The Davies elves of 2016 - (we're half way!)

THEY'RE BACK!

Oh how we missed these mischievous and fun little things!  Seriously.  My kids would be very upset if their elves couldn't make it.  Our first Elf arrived in 2013.  She's called Twinkle.  Twinkle is the Head Letter collector Elf and my middle child has taken to her and called her her own.  Then in December 2014 Twinkle got sick and had to recover for a few days.  This was when Toddy arrived to cover for her.  He is now a Reindeer Reconnaissance Operative.  And a bit cheeky.  So obviously my youngest little one - cheeky being his middle name - has claimed Toddy as 'his elf'. 

In 2015 my youngest started school.  And that was the year that Miss Thistle joined us in December to make our Elf Duo a Trio!  She's a Teacher Elf and does take it upon herself to remind my kids of the importance of good behaviour and attitude, kindness and helpfulness - I like Miss Thistle! 

So we plodded along this year wondering as December grew closer what our elves would have up their sleeves for us all.    There was panic in the last week of November.  The children received an urgent message from the elves.  Toddy was missing a Reindeer!  Our elves told us that the RT that the reindeer was wearing (Reindeer Tracker) had been logged at our home.  The elves left us some tracker images and asked the kids to help find him.  His name is Flash. 

And would you believe the kids found him behind the laundry basket in my bedroom?!  They followed the instructions that the elves had left so that Toddy could come that night and take Flash back to the North Pole...  Little did we know that Flash would then be allowed to come along with Twinkle, Toddy and Miss Thistle to spend December with us.

And now we are half way through their stay.  I have managed each day to capture their antics before they disappear back to the North Pole each evening!  So here you go - day 1 to day 12 of the Elf craziness in the Davies household.  Day 13 to day 24 will follow after Christmas.  Have wonderful festive season and all the best for 2017.  Thanks so much for reading.

Fleur xx

Day 1 - Flash arrived with Twinkle, Toddy and Miss Thistle!

Day 2 - locked out of our living room.  What are the elves up to?

Day 2 - ahhhh, look!  They decorated for us.

Day 3 - Daddy's birthday.  The elves always bring something wonderful for him to try out...  One year was penguin poop, then another was polar bear wee (all delicacies, we were assured)  Grinch milk this year!  YUM.

Day 3 - Daddy isn't too sure about this...

Day 4 - North Pole breakfast...  A perfect Sunday surprise!

Day 4 - The kids were very impressed.

Day 4 - North Pole breakfast.  Let's tuck in!

Day 5 - Monday.  Start the day off with a good breakfast before school...

Day 5 - Having fun with the cereal.

Day 6 - The girls need Toddy's help!

Day 6 - HELP!

Day 6 - Don't worry girls...

Day 7 - Some questionable behaviour led the elves to place Santa's Office a bit closer for careful Naughty or Nice list inspection...

Day 8 - A little silliness.

Day 8 - They must have had fun...

Day 8 - Toddy was the winner!

Day 9 - Another playful day.

Day 9 - Who's next for Twister?

Day 10 - Let's create!

Day 10 - arts and crafts.

Day 10 - arts and crafts.

Day 10 - arts and crafts.

Day 10 - arts and crafts.

Day 11 - The elves thought some updates to our photos was needed...

Day 11 - Elf portraiture...

Day 11 - Elf portraiture...

Day 12 - It's Christmas jumper day later this week.  The elves must want to get theirs washed...

Day 12 - Get on top of the chores...

Day 12 - Get on top of the chores...

Day 12 - Get on top of the chores...

The Everyday shots...

I loved my 365 photo a day challenge from 2015.  It did challenge me, I learnt a lot and even though there were days when I didn't know what I was going to end up with - I didn't miss a single day.  Guess that's the OCD tendencies in me!

So 2016 has been fun, I've plodded along.  I've had some lovely clients - families and product shots and have also witnessed my work displayed on people's walls in their homes.  What an honour.  But I have missed my 365.  There were times over this year that I hadn't picked up my camera for a week or two!  Unheard of in 2015 obviously...  So for 2017 I am going for a second run.  I've already been softly approaching this project and I'm already loving it.

I'm calling it "The Everyday Shots."  One thing I did struggle with for my 365 was that I limited myself to one image.  This project might produce one, three, ten images a day.  I'll just go with the flow.  And hopefully I'll blog it weekly here too.

So for now here are a few of The Everyday Shots I have got while softly approaching.

Thanks for looking.

Fleur x

His stillness.

When did it begin?  His stillness...

I know that he still goes a mile a minute in most actions within his little life, but at what point did he go from non-stop baby to calm every-now-and-again young lad?

And I miss him.  I miss the time we had together when he only had half days of pre-school.  I miss that he doesn't always ask for "a carry" now when we're out and about.  I miss that he doesn't ask me to build train tracks for him anymore (Hot Wheels are the new thing now).  And I miss HIM.

He is growing.  He has opinions - his own mind.  He argues with his sisters.  He can be extremely bad tempered and lash out.   Getting him to concentrate on his homework is like getting blood from a stone.  He shouts.  I shout.  We cry.  But above all we love.

I'm aware now though, that somewhere in the transition period from his frantic, chaotic baby years to the little lad I am now bringing up, I have also lost my track of documenting.  The less time I have to spend with him now has somehow manifested in my lack of capturing him being him.  Not just him either; my daughters, my husband, myself...

I need that to change.  I must have those moments of stillness frozen in a frame.  For him, for my daughters, for me.  For our family.  It's something that I've not been doing in the same way that I used to.  I'm considering another 365; photo a day project next year for this reason.  It seems proper that his metamorphosis to a greater amount of stillness is the propeller to make me want to do more.

Thanks for reading.

x Fleur x

Bacon butty breakfast: a documentary with my son...

Third time is a charm, eh?  This series came about quite unexpectedly.  It started with my eldest, a quick pit-stop after her swimming lesson on a Saturday morning for some toast and jam at Marino Lounge.  A firm favourite with our family for coffee, babychinnos, toast and lots more.

I documented my eldest, and loved the results so much that I decided to continue.  Even going so far as sitting at the same table - looking out onto the marine lake.

I love the personality that shines through in each set.  Miles having the most varied expressions.  Maybe that's his age, he's about to turn 5.  But I do think he has a quirk to his nature.  Not afraid to be silly - incredibly silly.

So here you go - the breakfast date series is complete.  These will be framed in my kitchen at some point soon!


***Afternote:  Blogger is seriously compressing images.  They look awful! (insert sad face)

Bacon butty breakfast:  a documentary with my son...

Thanks for looking ~ x Fleur x
www.fleurlouisephotography.co.uk