Annie's birthday shoot

Every year I say that I'm going to do a photo session of each kid around their birthday. Then I overwhelm myself with how "perfect" I want it to be. I want to find a new location, and buy the most adorable outfit. The expectations in my head get to be so high, that all I end up doing is procrastinating until it's too late. This year, I put her "appointment" on my calendar, and treated it just like any other session. There was no extraordinary planning, and it was wonderful. As my amazing cousin (who is way too wise to just be 25 years old) would say, "just enough is plenty". I LOVE that. 

And I love my sweet bean.

 

This one is my favorite because ever since she was little, she always holds her hair back like this. It's a sweet mannerism that I associate with just her.
We went to ice cream later. She'd been talking about it for a week. We stood in line for 45 minutes, waiting for her "sundae that she could eat all by herself". Then she ate about 5 bites. Isn't it funny, how sometimes the anticipation is just as (if not more) fun than reality?

And it's also funny how you can set out to do something, only to be surprised that the best parts of your day were unplanned and unexpected. The most fun we had was because Jason left the top down on the car. And I'm not going to lie. I'm usually a total buzz-kill when it comes to convertibles, whining about how it dries out my contacts, and messes up my hair. But I busted out of my Granny shell. I wanted to listen to Aretha. But all she wanted to hear was Sister Sledge...(NINETY TWO TIMES, I might add). We blasted "WEE are FAM-AH-LEE!" And that's what families do, I think. We make plans. And then we roll with the beautiful, imperfect reality that pops up instead. 

Comments

[MHarper]

Time flies when you have kids! She's just beautiful. Happy Birthday to your sweet girl and happy birth-day to you. :)

[Ma']

The world is just better with Annie in it!
Leah's right... "just enough is plenty!"

We make our plans, and Love laughs
at our low expectations.

xoxo, Nana

[jen]

What a fun birthday! Such a special memory for her:)

[Melissa]

Precious! What a fun and special day for the two of you to share!

[Christine]

She is so beautiful.

[tasha]

I love each and every picture of Annie! And she is looking all too grown up to just be 6!!

[Jen Heff]

Those were perfect. She's such a doll and thee perfect model! Photos of kids are the best. EVAH!

[amy sherrell]

Maile, she is soooooo precious! And I love her dress. So cute! What a fun day for the two of you!

[k]

I love her photo shoot. She's getting so big. I can't believe she' already 6!!

[Tracy]

Oh, she's beautiful. You should put the top down more often, it's sooooo worth it!!!

[Paige]

Maile, what a wonderful day for you two. She will remember that forever. The pictures of her are so awesome!

[stephanie]

Beautiful shots. Your words, as always, send a perfect picture to my brain. The image of the 2 of you in a convertible makes me think of the end of a great coming of age movie.

[Chasity]

u r amazing. i miss seeing annie...and chance...and emily. i say the same thing each year too. i'm still waiting to find the perfect birthday cake for parker to smash for his 1 year photo shoot....he just turned two in march. :(

[zan]

a special talent, a beautiful child and a glorious day. perfection.

love my gift. many thanks to you for always spoiling your friends.

[Vicki]

You are so great to take her photo. i want to start this with my kids now. Trend setter. The less expectations the better. Love ya

Vicki

[Michael]

Congratulations, it's official -- you've created the cutest kid pictures EVER. Those specs are just perfect on her too.

[Melissa Jill :)]

Gorgeous Maile. Well done. Love it.

[olivia dutko]

What a doll! She is such a cutie!

[Cyndy]

SHe is just like her mama...BEAUTIFUL!!!!!

[Rachel Brooke]

She looks like shes just the sweetest child ever! I hope she had a great bday. :)