Dear Ansley,
Today you were taking pictures, like you do quite often with the camera you received for your 4th birthday. But instead of clicking away, you brought it to me and said it wouldn't work. We've replaced the batteries many times, and since you use it so often, they die frequently, so I asked you to check them.
"That's not it" you tell me.
So I pick it up, and it's on and seems to be working. Then I take a picture.
MEMORY CARD FULL it tells me.
"Ansley, your card is full!" I tell you, and then of course explain what that means. So I tell you I will make it un-full for you (four year old speak) tonight and you can start taking pictures again tomorrow.
So then tonight after you've gone to bed I sit down to clear off your memory card. And upload SEVEN HUNDRED pictures, taken from September 2007 until now. (I know, I have never uploaded any photos since purchasing the camera for you.) And let me tell you, Ans, it was like a trip into your brain. I hereby state that every four year old should have a camera to take pictures as they please. I don't know if there's anything more revealing about what you like, what is important to you, and what our daily life together is like than these SEVEN HUNDRED pictures.
These are all, obviously, unedited photos, left just as you took them.
For instance, there were literally like fifty photos that looked exactly like this. Why? I have absolutely no idea. But I giggled about it all evening.
And the self-portraits? Oh, MY. Hundreds upon hundreds of self-portraits. This I understand a little more than the fan, because, after all, you are four. Self-portraits and four year olds go hand in hand. There were also photos of your feet, hands, you making faces. All of which make sense, and fit your personality. But still made me giggle like a four year old.
There were many photos that just made me laugh out loud. I love that the date is on these (even though I would never tolerate that on my own camera) and even the time. But there were so many photos I just don't even remember. What was I doing? Dancing? Talking? Laughing? And why did you choose to capture this moment? I pray that when you are an adult, and perhaps a Mom, you will remember me like this photo: a happy, silly, not-taking-things-too-seriously-loved-being-a-Mom-kind-of-Mom.
This one makes me laugh. We're all in the kitchen, doing what I am not sure. The water is running in the sink, Christian was most likely crying so I picked him up, and you decided it was a good photo op. Totally cracks me up!
I'm glad you took this one, because otherwise I would forget this baby-face. When I came across this one, I couldn't help but think that it seemed so long ago, and it was hard for me to remember. I noticed the playroom was spotlessly clean. I also couldn't help but think that my Dad was alive when this photo was taken.
And then there were those that made me cry. I'm so glad you took photos like this, Ansley. This is from your 4th birthday party (the date is wrong on these; it hadn't been set yet on the camera).
It was like a little trip down memory lane, and all from your camera. Amazing. Funny. Touching. Revealing. And I loved it! There were those pictures that didn't make the blog, like the ones with my eyes closed looking a little like a crazy woman, the ones where I'm getting ready in the morning, the ones where I'm bending over and I'm sure you thought it was funny to take a hiney shot (it wasn't).
But I promise I'll upload pictures a little more often than every ten months so I can get this glimpse more often.
Keep on clicking, Ans.
Love,
Mama
ETA: In response to several emails: We purchased a hot pink Polaroid digital camera for Ansley with a 1 GB memory card - that's why she can take so many pictures! It has worked great for her!
That is so special. I am SO getting Kaitlyn a camera for her 4th b-day!
Posted by: Sara | July 16, 2008 at 09:43 AM
How awesome to get her perspective on so many things!
Posted by: Angie | July 16, 2008 at 11:11 AM
That reminds me- I've never uploaded any of the pic's Paige has ever taken with hers. Though she must not have nearly the space on her card as Ansley's- since her's only seems to hold about 20 or so pictures. But still- note to self- upload them next time! :)) Too cute!
Posted by: Desta | July 16, 2008 at 04:09 PM
What a great post. Jace has a Fisher Price camera. When I started going through them, I saw Disney World from his perspective. Lots of fences, shoes, and trash cans : ). The sad part was that was from a year and half ago! Thanks for making me download them! (also before Reece erases them because she LOVES Jace's camera).
Posted by: Laura | July 16, 2008 at 05:35 PM
Those are totally precious moments. I am so glad that you've had them. What a wonderful gift she's given you!
Posted by: ReNee | July 16, 2008 at 06:08 PM
Note to self...get Hamilton a camera for his 4th birthday! So wonderful!!
Posted by: Ashley | July 16, 2008 at 08:47 PM
This is absolutely the coolest thing ever - no doubt that Kamryn will be getting her own camera in a few years!!
Thank you so much for sharing with us - the pictures of your dad brought both smiles & tears...
Posted by: Stephanie | July 16, 2008 at 10:57 PM
What a great photographer Ansley is. I'm glad she took a photo of Pop Pop. I can't get enough pictures of dad.
Posted by: Jonathan | July 16, 2008 at 11:06 PM
:) Derek and I had been thinking that Sarah would have fun with a camera for her birthday in October, and after reading your post now I'm thinking about how much fun it will be for ME to see her pictures. Hannah and Sarah both ask me to take pictures of such funny things. My sister-in-law gave them each a disposable camera to take to the hospital when Lydia was born and I really treasure those pictures from their perspective!
Posted by: Renee | July 17, 2008 at 08:24 AM
Love, love, love it! Can't wait to see what my already-obsessed-camera-girl will come up with!
Posted by: Amber | July 17, 2008 at 08:21 PM