As a native Californian, I never thought I would say this, but last Saturday was a gorgeous and an oh so warm 50+ degrees!

I declared it an all day outside day and  we all hung out from morning till sundown outside!

I swear, I was ready to put up a hammock!

No beanies, no gloves, no puffy jackets-

We even walked through the grass in bare feet for a wee bit- it was such a nice break from the 27 degree weather.

I know this is not normal for New England in January, but I am hoping that because the last few years have been horrendous

and abnormal with tons of snow, that we were due for a mild winter here.

(Some locals even give us credit for bringing it from sunny California ;))

*****

Anyway, right before sundown I grabbed my camera and followed my 7 yr old around documenting whatever he was doing.

I took pics of him skateboarding, and also of him daydreaming in the grass we had been lounging on.

He was due for some pics, and I was enjoying capturing his sweet spirit on this lovely, relaxing day…

 

 

All was going well- (I am so used to having to chase my boys down and bribe them to let me take their pics).

~It think a full 5 minutes actually passed~

and I had taken quite a few pics when…

The 3 year old rascal attacked!

It went from peaceful to crazy in a millisecond! And became a full on wrestling photo shoot instead!

I loved it.

It wasn’t what I had planned, but I hadn’t even planned the first pics of my 7year old either.

I just spontaneously grabbed my camera and started snapping him being himself.

I love those pics of him, and I love those of my boys rolling happily in the grass like 2 puppy dogs.

I can still hear their giggles in what was left of that bit of sunlight that evening.

That day was a gift for us, and these pics are a gift as well.

I am reminded with these types of gifts each and every time I choose to be present,

each time I observe, or just be,

I “see” what is really there.

I treasure these “real” life moments.

And I love being the mom of these boys

:)

*****

Hope you are having a great New Year so far!

I will be traveling to California this month for shoots!

Please contact me for details!

I may have one more opening :)

If not, I hope to go back again in the next few months to come.

Let me know if you’d like to be on my waiting list:

email: shelldransart@yahoo.com

xoxo Shell