That was my last year.  I *thought* that when Lucy started kindergarten and Luke started preschool I would have so much time on my hands I wouldn’t know what to do with myself.

Nothing could have been farther from the truth.  Lucy had a great year in kindergarten and it was a pleasure to watch her grow and mature.  She’s a strong reader (which makes my heart happy!) and loved the academic challenge of “real school”.  Luke survived preschool – although I think this boy of mine needs to be outside hammering nails, putting up caution tape and dreaming about constructing tree houses more than he needs “school” (at this point in his life).  For me, I actually had less time, more taxi responsibilities and tired kids.  Soooooo….

It’s been a while since I’ve been here.  I have lots of work I should have been posting and lots of thoughts I should have been sharing, but nonetheless my (perhaps extreme) commitment to making sure Lucy and Luke pursue their creative impulses and intellectual pursuits has superseded my upkeep on this blog.

However – I did want to post these pictures of Lucy.  Do you ever wonder how in the world your own children could be so beautiful?  I wonder that every day – and when I look at these, her beauty blows me away.  I think taking pictures of my own kids is much much harder than taking pictures of my clients children.  But this time I just stepped back and did what I encourage my clients to do – just let them be.  Children *are* beautiful just the way they are.  And so here is Lucy being Lucy.  Enjoy!

This is a BIG deal for Lucy!  At the beginning of the year Lucy could not make it all the way across the bars on the school playground – and *most* of the girls could.  I could see how hard that was for her, how she so desperatly wished she could do what they did effortlessly.

But my Lucy did not shy away from the challenge nor did she sit back and feel sorry for herself.  Instead, she came home from school everyday (did you hear that?  EVERYDAY) and practiced climbing up the bars on our swing set.  And then one day, she could go across 2 bars.  And then three.  And then four.  And before she knew it, she was going backwards and forwards racing against girls 1/2 size.

I am SO PROUD OF HER.  She put her mind to it, and she did it.

Way to go Lucy.  You inspire me .  I’m so glad that I’m your mama.

I’ll leave you with this last image.  I like her sassy little grin, as if she’s saying – come on world, I dare you.  Just try to hand me something you think I can’t do.  Watch me go.  Whatever you give me, I’ll master it.

Lucy, I’m watching.  And I’m convinced there ISN’T ANYTHING you can’t accomplish.

One of my favorite Lucy days ever…

Enjoy!!!!!

Sara

If Luke were to write an instruction manual on being a three year old boy it would read:

1.  Make sure your toes get muddy.

2. Always climb up the slide the wrong way.

3.  Ride a Mo-Mo (motorcycle or motorized vehicle) every chance you get.

That’s my Luke.  I love him endlessly.

Last week it became official.  Well, I know I know, was probably official long before that .  But officially last week Monday, we have fully and completely exited the baby and toddler stage.  Luke turned three.  And not only does he now need his own ticket to get into Disneyland (bummer!), we now have 2 children, albeit small children.

We celebrated by sending Luke on a treasure hunt for his new GeoTrax train and airplane set!  It has been so much fun to watch him play and enjoy this gift, so much like a big boy and not like a baby .  Weighing in at 43 pounds, it’s clear that he is growing up big and strong.  And, I know what they all say is true: someday – before I know it – I will have to look up at him instead of picking him up in my arms.  Be that as it may, in my heart Luke will always stay my sweet baby boy.  I love you Luke!

Here are some pictures of him playing with his new GeoTrax!!!

We went up to Lake Tahoe for many reasons – to be together, to find healing, to celebrate life and the lives of those we love – but you can’t go to Lake Tahoe with a family photographer and NOT take pictures of the kids!!!!  So here they are – Lucy, Michael, Clark, and Luke sitting on the pier over the waters of beautiful Lake Tahoe.

Here are some of my favorite pictures from the day:

Oh Lucy, your giggles are contagious!

Dear Luke, could you please not look like such a big boy!  It’s making me a little sad….

Michael, Diane would be so proud!  I think she is loving your sincere smile.

Clark, you have enough personality to fill the lake!  I’m so glad you brought your yellow belt!  Congratulations!!!

Next blog post: S’MORES

OH – And a GREAT BIG THANK YOU TO PAPA RICK for getting everyone to laugh so hard.  I don’t even want to know what you were doing behind my back  Thanks for the help!

So right now, photographing Luke & his childhood means photographing him with a truck.

So here’s Luke with his Tonka Tow Truck.  I love these pictures.  I love that he is wearing his monster pajama shirt and his “Car’s” undies (as we call them around here!)  I love that he hardly notices I have the camera out because he loves this tow truck SO much.  I love his chunky legs and his huge hands.  I love that in one image I can see everything Luke was at 2 1/2 years old.  These pictures make me happy

Luke, thanks for being 2 and a half forever on my blog