During my hiatus, a much needed and very much enjoyed family vacation took place. This was one of my favorite views, shot from a key vantage point…my lounge chair. :)

Well, our vacation was wonderful, but alas, it set me back and messed with my rhythm. OK, so it was not a steady rhythm, but it was getting there.

Fact is, there just are not enough hours in the day to get everything I would like to get done, done. As my kids get older, the schedules get crazier and the calendar, more crowded. After school there are snacks and homework, baseball and parties, dinner and showers, reading and praying, and finally bedtime…and that is on a slow day! :) I am often too tired to even think about feeding my blog. Truth is, some nights I am just happy we have fed the kids!

Speaking of being “messed with”, this weather has sure messed with me and my clients this week. This was to be my week to shoot the adorable little 3 and 4 year olds…outside! Thank you to the mommies for your patience while I shuffle and rearrange. I hope to get all the sessions completed by the end of next week.

Meanwhile, take a look at one of my regular cuties. She turns 3 in June and I have had the pleasure of photographing her several times over her little life already. She is the subject of one of my favorite images, an image that has been displayed on a large canvas at the four recent fund-raising events (auctions) in which I have participated this spring.

It seems very appropriate that now this little lady is also helping me to kick off my “All About Me at 3″ session and collection.

Three is a wonderful age! There is a strong desire for independence yet still a need for the security of a parent nearby. Children of this age have an insatiable curiosity and love to explore. They can communicate, listen and understand. Of course they can also flip like a pancake from smiles to fits, laughter to tears! I find them incredibly adorable, extremely lovable (most of the time), frequently amusing and infinitely amazing. It is such a brief period in their journey, and for me to be able to capture it, honestly, forever, is a privilege I cannot explain.

For All About Me at 3 sessions, I have asked that the mommies allow their kids to wear what they want (within reason of course). I want to see the children as they see themselves, and as people closest to them see them.

As evidenced in this image, and judging from the head to toe outfit selection of my young client, it is not hard to notice that this girl’s favorite color is PINK!

Ah, but here is the reason why I love this age, and this child! This was not only her favorite color, this color was hers! Pink, as a favorite color, belonged to her! I could not have it as my favorite color; it was already “taken” and I had to choose another. Talk about having exclusive rights!

Taking a cue from this little one, I have decided that purple is now my favorite color, so if any of you are thinking of having it as yours, sorry, it’s taken! Dibs on purple! :)

If your child is turning three, or is already three, and you are interested in learning more about my All About Me at 3 sessions, please email or call 516.280.3471 for details.

And you thought you were having a bad hair day!

I also love the little notes the kids share in school. I remember exchanging them when I was a child, and now I love it when it’s that time of year and my kids are selecting their “theme” and writing out their cards. Then when they bring home all the cards they get from their friends, it warms my heart. I’ve always loved putting together the little goodie bags for their classmates too. We did that again last night in preparation for their school Valentine parties today. With my kids growing so fast, right before my eyes, these are traditions I don’t want to let go of just yet.

Here are a couple more of my favorites. Two of the sweetest and silliest people in my life, my kids.

When was the last time you had a lollipop in your pajamas?

Yes, as you can probably guess from the snapshots, I’ve been playing hookie.  Our long-awaited and much needed family vacation was wonderful, and now we’re back to reality.  :o)

Sneak peeks from sessions before vacation coming up soon, and to those of you waiting anxiously to see your images, thanks for your patience.