First Day of School
Davina
in G & G, Lifestyle Portraits, Personal
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14 Comments
This year.
This year is the year that I've been wanting to avoid for quite a while now. When I first hold my sweet babies after they are born it's days like these that I think of...the days I will have to let them go. This year is the year that I send two girls off to school-all day--and I've not ever been ready for it. I'm still not ready for it. I love summer with my kids. I love having them home with me. No matter what I do. No matter how much I try to slow down the time or make more time...it's just never enough. There's just never enough time to hug, hold close, smell their sweet skin, look into the eyes full of wonder, hold their hand before it's not cool anymore, take pictures of them when they go to school... I want them to stay little so badly and at the same time I know that it can't be.
I figure I'll go through this every year but this year it's been different. It's more of a milestone for me even than kindergarten was last year. I can't believe my sweet little missies that I brought into the world weighing so little are now so big and gone all day long. It's all so bittersweet for me.
To my three sweet kids going off to school this year I say, I believe in you. There are so many wonderful things that make you each so unique. I'm so glad that you are in my life, you've made my life sweeter and more worth every minute. There's no one in the world like you and I'm so blessed to get to love you.
I always need to keep myself busy after I take the kids to school on the first day. After I took Emmett to his new program at a different school this year (because he's so stinkin' smart!) and didn't get to go INTO the classroom to take pictures of him; Gracie and I had some fun. We went to breakfast with Dad and did some painting. I'm so lucky to get to hang out with Gracie...she knows how to make a cloudy day very sunny.
blessed. LIFE.
Reader Comments (14)
Davina, I looooove your kid posts! My firstborn is going into first grade this Monday, and I know exactly how you feel about it! I love reading your blog, it is inspiring as a mother working in the photog business!! Will I see you at Partnercon?
Davina - this post brought tears to my eyes. My babies are only 1 and 2, but I already feel like they are growing up toooooooooo fast - I can only imagine how emotional I'll be when they go off to school :) Your children are all beautiful!
p.s. I'm coming to the workshop in Feb - I'll see you there :)
Oh Davina, these are my favorite posts! I've told you over and over again, and I'm going to tell you again, your children are absolutely beatuiful! You can even see their inner beauty, it just resonates about them in all your photographs. And you as a mother? Your children are blessed. My first is going to kindergarten next week... I'm still in denial... boo.
Oh, Davina...I loved this post! LOVED it! I'll never forget sitting across from you at Chili's in Chatanooga and learning more about your family. I'm truly impressed by you on so many levels. xoxo...
Your words brought tears to my eyes. My oldest daughter is starting kindergarten this year and it is going to be rough. She is growing up so fast. I wish I could keep them little forever.
Davina, I never comment on blogs, but this one made me want to! Your children are beautiful, they look just like you! (of the pictures I have seen of you).
I think you were the first mom and photographer I remember seeing posting on forums when I joined Pictage in the fall.I would love to take your workshop, maybe next time. Meanwhile my 4 year old is going into his second year of pre-school 5 days a week. Last year was 3 days (and finally gave me some time to push my lagging business along), camp 5 and now 5 again. I was nervous to let go last year, but so grateful to have some time back to myself, and this year I just want to put more energy into my business.
I went on and photographed all their field trips and parties and had a blast with that. I finally had to give him his own blog, but so hard to keep updated with them all! Thanks for being out there and sharing your photography and your family and managing to balance them all somehow!
Oh, and they joy and anticipation in your kids is wonderful!!!!
Lisa
http://steinphoto.blogspot.com/
http://supermanstan.blogspot.com/
I love the Gracie "at home with mom" shot... that totally made me laugh. Your kids are just adorable as always... hello from Millie kids... love you all!
This post also brought tears to my eyes because as a mom I know exactly how you feel. My baby is only 2 1/2 but most days I want her to stay little forever. I saw you and met you last year at PartnerCon and your session affected me more than any other. You seem to balance it all so well and are such an inspiration, both in the quality of work you produce and in how you manage a home and personal life and sucessful business.
I only have 1 child so far, and feel that conflict between running an every-growing business that I absolutely love and also being a good mom who spends as much time as possible with my child, but you insprire me to move forward on our plans for more children. Thank you for being you and for being an inspiration to so many photographer Moms. I cant wait to see you again next month at PartnerCon!
O my gosh, Davina. Your children are heartbreakingly beautiful!
Thank goodness you have Miss Gracie at home. She's just so lovely. Those eyes...
We've only one left at home and this year, she is old enough to drive the car.
It is so clear to me now that time is fleeting and the only true luxury.
Ethereal. Evanescent. Irreplaceable. Gone...
that gracie's eyes...WOW! my littles start preschool together next week. the first year for my second and the 3rd year for my first. he's a late bday and i am surprised that i'm glad he has one year left before kindergarten. i always feel torn at this time of year. sad that summer is over but craving the routine that school brings. i admire your ability to love it all and be present in all of it. i need to learn this.
Joy, thank you for saying you love my kid posts! How is your daughter doing with first grade this week? I will see you at Partnercon. YAY!!
Missy, I hear you. It doesn't get easier...although it would be nice if it did. I'm so looking forward to meeting you in February!
Kate, I really appreciate you saying you love this post. How is your little kindergartener doing?...or maybe she doesn't start until tomorrow...
Jasmine, thank you so much! I'll always remember sitting across from you and talking in NC also. It was a great chance to get to know you. I'm still amazed by the way you live your life and the wisdom and soul you have.
Amanda, how is kindergarten going...for you and for your little kindergartener?
Lisa, I'm so lucky you commented on my blog!!! wohoo! It sounds like you've been pulled in a lot of directions in the last couple of years. It's so exciting that youare going to get to do more with your business now. I hope you'll get to come to a workshop soon. I would love to meet you!
Millie, the kids say HI! We'll miss having you visit after Partnercon this year!
Jennifer, ohmigosh. Your comment is so touching. Thank you so much for your extremely kind words to me. I so hope I'll get to see you at Partnercon again this year!! As much as I love my business and love photography...family is where it's at for me. It sounds like you feel the same way. I wish you happiness and wonderful things!
Wow, Sinead! You have such a young spirit! I had NO idea you had a sixteen year old at home! whoa! What a beautiful thought about time. Thank you!
Crystalyn, What a great time for you...a year before school. I must say that getting back into a routine and the anticipation of fall and the whole fall season, the air getting crisp...oooo!!! I love it! I love summer though, too. Every time of year has such great things about it...but none of them are as bittersweet as the week school starts...
Hey girls! That last post was by me (Davina). I guess my husband had logged on here and I didn't realize it! lol!!
I loved this post. Your kids are beautiful.
Davina-
I'm not usually gushy mushy over kids, but I must say, you're kids make me melt!!! They are so beautiful just like their mother.....i'm sure like their father too, but I've never met him.
Keep up the good work,
Kelly