Photo time with Mommy

I always loved photographing children, but now having my own daughters, a lifetime dream, seems to bring new meaning to my passion. In fact I have forced myself to not edit, but instead capture their innocent and pure beauty!

Of course Shelby seems to like the camera and has developed her own little poses for the camera.  There's the head tilt, the "i have no idea what you are saying look" and "i'll do what my sister is doing" pose!

And for those that know Kira, she's sooooooo dislikes having her pic taken, I have to plead with her, which doesn't help the situation any:)) Then she too has recently developed her own photographic style which is very unique to her personality.

Kira has perfected "the princess pout and pose", the "cheeky smile so Mommy will let me chew gum"pose and the "I'm actually having fun" candid pose.  The later is my personal favorite of course.  These days I'll take anything from the girls since they are growing like weeds and I want to capture every precious moment.

Everyday I look at these beautiful faces and say to myself "I can't believe they are my daughters"!  When I see the joy in their eyes, I feel the excitement and joy of being their Momma.  I am so happy and thrilled that they are slowly beginning to acknowledge one another as sisters.  Kira calls her "sweetie" when she hurts and has offered up her favorite dolls.  And Shelby just continues to look up to Kira and follow her moves, even Kira's spicy "foot stomping" lol.  It's all good and all fun to observe!

My daughters sure know how to raise parents!!!

You girls are so loved.

Tiny Dancer

A few months back we were in a store and Kira was playing with a jewelry box with a little ballerina twirling atop it.  She asked me what it was and I tried to explain.  So for the coming weeks she expressed in her words, "I want to be a ballereen".  So what's a Momma to do, why of course start ballet classes! Not sure if she was enjoying this new venture, I asked if I could photograph the girls as they practiced for the upcoming Holiday show.  What impressed me was how much fun Kira was having, spinning, twirling and inter-acting with the other children.  It was so cute to watch them I couldn't help but smile the entire time.

The day of the show I made sure that Kira received official "stage pampering", you know the updew, facial makeup, sparkles, mani/pedi and matching lipstick and body sparkles.  It was fun putting on her makeup, she even enjoyed mascara.

Then the dancers were called to line up and head to the stage down the hall.  I grabbed my gear, ran to the theatre just in time to see them perform.  AND THERE SHE WAS, my little Sugar Plum, STAGE RIGHT...just standing there looking for me, the entire performance!  Well at least she didn't run off the stage (they had stage catchers just in case)!  She proudly and gracefully bowed to the audience as everyone clapped and promptly fell asleep in the car on the way home.

Ok, first, you pay careful attention to the dance teacher,

Then you think "should I eat my pb and j or get in front of a huge crowd and cry:))

Then again this is a pretty Ballereen Dress

So she carefully observes the other dancers, takes her friends hand, and then...she dances!

in perfect form, at home!

That's my girl, I so love you.

A Trip to Longwood Gardens

OH HOW I LOVE THIS CHILD!

SUCH A BEAUTY!

AND PRETTY SMART TOO, SHE KNOWS WHERE THE MONEY IS HIDING!

ALWAYS CURIOUS AND SMILING!

AWH, THAT FAMOUS LOOK OF KIRA'S.

THE GORGEOUS ORCHIDS OF LONGWOOD GARDENS

PREPARING TO GET A LITTLE WET HERE.

ABOUT 2WKS AFTER THE BIG BLIZZARD AND THEY STILL HAD ALMOST 3FT OF SNOW ON THE GROUND OUTSIDE.

INSIDE WHERE THE AROMATHERAPY WAS OH SO DELIGHTFUL TO THE SENSES.

MAKING FUNNY FACES.

WE SURE TRY TO MAKE SEVERAL TRIP TO LONGWOOD GARDENS A YEAR AND THE ORCHID EXTRAVAGANZA IS ONE OF MY FAVORITES. IT'S LIKE STEPPING INTO A SPA WITH THE MOST DELIGHTFUL AROMAS OF SPRING FLOWERS AND MUCH NEEDED WARM HUMIDIFIED AIR AFTER A VERY COLD FEW WEEKS OF WINTER. WE HAD SO MUCH FUN WATCHING KIRA RUN AROUND AND ENJOY MOSTLY THE WATER FOUNTAINS. THE LIGHTING WAS BEAUTIFUL INSIDE AND I COULD CAPTURE HER BIG BRIGHT EYES AT ANY TIME.

WHAT A GREAT DAY FOR AN OUTING AND CAPTURING SOME AMAZING PHOTOS OF MY AMAZING CHILD.

OH HOW I LOVE YOU SWEET KIRA!