Prepare yourself for a massive blog post. I've been working. I've been traveling. I've been learning about Monster High, teaching sight words, packing lunches, building shelters for pigs (safe from angry birds), running, meeting up with new and old friends. I've been busy! I've been busy, but I've been living. I've been living my butt off.

Here are a bunch of photos. Enjoy them as much as I have enjoyed living them.

I recently posted some photos of my daughter, Lydia, who just turned six, on Facebook. As a result of this, I received a note from an old, dear friend of mine asking if I wouldn't mind taking photos of her daughter who just turned one. I haven't been booking client sessions lately, but I was THRILLED to do this for her. 

Emily is the sweetest little thing. She makes the cutest noise when she gets upset and has quite the collection of animal sounds. As you'll see below, she is very expressive and it was fun to capture the many faces of Emily! I hope you all enjoy your little preview. I'll be in touch soon with your slideshow.

Big girl alert! Big girl alert!  Today, August 29, 2011, my first born started Kindergarten.  I can't really describe how I feel about it.  I'm very proud of her, a little sad, concerned about the new germs, excited, relieved, and most of all, confused as hell. How in the world did the last five years go by so quickly?

I still remember my first day of Kindergarten. I remember the smell of art supplies, giant cardboard blocks that looked like bricks, inflatable letter people, the playground and the four other Jennifers that I met that day (yes, I'm serious).  I colored in a school bus and got yelled at for shoving it in my teacher's face instead of placing it on her desk.  Oopsie.

I hope today is a good day for Lydia.  I hope she makes a ton of friends.  I hope she comforts the kids that are sad and/or shy.  I hope she eats her lunch I spent forever packing. I hope she remembers her snack is in the front pocket of her backpack.  I hope she understands that this isn't just for today and doesn't decide she isn't going back.  I hope she comes home with something I can hang on the wall.

Most of all I hope this is the beginning of what proves to be an incredible journey of the mind and spirit.  I hope she discovers what she loves to do and is encouraged to pursue it.  I wish her success and happiness, peace and love.