School Pictures - Lindsey Regan Thorne

This year for school pictures, we decided to ditch the bow tie, perfectly pressed pants and non-scuffed loafers for our beloved Captain America costume.

I normally LOVE picking out a cute outfit for school pictures. I guess there’s only so many school pictures where you can dress your little ones in cute, yet borderline embarrassing clothes, right? This year, we decided to embrace Henry’s one and only love… Super Heroes. A phase that I’m sure will be short-lived.

I wanted the bow-tie trend from the past few school pictures to carry on, similar to his daddy’s school pictures (shown below). But as mommy-luck would have it, that just wasn’t in my 3-year-olds’, adventures heart. So, this year for school pictures, instead of fighting ‘the fight’ of making him wear something he’s not proud of, I told him he could pick out his outfit.

That morning, I figured it would be similar to every morning together. I asked him to go upstairs, pick out his outfit and I was positive he would come downstairs with the same (size) 24-month cape t-shirt (he’s 3-1/2 years old) and high-water, faded sweatpants that he insists on wearing every.single.morning. Instead, he so confidently walked into the kitchen where I was standing, holding his Captain America costume and mask, “mommy, this will be perfect for my school pictures”. How do I say no?! I’m sure I’m getting a lot of mommy-eye-rolls… I’ve read about this mommy club who totally disagrees with allowing children to dress up outside of their home. But as we all know… life is short, this season of super heroes, make-believe and the constant imagination will soon come to an end. So, I’m soaking it up.

Does it drive me nuts that every.single.thing he wears has a cape attached, in primary colors (y’all know my love for neutrals and how much color scares the you know what out of me) and is in the form of a belly shirt because he just can’t part with his t-shirts from a year ago…. YES! It drives me nuts and times, but looking back at pictures of him from around the house, running errands or hanging out with friends in full costume reminds me of the sweet, sincere, compassionate little boy that lives within that super hero soul.

This little man truly believes that (on the daily) he saves the cats who are stuck in trees (that’s correct!), helps children cross the street, saves lives and helps the police capture the villains (Joker!) and put them in jail. “Mommy, I fight crime and save lives”. Maybe he’ll grow up to be a fire fighter? Maybe a police officer? Who knows… but what I do know, is I don’t think I’m ready for this super hero phase to end.

He walked through the doors into his school on picture day, so proud, so confident… and I’ve never been more proud of my little boy. His adventurous heart is something that has even changed the person and mother that I am today. This little boy has taught me to let go, embrace the imperfection, let them be little and to love with your whole entire heart.

It is so visible how incredibly happy he is over his choice in his school picture outfit.

Hope y’all get a little giggle.