Okay, so they’re my ONLY Pennsylvania clients, but I could probably shoot half the state and not love anyone more than these three kiddos! I am thrilled to be a stop on their annual visit to TX to see old friends, and this year was no exception!
Having watched them grow, I’ve seen the transformation from sweet, cuddly, quiet kids to.. well, normal kids! Kids who aren’t so fond of pictures.. or brothers.. or sisters.. or just about anything their mom suggests. Lucky for me I have a few tricks up my sleeve to win over kids of all ages.
First, the girl.. the beautiful, bold, stuck in the middle girl. She’s got a fire in her eyes I rarely see in kids so young, a passion so strong she couldn’t hold it in if she tried. She reminds me of the old Faith Hill song, “Wild One,” blazing her own trails to greatness whether anyone else likes it or not. I got on her side with some HSM talk and general girl camaraderie. Piece of cake!
After that I had the boys. The oldest was easy, having three kids myself with an oldest about the same age I knew exactly what button to push. The “aren’t those little kids crazy you must have it so hard putting up with them aren’t you glad you are soo much more mature than that” button. Works like a charm every time. Quiet and observant, he was quick to take it all in, and I’d catch him watching me with those eyes.. someday a girl will say he’s looking into her soul with those eyes, and it won’t be just a line.. he’s got those eyes already. And the little one.. what else do you do with a little boy on the go? Let him climb a tree! I love a little one so full of energy.. they remind you of all the little things we don’t notice every day. The roly poly on the ground, the airplane whizzing by… the “roses” we forget to stop and smell. And sometimes it feels good to just try and keep up, instead of always telling them to slow down or be still.. for once to jump just as high, to balance on the rock wall instead of standing by with a cautionary tone. Kids like him remind me of the fun that’s out there, just waiting to be found. So that’s what we did!
After a little warming up, they were putty in my hands! Sure, I got some tounges sticking out.. some groans, some “you want me to do WHAT?” but I did manage to squeeze out a few real peaceful moments.. and even-GASP- touching! Without squeals or complaints, just honest-to-goodness sibling love!
Okay, so it only lasted a few seconds.. but I’m pretty sure mom agrees with me that it was worth it! See you guys again next year!
