We didn’t do birthday photos this year, of either of the kids. Sometimes, stuff just gets away from us.

We did back to school photos… sort of. I mean, the kids on the front porch with their backpacks. But nothing extravagant.

Having started 7th grade this year, real live junior high school, Jack has no patience for photo shoots. He’ll allow me to take the occasional candid, but heading out for an hour of taking photos just to document where he is in life right now? NOPE. Not even a little bit. Luckily, he’ll have football games this fall and we can show him off then.

But Dorothy… Dorothy is still all about the dress up. She’s still mine to play with and direct and prance around in the sunset light. She’s had a rough couple of months, as you might have read. She started kindergarten with facial scarring, and that’s a pretty rough way to do it. She’s always been a vibrant confident little girl, but the last 6 weeks have seen her avoid mirrors, self-consciously ask if she looks ok, and worry what people are going to think of her beautiful face.

So when we had time to take an hour and really just celebrate this little lady, all on her own… we took it. She had an amazing time, and said she felt like a fairy princess. And I think in every single image, I captured just a glimpse of who she is to ME right now. She’s the absolute light of my life, and I’m so blessed to be her mommy.

Precious one. With your missing teeth and wild hair and squeaky alien voice. You have captivated every single one of us since your first breath, and apparently you’re just going to keep doing it. We’re so proud of you, brave girl.