This was a very special session for me. I have had the pleasure of photographing this mother as a bride, as a beautiful pregnant woman, and this week I photographed her little darling who turned one. Thank you Chasity and Chad for bringing her in.

We made it to another Friday. If anyone else is a mom like me that only means that now we get to have a super busy weekend. I truly love this time of the year, it is close to first but Fall wins out as my absolute favorite. Here are the reasons why spring is so wonderful for me.


#1. We get to play outside until the very last bit of daylight. Which means late night dinners of mac n' cheese or salads.





#2. Ballgames and practices. While it can be tough to run everyone in opposite directions, it is so much fun to watch the kids play (and the parents scream)





#3. Working in the yard and garden. It is such a boost and stress reliever. And yes, I am of those crazy nuts who speaks to their flowers. They are such good listeners.


#4.Late evening storms.





#5. Muffler man grilling outside so I don't have to dirty up the kitchen.


#6. The thought of going to Charleston.


Have a great weekend.
Melissa

Today I photographed a sweet little girl who loved to read. This brilliant little two year old sat still and listened through the entire book of "Where the wild things are." Today the wild things were nowhere near my studio. Thanks Tonya for letting me play with your little sweatheart today.


Melissa

I have a week full of babies! (and all of them are little girls) I still have a few spots open before Mother's Day. So, if you know a special mom bring her children in for portraits. It will be one of the best gifts she ever received.

Have a great day!
Melissa

I had fun today visiting a showroom that is part of the High Point furniture market. A dear friend was in charge of making the place look grand, and I would say she did an amazing job.































This is Jill (she is not for sale)

It is really late and I am exhausted but I had to share an image from today. More to come tomorrow.

I had a blast photographing a dear friend's baby girl and little princess. The weather was perfect, we had a few clouds which was great for lighting. This was the first shoot I have ever done in my own yard. I am so adapted to shooting in parks and my studio, but it was fun to hang out in my own yard with my own flowers.

This morning the muffler man woke up and said that he wanted to take the kids and me to the auto fair. I thought, well that sounds cool...kinda.
So after breakfast we headed to Charlotte and arrived at the racetrack. Here my friends is where I was deserted by my family.







They must have been really excited because my view of them the rest of the day was only from behind. The first few times I stopped to take pictures I assumed that they would stop and wait for me. Boy was I wrong.






So as they meandered through the cars I took pictures of all sorts of shiny things. Some of which I didn't really understand.




They had a great time.









After the auto fair we had a fun meal with some very hot chicken wings,





and everyone headed home happy. Even me.

Brrr, the chilly morning air took me be surprise today. We have been spoiled with this delicously warm weather last last week. I have enjoyed getting my hands muddy in the garden, I hope you have been out planting too.

It was a fun morning playing with two of the cutiest kids ever. They were also chilly so we moved most of the session inside. But here is a sneak peek of the handful that we managed to get outside.



Have a great weekend everyone!

19 Things we should say to our children

On our trip to Italy I had a lot of time to think. And a lot of time to miss my boys. I remembered this list that I had seen before and thought I would try to find it and re-read it once I got home.

It is a great reminder that what we say matters!



1. I love you! There is nothing that will make me stop loving you. Nothing you could do or say or think will ever change that.



2. You are amazing! I look at you with wonder! Not just at what you can do, but who you are. There is no one like you. No one!


3. It’s all right to cry. People cry for all kinds of reasons: when they are hurt, sad, glad, or worried; when they are angry, afraid, or lonely. Big people cry too. I do.



4. You’ve made a mistake. That was wrong. People make mistakes. I do. Is it something we can fix? What can we do? It’s all over. You can start fresh. I know you are sorry. I forgive you.


5. You did the right thing. That was scary or hard. Even though it wasn’t easy, you did it. I am proud of you; you should be too.


6. I’m sorry. Forgive me. I made a mistake.


7. You can change your mind. It’s good to decide, but it is also fine to change.


8. What a great idea! You were really thinking! How did you come up with that? Tell me more. Your mind is clever!


9. That was kind. You did something helpful and thoughtful for that person. That must make you feel good inside. Thank you!


10. I have a surprise for you. It’s not your birthday. It’s for no reason at all. Just a surprise, a little one, but a surprise.


11. I can wait. We have time. You don’t have to hurry this time.


12. What would you like to do? It’s your turn to pick. You have great ideas. It’s important to follow your special interests.


13. Tell me about it. I’d like to hear more. And then what happened? I’ll listen.


14. I’m right here. I won’t leave without saying good-bye. I am watching you. I am listening to you.


15. Please and Thank You. These are important words. If I forget to use them, will you remind me?


16. I missed you. I think about you when we are not together!


17. Just try. A little bit. One taste, one step. You might like it. Let’s see. I’ll help you if you need it. I think you can do it.


18. I’ll help you. I heard you call me, here I am. How can I help you? If we both work together, we can get this done. I know you can do it by yourself, but I’m glad to help since you asked.


19. What do you wish for? Even if it’s not yet time for birthday candles and we don’t have a wishbone, it’s still fun to hear about what you wish for, hope for, and dream about.

Here is Zane. Zane isn't bothering anyone. See Zane sneak towards the sprinkler that is watering the clover, I mean grass (sorry muffler man). What Zane doesn't know is that his older and wiser brother is hiding in the bushes getting ready to yank on the water hose.





A screaming and wet Zane is so shocked he can't make his legs move. He can't run away fast enough.





At this moment, I could hear two things. The raucous laughter of Sidney, whose plan had worked. And I am sure that I could hear revenge being plotted.



Luckily Zane found this trick funny. So instead of crying he emerged wet and smiling.




And then this happened.



Zane convinced Sidney that he was thirsty. And being such a nice brother Zane would crimp the water hose so that Sidney could take a drink.






Sidney shouldn't have believed his brother.