why small fry?

There are images from history books that stay with us: a group of women washing clothes together in the stream, a line of mothers walking with tall pitchers of well-water perched on their heads, babies wrapped tightly to their backs. Painting their faces and dancing around a fire. Gray haired women in rocking chairs sitting around a bucket shelling peas, shucking corn. Praying together, reading together, cooking together.

Living in a modern culture that builds walls and fences around our kitchens and laundry rooms can make motherhood feel intensely isolating. So we reach out to see ourselves in others, to extend our view and break past the walls we build. To spend time outside ourselves, for us, and most importantly, for our children.

Small Fry is a declaration to ourselves and to our boys that every moment with them is a gift and also a choice. A choice to let the magic of childhood find us, and to look for it in everything we do. That the world is ours and there is adventure around every corner. To make the daily decision to look past the things we did not check off the list, but focus on the simple things we can do to illuminate our lives. To let the hard moments, minutes, phases, heartaches come when they may, but not break our stride or our desire to live vibrantly.

We’ve been told this season of our lives is fleeting. What if we could say that we soaked it all in, let it envelope us, looked into those big beautiful eyes of our children every morning and said “let me show you something amazing today.”

What if?
Welcome to Small Fry.

89 Comments

  • Jen
    September 26, 2012 at 1:43 pm

    Ladies, this is perfectly lovely. Bravo.
    Looking forward to more!

    Reply
    • Small Fry
      September 27, 2012 at 2:55 am

      Thanks Jen! We’d love to work together some time! First enjoy that new babe. – Emily

      Reply
  • Lindy Baker
    September 26, 2012 at 2:04 pm

    Love this beautiful blog you guys! Wow!

    Reply
    • Small Fry
      September 27, 2012 at 2:55 am

      Thanks Lindy, love you! E,J&N

      Reply
  • Jessica
    September 26, 2012 at 2:05 pm

    My goodness ladies! Loving the new blog so much and cannot wait for more! The photography is incredible!

    xoxo Jess, http://www.swensonlove.com

    Reply
  • Carla
    September 26, 2012 at 2:53 pm

    looks so beautiful! Can’t wait to follow along in the magic.

    Reply
    • Small Fry
      September 27, 2012 at 2:56 am

      Thanks Carla, happy you’re here!

      Reply
  • Sinika
    September 26, 2012 at 3:33 pm

    What a beautiful post- I love it! Such pretty pictures and gorgeous kids too. Looking forward to more!

    Reply
    • Small Fry
      September 27, 2012 at 2:56 am

      Thanks for your support Sinika! -Emily

      Reply
  • Nichole
    September 26, 2012 at 5:30 pm

    So happy to see this beautiful site. Every mother needs some inspiration. Thanks for making it a bit more accessible.

    Reply
  • Natty
    September 26, 2012 at 5:39 pm

    What an amazing idea! I love it! I’m sitting here wishing I would’ve thought of something to blog about that revolves around family time. Truly, truly amazing idea, ladies! No blogging guilt here. Your kids will look back and be so grateful for their wonderful mothers!

    Reply
  • Mandy
    September 26, 2012 at 5:57 pm

    Beautiful idea, beautiful site. I’m so excited about this project!

    Reply
  • jenny
    September 26, 2012 at 6:24 pm

    I love it! You’re all amazing. This couldn’t be more perfect. I’m going to need all the help and inspiration I can get in the mama department.

    Reply
    • Small Fry
      September 27, 2012 at 2:57 am

      Thanks Jen! Love you! – Emily

      Reply
  • Kelsey
    September 26, 2012 at 6:51 pm

    This is truly perfect.

    Reply
    • Small Fry
      September 27, 2012 at 2:58 am

      You are. xo

      Reply
  • Helen
    September 26, 2012 at 7:42 pm

    Thank you for sharing your thoughts on of taking down the fences and being mothers of the moment. It makes the job so less daunting and enjoyable when you think of it that way. Excited for what’s to come!

    Reply
    • Small Fry
      September 27, 2012 at 2:58 am

      Thanks so much Helen! We’re committed to the cause, and glad to have you!

      Reply
  • charity
    September 26, 2012 at 9:26 pm

    wow ladies! that made me cry. living in a brownstone in brooklyn makes those walls seem even higher. can we all just live in a commune somewhere and hang our laundry on clotheslines while eating farm-fresh veggies?

    Reply
    • Small Fry
      September 27, 2012 at 2:59 am

      That’s what we say! Shoulda been Iroquois or something.

      Reply
  • Ashmae
    September 26, 2012 at 9:49 pm

    Such a nice way to start a blog. Excited to see the community this can create. Love you girls.

    Reply
    • Small Fry
      September 27, 2012 at 2:59 am

      Thanks Ashley, we love you!

      Reply
  • Amber
    September 27, 2012 at 2:44 am

    What a lovely idea! Look forward to seeing more blog posts 🙂

    Reply
    • Small Fry
      September 27, 2012 at 3:01 am

      Thanks Amber, happy to have you here!

      Reply
  • Hilary
    September 27, 2012 at 4:34 am

    I am so excited about this. Can’t wait to see more!

    Reply
    • Small Fry
      September 27, 2012 at 8:30 am

      So happy you’re here!

      Reply
  • Gygi
    September 27, 2012 at 12:15 am

    This is gorgeous! And such a wonderful concept! Great work ladies! I look forward to reading more.

    Reply
    • Small Fry
      September 27, 2012 at 8:29 am

      Thanks Gygi!

      Reply
  • Michelle Botkin
    September 27, 2012 at 10:23 am

    Beautifully said. I’m screen shotting this 😉 great just to read often

    Reply
    • Small Fry
      September 27, 2012 at 10:39 pm

      Should have just replied to all your comments at once, but oh well now you have a full inbox!
      We love that you’re loving it! Please keep the feedback coming!

      Reply
  • Irene
    September 27, 2012 at 12:04 pm

    Love this blog!…Great job and I’m so excited to follow!

    Reply
    • Small Fry
      September 27, 2012 at 10:42 pm

      Thanks for being here!!

      Reply
  • Ashley Miles
    September 28, 2012 at 8:32 am

    “What if?” I love that! I’m obsessed with your motivation behind this blog. Something so good will change the lives of many mothers and their little tykes. Love to be acquainted with such brilliant women! Congrats it’s awesome.

    Reply
    • Small Fry
      September 28, 2012 at 10:00 am

      Thanks Ashley!!!

      Reply
  • Tori
    September 28, 2012 at 9:31 am

    This site has touched me. In today’s time all I hear about pregnancy and motherhood are the hardships and struggles of what it takes to be a mother. You beauties have shown me a different light and excite me for the beauty and simplicity of being a mother. I cannot wait for my time. Thank you. Xoxo

    Reply
    • Small Fry
      September 28, 2012 at 9:59 am

      Tori! So happy you’re here. Of course motherhood is challenging, but like in all things, it’s all about your attitude. We’re happy we’re showing it in a new light for you. You’ll make the most amazing mother when you’re ready!

      Reply
  • Kara
    September 28, 2012 at 1:26 pm

    Girls, y’all just made me cry sitting here in the pick up line infront of all these nice people! Love you guys and cheers to being mamas and all our little lovers!

    Reply
    • Small Fry
      September 28, 2012 at 4:21 pm

      Aw, Kara! We love you!

      Reply
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  • suzy
    September 30, 2012 at 3:07 pm

    Looking forward to following this oh-so sweet site. Lovely pics and words too…go mama’s!

    Reply
    • Small Fry
      October 1, 2012 at 10:42 pm

      Thank you Suzy!

      Reply
  • lisa i.
    October 1, 2012 at 7:43 am

    Hooray! so excited to add small fry to my daily read! xo!

    Reply
    • Small Fry
      October 1, 2012 at 10:40 pm

      we are excited to be added! thanks for stopping by.

      Reply
    • Small Fry
      October 1, 2012 at 10:45 pm

      We’d be honored!

      Reply
  • Sierra
    October 3, 2012 at 2:10 pm

    So lovely! Being the best Mom I can be is what my entire world is about. It will be so great to get ideas from your site and feel part of a group where other Moms feel the same! You guys are awesome, thank you!

    Reply
    • Small Fry
      October 4, 2012 at 9:28 am

      We are cut from the same cloth, glad to have you!

      Reply
  • Janica
    October 4, 2012 at 11:36 am

    i’m so glad i found you guys! i know i’ve been lacking in the awesome mother department- i want to be better and NEED to be better and this site is exactly what i need! 🙂 you mommas are beautiful inside and out. thank you so much for starting this!!

    Reply
    • Small Fry
      October 4, 2012 at 9:01 pm

      we’re the same way, just trying to be better. thanks for reading!

      Reply
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    • Small Fry
      October 8, 2012 at 3:36 pm

      Thanks Melanie, we love you!!

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  • Christine
    October 20, 2012 at 1:41 pm

    Great idea! I agree, and look excitedly forward to digging around more.

    Reply
  • Amanda
    October 23, 2012 at 12:02 pm

    Such a great and inspiring blog!! It is so easy to get wrapped up in the everyday nonsense-I’m off the do the footprint ghosts with my boys!!

    Reply
  • Chelsi
    December 18, 2012 at 9:44 am

    It’s so wonderful to see a group of women supporting and encouraging one another, in such a world where it’s easy to judge and defeat others, especially during such a tender time of life as early parenthood. Cheers to you and yours. May blessings continue to flow your way and to the lives you may touch along the journey.

    Reply
  • Courtney {a thoughtful place}
    January 8, 2013 at 4:59 pm

    I hadn’t read this until today. Wow. It’s so beautifully written and such a reminder to live each day with the intention of savoring those little faces and those large eyes. I needed to read this today. Thank you and thank you for this rock star blog.

    Reply
  • megan
    January 14, 2013 at 2:08 pm

    Just found your site today and looking forward to following! About to become a mama myself and feeling quite lucky in our culture’s access to many amazing women to be inspired by and connect with. xx

    Reply
  • shaynah
    January 16, 2013 at 10:44 pm

    what a beautiful tribute this writing is to mothers all over the globe. i have followed you on instagram for a bit and this is my first time looking onto your blog. it is such a cheery place! as a mother of all boys this blog makes me especially happy to see other fun, stylish women raising wonderful little adventurers!

    Reply
  • Alex
    February 19, 2013 at 6:33 am

    Just discovered your blog and as a mom living in an apartment in Jerusalem, Israel with no family right near by, your words really struck a chord. Excited to explore your blog!! xx

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    March 21, 2013 at 2:09 pm

    Gorgeous blog! So refreshing to come across mothers with classic yet modern taste!

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    Wow…. so inspiring. Thank you!

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    April 15, 2013 at 1:57 pm

    I feel a little less weary and fully encouraged after reading this. Thanks 🙂

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    • Small Fry
      April 18, 2013 at 4:28 pm

      i love hearing that.

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