{Personal Expressions} Life comes full circle on a Thursday!

Do you have fond memories of Kindergarden and Elementary school? Do you have pictures from that time in your life that you look back upon and smile at how much fun you had and the friends you played with? I dont! :)

I don't have fond memories of my Kindergarden and Elementary years. You see, I was somewhat of a loner with very few friends until I met my "gang" in 3rd grade. After that, life was good!! But before that I was miserable. I hated going to school. The reason why I hated it was because I had to eat lunch alone at school. My school had a policy where parents could bring lunch to school daily and eat with their kids or the kids that lived close by, could go home for lunch. So the few friends that I did have either had their moms come with their lunch or lived close enough to walk home. But I had neither. My mom used to work during the day so she could not come and bring me lunch. For a 5-6 year old, those were lonely times! But Thursdays were special - on that day, mom had half the day off so she would rush home, pack lunch and come spend time with me in school.

Mom and I looked forward to that day all week. Thursday was our special day - our time together - our time to hang out with each other at school. I was not alone on Thursdays!

Today was a very special day for me because I got my "Thursday" with my kid. Her school had a picnic day where parents could bring and have lunch with their kids. I must say, I have been looking forward to this day ALL week. I planned the menu, packed the basket and waited till lunch time so that I could drive to school and have Thursday lunch with my baby!

The day could not have been more perfect. The sun was shining and I found a shady spot under a beautiful tree and waited for her. I absolutely loved seeing the smile on her face as she walked out.

I know now how my mom must have felt all those Thursdays so many years ago. She too must have felt the same way as I did today eating lunch with my baby at school! Mom, if you are reading this - those Thursdays were among the BEST days of my life :)

{Lifestyle Portraiture} Sneak Peek - Nature loving family

A beautiful family session in the woods - climbing fallen tree branches, picking wild flowers, gathering sticks and stones, looking for fairies and elves, jumping in rain puddles and mud puddles!!! - these kids sure know how to have fun in nature and their parents let them! - how cool is that!

Thanks D family for a beautiful session out in nature! - enjoy your sneak peek :)

These girls sure know how to explore! - look at the size of that bark they found!

This little guy was not far behind. He kept picking up sticks and stones and kept giving them to his mom and dad :)

Did you ever think jumping in water puddles could be so much fun! :) - love their expressions - pure joy! :)

Another keeper from the last few minutes of the session - I love the rainboots, the raincoats and not to miss, the flowers that were picked out for mom!...how adorable!

{Lifestyle Portraiture} Sneak Peek - Family bonding through play and laughter!

I truly believe that a family that plays and laughs together, stays together. My weekend session with the S and W family was just that. It was such a blast because everyone got into the spirit of fun and games and pure enjoyment of each other's company.

During the course of our conversation, I was told that the family hasn't been together in a LONG time! - I knew I wanted to focus the session on the emotions and connections this family had with each other. And I was not disappointed. In fact they totally rocked the session!

Thank you to the S and W family for welcoming me into your home and giving me a glimpse of the special bond that is family! - Enjoy your sneak peek!

How cute is this - grandson pushing grandad on the swing!

Beautiful couple - inside and out!

This was a setup for a '60s Bollywood scene of a hero and heroine running around the tree :) - Little man S made a dash to be in the picture with his grandparents! - SO CUTE :)

Don't these two look like newlyweds! - There was a lot of teasing and bantering going on in the background but these two just fit like two peas in a pod!

Look at the kids all grown-up!

My favorite - To me, this picture just captures everything about this family - FUN! - I did not have to tell them twice for a silly face. In fact, I am sure I did not quite finish my statement and they were all ready with their pose :) - You know what I love the most - look at grandma's face - calm and composed - like this is normal in her family!...LOL