First Day of Kindergarten Storytelling

 

Katie spent a normal day with Mom on the day before the first day of school. They went grocery shopping, read books, did laundry…..all the everyday-ness stuff that we all do. But Brandy took the day off from work though because, while it was an ordinary day, it was the beginning of something extraordinary.

Katie’s little sister, Sophie, slipped on her sparkly purple hightops and joined us on the backyard swings. Citrine light filters through towering oak trees. Cicadas’ song, happy sister chatter, and melodically creaking swing chains created a late summer lullaby in the sweet neighborhood. The girls joyfully moved through the downy grass to the trampoline for a series of  “Watch This!” tumbles and cheerleader-esque jumps, while Brandy filled the pasta pot with water and watched from the kitchen window.

Once inside, the girls break out their cameras and take silly pictures. The pasta water is burbling, Brandy pulls together a crisp salad. Music  fills the space between giggles. And then they’re off running to their bedrooms.
Katie pulls out Skippy Jon Jones  and Pete the Cat and rocks in her bedroom chair.
Keith calls to the girls and a thunderous squeal is heard for blocks as they make their way down the stairs and fly into his arms.
Brandy serves Katie’s favorite dinner: Baked Mostaccioli, buttery garlic bread, fresh salad. They share stories about their day–listening, laughing, eating. Repeat.
While the sun sets, Brandy and Katie pick out clothes for the big day. While the school wants all the incoming kindergartners in the same shirt on the first day, Katie chooses an adorable, canary yellow skirt and blue and white socks before getting ready for a sudsy warm tub. Hair drying, story time, and then sweet dreams.
Good morning, sweet Katie! Today is the day! Sophie is off to preschool. Brandy makes a couple fluffy scrambled eggs and a toasted bagel. While Katie eats and the clock ticks toward the time to leave, Brandy puts the finishing touches in her lunch. Zipping the purple box that was lovingly loaded with a nutritious lunch and sweet note was a weepy moment. The remaining items on the entire Start School list is now down to two: 1) family pictures by the front tree and 2) walk to school. Katie stops to pick an acorn off the sidewalk. Keith and Brandy both hold several in their pockets.Like any first day of school, the playground is full of a lot of nervous, happy, and even skeptical kiddos. Parents too 🙂 She did it! xoxox!! 

Allowing me to document your child’s first day of school, allows you to be fully present for yourself, your family, your child. I curate the entire two-day session into a beautiful book–a visual narrative of this monumental new chapter.  Contact me for details!

Brandy shared her thoughts on working with me:

I love, love, love the images that Jen Lucas captured of our family. My goal was the annual dreadful Christmas card – to get the perfect picture in my mind that I can never seem to capture myself. Not only did I get that – she made it difficult to choose! Friends and family have been RAVING about the pictures. But most importantly for me is Jen made the “day of” so EASY! She was well prepared, easy to work with and put in the extra effort ahead of time to ensure I felt comfortable, helped advise on outfits/location and then took her time with the kiddos. This girl knows how to work a crowd of toddlers! I fully expected to be stressed and trying to get everyone to pay attention, look this way, smile, don’t touch your sister, etc etc. (Daily mom stuff!) But Jen easily made that go away. My kids were just themselves, running, jumping, throwing leaves, playing with daddy and just….being them. Jen embraced it, captured and provided me with memories for a lifetime. I couldn’t be happier.

Check out Jen’s other Google reviews to see other families’ experiences.

Beautifully Ordinary is a trademark of Jen Lucas Photography, LLC.