Photo Shoot

The other day Michelle did a photo shoot with Elizabeth. Michelle is our resident photographer.

She has done most of her photo shoots with inanimate objects. I have been encouraging her to do more with people. Her biggest challenge is shyness. She isn't sure she is able to boss older people around. A little sister is no problem though, so she started there.

I really like this picture. These are the new pants that Grandma found for her. Michelle bought me a bouquet of flowers and then borrowed a few of them back.

Another of my faves. Elizabeth is such a happy, healthy, child. We all really enjoy her! Michelle is interested in doing something artistic as a job, and photography is one thing she enjoys and is good at. I told her that she needs to learn to shoot people well. Cause that's where the money is.

I am not sure what is up with all the angled photos, but Michelle really likes that slightly off center perspective.

Which is your favorite?

~Mom

Things That Make a Mom's Heart Glad

All of our children have started life with two basic fears: the fear of water, and of cats and dogs. Nothing else. It has taken time, patience, and regular exposure to help them overcome their anxieties.
I think Elizabeth has done better than the rest in overcoming, but she is still unsure in the water.
She hates to get water in her ears.

This week the neighbors kindly invited us over for an afternoon swim. We decided that Elizabeth needed to learn to let go of the side and still be safe. The time was right to move up to 'waterwings'
.

I wasn't swimming so I asked Mr. Boots to help her. He did it patiently and with a cheerful attitude! It was so sweet to see my big 17 year old carefully tending his little sister. At first she held on tight. Then gradually she started to try them out.

The breakthrough came when Mr. Boots thought to put on a second pair. Elizabeth is a very tall girl for being five, and one pair is just not enough to hold her up. She can actually get two wings on above her elbows. A bit more patience and she was independent! Yeah!!

She took off and thoroughly enjoyed the rest of the swim. She was the last Mango out of the pool. The boys were out pretty quick as they got cold. She was cold also, but she was having such a great time trying out her new skill that she didn't want to stop.

Thanks for being such a great big brother Mr. Boots. You'll be a great dad someday.

~Mom