The Military Neighborhood Project - Rip Stick edition
I have a love/hate relationship with this time of year. The weather is getting warmer, we're planning summer fun activities and trips and soon, very soon I no longer have to make lunches and check backpacks. However, this also means that it's the season of goodbyes and "see ya laters" too. Saying goodbye to dear neighbors, awesome friends who became your family, and the kids who may as well have been one of your own.
As torturous as this all is for the grown folks; I think it's much more torturous for the littles and not so littles. More goodbyes and truly not knowing when/if they'll see their dear friend(s) again in the future. I'm always so grateful for the short time these kiddos have together, but my heart breaks watching them send each other off to new adventures.
This session was all about the kids in the Cul-de-sack, and their lipsticks. My daughter is always outside with her friends. They are always in the cul-de-sac playing with toy cars, riding bikes, basically running amok. There isn't a day that one of the neighbors doesn't come and knock on the door to have one of of the 3 kids play outside.
Since we live at the end of the street, our house seems to be the "it" house to go hang out and play. At first I really hated this, wondering "why are these kids always over here playing, being loud." Then I realized that this is a good thing. I know where my kids are, I know what they are doing, that they are safe, and I can keep an eye on them. I will talk with the kids to see how things are going, what they have been up to, and it has really been interesting to see the interactions amongst all the children out here.
The other night all the kids were outside because the weather was gorgeous. The sun was going down so the temperature cooled off, and they all got their Rip Sticks. If you aren't sure what A Ripstick is, its a 2 wheeled skateboard that you wiggle to move. I will admit I had to try it, and one of the boys was amazing and showed my daughter and I how to ride one. Let's just say she picked it up better than I did. Anyways all the kids were down here hanging out and riding their Ripsticks, avoiding the random toddler that would try to join them or run in their way. There were some that had been riding theirs for years, and others that were brand new to riding them, but they were all having fun and enjoying playing with one another.
This is a group of 4th and 5th graders, and 2 of them will be moving by the end of the summer, and the 5th graders will be going to the middle school so all the kids will be going separate ways. For most of them this isn't their first move, and it certainly won't be their last. Having a picture of all their friends hanging out and doing what they enjoy is a memory they will be able to take with them in their new place and have forever. I wish all these kids the best of luck in whatever they do, and I am sure we will keep in touch with all the parents.
If you would like to join us in showcasing your childs' friendships, to have memories that they will have for a lifetime, contact me today to schedule your neighborhood shoot. (p.s. doesn't have to be in your neighborhood, can be at an ice-cream shop, hiking spot, pizza place, arcade, or even outside the school)