Hard to believe how fast the summer flew by!  How long until next summer?  I always hate to see it go as I love the warm nights, exploring the Chesapeake Bay, going to the pool, crabbing!, and the smell of sunscreen.  But as they say, all good things must come to an end (though I have to question- WHY ? )

So my oldest is now entering 3rd grade.  THIRD.  When did that happen?  It seems like yesterday that he was this curly headed little toddler who was obsessed with household sponges and gloves (or glubs as he called them).  I swear the time has passed so quickly and now he’s into pokemon cards, skateboards, girls!, and playing his guitar.

And my youngest, my baby, is entering Kindergarten.  While I want him to grow into a confident, happy, independent boy, part of me wishes he could stay little with his cute mispronunciations and his sweet hugs and kisses.  Here he is with his big brother before his first bus ride:

Don’t we all have these pictures of ourselves on the first day of school?  Standing the front yard with our school bags to appease Mom?

Waiting for the bus…

And I think the first day was a success!  He seemed pretty pleased with himself AND he got to eat in the cafeteria!

I know they won’t be kids forever, but I sure wish they could slow down a bit!

Here’s a senior I met back in July.  Actually, by this point, she was already a graduate- and on her way to Tulane.  Look out New Orleans- you are in for something special!

She’s got quite the interest in photography herself and her mom says she has done quite a few sessions with friends.  So it was fun for her to be on the other side of the lens.  I’d say she’s a natural.

Best of luck to you!  I hope college life treats you well!

I have seen this special little man on more than one occasion. He was a complete crack up for his studio mini. Unsure of the new environment, he was a bit “busy” and not entirely interested in being corraled into the area where my lights were set up.

He was, however, interested in the “pipes”. Yes, folks, you heard that right… he’s a pipe man. Now, I am not sure what special meaning pipes have for him and mom couldn’t explain the fascination either, but he most definitely was intrigued. In fact, we used bribery to get him to do what we wanted (i.e. “I’ll show you more pipes if you come over here…”) And by the way, pipes don’t even necessarily need to be real pipes, but can be a paper roll than resembles the shape of a pipe, or cords going into a computer.

So here’s the little engineer then as seen in the Big Book of Babies:

And now:

And because I can’t resist showing you his big, huge, gigantic, blue eyes…

May you find many pipes in your travels!

It’s always fun for me to get to photograph little girls- since I am usually surrounded by testosterone in my home!  These girls were no exception to the fun.  I loved their pale yellow dresses and bare feet on a warm summer evening.

How about a little swing?

Love baby fingers…

Earlier this summer, I had the privilege of photographing two USNA midshipmen. As my husband used to work on the yard, I was lucky enough to know K. She’s going into her last year at the academy. I wonder if it’s flown by for her as surely it has for her mom? And now her brother will be joining her for his plebe year. I know their mom is so proud of her children!

Only a few more children to share from The Big Book of Babies

I have to say I have really enjoyed getting to see these children again and consider myself so lucky that they’d come back to see me.  I’ll be seeing this little guy and his family again in the Fall- to include his new baby brother.

Here he was then:

And now:

The biggest mess my child ever made was… painting the floor!

Photographs are important to me because… they capture forever my favorite moments.

Where do you go when you want to be pampered? Spa!  Any will work.

One thing I hope to always remember is… when my boys still snuggled with me, which only lasted up until they were 6-9 months old.

What is your favorite kid-friendly restaurant? Chevy’s and California Pizza Kitchen

What is your favorite family tradition? Gelato in Annapolis with my husband and kids on the anniversary of my husband & my first date (July 25 each year)

An awesome, child-friendly place that others may not have heard of is… Sakura Japanese Steakhouse