All we really have is now. The present. This moment. The moment we are living right now.
I know this. I do…. But it’s easy to forget. There is a never ending supply of dishes to wash, dirty socks to launder, and toys distributed to every nook and cranny that need to be put away. And when I get a spare 5 minutes in my day, I’m often guilty of choosing to sit down and review my to-do list instead of spending those minutes being silly with my kids.
When my friend Shannon Harrison | Jack and Ruby Studios invited me to be a part of a project which entailed capturing my children being themselves as our day unfolds, I was immediately excited. I’m pretty sure I only read a few sentences into her email before I was totally committed to her idea. This project is just what I need right now. It’s all about my kids and the freedom to capture them how I want. It’s about slowing down, living in the moment, and being present with my favorite people.
I’m rediscovering, through this project and other creative endeavors, why I ever picked up a camera in the first place. It’s about capturing my kids, as they are in this moment. The images may not be technically perfect, but they’re perfect to me because they showcase my little people.
I’m embarking on this journey with nine other amazing photographers, who are also dedicated mothers. We’re capturing 10 images over 10 hours and linking our blogs together on the 10th of each month. I encourage you to make the rounds to get a glimpse into our everyday lives. You may begin with my very talented friend Sara Tegman| St. Louis Photographer | Family, Children, Newborn, Maternity Photography.
So here’s our day. It was a special day because it was Evan’s last day of being 5.
7:54am
Missy Elle is my early riser, and I have to admit it is very nice to share the early morning sunshine and the sounds the birds busying themselves with company. She had her breakfast quietly and waited for her brother and sister to wake up.
9:20am
After the kids got up, we headed to a small strawberry patch near our house. Evan and Chloe carefully listened to the directions for finding ripe strawberries and then diligently went about their work. Ellie, on the other hand, stealthily walked behind Chloe and ate the strawberries almost as quickly as Chloe could put them in her bucket. I don’t think Chloe ever figured out what was happening. All in all, I’m pretty sure the girls ate more strawberries than they ever placed in their buckets.
9:56am
After their bellies were full and their hands were filthy, they loaded into the car and enjoyed some books as I paid for the buckets of strawberries.
11:02am
Then it was home for some play time. Evan made a super cool set up and then got annoyed with me for taking pictures instead of playing with him. This is his “Enough already, Mom” look.
12:10pm
We had to do something creative with all those strawberries, so we dipped them in frosting and then blue sprinkles. It was quite festive. Most of these masterpieces were consumed within seconds of having been produced.
1:04pm
Bath time was a necessity after all that.
1:58
Bath time was not only a necessity, but it was also entertainment.
3:16pm
I suggested the kids clean the playroom, and I got the typical response. Chloe left as fast as her little legs could carry her, Ellie followed at her heels, and Evan looked at me, astounded, wondering how he will ever do all that cleaning by himself.
4:01pm
As Evan and Chloe played soccer, Ellie spent a quiet moment loving her doggy. She adores dogs more than anyone I know. This is her boy.
8:06pm
Since the weather was absolutely gorgeous, we decided to go out for the evening. We drove quite a ways to a deserted historical site while the kids napped in the car. The girls obliged in letting me try something new and out of the ordinary. It’s actually quite empowering to get outside one’s photography comfort zone and do something totally different. I’ll share more of these at a later date, but here’s just one from our evening together.
It was just a day. But it was our day.
by Amy
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