Of course, Molly was out while I was snapping away, so I said, “Hey, stand by the fence and let me take a few photos of you!”  Which to a 5-year-old immediately translates to, “Hey, pick up the closest stick you can find and hold it up in the air, whack yourself with it a few times, wave it around and then refuse to put it down.” 

What is it with kids and sticks?  Sticks are like magnets for children. If there is one close by, a child will inevitably need to hold it, swing it, poke their siblings with it, beat it on the ground or see how far they can throw it.  Why do we buy them toys?  We could just get them some stray kindling and they would be all set.

But…she is delicious anyway.  I love the fact that she wears her bedtime slippers outside. Or pretty much anywhere, and that it defeats the whole purpose of having bedtime slippers.  Or that there is always a long hair in her face no matter how short we cut her bangs, and it never bothers her.  She’s such a kid.

My kid.  Sticks and all.

But…there is something sweet and peaceful about bathtime. Somewhere hidden under 5,000 floating Littlest Pet Shops is a little, squeaky clean, pruney girl who enjoys splashing and singing and popping bubbles. I want to keep her little forever.

It’s been a rough month here with the littlest monkey. She’s been sick for going on six weeks. She’s had her chest and lungs and nose and tummy poured upon with antibiotics and inhalers and anthistamines and steroids. It’s hard to see the dark medicine circles around her eyes. And the crud keeps hanging on. Say a little prayer for her if you think of it.

You can now become a fan of Leigh Wilcoxson Photography on Facebook. Just follow the link here to find me and add yourself as a fan. Keep updated on the latest happenings, sessions, products AND specials!  And be sure to say, “Hey,” because I like hearing from you!

And, of course, since I can’t post without a picture (because that would just be wrong!), here is a little sneak peek of a part of my oldest daughter’s Valentine card I have been working on.

While this scene looks a lot like this morning when school started back from the holiday break, this is actually a scene from our hotel stay when we first moved to Lexington. Our house was not ready for us for a few days, so we spent time at a Marriott, which with kids means no sleep. Or at least no sleep until the wee hours of the morning. I woke Molly up that morning, dressed her, and despite the fact that we were packing up and yakking, she conked back out amidst the chaos in the room. And, well, I couldn’t help but take a picture.

That would be her little stuffed Elmo peeking out from under the blankets. Elmo has been her trusty bedtime partner since her first days in the world.  Clearly he works wonders.

New pricing and products are coming soon. Stay tuned. 

Since the move to Lexington in November, we have been busy unpacking, getting settled and finding our way around town. And being happy. Really, really happy.

Business will kick up again in a couple months, because apparently it gets spring-like by late February here (yippeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!) so I am getting busy behind-the-scenes, planning new products, new offerings and new pricing.  And most of all, finding inspiration for a great new year.

So if you will forgive me for being quiet a little longer, I promise to have some new posts up and going soon after the new year.  I need to unwind from the holiday chaos and get my brain freshened up and the hamster wheel running again.

Until then, stay warm, be good and have lots and lots of fun.

This was my last session in Chicago, and there really is something to that whole “best for last” saying, because it really was one of my favorite sessions this year. These kids were so much fun.  They were funny and energetic and I really love how their interactions with each other showed up on camera. It’s the joy of being the fly on the wall, so to speak. A fly with a camera.

It’s a bittersweet move.  It’s been a wonderful eight years here in Chicagoland. We have good friends, good neighbors, a good church and a good life. We brought a toddler into this house and are now leaving with a middle schooler and a kindergartner (who are clinging white knuckled and teary eyed to the front door).  I, personally, have met some amazing people through the journey of my business, and I will miss my tremendously supportive clients. You gave me the knowledge that I can, and the confidence to succeed, and I am taking with me so much of what I’ve learned here.

But the future ahead is bright. We are moving to a great new community where wonderful people are waiting for us. New friends, our loving family and an orange, glowing orb in the sky that shows its face a lot more than it does here. ;)  We are anxious, excited and ready. Ready for this new journey. And it will be a journey.

So as we tape up the last box tonight and prepare for an emotional day tomorrow, I just want to say thank you to all the good people of Chicagoland for all that you have shared with us, done for us and taught us.  We will most certainly be back to visit - don’t think for a second we won’t - and we will think of you often. And smile.

If you need to reach me in the next week, please do not hesitate to email me at my usual email address.  We will be in hotels for a few days until our new house officially becomes ours and all our “stuff” arrives. I will have limited access to email, but access nonetheless, and I will respond to any questions as quickly as possible.

This is my SIXTH session with these guys. I have watched this little guy go from crawling to running the past few years, and little sis go from a sleepy little newborn to a smiley, bright-eyed 1-year-old. It makes my heart ache to be leaving them, so I’m going to have to find a way to coerce them to visit the bluegrass state every year.  I am not afraid to use bribery.

After we braved the cold for awhile, we moved inside Starbucks for a little hot chocolate and to defrost the pink noses. And well, to destroy a bookshelf.  

Until we meet again, my friend.

More to come.