a photo session at Lost Creek Park.

Be careful if you have a climber!