December 29 2017:
Thomas and I finally made it back after about 3 weeks off. Loved on some seriously amazing kitties and then spent a half hour folding litter boxes.
August 21 2017:
So beautiful, peaceful, and incredibly quiet. Got a great picture of …. nothing, really …. Ha! My attempt at taking a photo through Lillian’s eclipse glasses while also wearing my eclipse glasses. xoxoxo
August 24 2017:
Has anyone tried moving a queen size tempurpedic bed? It’s like wrestling with and trying to move a 200 pound block of jello … with handles. Oh my gosh!
Due to the decision below, I wanted to give Thomas his own space. So we spent four hours after dinner last night moving and shifting packed boxes and other furniture so that he could have his own “room”. It’s a room within a room! Thomas and I had a heck of a time moving my queen bed out so we could put up the tent for him.
I made a decision yesterday afternoon after receiving news yesterday morning that would allow us to stay where we are. I canceled the moving truck for last night and the storage unit. Since the unit we’re in now had not been rented yet, the office was okay with me saying, “Oops! Never mind!” They have been great.
Staying here is the path of least resistance and that suits me.
It’s clear the time has not yet arrived for us to leave this place. Every “perceived option” did not work out and there were many dead ends. Thirty – forty people all trying to get one place, waiting lists, difficulties finding a reasonably priced storage unit, no u-haul trucks of ANY size, anywhere near Reno, beginning today and through 9.3 due to Burning Man.
So, we’ll stay here and hopefully move into a different unit at some point; being that we’re all packed and ready to go somewhere! And, we will begin preparing more solidly for the next adventure for Team TLC. I’ll share more later as it’s been a wild ride for sure.
There must be a reason for us staying here. I will simply trust that it will be revealed in time.
August 24 2017:
Field trip day!!! Drove to Incline Village Library. This library and South Valleys library are our two favorites!
Bonus Farmers Market set up when came out. Fresh tomatoes, Concord grapes, peaches, and nectarines. Yum!!!
Another bonus! The amazing views on the drive back down Mt. Rose. WOW!!!
January 4 2017:
Top 10 Countdown Continues! The Number TWO 2016 blog post on CamillaDowns.com with the most views: “Biggest Little Photographer Arrives – We Did It!”
“This book represents the fruition of a desire. Yet, within that is the message that the steps along the journey of ones desire are what comprises life itself.
It’s sure to inspire with great quotes; almost all of which were chosen by Thomas ….. for ages eight to eighty and beyond!”
December 29 2016:
I love the little sleeping buds on trees. Finally got to take a walk yesterday morning and briefly played around with the macro lens I received as a gift. Thanks Momma! Can’t wait to play with it more. “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” -Theodore Roosevelt
December 25 2016:
The most cherished and beloved gifts. Part 1
Lillian created a Nature Book for me that caused my eyes to sweat.
“Grass is healthy food and beautiful.
Sky is a beautiful ocean in the sky.
Flower is a pretty thing in nature.
Trees are old wise spirits in nature.
Ocean is a reflection of the sky.
Night is a beautiful time.
Animals are people and nature like us.”
I wrote a poem for each of them and made it into a wall hanger.
Thomas: “Knowledge beyond grasp, Gentle and tender heart, Deep knowing of the soul.”
Lillian: “Beauty shining within and without, Depth and strength I know not, A light shining brightly for the World.”
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The most cherished and beloved gifts. Part 2
A handmade card from Lillian and a poster size drawing from both Thomas and Lillian.
The card is full of original Lillian nature quotes … Plus one from Thomas!
“A sunset is nature’s art.
Rainbows are nature’s fancy artwork.
Night is art to the human’s eye.
Seasons are nature’s beauty.
Wind is nature’s music.
Space is a beautiful art.
Snow and ice are nature’s quiet time.” -Lillian
“Nature is full of awesome animals.” -Thomas
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The most cherished and beloved gifts. Part 3
Lillian made Thomas a Nature Book also.
“A cat can make several sounds including purr and meow.
A dog likes a lot of outdoor exercise.
Fish are living in almost any body of water.
Mouse like a lot of food scraps including cheese.
Ducks are social.
Cows help humans by making milk and eating grass.
Humans can dress up as animals and wear animal headbands. We are animals.” xoxo
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The most cherished and beloved gifts. Last Set of Pictures
Lillian made a Christmas card for Thomas and a noisemaker for me!
Many of you know that Lillian has been working on having flexibility. Something that is extremely difficult for her. At about 9:00 pm Christmas Eve she was still working on handmade gifts. She was determined to stay up until she was done!
She decided at 11:00 that she would go to bed and finish in the morning. YAY for flexibility entering a wee bit!! I simply knew the next morning that it would be best to not even suggest waiting until after opening gifts for her to finish.
So … our Christmas Day did not begin until about 11:00 as we waited for her to be finished …… And, we were all okay with that …. xoxoxo
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There were a few non homemade gifts too!! Thomas and I can play tennis now!! And as soon as it snows he can go sledding. Plus a calendar and a sweater he just loves.
Here’s a great gift idea for someone with sensory issues ……. a soft fuzzy sweater. He asked me if he could wear it all week. Great job Romano Duo on that gift!!! Thanks to Super Owen for the great book too!
Lillian got a box of one of her favorite cookies, a great new LEGO set, some books, and a calendar. Thanks to Super Owen for the great book.
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Gifts beyond the handmade …. I received some great books, a new sheet pan, oh so comfy socks, and since I’m not able to have a real camera right now, a few awesome accessories for what I do have!
Can’t wait to read the books! Thank you Frank for this amazing pan!!! Baked rosemary fries in it last night and they were amazing.
Thank you Olivia for these yummy socks!! And thank you Momma for the lenses. I finally got to go for a walk this morning and tested the macro. Love, love, love it!!!!
November 22 2016:
For the past 3 years we have created a daily gratitude poster for the month of November; with each day adding an expression of our gratitude to the poster. I was moved to do something different this year.
This year we are working on three separate activities:
#1 – Writing a letter to our self telling our future self what we are grateful for now. We used dice to determine when we will mail this letter to ourself. These will be mailed in 5 years … November 2021.
#2 – Writing a letter to each other explaining what we are grateful for, enjoy, and love about the recipient of the letter. Again we rolled dice to determine the mailing date. These will be mailed in 6 years … November 2022.
#3 – Write a letter thanking someone for something that we neglected to thank them for previously. Meet with the person and hand deliver the letter.
I plan on adding the mailing of the letters on my calendar with a very important note to self. What’s the note to self? The location of the letters; which I’m sure I’ll place somewhere safe! HA!
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November 23 2016:
Paper strip pumpkin …. by Lillian Darnell …. with a little help from me. Pretty cool!!! YAY Lillian!
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November 24 2016:
Thomas and Lillian are still asleep and I’m feasting on a piece of pumpkin bread and dark French roast. So incredibly thankful … and …. yum!
Next up … Reading and getting The Team TLC blog caught up.
Abundant blessings, love, and peace to all.
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November 25 2016:
Hope everyone had a warm and wonderful time yesterday. We enjoyed a quiet, relaxing, and comfy day at home. Cheers! Here’s to a great weekend, blessings, and a grateful heart. xoxo
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November 20 2016:
Reviews are partly the gas that fuel the forward momentum of our creations … xoxo …. Thank you so very much for being the bearer of that fuel! xoxo
If you have received your copy of Biggest Little Photographer and would like to share a review or thoughts you can do that here, message me, mail it to the PO Box listed in the book, or email to Camilla Downs @ gmail . com ….
“I got the coolest package in the mail today. Just when I was getting homesick and missing the west coast this came at the perfect time.
This book was created by the most amazing 8 year old I know who is the perfect example of determination and going after your dreams and he’s accomplished more in those 8 years then I ever will.
Thank you for warming my heart on this rainy Texas night. This kid is going places and has a positive message to share.” ~Gloria, Texas
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“Since your book arrived last week, I have read it a couple of times thru and also just looked at a few pages and smiled!
You certainly are to be commended for taking on and completing such a big project for an entire year! It is so lovely for you to have a dream come to fruition at your young age!
The quotes were just perfect and so appropriate!
The message for me is to not take life for granted. Your little photographer took pictures of the ORDINARY and made them EXTRAORDINARY thru his camera lens and your vision.” ~Patricia, California
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“The book is absolutely beautiful and literally exudes all the love that went into making it!! A real treasure!” – Michaela, Reno
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“It gives me so much joy! I love it! Just thought I’d let you and Thomas know.” ~Kathy, Reno
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November 21 2016:
Come see Mr. Minifigure (and us) this Saturday, 11.26, from 2-4! The Discovery Museum is hosting a book signing for Thomas.
We will be picking up our 3rd order of books tomorrow from LRP and that will put us nearing 100 books! Here’s the event on NVDM’s website …https://nvdm.org/event/book-signing-thomas-darnell/ ….. From the website: “Thomas’ book proves what can be done when you combine perseverance, a passion for Legos, and a huge heart—truly a great story of the potential of Reno’s youth.”
The Discovery Museum Gift Shop will also be selling Biggest Little Photographer so we will be delivering 20 books to The Discovery tomorrow.
If anyone is interested in learning more about the book, hosting a book signing, carrying the book, or personally purchasing, here’s the link ….https://www.BiggestLittlePhotographer.com
We are happy to make the book available for fundraisers also. In addition, we are available to speak at events.
Oceans of thanks to everyone for your support and encouragement!! xoxo
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November 22, 2016:
More fun news!! Galena Creek Visitor’s Center Gift Shop will also be selling Thomas’ book, Biggest Little Photographer! We’ll be delivering their books next week. This is a picture of Marilyn’s Pond in the Galena Creek Park area.
So far we have 4 local stores/shops selling the book. The Discovery Museum Gift Shop (delivered their books today so they will have for Friday), Don’s Pharmacy, Buy Nevada First, and Galena Creek Visitor’s Center.
If you know someone, we are looking for connections to gift shops in Reno, Virginia City, Tahoe, Incline Village, and Sparks. The book contains photographs from all of these cities taken by a local Reno youth and published and printed in Reno! Thank you everyone for the connections, enthusiasm, and support! xoxo
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November 23 2016:
We delivered 20 books yesterday to The Discovery Museum so they have them for this Friday!
Team TLC and Mr. Minifigure Photographer will be there this Saturday, 11.26, from 2-4 as The Discovery Museum is hosting a book signing for Thomas.
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November 23 2016:
As I’m making yummy, delicious dishes for the Team TLC Thanksgiving goodness tomorrow, I want to say again, “We are deeply grateful!!
Worlds of thanks to everyone for the connections to local shops in regards to stocking Biggest Little Photographer!” xoxo …. Blessings abound to everyone!!
Mr. Minifigure Photographer gets to enjoy being in another shop! Thank you Melanie of NeverEnderReno for your excitement about hosting Biggest Little Photographer!
And thank you Coral Wilcox for the connection! The five shops so far are: The Discovery Museum Gift Shop, Don’s Pharmacy, Buy Nevada First, Galena Creek Visitor’s Center Gift Shop, and NeverEnder.
If you know anyone, we are looking for connections to gift shops in Reno, Virginia City, Tahoe, Incline Village, and Sparks; including Nevada Historical Society, Wilbur May Museum, visitor centers, casino gift shops and hospital gift shops. xoxoxo
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November 24 2016:
I LOVE you Carolyn R Smith, Sunshine Friend! Not simply for supporting Thomas and Biggest Little Photographer. Your friendship, support, encouragement, and love are deeply, deeply appreciated. I am grateful for YOU BEing YOU!
I so much enjoyed our chat yesterday morning. Chats with you bring forth the pure joy of sharing in oneness with another … Wonderful … xoxo
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November 26 2016:
First book signing done! We are so grateful to The Discovery Museum for hosting and for selling the book in the gift store.
And thank you to those who bought books! Pictures to follow! Thomas is experiencing deep learning from all of this.
He’s uncomfortable with the praise and compliments and processing the best he can. Overflowing thanks to everyone for understanding. It is his choice to keep moving forward with marketing the book so deep learning and growth happening indeed!!!
November 13 2016:
He wanted cheesecake for his cake. So that’s what I made for him with shaved dark chocolate on top. Oh my YUM!!!
He so loves and enjoys reading National Geographic so I got him a subscription for the print edition. Lillian made a handmade card and then a “mystery box” (which he renamed a “memory box”).
With help from me she collected items from around the house to put in the box and then she handmade a coupon for one stone or crystal from Stone Age with some of her own quotes on the back. Other goodies from The Romano Duo!!
“We’re the weirdest people I know.” ~Thomas Darnell (11.8.16) …. To which we both burst out laughing and let even more weirdness ensue. It’s true. I’m not your average person, nor the average mom. But, that’s another story for another time ….This one’s for Thomas ….
Happy Happy Happy 11th Birthday Thomas!!!!
Here’s to you! As you begin your 11th trip around the sun, may you live your life to the fullest. You have blessed me with countless gifts from the moment you joined us.
Your tender heart combined with your honesty, compassion, and empathy are indeed precious. Rounded out with your true confusion as to why age seems to be such a big deal in this world, by way if its limitations; have made for interesting, fun, and life shifting adventures and conversations. Your soul knows no age and you have not forgotten that.
“It’s like I’ve lived this life before, I have nostalgia almost every day, like I’ve experienced this all before.” said often by Thomas.
Snapshot of Thomas: Some of his favorite topics are minecraft, LEGOS, coding, math, and learning about topics that interest him. He loves fibonacci numbers, bernoulli’s equation, and the law of infinite probability. Some of his most cherished things to do are reading, being outside, going on adventures, and swimming.
And as of about two weeks ago, has a PUBLISHED BOOK!!! Wahoooo!!!
He asks a billion questions, makes funny noises, teases his sister too much, has sensory processing issues, gets overwhelmed in crowds and noisy places, takes longer than the average person to process questions asked of him ….
He calls me out when I’m not “doing” as I say, he holds the biggest freakin mirror in front of me when I need it most, and he has a heart of gold.
Thomas, I love you throughout all of time and all dimensions and am blessed we chose to be mother and son in this life.
PEACE and LOVE …. PEACE and LOVE …. PEACE and LOVE ….
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November 14 2016:
Birthday treat for the 11 year old this morning.
The most amazing vegan root beer float with coconut bliss ice cream and Oogave root beer. Plus a treat for me: Aztec D’oro, made with almond milk.
But first, a toast to Thomas’ 11th trip around the sun with this amazing and yummy water.
November 6 2016:
Someone was looking at Biggest Little Photographer a few days ago and asked, “Are you going to make this into a book?”
I was a bit perplexed. So … yes! This is a real, actual, published book. Thank you to everyone for your support and enthusiasm!!! xoxo
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November 7 2016:
Beautiful message received:
“I got the coolest package in the mail today. Just when I was getting homesick and missing the west coast this came at the perfect time. This book was created by the most amazing 8 year old I know who is the perfect example of determination and going after your dreams and he’s accomplished more in those 8 years then I ever will.
Thank you @camilladowns for warming my heart on this rainy Texas night. You all should check out his book at biggestlittlephotographer.com. This kid is going places and has a positive message to share.” – Gloria, Texas
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November 7 2016:
Thank you Ms. Elyse for buying Biggest Little Photographer and supporting Thomas. And thank you Ms. Nicole for buying one too!!
Elyse was Thomas’ 4th grade teacher and Nicole was his 1st-3rd grade teacher. Such amazing, wonderful, and great people!!
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November 8 2016:
Thank you Diana Beeghly Rovetti for your enthusiasm and support!!!! We are so grateful!!! xoxo
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November 9 2016:
A chocolate toast ….. from all three of us: Here’s to receiving an order of 20 books from The Discovery Museum this afternoon and confirmation of the book signing date of November 26th from 2-4 …. one of THE busiest days of the year for them.
Here’s to food, to becoming a family of authors, to Lillian’s accomplishments … And here’s to being the light in the darkness. Love and light from Team TLC to you… xoxo
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November 11, 2016:
Yesterday was a good day to mail more books!! Oceans of gratitude to everyone!! xoxo
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November 11 2016:
This was waiting for me in the mail today! Thomas Darnell, an amazing 9 year old, started a 365 day photography project when he was 8!!! He is now a published author with his book titled, “Biggest Little Photographer.” With a passion for legos and a determination to go from “I can do it!” to “I did it!,” Thomas has accomplished an amazing feat!
Is there a child you want to inspire to go for their dreams?? Consider this book a wonderful Christmas gift idea! – Lois, Louisiana
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November 12, 2016:
Received in the mail a few days ago …. This brought on more joyful and heart opening tears …. May it carry a beautiful message to you as well …
Dear Thomas,
Since your book arrived last week, I have read it a couple of times thru and also just looked at a few pages and smiled!
You certainly are to be commended for taking on and completing such a big project for an entire year! It is so lovely for you to have a dream come to fruition at your young age!
The quotes were just perfect and so appropriate!
The message for me is to not take life for granted. Your little photographer took pictures of the ORDINARY and made them EXTRAORDINARY thru his camera lens and your vision.
Congratulations and best wishes for your future … ~Patricia, California