I survived 5!!

The night before her 5th birthday, I tucked Marleigh in and she asked "Will there be balloons in my room in the morning?" (I'd been shopping that day, but the balloons slipped my mind! How that could have happened, I don't know, its been a tradition here since Branden was a babe!) When I sarcastically asked her "why" she wanted balloons, her sleepy voice said "Mom, didn't you know that waking up to a room full of balloons is what makes a birthday "special"?!" Confirmation that my own obsession with balloons on a birthday is what makes it special! I was thrilled and when I called Jean (still at football practice) to tell him how sweet she sounded, without hesitation, he said he'd go to Walmart for the goods. I love those little packs they sell with the helium tank and balloons included! My balloon obsession started years ago, before Jean and I were dating. On my 20th Birthday morning I woke up to go to work and he and another friend had snuck into the yard and filled my entire car to the top with balloons!! I opened the door and they spilled in to the yard...it was awesome!! The thought that they had made the effort to come to the house, in the middle of the night, gone through the challenges of filling the car with all those balloons....it made me feel loved and "special".

I got the job done......

Birthday morning, she crawled into my bed and said in a whisper, "In the night I woke up and looked up, I saw balloons up there (pointing to the ceiling) and then I looked down..and saw balloons down there...and then I just knew....it was my Birthday day!!

My niece was there the entire day. We went for out for breakfast and then a stop at an indoor fun park. We returned home and Cam helped Marleigh put her new toys together. Meem bought some Polly pockets and they played on the deck for quite some time!
She wore her party hat and posed with her new doll....

Uncle Bud stopped by with some gifts for her...a fairy dress and red sparkly shoes (which are the total BOMB and have hardly left her feet since).

.......she loves them.....

We had fashion shows....

....and her birthday dress was perfect for "twirling"

This year she chose a Strawberry Shortcake to top her cake....

And she blew out the candles around 8PM....exhausted and happy she asked to go to bed soon after.

It was a beautiful day....she said it was the best birthday ever....but she says that at every occasion so I only hope we can keep things magical for her!

Took this shot of my eldest beauty....love it....love her!!!

Today is a family day (I have a shoot later). I want to spend as much quality time with the kids as I can before they return to school Tuesday.

Enjoy!
~kel~

Milestones: a significant event or stage in the life, progress, development.

When I think of business milestones, this little girl and her family are the first to come to mind....she was one of my very first "clients"....that was about five years ago! I've been photographing for longer than that but thinking beyond family and friends, Ms. Adrienne is the first!! Isn't she just beautiful? Her family is very dear to me now, we connect once a year to take the annual Christmas card photos and updates of her changes. I am always thrilled to get that phone call!

They live a few states away but always make it back here for vacation with Adrienne's grandparents. Dear, sweet people....I've said it before, I'll say it again...I'm blessed with the best clients!!

The kids will start school in less than a week....you know, I'm preparing myself for this change. Marleigh turns 5 the end of the week....you know, I'm bracing myself for the emotions that will bring. As of next week, I'll have more time to get my editing work done.....you know, I'm jumping for joy and my clients will all be so happy at a faster turn-around time!!!

So yes, Ms. Marleigh turns 5 in a few short days. I can only imagine how its going to feel that day! My heart ached a few weeks ago when her "blankie broke" (its officially loved into three separate pieces now). She cried, I cried, and I have to admit that I'm always shocked at the emotion she brings out in me. When I tell people she was a "surprise" baby, I can honestly admit that I know why....there's a little heart string inside me that only she hangs from and it its attached to emotions and thoughts that nobody else can touch. Not sure if it's because she's the last one so I hang onto more or maybe its because I was a little bit older when I had her (I think I appreciate motherhood SO much more now and thank God for giving me the chance to mother four great kids a little later than some of my peers...I embrace the little things I might have over looked if I were younger). Friday I will celebrate her little life and I promise to share!!

With the return of school, I hope to return to my blog regularly again. It was a part of my routine and since I must start dragging myself out of bed earlier again, I will do my best to sit and chat!

Enjoy!

~kel~

Hey Locals!! Watch the Papers!!!!

I'm so excited!!

Sara and Cort's wedding was in today's York County Coast Star!! Link here

This weekends Portland Press Herald will have more photos I did for a local company, Hussey Seating, at their 175th celebration!! Its so neat to see my work used in other places!

I just had to share!!!! Im off to take care of gram's hair, then a doctor appointment for Ms. Marleigh (shots, she doesnt know about them yet) and a session with a baby!! I'll keep ya posted!

Enjoy!
~kel~