It seems (although hard to admit, and I'm not sure why I am putting this in writing as I will never live it down) I get a better natural photo of my babies when I am not torturing them (and S will tell you, my photo sessions are torture) with one of "Mommy's photo sessions" when we have to have the right light, the right background, the right clothes, and the right camera.
They weren't dressed up, the background consisted of old basket ball hoops, and the photo was taken with my cell phone. The trip to the park was a spontaneous event on a weeknight when there was laundry, vacuuming, and dinner to deal with (gasp!). Yet when I look at this photo, it reminds me that yes, it took an hour to walk to the park, but along the way we found berries to pick, flowers to pick, fairies to search for, and got to view the boats on lake. S got to walk Shai all by herself (thank you to whomever invented the Halti for dogs, it really works!) for the first time and she was so proud. They had a blast at the park, the best part having Shai join them on the climbing structure (and no, much to S and JT's disappointment, I didn't make the dog go down the slide with them). And on our hour walk back home, S was so tired, she took a ride in the stroller for a while (still holding the dogs leash) while JT skipped along clutching the daisy S had picked for her, inspecting every flower, bug, tree, and crack in the pavement with such curiosity and wonder it melted my heart. I did think once, just once as I was watching her crouch down deciding which flower to pick that I wish I had my real camera. But you know, that would have ruined the moment and I am glad I didn't have my digital camera! YES, I said it, I am glad I didn't have my camera with me!
This photo reminds me how the simple things in life are so important. We spent three sold hours together and everyone had a great time. No swimming pool, sleep over, summer camp, party, mall, TV, or electronic toys needed. It reminds me how lucky I am to have them, and how lucky they are to have each other!
