Getting into the spirit of “Back To School” I wanted to do a photo shoot with my oldest daughter to capture the last little bit of summer we have left for this year before she heads back to school.  This blog post is for her, celebrating her because I love her!

To my sweet, sweet girl.  You are my first born, my first girl and as you fall to sleep each night I think about how you are growing up way too fast.  Last year at this time I was nervously anticipating a day that had made my stomach churn for weeks.  You were heading to kindergarten and even though you seemed prepared for the big day, I wasn’t.  We dropped you off there for your first day of school and I can still recall the smile on your face and excitement in your eyes.  When your teacher had your class line up in the play yard for the morning prayer we watched you grow leaps and bounds in that very moment right there before our eyes.

I will never forget that last look you gave me before you headed in to your class room.  You looked back nervously at me and took a big gulp, gave me a tiny smile and then followed in line behind your classmates.  You were too far away to see the tears streaming behind my sunglasses, but that morning has left a lasting imprint on my heart.

A short 9 months later and you, my girl, were graduating from kindergarten.  You were still my same sweet “little” but you had also become such a grown girl in less than a year.  Attending your kindergarten graduation was another moment that made me realize how quickly the year has gone by and how fast you are growing up.  We were so proud of you that day watching you receive your diploma in the same church, from the same school, wearing the same paper cap that your father had worn when he graduated from that same kindergarten.  We are so proud of you and the person you are – you are truly a gift to our lives.  Your smile is infectious, your thoughtfulness is endless and your playful spirit and belly laughs always leave us with a smile.

Summer is ending and the time has come, we are back to the same place just one year later.  In a couple of days we will be walking you in to your first day of school and this time it will be first grade.  No matter how old you are or what grade you are in, my parting words to you will always be the same.   The words I said to you on your first day of kindergarten and every morning when I dropped you off are the same words I want you to carry with you every day through your life…”Be a good friend and be a good listener, I love you…”

I love these photos of you Fin, they truly capture you and who you are at this very moment.  Spending the time with you at the beach for your photo shoot was so much fun and I thank you so much for these perfect images.  I loved shooting your session and I love every moment we spent playing in the surf.  Most importantly, I love you – my sweet, sweet buggy! xoxo