Sunday, June 28, 2009

In their element

Last year around this time, I took the boys to the park one night after work for a little impromptu picnic. It really helped me to regain a little perspective about my crazy stressful workin' Mama life.

I also got a lot of really great pictures.

Will was sixteen months old at the time, and wasn't really so patient when it came to the posed shots. But there was a behemoth old tree that I just loved and I was able to get some great pics of Nick in front of it.

Nick posing by the big tree, 2008
Nick, June 2008

Nick posing by the big tree - 2008
Nick, June 2008
3 1/2 yrs old

The boys and I spent most of Sunday recovering from the start of our weekend. (A post is forthcoming, but it included a night of shopping in preparation for a surprise party we threw for my brother that lasted all day on Saturday.)

After Will got up from his afternoon nap, I was ready to get out of the house and enjoy a bit of the nice weather before heading back to work for the week. I had nothing we needed to do and we ended up heading to the same park we enjoyed on that afternoon a year ago.

I decided it would be just freakin' SWEET to get a new pic of my boys in front of the same tree.

Only when I rounded the boys up for this year's picture, I encountered a new problem.

Nick & Will posing by the big tree - 2009
Nick & Will
June 2009

The bugs crawling in the dirt beneath the tree proved to be far more interesting than posing for any stupid picture.

I gave up after about five minutes of begging and pleading, and decided I'd just take a picture of them doing what they were doing.

Diggin in the dirt & lookin at bugs

I may just have to go back every year...each imperfect shot makes for such a perfect record of the stages they were in when it was taken.

10 comments:

Pop and Ice said...

The natural unposed photo is truly sweet! And it's much more intersting than just standing in front of the tree because "Mom told me to!"

Melisa Wells said...

That is a cool tree! I suggest you keep going back annually. My sister takes photos of my boys in front of a huge (but not nearly so full of character!) tree in our downtown area annually, and the progression is really cool. She's been doing it for about five years now!

Unknown said...

Boys being boys - very, very cool. And sweet.

Secret Mom Thoughts said...

A great tree. Love all the shots especially the ones inspecting the bugs.

Anonymous said...

This? Is why you are a great mom.

I'm glad you have had time for a little fun:)

Roger Miller said...

I was afraid that you were going to say that the tree was gone. Now that would suck.

Denise said...

Oh my gosh, I'm officially a "long time reader" now, because I actually remember that post from last year!!! Well, mainly because it's just a unique, awesome tree ... but I remember!
Great idea to do a yearly photo in the same spot! And even better if you don't mind catching the boys in their "natural" moment ... a much better story to tell years down the road.
Can't wait for the June 2010 edition!

Laski said...

That last one . . . perfection . . .

Mrs4444 said...

Wow-That's quite a tree. I'd love to hear it's story...

Kat said...

I so LOVE this picture. It really captures them at THIS moment. You gotta love it!!