tea for 2

Six American Girl Dolls and one Next Generation doll accepted Caroline & Audrey’s invitation to their tea party portrait session.   When seating at the table proved to be tight I suggested Caroline choose her favorite 3 dolls to include in the session.  An immediate look of perplexion and slight alarm appeared on her face.  Sensing her uneasiness, I asked,  “don’t you have favorites?”  “No, I can’t pick,” she responded sheepishly and fully aware no one likes to be left out in life.

My heart melted to see a little girl so in love with her dolls.  In a world that rushes little girls to be big girls way too early and encourages Bratz dolls dressed like they are heading to the clubs, this was just such a breath of fresh air!  I spent a large part of my childhood playing with dolls and make believing I was in their world.  Can’t begin to tell you how many hours I spent braiding hair and smoothing out the folds in paper dolls outfits so I could pretend they were brand new outfits all over again!   A little girl and her dolls is just a precious thing and as a mom to 3 boys…well…as you can imagine I soaked in this nostalgia! 

Caroline was 6 when her little sister was born and she gained not just a sister but a baby of her own, she felt, to care for as she had been doing with her own dolls for years.   Seeing how she dotes on Audrey it’s clear what a great big sister she is.  Audrey idolizes her big sister, even if she is protective of her American Girl Dolls! 

Through the session Audrey was wildly free spirited with such winning charm it was impossible not to smile the entire time photographing her!   This family comedian keeps mom laughing all the time—every family should have at least one person with such a contagious smile! 

Random cat that joined us much to the girls delight!

I have no idea what we caught Audrey doing in those moment which brought about this hilarious face—but sooo glad I C A P T U R E D it!!! Priceless!! 

Here’s to little sisters…to big sisters…to little girls not growing up too fast…to hours spent make believing…to time with friends over a nice drink…to long braids…to family and to our little suburban town of Westminster and the farmers who keep it gorgeous!

PS  in addition this family also had a family portrait session coming next week!