This year we said goodbye to summer by spending the last stretch of the season on a sleepy island in the panhandle of Florida. We spent endless hours playing in the ocean and walking on the beach. We played on kayaks, paddle boards, and boogie boards. We caught blue crabs from our dock, and the boys were forever in pursuit of one more red fish, the big one out in the bay. The kids hardly fought at all. It was magical.
I needed this. It's the remedy for a tired mom frazzled by all of the summer fighting. Seeing their eyes light up and hearing their laughter is what life is all about.
In two days, we are sending our youngest off to Kindergarten. After 12 years of having a child with me, at least part time, all of my kids will be in school. It feels heartbreaking and lovely at the save time. I know I will look back in a year and marvel over how small they were, how young they look, and how much they have grown. I cherish this time we had together.
Because sand, sunscreen, and salt water don't mix well with cameras, I used a GoPro to capture underwater magic. It was a fun creative challenge, and I loved exploring a new way to bring images to life. The 12 year old couldn't understand why I used a GoPro for still photographs instead of video, but I life moves fast enough. For me, photographs have a unique way of stopping time and slowing things down.
From my family to yours, many wishes for beautiful times with your children and those you love.
Enjoy your last days of summer.
With love,
Michelle Massey Barnes
Before summer fades into fall, check out MMB Imagery's gallery of summer favorites for end of the season inspiration.