Bounce....

I was fortunate to spend a recent Saturday morning with these dear little boys (and mom and dad too, of course) at Como Zoo. Can you say adorable?

I do believe that Jonah and Caleb didn't stop moving the entire time we were together for the photo session. I guess it's the gift of being almost 2 and 3-1/2 - - boundless bounce.  I also think the boys figured that the more they bounced and jumped and wiggled, the closer they'd get to their real destination: Como Town!

Eventually, after a few other zoo adventures they made it.....















The bronze tortoise provided a little diversion, but the rides were still calling.....



At last!









Bummer though that little brother was just a few inches too short to ride those bright and shiny fire trucks.  Clearly, he was none-too-happy about it.....

Now, I usually don't post the alligator-tear pictures, but I couldn't resist mom's look.....Oh my, how many times have all of us mama-types been there, watching our dear ones struggle through some 2-year old injustice or sorrow......

But I'm pleased to report that after the fire truck, there were many rides just right for Caleb.  Tears-be-gone!


Love these shadows.....


Love this daddy-hug.....







Sarah and Josh, thanks for the chance to meet your lovely family! The morning reminded me to put a little more bounce in my step too!

Cinderella....

"I'm not going!"

Up until quite recently, this was Anna's response each time we talked about preschool. She turned 4 this past March and so we signed her up for preschool 3 afternoons a week, starting in September.

Now, I'm not completely surprised by Anna's reaction. Like her brother, she is often slow to warm up to new things. Therefore, my usual course of action is to take lots of time for her to get used to anything new. I started talking up preschool months ago....

"Anna, I wonder what you'll have for a snack at preschool?"

"Hmmmm, what color do you think your locker will be?"

"Anna, do you think you'll sing 2 or 3 songs at circle time."

We got along pretty well like this for awhile, and I thought we were making progress. But, it's when I pondered who her new preschool friends might be, that Anna stopped me dead in my tracks - -

"Mama," Anna said, looking up and eyes brimming with tears, "What if the new friends don't like me?"

At that moment, my mama-heart shuddered, and every socially awkward moment of my own childhood flashed before my eyes.....

Oh my sweet baby girl.



Well, obviously we talked about how lovely Anna is. And how her new friends would like her very much, because she is a good friend. And that everyone might be a little scared about meeting new kids. On and on it went.....We talked about it for days. (okay, we OVER-talked about it for days. Mama-excess on this one for sure!)

Then, a few days later, we took a little field trip that made all the difference. A little trip that we actually should have taken months ago. (duh!) As luck would have it, Anna's preschool is just a block and a half away from her daycare. So, we parked at daycare and walked to preschool. Street construction kept us from getting too close, but we checked out the playground and we could see the front door and the windows to her classroom. And somehow, that's all it took. I could almost feel Anna exhale. It's as if she finally let out the big breath that she had been holding ever since we started talking about preschool. It just wasn't so scary anymore.

And then this week - - well, we sealed the deal. New shoes. And not any old pair of shoes, but Sketchers. Big kid shoes, like her brother.

It was official. Just like Cinderella put on a glass slipper and became a princess, Anna put on her new shoes and became a preschooler....

Magic.



Gratefully, the conversation at our house has now shifted from "I'm not going." to "How many more days until I can go?"

I'm sure we'll still have nervous moments ahead. But, I think with new big girl shoes on her feet, Anna really is ready to take the next four-year-old steps, right into preschool.

Oh my sweet baby girl.

A glimpse....

Dani was one of the first people I met when I was hired for my current job nearly 12 years ago. And fortunate for me, we became fast friends. Despite our crazy-busy lives, we make a point to squeeze in a lunch from time to time, at least to keep up with the big things. Kids. Significant-others. New houses. New jobs....

I think one of the great privileges of my whole photography adventure this past year, has been getting a glimpse into the beautiful moments in people's lives. Moments I may not otherwise have a chance to witness. And, I am so grateful to Dani (and Jermaine and McK) for giving me just that glimpse last week.










All afternoon, McK was in pursuit of the perfect picture. He wanted "breathtaking." Well, I think this picture of his mom certainly fits the bill. Gorgeous, Dani.....





Clearly, I wasn't the only photographer shooting this session. McK had a vision all his own!


















Now I can't quite presume to say that a photo session makes me all-knowing. But I do think there are things you can just tell when you spend time with someone, looking through a camera lens. Sometimes, you can just see the happy. You know, the real kind of happy. And I sure did last week with Dani and Jermaine and McK.

Despite the inevitable ups and downs that life throws at all us, what more could I hope for a dear friend, other than that kind of happiness.....

Thank you so much Dani. Thank you for giving me a glimpse into the beautiful in your life.

Coming soon.....

The good news (at least for me....) - - I have 12 new blog posts ready to go.

The bad news - - they are all still stuck in my head.  Or lost somewhere on my computer.

Oh, so much to blog, so little time!

It's been a crazy-wonderful few weeks, but time for a break. Something different.

Change is in the air....Stay tuned!



Tonight was just family time.  And it was oh-so welcomed. Henry's idea - - a backyard camp-out.

And so.....

The s'mores have been eaten and the sugar rush is thankfully starting to wear off.  The sun has set in grand style and the campfire is dying down.  The tent is up and the cool air has made our outdoor beds perfect for a sound sleep. The crickets and frogs have begun their evening song.

And Henry just saw the first star. 

Good night. Sleep tight.

Saturday adventures....

When the very first shot of a session starts with this, you know it is going to be a good day....





Saturday's session brought a beautiful family, in a beautiful location. This stunning natural prairie provided just enough adventure for everyone.















Seriously. What could be better than a tree swing, hidden in a little wooded alcove. This is the stuff that summer dreams are made of....









I could ramble on and on about this fabulous family, but I think the pictures this time around speak for themselves.....





























I love a mom who remembers snacks - - and particularly the non-messy, we-still-have-pictures-to-take variety! 



And I wonder what final enticement allowed mom and dad to escape for a few photos of their own????





Yup!  Cookies!



Gretchen and Mike.  Thank you, thank you for sharing the gift of a beautiful morning, and simply appreciating all the good things.