A conversation I had had me questioning why I do this...why do I spend so much time learning and researching and brainstorming, living and breathing photography? Is it for attention? No. Money? No. I mean, yeah, I get paid, and it's nice to pay the bills and all, but no. The reason for my obsession is the moments I capture. Not the perfect composition, not the lighting, not the props or location. Those are just tools I use. It's all about the moments and the people. It's the little moments that tell the story of your life and show who you really are...and photos of those moments are wonderful reminders of what's really important in life. So that's why I do this, why I pour my heart and soul into each and every session. It's all about the moments.

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So, if you remember last week's little things post, you know I'm trying to teach Jack his letters. You also know he is so not into it. I found an idea while browsing pinterest one day to use salt trays. Apparently, some little kids like to write in salt with their fingers (you can see the original blogger's post here) and it seemed like a great idea.

So, while Jonah was taking his morning nap (yes, at 16 months old he still takes 2 naps - I got super lucky with this kid) I got out the salt and a tray and wrote Jack's name on a piece of paper for him to copy. Yeah, he's still not interested.

Now, if you looked at the original blogger's post and then look at these photos, you'll see that I used WAY too much salt. So maybe that was part of the problem.

Jack made one J, and a few shapes, and then he was done with that. He did have a GREAT time just playing with the salt though. It's been three days, and even though I have swept the floor several times and mopped, I'm still stepping in the occasional little pile of salt.

I'm glad he had a great time, although I really would have loved it if this would have sparked some interest in letters, but maybe I should just chill out. I see so many moms whose kids know all their letters and numbers and shapes and heck, I even knew one mom whose three-year-old could say all the presidents' names in order. But you know what? He's just three. It's ok. He's got all sorts of time to learn that stuff. For now, I'm happy to let him play. Isn't that what being three is all about?

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When Joey and Abbie were three, they knew all their letters...not the sounds, but they could write them all and they knew how to spell their names. They loved to learn, they were always asking me to teach them things, they soaked it all up. Jack is different. He's SMART, don't get me wrong, he's just a bit more stubborn than the other two. If he doesn't want to do something, you can pretty much just forget it.

I had tried lots of times to get him to let me teach him to write his name, or at least make a J. He refused, over and over. I got frustrated and gave up. Then a couple of months later he was playing with his magna doodle and I asked if he wanted me to show him how to make a J. He said he already knew and then made one to show me! So either he was paying attention all those times I tried to teach him, or Abbie's been playing school with him. Or maybe he learned from Elmo, who knows? Anyway, he can make a J now! There's still absolutely no interest in learning other letters, but hopefully he'll get interested soon.

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Playing with cousins is pretty much the best way to spend a summer afternoon. I remember how much fun I had with my cousins and it's so cool to see my kids with my cousin's kids now. They even have some of the same arguments we used to have. Funny how that works.

On this day, it was girls against boys. The girls made a very cute little girls only "clubhouse" in a bush while the boys perfected some stunts on the tire swing. Good times.

Oops, I don't know how in the world I forgot to include this image in Ellie and Jace's blog post...but it was one of my favorites, so I have to share it now. Kylee requested a shot of her and Jace laying down in the grass and I got several that I liked, but this was my absolute favorite. So happy, so perfect, so sweet. Wouldn't you just LOVE to have a photo like this of you and your child, just playing and having fun? I think this one will be on her wall for a long, long time.

Ellie is SO SWEET! She was such a happy little girl for her session and so smiley. Six months is pretty much the perfect baby age, in my opinion. They can sit up and play with toys but can't crawl away yet. Their personalities are starting to show more and more. It's a good age.


I have a thing for silhouettes...I just love them.



This is why I do what I do...capturing little moments like this for families makes me happy!



See? He's super sweet with her!




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