Little Warrior

Rochelle brought her daughter Ellie to fencing practice one day. Although she was too young to officially participate we let her hold a sword with supervision. Her face says it all. 

Afternoon Adventures with Ellie and Morgan

Rochelle invited me over to her place to spend a lovely afternoon hangout with her and her daughters.

The beautiful winter blooms in her garden.

Ellie showing off her adorable Pikachu collection.

Rochelle and Ellie.

Morgan and Ellie playing with a toy microphone.

The sunlight catching the silver streak in Morgan’s hair.

Morgan trying the edible flowers from mommy’s garden (they tasted like sweet cucumbers).

Ellie blowing bubbles.

A close up of the edible flowers.

Enjoying the hammock with Morgan.

Rochelle picked a flower from her garden to adorn my hair.

We took the girls for a walk around the neighborhood. They both wanted to be pushed in the little pink toy car but it only fit one. Ellie decided to ride a bike but I figured out how to push them both at once by having Ellie ride in front.

Ellie decided to make an emergency stop for some sidewalk chalk art.

Back at home Rochelle was in the middle of watering her plans when she decided to water her daughters as well.

Morgan and Ellie, soaking wet and giggling.

Giggles

I found this adorable picture of Ellie and her mama from 2017. All smiles, giggling as she reached for my phone. 

Morgan

Morgan, the second child of my best friend Rochelle and her husband Justin, was born on January 28th, 2020.

Holding Morgan while Ellie dances in the background. 

Big sister holding her feet during tummy time. Morgan has a beautiful silver streak in her hair. 

Safe in mama’s arms. 

Cheese Bliss

Darling little Miss Ellie discovers the curative powers of goat cheese on an english muffin. 

Mischievous Eyes

Look at those mischievous eyes on my future partner in crime! 

Buoyant Soul

I should have been doing laundry. There was a pile of dishes in the sink. I had mail piling up on the counter I had gone through in days. I needed to eat dinner but I didn't have time to cook. I ate a few spoonfuls of ice cream and headed out the door. I had to see her.

She was the only good thing that emerged from 2016. A blessing for her parents as well as myself.

She makes me feel as though I have a buoyant soul.

The weight of the world disappears. My list of chores is forgotten. I stop struggling to keep my head above water and just float.

She cries, she gets fussy, she has just the right amount of mischief in her eyes. She has filled my heart with so much joy and appreciation.

Ellie's First Birthday

My best friend's daughter celebrated her first birthday. I was so glad I was able to capture some of her special moments! 

She loves lasagna just like her mom!

Little Ellie

Little Ellie was born on April 5th, 2016 to my best friend Rochelle and her husband Justin. I got to visit her on April 11th. 

Resting peacefully in her father's arms. He told me that she sometimes has a faint smile on her face and loves to kick off her left sock. 

I met Rochelle for the first time when I was six years old. Our parents were neighbors and remember her waving at me through the fence asking me if I wanted to be friends. We were friends for years until my family moved when I was nine. We didn't move more that fifteen minutes away, but for two kids before the age of cell phones and video chats I might as well have moved across the country. We lost touch but miraculously ended up in the same private school half way through the year during fifth grade. We immediately recognized each other and picked up right where we left off. She taught me that value of getting and giving hugs after a bad day and often gave back rubs to the other students on the playground. No surprise she ended up in the physical therapy field.

We ended up in different high schools but went to the same college, where she met her husband. I've had a lot of friendships that have drifted apart over the years but I've always felt close to Rochelle. Seeing her hold her baby girl and realizing how long I've know her brought tears to my eyes. Rochelle and Justin are going to be fantastic parents.