My little pretty.

Carsen is growing up right before my eyes. Our big 6 year old, nearly a first grader, library card holder, and sweet as can be.

"I can't believe I'm doing this!"

Stated by Carsen while filling out her first Library Card application.

Chinese camp.

Carsen just completed her Chinese summer camp. During the school year, we're lucky enough to have the PTA foot the bill for Mandarin lessons three days a week in all classrooms K-5. Carsen has always shown great interest in other cultures and languages, which ofcourse is a big hit with us parents, so when this camp was offered for two weeks this summer, we had to jump on board. At first, she was pretty apprehensive. Summer had just begun, it was as long as the school day, and somehow she was placed in an entirely different class than any of her school friends. In the end, she has a handful of new friends from around the community, her grasp on Mandarin was really strengthened, and she was oh so proud on the last day of camp, when Ethan, True, and I showed up for a little celebration. The kids sang and danced, and gave us atour of all their hard work over the course of the camp. We came home with maps, lanterns, art, worksheets, you name it. And all of which Carsen can explain to us in Mandarin.

I have a theory though. I think she gets a kick out of this mostly because she can do something the rest of her family can't. This is so very Carsen!

Carsen at 6.

While her birthday was a good two months ago, these photos of Carsen are just to pretty to pass up because I wasn't on the blogging ball. Wendi again so graciously took my daughter's portraits, and again I was floored at her skill. Thank you Wen!

And Carsen, just take your sweet time, Lovie. Take it nice and slow. Six and then some, I can hardly believe my eyes.

Girl time.

Carsen & I shared our first pedicure together, and it was so frivolous and sweet to have this little time. She's been looking so big lately, and while this is a real indulgence and not at all necessary, I can see that a little pampering can be thoroughly enjoyed by her just as well as her mama. It was the short version, a little soak, a ticklish rub, and the outrageous colors of our choice. The perfect girl date.

The times, they are a changin'.

I'm still spinning from the thought of our girl being a Kindergartener. Carsen was 7 weeks early when she was born, which left her at 3 pounds, 11 ounces when she entered this world. I cannot get that amazing and tiny little image of her out of my mind every day as she helps pack her lunch, does her homework, and walks to school. It is so very special for our family this fall to embrace these big shifts in who we are.

Captured

My friend Wendi has been developing her photography skills for quite some time now, and when I spoke of getting my daughter's 5-year portraits, Wendi said she wouldn't mind taking the shots for practice.
This is her "practice."
These magical images capture all that is Carsen: so very sweet, happy, expressive, and unpredictable.
How lucky am I that my friend that knows Carsen so well can prove it on film? And all for the affordable price of FREE. Watch out, local photo studios. I'm takin' my business elsewhere. Thanks, Wen. They're beautiful.

being your mama

love you, carsen girl. my big 5 year old.