Some cute little shoes got left at my house after my weekend company hit the road. I put these pint-size sneakers on my dining table to ship back to my buddy but kept glancing at them as I went about my day.
And then I decided that I just had to have a picture of them.
I can't imagine what my poor neighbors think, seeing me laid out on the front yard with camera in hand, passionately taking pictures of plaid Converses.
But then I guess they're getting used to it.
There was just something about these small shods that I wanted to capture, a memory of my friend's child, not just his little face and smile, but the little shoes that are taking him everywhere right now.
And I began to think about all the little items and accessories that have been part of the mosaic of my children's worlds, the things I haven't necessarily recorded for the photographic record but have been such a part of the memories of the kids' various stages and seasons.
The little blue rubber boots that 5 of 8 wore everywhere, even when they developed splits at the soles and carried the unique scent of sweaty four-year-old boy.
The pink beaded slippers that 6 of 8 wore to a friend's wedding which were then dubbed "My Wedding Shoes." Eight months later, they were still her very favorites, scuffed, dirty and too small.
The technicolor knitted cap that adorned 1 of 8's head for several months when she decided it was the height of fashion.
2 of 8's first pair of toe shoes.
So you may find me in the front yard over the next few days, taking pictures of shoes that are in too bad condition to donate to Goodwill and too well loved to ever giveaway. You may see me taking photos of a knitted hat that has seen better days.
And you may see my neighbors peeking out of their windows trying to figure out what in the heck I'm up to now.
But can I just encourage you to pull out those lovies, blankies, slippers and shoes that have been the adored accessories of your children's childhoods? Can I just ask you to take a couple shots, to put to memory card a little photographic tip of the hat for the items that have meant so much to your baby, your toddler, your little one?
And could you do me one more favor?
Would you mind taking those photos out on your front lawn, laying on your belly and sending your lower back into cramps? It would just help me to know I'm not the only one.
Thanks.
My latest thing has been to take pictures of everything I cook. My husband has thought I am being weird. I am only being practical. Since cooking is not my thing, I am only trying to provide documentation for my children that I was able to make more than reservations for dinner. :0)
ReplyDeletePS - Speaking of artifacts and the like, you need to get the book Motel of the Mysteries. You will love it and so will your kids. An interesting take on archaeology.
I hardly ever put my kids in shoes since they had unnaturally large flippers for feet but I bought a zillion pairs for them (which they wore once, I realised they were not practical and gifted them on to others) because I just have a thing for little ones shoes.
ReplyDeleteAnd my neighbours already think I'm nutso but I'll try to convince them of it just a little more tomorrow:)
I just gave away one of those objects yesterday, and should taken a picture of it. It was Nater's baby carrier. We took so many walks with that thing. I was sorting through all things "spring" and found it. Nater immediately said, "Go Walk". And I tried to put him in. Ha ha. He barely fit, not to mention that the thing killed my back with a 30pound "baby" in it. So, we passed it along to a friend. Hopefully, it will see many more walks.
ReplyDeleteWe do have lots of pictures with Nater in it. Pictures of him eating, sleeping, crying, laughing, and observing the world from "up high". So all was not wasted. :) Have a great day.
p.s. The other day when I was photographing the kids' galoshes, I prayed a car wouldn't drive by. :)
As Glenn Beck would say, "You are not alone." Any shutterbug worth her salt is crouching somewhere trying to get the perfect shot...of something.
ReplyDeleteyou aren't the only one. trust me. my neighbor came home yesterday to me lying in my front yard on my back snapping away. i love the shoe shot.
ReplyDeleteI can do all that you ask except for laying on the ground.In my yard you just may lay on a ground spider.Then someone will be taking pictures of the big brown stain on my pants.lol
ReplyDeleteMy husband laughs at me for taking pictures of all sorts of things. "The blog again?" he'll say.
ReplyDeleteYep.
We have a box called "Keepsake Clothing" downstairs. It holds a piece or two from all the wonderful stages of our children's lives.
I consider it an essential part of motherhood to marvel at how tiny they were once, to remember that soccer jacket or the fishing hat or the glitter-golden mary janes they once wore.
So, you go, Julie. Take all the photos you want. You're in good company. ;)
- Julia
But it's SUCH a great photo - well worth laying on your tummy in the yard. It's amazing how quickly they grow and those obsessions fade away. Interestingly, I can remember my brother, 13 years younger than me, wearing hot pink shoelaces all the time as a tot, but nothing quirky about my own chickies thus far!
ReplyDeleteI love this picture! If I got on my belly in my yard right now, I'd be covered in mud. :) I really like the perspective you got, though.
ReplyDeleteWe have a box of these things that mean so much to us from our children's younger days. Priceless.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea!
ReplyDeleteI HATED the sneakers my husband was wearing when I first met him, but I did snap a picture of them years ago before finally throwing them out! Ah, memories!
I love that kind of grass.
You've got me crying about all the things my little Linus has already grown out of. The itty bitty hat that I purchased for him to wear home from the hospital that never actually fit until he was closer to 3 months old.
ReplyDeleteI actually did take a picture the other day of his shoes. I just love his little shoes and had to have a photograph so you are not alone.
-Abby
Great idea to record those precious treasures for posterity!
ReplyDeleteI hear ya on entertaining the neighbors too. Yesterday the neighbors, their family, and a crew of roofers all watched as I stooped, squatted, and stretched to get just the right angle on the roses I wanted to capture. LOL!
I don't think I can get on my belly in the grass here..too many fire ants. That would NOT be fun! :p
ReplyDeleteBut I must say...there is just something about snapping shots in the grass. It's a great backdrop for just about anything!
Sweet picture.
ReplyDeleteSweet shoes and a sweet post.
ReplyDeleteHello my gorgeous friend!!!!
ReplyDeleteI love your perspective, and I would have done the SAME thing;-)
I do ya one better than that. As long as it doesnt reain or something tomorrow. I will find something to shoot in my yard and send ya the pic. I must warn, our grass isnt totally green yet even though we live in Houston.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea. Im not sure we have kept much of anything, however i have thought the same things when looking back at pictures and seeing the clothing.
Love and Prayers,
Tim
What a great idea to photograph those little things that you never think to photograph alone!
ReplyDeleteIt would the makings of a great scrapbook page.
I had to laugh at you wondering what your neighbors think about you taking picture of "stuff" on your front lawn. I'm beginning to wonder if my neighbors are wondering the same thing about me. :)
i love this idea --- esp. since lately my youngest is donning some of the same items that my oldest once wore...despite that the oldest wore them when she was 3 and the baby is wearing them at TWENTY MOS! (oh well...heart kids. They're small but mighty!)
ReplyDeleteLove ya 8Mama!
Karin
Brilliant idea!
ReplyDeleteI love that photo! Especially the composition.
ReplyDeleteYes, I have been known to lay on my stomach and take weird pictures of stuff staged on my front lawn, to the utter horror and embarrassment of my children.
It's one of those perks the Mom books forget to tell you about.
We too had plaid converse among other bright colors. We had knit hats adopted in 6th grade and worn for a season. We had vintage clothing, a man's "real" uniform shirt witht he owner's name on a logo on the left pocket given to my daughter because she asked for it. Thanks for the stroll down memory lane, I'll see what I can come up with for a photo!
ReplyDelete