One minute it's Christmas Eve and you're taking their photos by the Christmas tree and next minute it's like their 5 years older. Okay, so slight exaggeration. Is it just me or do they do all their growing over the summer? Please tell me it's not just me.
The Summer growth days, these days are precious. You need to capture them, spend some time with them breath it all in. Just last week we went out for a spontaneous few happy snaps. I wanted to capture the now, the 'not a care in the world' happy snaps. And seriously, the summer nights in Australia are amazing to say the least. On the NSW/Vic border they are anyways.
Fast forward a week and the 'happy not a care in the world' girl is starting to have the nerves set in. These photos (which I am so grateful we went out to capture), feel like a distant memory. She has hit freak out mode. Heading into Grade 6, her last year of Primary School. It's a big deal to her.
Just close your eyes for a second, remember when you where heading into your last year of Primary School. Well any new year of school. How did you feel? I don't know about you, but I was freaking out. I held my head high at the idea of being the oldest kids in school, but I was also nervous and very aware it was my last year before I headed off to being a big kid. A teenager.
These times are precious, they are awkward, uncomfortable and unfamiliar. Just like walking into a room full of people you don't know. Now imagine that is exactly what they are doing. They may know some of the kiddies, but hey it's still a big deal to them.
Our next couple of days before school starts will be full of patience and kindness. Listening to them when they open up at night time to tell you their feelings. Tell them it's ok. It's just those first time uncomfortable, unfamiliar jitters and it will get easier as it gets more familiar.
"How can these photos be taken only be last week, when it feels so much more than just a week ago".