It was much to my diggity diggity deeeelight that I had the honor of photographing not ONE but TWO birthday celebrations recently.

 

One fabulous little person turning 3 years old.

 

 

Another fabulous little person turning 8 years old.

 

 

And celebrating on the same day as the 8-year-old person was her mother, turning 25 years old. Again. *ahem*

 

So what do you DO during the day when you turn a year older?

 

Let’s go on a little photo journey, shall we?

 

When you turn 3 you….

 

Get a WHOLE table of goodies all to yourself. (Or at least until the guests arrive.)

 

Smile with your eyes

Roar like a lion

Get to have a rice krispie treat, made to look like a star

Put on your mother’s shoes.

Be really excited about putting on your mother’s shoes

Have a sign made that shows how awesome you are

 

Love your best friend

 

 

Even if she’s giving you a funny look.

 

 

 

 

Be thoughtful. (especially when putting together Lincoln Logs.)

Be loved.

 

When you turn 8 you…

 

Hit a piñata!

Watch your friends hit a piñata!

You get cupcakes

AND a cake

People will sing Happy Birthday to you (and you have to know what to do while they do this. Look away? Sing along? Smile a lot? Go with smile a lot.)

You will have a band.

Your Dad will sing with the band

And your mother will celebrate her birthday by smiling with you.

And by singing with the band.

And hugging her own mother, visiting for the first time in 2 years from Mexico City. Because a mother’s hug is so so nice. No matter what age you are.

And be loved.