Adventures in Childhood #1

One of the things in my life that brings me so much joy is just watching my children enjoy their childhood.  I know in their minds, not everything about their lives is enjoyable.  We make them clear their plates, put away their laundry and clean up their rooms.  They have to brush their teeth twice a day, eat vegetables and head upstairs for bed before they’d like to.  But overall, despite their desires to grow up and get bigger quickly, I think they are having a pretty fun time just being kids.  And having a front row seat to their childhood is a pretty sweet privilege.

I’m generally not good about taking every-day-type photos of my kiddos with my real camera.  My phone is usually my tool of choice for documenting daily photos of them.  It’s easier to use, easier to lug around, and easier to share from.  Typically the real camera makes an appearance on special occasions: holidays, performances, events, and on those occasions I typically end up with mostly posed photos.  I love the posed photos.  And so do their grandparents.  But the photos that REALLY appeal to me are the candid ones.  The ones that tell stories.  The ones that don’t necessarily have everyone smiling in the same direction.  But the ones that showcase who they are and what they enjoy, rather than their cute coordinated outfits.

So I’m going to start taking more of the every-day photos with my real camera.  For me.  And for them.  I’ll call this little project “Adventures in Childhood” and share their adventures with you.  Maybe it’ll bring a smile to your face.  Maybe it’ll jog your memory of your own childhood adventures.  Maybe it’ll inspire you to take more every-day photos of your own kiddos, with your phone or your real camera.  Or maybe it’ll just be good accountability for me to take better photos from my front row seat.

Adventures in Childhood #1…bicycles and broomsticks

We took the training wheels off of Mackenna’s bike this weekend.

She’s been practicing every chance she gets.  Learning something new is equally exciting and challenging. It means that messing up, and getting hurt are real possibilities.

But she’s persistent and determined.  She gets right back up.

And she loves the ride.

And when she wants to stop, she sort of hops off the side in the most graceful of ways.  It’s so cute.

And she is so proud.

And then there’s this guy.  Kind of loves being in front of the camera, and enjoyed getting in the way of me documenting Mackenna’s new bike tricks.

With that smile though, I can’t not take pictures of him too.

He’s just so happy…riding on his new bike, his birthday present, being all big and 4.

And being so funny, working so hard to get my attention.  He doesn’t even realize that I’m actually focusing on him with my camera now and not Mackenna.

Silly boy.

Silly boy, riding his big bike with a stick in his hand.  What’s with boys and sticks?

Now he knows I’m taking his picture…so he gives me his cheesy smile.  He looks so grown-up on that big bike.

There they are.  Ready to take on the world, together with their bikes…

And the little brother, who wishes he could keep up.  Some day, Lucas.  Some day way too soon.

Lucas turns his attention to something more his speed, just not quite his size.  A broom.

 

See, Mom?  Take a picture of my broom.

Until they ride past him and he chases toward them, leaving his broom behind.

Bicycles and broomsticks.  In the cul-de-sac.  Where they are growing up right in front of me.