Love this face

Childhood and the end of summer.  They seem to grow up over the summer don't they?  I can see the story of many little girls in this capture of Ella, including that of my three sister's and mine.  A summer of mud pies, fireflies, bike riding, running back and forth between friends' houses barefooted, collecting new pets, new bruises and bumps, new freckles and a little more independence.

Growing up

Thinking a lot this week about what it means to be a parent.  Mom and Dad comes easily but parent as in "to parent" is quite the job, isn't it?  

Moving through a phase recently that is teaching me about myself as a mom, my boys, the world inside our home and outside and how to make them work together.  They start out little like this little hand, but even when they grow taller than you as one of mine has done, they need you even more.  This transition into young adulthood is probably the most challenging thing I have faced as a parent. 

Making Choices:  choosing to listen,  choosing to connect, choosing to make a stand, choosing not to conform, choosing us, choosing them.  Choosing time.  Choosing to play, think, wait, talk, hug. 

So much more concerned with what is seen through their eyes than what everyone else sees or believes.  What they feel now and remember could never become less important than what other folks think. 

I will be concerned with real life. Real life. These will be the years he remembers the most.

Taylor

Little beauty tonight at Jeffrey Mansion.  I can't stop looking at this face.  You can see the outline of the  mansion in her eyes as the sky creates the catchlights.  The sky makes for a great lightbox.  That shape is what makes it so much more engaging to me.

Beach face

This summer the boys all saw the ocean for the first time.  They approved with lots of body surfing, shell collecting and castle building that included huge walls, moats, and roads for the cars. 

McCoy stuck closer to the sand unless Dad carried him out to the waves.  Content to tuck his head on Dad's shoulder and be as brave as a 2 1/2 year old can be.  

Side note: how do we stand a chance with this face. Good thing we are fairly strict and stick to our guns or he would run the house. The little charmer. 

First Grade

We all go through the same conflicting feelings sending our children to school all day......proud, excited, ready, relieved,......sad, reminiscent, scared, lonely. They are moving up and on.  We did it.  We gave it all we had and then some. They will remember this and be strong from it. Independence is a great thing.   Got to let them grow up.  It hurts the heart so.
"You are the best mom I've ever had."  One of my favorites everyday.

 Big world, you be good to him. 

This does mean though more time alone with little britches.  I'll take it. Don't you grow up yet.

Anticipation

They have been waiting quite awhile for this second one to come along.  All are very excited to meet him come September. 

Little Mama

It always amazes me how little girls like two year old Valerie become little moms so quickly.  It is just their instincts. I love little girls with their dolls when they are barely the bigger of the two.  Such a timeless thing. I love how her baby has the same big blue eyes as her.