We just had a wonderful, eventful weekend – starting with Saturday morning, the aptly-named Wondergirl 5K Race, put on by the fantastic Girls on The Run organization. I was walking over to the start line, with the kids all packed up in the double jogger (I was already registered to race it) when my 6 1/2 year-old Sophie decided she’d like to have a go at it, too.
A little history on this…months ago, we agreed that she would be able to get herself a pet if she could run a 5K and finish it. We figured we’d have a couple years until she could actually cash in on that, considering her first couple laps around the track didn’t go that well. I think the official sum up was, “ugh, this is too far.”
She said she wanted to try on Saturday morning, though, and I reassured her that if she did, indeed, finish, we would go to the pet store after the race and pick out her pet. Lo and behold, the child did indeed run the race, and as we rounded the last turn and started to head for the finish line, she spotted her dad, whose jaw dropped in total disbelief that his little girl had actually finished 3 miles and was about to complete her first 5K race. We both welled up with tears when she zoomed to that finish line with such total, beautiful determination. There’s a lot more back story on why this is a particularly impressive achievement for our Sophie, but wow, what an experience.
Lisa, our Studio Director, happened to see us me scooping up my daughter at the finish (with heart-bursting pride!!!) and she was awesome enough to snap these images, which I’m so grateful for š
Not to be outdone, sweet Caleb raced the kids’ 200 Meter race and earned himself his very own blue ribbon!!! Considering the fact that he’s not a huge fan of tons of noise and activity, this was quite an achievement for him š
At the finish – this is Caleb’s current “smile” face (thanks for capturing this, too, Lisa) …
And then the big call on Sophie’s pet. (Her daddy sent us off to the pet store with such overwhelming happiness and the formal declaration that she could bring home an elephant for all he cared, she’d earned it!). Well, she took her time with this big decision – she examined the ferrets, the rabbits, the hamsters, the birds, the fish…and, finally, she went with the mouse. Well, actually, there were three different colored mice, so she went with three mice! I’ve only had an opportunity to photograph one, though….
Meet Chocolate The Mouse:
After settling in with our new family members (they actually are terribly cute), we decided to take advantage of the Farm Tour, and we went to check out Organic Valley’s dairy farm. Sunday was a quirky day, with a big storm rolling in to Snow Camp, North Carolina
This was the view in front of us on our drive to the farm….
And this was the view behind us:
We actually had a good half hour at the farm before that storm found us. It was actually pretty fascinating to learn about organic farming techniques versus conventional – interesting details like the fact that the cows are calmer, gentler, the milk is cleaner, and the soil more forgiving. The feeling is that organic farming must be our future…and yet it is also our past.
Caleb was less interested in the talk and more excited about the wide, open spaces…
And, lastly, this is Petunia.
It’s a little known secret that all cows smile at vegetarians with a camera š
Am all choked up just reading the recap — hugely proud of both Sophie (and her Mom for motivating her along the way) – and, as much as I can’t believe it, am very happy to have three mice in our house. Amazing! (ps – and look at how many people are actually behind her!!)
Am all choked up just reading the recap — hugely proud of both Sophie (and her Mom for motivating her along the way) – and, as much as I can’t believe it, am very happy to have three mice in our house. Amazing! (ps – and look at how many people are actually behind her!!)
Yay you!! What a great day for all of us!
Yay you!! What a great day for all of us!
So awesome–what an accomplishment!! Lisa, great shots! š
So awesome–what an accomplishment!! Lisa, great shots! š
awww, congratulations to Sophie! and I Love cows! Nice to see there are fellow vegetarian photographers out there š
awww, congratulations to Sophie! and I Love cows! Nice to see there are fellow vegetarian photographers out there š
Sophie, Your Daddy was so proud of you that he e-mailed me and Gammy Jewel right away. But, Mommy forgot 2 parts of the story, you ran in your sandals and your sun dress. I’m so proud of you and hope you weren’t too sore the next day. Keep up the great work! Love peace joy and happiness Aunt Tina
Sophie, Your Daddy was so proud of you that he e-mailed me and Gammy Jewel right away. But, Mommy forgot 2 parts of the story, you ran in your sandals and your sun dress. I’m so proud of you and hope you weren’t too sore the next day. Keep up the great work! Love peace joy and happiness Aunt Tina
Amazingly, Sophie bouncing around like it was nothing the next day. (Makes me wonder why I sometimes have to carry her through the grocery store — hmmm.)
Amazingly, Sophie bouncing around like it was nothing the next day. (Makes me wonder why I sometimes have to carry her through the grocery store — hmmm.)
Tamara, all day long (as I was working like crazy) I kept coming back to re-read this post and look through the images. What a truly wonderful and inspiring post and amazing accomplishment!! My favorite is your family photograph–Sophie looks so satisfied and proud (and i see so much of you in her expression). Congratulations!
Tamara, all day long (as I was working like crazy) I kept coming back to re-read this post and look through the images. What a truly wonderful and inspiring post and amazing accomplishment!! My favorite is your family photograph–Sophie looks so satisfied and proud (and i see so much of you in her expression). Congratulations!
That’s a pretty amazing story! And I can’t believe she went with the mice!
That’s a pretty amazing story! And I can’t believe she went with the mice!
Tamara – Sophie looks just like you in that family photo from the race!
Tamara – Sophie looks just like you in that family photo from the race!
Tamara and family,
I’ve met your entire family at the UNC Wellness Center and have loved watching Sophie and Caleb grow over the years. I am so proud of Sophie and her accomplishment with girls on the run! Unbelievably proud! I wanted to tell you all congratulations on the wonderful children you are raising and that I absolutely love your website! I hope to be contacting you very soon about photographing a wedding. : )
Have a great weekend!
Tamara and family,
I’ve met your entire family at the UNC Wellness Center and have loved watching Sophie and Caleb grow over the years. I am so proud of Sophie and her accomplishment with girls on the run! Unbelievably proud! I wanted to tell you all congratulations on the wonderful children you are raising and that I absolutely love your website! I hope to be contacting you very soon about photographing a wedding. : )
Have a great weekend!
Thank you, Darcy – I look forward to hearing from you š
Thank you, Darcy – I look forward to hearing from you š
Way to go Caleb and Sophie! Sophie, now Lew Lew wants a pet mouse! Thanks a lot! ha ha ha Chocolate is quite cute! We’ll pop by to meet chocolate soon! Way to go Lackey kids!
Way to go Caleb and Sophie! Sophie, now Lew Lew wants a pet mouse! Thanks a lot! ha ha ha Chocolate is quite cute! We’ll pop by to meet chocolate soon! Way to go Lackey kids!
Congratulations to your two sweet children! What a nice accomplishment!
Congratulations to your two sweet children! What a nice accomplishment!
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