Emotional Reading

Last night - around 9:30pm, I had the task of trying to calm a distraught (that's an understatement - better described as a hysterically sobbing and heaving) almost 9 year old boy. The reason?

I had warned him not to try to finish it...he disobeyed and, tho exhausted, charged through to the end. Then, he came and found me (at the computer :), and he was sobbing. I took him back to his room and it was almost a good 15 minutes later - after much back rubbing and "shooshing" that I finally said goodnight and he was able to go to sleep. Dang books.

11 months {sigh}

Two weeks ago I opened her door and saw this:

And then - the next 18 years of her life flashed before me.

Maybe its because its graduation month...or it could be the fact that I've been immersed in weddings...but it made me so sad. The teeny tiny stage is gone. No more cuddles and swaddles - its over. (sigh). Next walking, then school, then driving...and all the fun stuff that comes with :)

I broke the rules and gave her a pb&j the other day....she loved it. She entertains herself all day long pulling herself up and standing and destroying the office while I work. Her favorite thing is to grab onto the keyboard shelf and then hang on for dear life!

3 for 3

Ella has had 3 ear infections in 3 months....we're on a roll. Is there a connection between crazy ear infections (or life in general) and the fact that I posted a full session for the fall in May?? Absolutely.

FINALE.

YAY! to all those who planned ahead and booked their FALL PHOTO SESSIONS- I'm officially full. You can always shoot me an email at megan@holdsworthphotography.com if you'd like to be put on a waiting list.
For those returning clients only who are interested in a fall mini-session, I will be posting information later on the session date and details (plan for the first Saturday in November). Now I'm off to think about warm weather and sun and water....
Oh wait- before I go, my last FINAL senior of the year :) It was nice to end on a BEAUTIFUL note!

Babysitting.

I've commented before on my superb "child watching" skills...but I have to commend myself on my latest act of brilliancy...

"Sure I'll watch your kids..."

"Sure kids...you can have a playdate...."

"Oh - didn't I tell you that we're doing P90X??"

"NO. Sorry. No video games 'cause I need the tv, in fact, you can't play until you do this little bit of exercise."

"Oh...its just a few minutes...no biggie...let's see who is the strongest most hard core?" :)

(this was my favorite line...turns out my kids were wimps...the friends? yeah, Maggie showed me up - of course I was having to check the cake in the oven every few minutes - and yes I know that's a physical oxymoron - P90X and Cake baking but I had rhubarb to use! another oxymoron-rhubarb and cake...)

The next day I picked everyone up from school and the poor Teuschers couldn't even sit - their legs were so sore! (We did the 60min plyo baby!) Strange...Laina and Indy didn't feel any sore at all...hmmm...

Moral of the story: Exercise videos keeps kids busy, no fighting, wears them out, house stays clean...

except then you become the weird exercise mom - and no one will play with your kids anymore!

Toddlers 'n Tiaras

Last weekend Laina Dee had a dance recital. Now I've never seen the Toddlers 'n Tiaras show, but I'm guessing that my experience back stage as a "stage mom" is probably right in line with the show. There was hair spraying and glittering and lipsticking and all sorts of crazy beauty going on and we were in the "mini" room...so no one was older than 8! I felt that Laina and her pink eyeshadow and crimped hair were WAY underdone (don't worry...I made up for it the 2nd night - yes they do this recital 2 nights in a row - I let her and her friend pick their eyeshadow and they went for the turquoise...don't ask me why I have turquoise in my bag??...) Needless to say - the girls were in dancing queen heaven. Our friend offered a pony to his daughter if she'd quit dance so that he (speaking for all the fathers there - or at least the one I was sitting next to) didn't have to suffer through another recital. However, he showed up with a balloon (that unfortunately said "thanks for a job well done" - Matt still can't stop laughing about it) and some flowers so his daughter ignored his offer.
Ella was like a little chihuahua...the ultimate pet/toy...they girls pulled her around on a blanket and played and played until she got sick of them and crawled to the safety of her mother's knees.

MEANWHILE...backstage...El is preparing for her role as the next E*Trade baby...and yes...she'll say "hi" if you're lucky. The last image is my favorite - I call it "Cheeks in all their Glory"!!

My Mothers Day gift...to myself.

Matt keeps asking why I continue to buy these things...
I have no idea...I think I'm in denial - in reality I just want the magic mop fairy to come down and take care of it...
Until that happens...I have to do SOMETHING about the dirty knees! They're killing me!

Of course in typical "reverse psychology mother mode" I told my kids that whoever finished their jobs FIRST would GET to mop the floors!!

Boy oh boy did they fall for it hook, line & sinker! I made them take turns...

Prescott Senior Photography - Cheyenne

School's almost out!! This senior is looking forward to some relaxing times...but first she has to finish her year-end dance recital (the SAME recital that little Laina just left for :).
She was easy-going and played me some fresh compositions of her own - ahhhh to be serenaded while shooting -- it doesn't get any better than that!!

Vintage Wedding Photography - Mollie & Spencer - Part 2

Where does one begin - in the details. The elegant, vintage, antique details. When I think about Mollie & Spencers wedding and reception - I will always think about the attention to details. The planning that went into this special day, was wonderful - over- the-top-incredible. From the gorgeous flowers (provided by Studio Nic) to the ornamented, walking decor bridesmaids, to the "Father of the Bride Fudge" and "Mother of the Bride - Lefe?" (forget the spelling they were delicious little tortilla-like heavenly bites...) to the dancing and the custom printed water bottles, and the photos :) and the lights...and the CAKE.

This cake had to be THE most gorgeous wedding cake I have yet to encounter...and it was DELICIOUS...so delicious that I had 2 pieces. (I'm sorry Shelly - that was why you didn't get any :) I've heard of photographers never eating the wedding cake - HELLO! I think that would be one of the only reasons to photograph a wedding...I tend to think of myself as a cake connoisseur...and this cake was the best I've ever had.

Back to the wedding and the details - the food was delicious, the bride & groom and their families had smiles on their faces the entire time. (Even the 8.5 month pregnant sister - who will be delivering her 4th baby tomorrow - which is almost today!! Good Luck!) At one point I looked on the dance floor and her entire family was out there dancing with each other and smiling and having a great time and it caused me to pause for a moment and hope that someday I would have the same opportunity with my children - to celebrate in such a wonderful - beautiful way. Thank you so much for letting me be a part of it (AND for showing me how to throw one HECK of a party!)

There were soooo many it was hard to choose...I promise to post a link to the slide show once it is ready so please check back (but give me a few weeks :)

*Photographers note: SPRINKLER CHECK!!!*