I take hundreds of photos every month, and most of them don’t get shared with anyone, let alone online. And yet the moments in time that those photos capture are just as important a part of our story as the other images that I do share.
I created this blog as a way of documenting our lives, a way of watching the girls grow into who they’re going to be and a way of remembering who they once were. It’s something I want them to be able to look back on as they get older, because memories fade but (digital) photographs don’t.
It’s easy (and tempting) to only focus on sharing the fun bits, the memorable parts and the celebrations. But I’m learning more and more as I continue through this crazy journey of motherhood that it’s really important to me that I capture the ordinary, everyday times that we spend together as well. The bits of the jigsaw that fill in the gaps to complete the picture. The tantalising glimpses into who our girls are becoming.
The chaos, the calm and all the moments in between.
This monthly feature – The Moments In Between – is a space for me to share all of those magical bits that would otherwise just stay in a folder on my laptop, never to see the light of day.
AUGUST
The summer holidays have ended up being busier than expected in lots of ways (I’ve written lots of blog posts about what we’ve been up to and there are still more to come). But there have also been plenty of slow days at home, with simple, old fashioned fun and quiet moments in between the craziness. I don’t want summer to end! Don’t get me wrong – there have been plenty of arguments along the way and they drive me mad sometimes but I wouldn’t have it any other way. They’re independent, feisty, emotional girls and they’re also incredibly loving and funny and kind and for the most part I’ve absolutely loved having them at home with me almost every day. Roll on October half term…
I love this shot of them all laughing in the paddling pool together
The aftermath of a tickle fight
Practicing Wheel pose after her yoga class
A selfie with my girls because every now and then it’s important that I get in the frame too
Lola bought this Christmas jigsaw at the school Summer Fair at the start of July. It has 1000 pieces. It took us a month to finish it and I simply had to document it.
Watching TV
“I picked this flower just for you Mummy”
Typing up one of her stories
Cuddles with Nana
Mimi is currently obsessed with playing cards (in particular a game we’ve called ‘Cornish’). I’ve lost count of how many games we’ve played over the summer – it’s got to be in the thousands!
Admiring the view across the lake at Trentham Gardens
Having fun at Birches Valley adventure playground
Sisters
Baking
A quiet afternoon for a very tired girl.
Never too old for a cuddle with Daddy
I can’t get my head around how grown up Ella looks in this photo. I have no idea what she was thinking – she was staring into space and daydreaming (which I absolutely and actively encourage wherever possible)
We discovered this bucket of apples whilst out on a walk. There was a handwritten note that said “Free, help yourself. Would make a lovely pie for after your Sunday lunch”. I love the kindness of strangers 🙂
My best friend and her husband. I love how much they love each other.
I rarely get to read to my girls any more because they’d rather read to themselves. But on this day Lola shyly asked me if I’d read to her. Of course I said yes and we snuggled up for a delicious cuddle before bedtime
While Sophie was staying with us the four girls put on a play for the husband and I to watch. Mimi was ‘Beppo the clown’. They worked so hard on it and practiced every day – it was ace.
Five minutes break in the sun in between clients in London
I will never, ever tire of looking at her beautiful curls
Spaghetti-slurper
A gorgeous wildflower meadow at Trentham Gardens
Make up lessons from her big sister
Talking on the banana telephone
I love it when they laugh together
Savasana
Well, what else are stickers for?!
Face-painting fun (not my handiwork!)
A rather spectacular sunset to end the last day of August
Lisa H
What a brilliant idea to capture all your summer photos in one post, I may borrow it! You’ve got some gorgeous shots and your girls are beautiful x
Chloe Ridgway
Thank you Lisa 🙂 I do the same every month, for all the photos that otherwise would just stay in a folder on my laptop never to see the light of day. The blog is to document our days so the girls can look back once they’re older and remember the things we used to get up to and the adventures we used to have. I want them to remember the quieter, less obviously memorable times we had too, so they can see themselves through my eyes – how I saw them in those moments I guess. It’s quickly becoming my favourite post to put together. Feel free to borrow the idea! Maybe I should start a #momentsinbetween hashtag?!