Happy Birthday My Darling Child...
This funny, smart, kind, amazing soul turned seven this week. Seven wonderful, action-packed years since the day he blessed us.
![](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/438463341/WillowRunMals7thBday-1-7373b7f5.jpg)
![](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/148463341/WillowRunMals7thBday-3-c4b79f7f.jpg)
I'm not sure if you've every heard the term "photographers child syndrome" but I can assure you that it is VERY much a real thing. Our children tend to get annoyed the second they see our camera. This one is no exception, so I knew I would have to bribe him with something special. He has developed a love of painting this last month, so I combined that with his other hobby, making messes!
![](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/798563341/WillowRunMals7thBday-6-43849bf9.jpg)
![](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/409563341/WillowRunMals7thBday-8-cf2f48c5.jpg)
![](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/119563341/WillowRunMals7thBday-13-dbc6fce6.jpg)
![](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/819563341/WillowRunMals7thBday-15-0a16bdf8.jpg)
He was immediately onboard when I floated the idea to him a few weeks ago. I had wanted to get the photos done last week, but our crazy St. Louis weather was just too crazy. When it hit fifty degrees today, I decided to jump at the chance. With snow in the forecast again this week, I knew it was now or never! So we gathered up the paints and canvas and headed to the side field. (Future home of the greenhouse, but that's still a year or two off!)
![St. Louis Portrait Photography](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/106763341/WillowRunMals7thBday-27-913432fe.jpg)
A few fun things he said during all this chaos:
"Mom, would you come to see this in a museum?"
![](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/613863341/WillowRunMals7thBday-29-ff9aa883.jpg)
"You did say it was ok if I accidentally got paint on my shirt, right?"
![](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/492963341/WillowRunMals7thBday-41-5b212ab8.jpg)
"Uh oh, I got art on the nature. That will wash off, right?"
![](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/744963341/WillowRunMals7thBday-52-1987b157.jpg)
Needless to say, he got to have fun, I got to take his birthday photos without a fight, and all was right with the world!
![](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/619073341/WillowRunMals7thBday-45-b025a712.jpg)
![](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/329073341/WillowRunMals7thBday-57-adcbbda2.jpg)
![](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/039073341/WillowRunMals7thBday-59-58fcb03e.jpg)
![St. Louis Missouri Paint Party](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/168273341/WillowRunMals7thBdayWEB-71-d9a5da0e.jpg)