Socially Distanced Photo Shoots

During the first week of quarantine, which was also Sophia's Spring Break, Sophia and I walked into the woods to do a little photo shoot. It was a reason to get showered and dressed and out of the house. We decided it was something we would do occasionally as this went on. Yesterday was our second effort. Lots of fun to do this together. Sophia's enjoying being in front of and behind the camera. I'm just enjoying the silliness of the moments.

For this particular day's photos, we went up the hill to Concordia Seminary - a place with great architecture and plants to choose from as backgrounds.

Here is an over-the-shoulder smile that I'm proud of.

The squat and look up at me shot. A few shadows on the face, but overall a great picture of a beautiful girl.

This one I love because I caught the real giggle. I can't take credit for the giggle, though, she was cracking herself up.

Not sure what this is, but it was fun anyhow.

Her instructions here were, "Look confident." We can only hope that this is not actually how I look when I feel confident. Otherwise, I should definitely feel that less often.

Classic Senior picture moment. Super cute, though.

She thinks this is hilarious. She was being silly on purpose but has no idea what's meant to be happening with her hand.

Here is a photo from the jumping series.

Here's a selection from the running series.

Here is my Senior picture section. She did a great job, and I'm actually really pleased with these! Next professional headshot, probably!

 And, finally, here is our togetherness shot. Happily hanging out in the Spring sunshine. There are plenty of odd and uncomfortable moments in all of this, but I am so grateful to have Erick and this lovely girl to share every day with.

Proud of this girl

In case anyone missed the memo, middle school is not an easy place to spend all of one's time. There are challenges from start to finish each day. Being thirteen is not the simplest age to be either. Sometimes I say that these middle schoolers are trying to start discovering who they are. The truth is probably closer to - they just started realizing that they have no clue who they are. That's a lot harder than the other one, I think.

Anyway, I'm just really proud of Sophia. She works hard in school. She pays attention to her friends. She puts up with Erick and me and actually likes us most of the time. She loves adventure, though she loves predictability, too. She is not just one thing. She's many things, and I like them all.

It just felt like a day that I should mark the time. Things change so quickly. Young people are facing a lot of obstacles from outside and pressure from inside. At least, Sophia usually has that inner pressure going on. And she hangs on with maturity and grace more often than expected. I know this may not always be the case, and I won't be any less proud of her then.

Today, I'm feeling proud and amazed by this person in our house. So grateful to get to watch and occasionally participate in the development of one remarkable human person.
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Celebrating and Picture Taking!

Yesterday, the three of us (and Leo) drove to Columbia to celebrate Mary's retirement from Tolton and education in general. It was a special day, mostly spent just relaxing and enjoying each other's company. We didn't do a whole lot because Sophia was not feeling her best.

Once we headed out to Rocheport, though, to celebrate in earnest, Sophia popped back. We had fun looking in the little shops and antique stores. Sophia got started on a button collection, and Erick and I got some lovely holiday glassware. We just need to find the right holiday concoction to put in them because eggnog is not our thing.

Finally, we ate at Abigail's. Somehow, in all our years living in Columbia, we never managed to eat there, and I am so disappointed about that now. My goodness, but that was delicious. And special. Just very, very cool.

 It was a perfect way to celebrate and to enjoy the evening together.

Sophia is covering her ear because I kissed her loudly in it - not because my laugh is too loud. I'm pretty sure, anyway.

I just love this restaurant. I want all my pictures to be taken here with the lights and the room in the background. I love it.

And Sophia is beautiful while she's telling me how weird I am. But she loves it. I'm pretty sure.

Just for

On Saturday, we head out on vacation to Oregon. This time, we will not be visiting the coast, so no pictures of rocky coastlines. However, I'm sure there will be plenty of picturesque vistas from atop a bluff or two.

For now, please enjoy this picture of my beautiful baby.

Breaking the Seal

It's hard to believe, though not really, that I have only posted once or twice so far in 2019. It's been a very fast year. There are almost ten blog drafts that never got published. Let's hope that this one doesn't get added to that.

At some point in the recent past, I got a new phone.

Then we went to the brewery and I took some pictures. I will post those here as a way to break the current seal on this blog.

Even the selfie camera is marvelous.

I took a lot of pictures of Sophia. She was making faces in most of them. I love that about her. She's just so darn cute.

She took some pictures of me, and I was making faces, too. I guess she gets the silly streak from me. At least partially.

Beautiful Girl

No reason for posting this picture other than the fact that I haven't posted in such a long time.

Her face is gorgeous. Her spirit is indomitable. I try to learn as much as I teach.

More to come because we head to Disney tomorrow!

Lovely Girl

We recently had our family pictures taken by a lovely photographer, Jessica. She captured some really great shots of our family, and some that I really love of Sophia.

We needed another good family photo this year, but I probably wouldn't have done it if she hadn't been running a charitable special. Donate to Doctors Without Borders or a similar charity that directly assists refugees and receive a photo shoot and images without paying her directly. I love being able to reward selfless action like that. 

And sometimes it results in something beautiful like this.

Looks Can Be Deceiving

I really love this picture. Here's the story that I may choose to tell with this picture one day: I said to Sophia, "Hey, would you like to have a picture with me, Sophia?" She responded, "Yes, Mama! I want to have my picture with you at every opportunity because I love you sooooooo much!"

Here's the story that really happened with this picture: "Sophia, I'll only let you climb on my back if you let me take a picture of us." Sophia responded, "Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!" while trying to slide down my back and out of the frame.

Oh well. The love is the truth.

Along with normal school pictures, we ordered these at the Samuel Preschool Auction. A photographer with kids in the preschool donated her services. Wasn't that cool? Anyway, we also got the disc so we can print what we want. Problem is, I'm not sure what I want. I'm going to order some wallets. Let's say you were to get a wallet sized photo of Sophia. Which of these would you rather have? A

B

C

D

E

My fav is "E", the black and white closeup. Sophia's fav is "B", the colorful full shot with her pleased grin. I get it. That's particularly cute, too, but it's not as artistic and intense. Both poses show sides of her personality. Rather than doing a poll, I wanted people to comment. Assuming anyone is reading and/or gives a flip. Exercise your right, people. Vote! I may or may not listen.

School Pictures

(also, my scanner's not working, so it's a picture of a picture. Classy, no?)

Reflection

Every year, I compile a running folder of my favorite pictures of Sophia, her friends, our family and other stuff that I think might be important. Then, after her birthday each year, I head to a photo site and begin work on a book about that year. The purpose is similar to my blog. I don't want to forget. She loves looking back through the books, and I do too.

It's a process that I look forward to and simultaneously dread each year. This year's favorites folder held over 300 pictures. Not even a third of those go into a book. But it's a lot of fun going through them. I so enjoy reliving our adventures and regular days through pictures.

Here are a few of the ones I have to choose from.

One of our last visits as residents to the little park on the hill in our Columbia neighborhood.

 

A spring walk around our St. Louis neighborhood apparently made Sophia too tired to go home.

 

A trip to the St. Louis Zoo, and our first visit to the Sea Lion show. It was hot!!

 

That would be a silly face.

 

Working on a project in our dining room.

 

You can see why it's such a challenge! But I love doing it, and I especially love getting that fresh book in the mail!

I love school pictures

A couple of weeks ago, Sophia had school pictures. I forgot about it until a few days afterward, so I was just hopeful that Sophia did a good job dressing herself that day.
I should never have doubted her sense of style.

Today

We went for a walk.



One of us wore pj's and sunglasses.



We both brought our cameras.



And it was one of those days that I caught a picture that completely captured Sophia's current being. I just haven't decided which one it is. This one:



Or this one:



Reality is a constant epic battle between the two. But she sure is cute!!

Still Painting

 

Date Night

 

School Picture

I just love Sophia's school picture. Johnson Photography came to Little One's Day Out a month or so ago and took pictures of all the kids. They also do family portraits if you choose. Sophia calls this her "real smile."

Need more evidence?

Just in case you need to see more pictures of us having fun in California - and who wouldn't, really?

Here's a link to the album. Remember. This album is still only 10% of all my pictures.

10February - CA Vacation

I won't be offended if you don't even glance. No guarantees that I would look at your vacation pictures if you weren't checking over my shoulder and waiting for appropriate excitement...