So this happened. And unlike the first day, I'm a little teary this last day.
The Peanut is clearly no longer a baby. Barely even a little kid. I love it. I hate it. I'm like every other mom out there.
I love the side-by-side comparison in the same outfit. I'll keep doing it as long as she'll let me. Here's hoping I can get her to wear chambray right up until her last day of High School! (Don't rain on my dream; I know it's unlikely, but I'm already a little emotional.)
SIDE-BY-SIDE PICTURE TIPS
OUTFIT: If you'd like to dress your kiddo for a side-by-side comparison be sure to pick a garment with a loose-fit silhouette and sew/purchase it on the larger size -- you'll want plenty of room to grow. Choose a neutral color and pattern so the attention will be on your child, not the crazy clothes. Or choose a beloved color; document the favorite color and ensure your little one will agree to wear it on both days. The Peanut's favorite color is blue so the blue chambray works well as a neutral and a document of her preference.
LOCATION: Choose a spot with lots of natural light and a simple background. Be sure you'll be able to access the same spot at the end of the year. I love the contrast of our bright, warm front door against The Peanut's beloved blue. The front door also acts like a ruler to measure how tall she's become. A bush could work as well, but it may also grow with your child and then the difference won't be as obvious; stick with something that won't change: a fence, a brick wall, the side of your house, your front door.
PICTURE: As you take the photograph be sure to zoom in so that your child is the full frame, but try not to crop your child's feet or head. Each year I forget to leave more room at the top of the frame on the first day of school for growth by the end of the year -- see how I've hidden that with a field of blue for the title? When you place the images side-by-side scale them to the same size using reference points from the background. Here I've lined up the molding on the door and the bottom of the door; I had to scale the first day image down to align them properly. Now you can really see how much The Peanut has grown!
Read more about the Oliver + S Marathon Sewn Library Dress here and all about the Annual Backpack here. Did I mention The Peanut recently announced she doesn't want me to sew her backpack next year. Why does she have to grow up?
I'm going to go have a quiet cup of coffee and find my woo-hoo-last-day-of-school! spirit before Summer officially begins in the Murphy household.
Ren Murphy writes for The Inspired Wren.
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