The Summer before Big School starts
Photographing the magic of right now ✨
My eldest starts school this September, we found out his new school last week and, wow, am I amazed by the opening of the floodgates of new feelings.
I am so excited for him, I am so proud of him. But I am also nervous. He will be young in the year, which will feel a big deal at least for the first couple of years until month age gaps lessen. But if I am truly honest I am nervous for myself too.
I am not ready to have my one weekday with him and his sister come to an end just yet . I have been lucky enough to have a day with him since I returned to work after my maternity leave. Our days together have consisted of playdates with lovely friends, park trips, picnics, craft activities, hangs at grandparents, food shopping trips and all those little things that become rituals of our time together. In the winter we make hot chocolates (they were originally babycinos, ok) and in the summer it’s always strawberries in the park. His sticky hand in mine as we decide what shape that cloud is (Heffalumps or Tigger?) I have loved our relationship growing, from those first steps and watching tractors together to running, at great speed, after him with a baby sister now in tow. How well he has adapted to this new rhythm, and yes he will adapt again, as will I. Motherhood is constantly evolving and you have to let go of one version of them to get used to another in what feels like lightning speed. And as much as I love that tiny version I love this slightly bigger (even though you are still little) version just as much. As he grows and see more of the world and show me how to see it differently there is in fact, although it seems impossible, more to love of him.
This season together I have loved it all, even those days that maybe I loved a bit less. They are rose tinted already. I am taking photos everyday, so much so he now asks for me to take photos when we see a cool rock or a cool tree with interesting leaves. Trying to capture how magical this time has been, before we start our new chapter of school uniforms, and school runs, learning about your new friends and seeing the world through your eyes with even more knowledge.
If you too are in the throes of starting school feelings then I have some space for family sessions this summer to capture this time so we can all hold onto the magic.
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My boy in the daisies
