Recipes, Crafts, Travel "Mixed" With Family Fun
I thought it’d be something that we’d wait on.
Maybe in a few years when the kids were older.
Or when the blog settles down.
Or possibly when our finances are more stable.
Or maybe when hubby was more “on board.”
But much to my surprise, I’m here announcing baby number 3.
It was a beautiful moment. My 2 kids sitting on the couch together. Slowly, ever so slowly, my son’s arm went around the shoulders of my daughter. And slowly, ever so slowly, did her head lean against his arm. It was in this moment that I was reminded why I wanted to have a second child. They are there for each other. The inseparateable bond of sibling love was evident. They need each other. A tear slipped out of my eye as I saw this precious moment. No fighting. No him taking her toys on purpose, just to get a reaction. No her overreacting when her brother gets to do something first. A simple hug, for minutes on end and a simple unspoken “I love you.”
Ok, that’s great Christie. Where’s the proof?
It’s a New Year. I know everyone has been focusing on their “one word” of 2015. It’s been tough to find mine. But if anything, Family would be the essence of that word. Focusing on work this past year has had a toll on my family life. And this year, I’m taking it back. More family memories for family sake. My grief has taught me to embrace those fleeting moments with the ones you love. So Family Focus Friday has become more than just a “scheduled” day on the blog. It really has grown into a beautiful window into my family life. I no longer take this day for granted, but choose to write about those quirks, those looks, those laughs that make my family uniquely amazing. So today, I’m taking you on a walk with my family.
Remember that classic Beatles song? This had to be the theme song of our Saturday as our family headed down to the strawberry patch. It was the last weekend before we headed back to school, and a simple activity (and hungry bellies) were certainly on our minds. If our family had a love language, “strawberries” would definitely be ours. Ironic that it’s also the color of love. It’s one of the rare foods that our whole family enjoys together. I took this beautiful morning to capture my sweet children’s faces as they discovered, explored and picked strawberries. For my daughter, this is the first time she actually gets to pick strawberries herself.
Ok, enough rambling from me. I don’t think words are required for these precious family photos. Enjoy our Strawberry Fields Forever.
As we round the bend on my girl’s final days of being a 1 year old, the chatterbox is definitely coming out. And out. And out. In fact, I can’t seem to stop that motor mouth from running throughout the day. It’s such a different schematic compared to raising my boy. My boy would sit in thoughtful contemplation. My girl will say exactly what’s on her mind. And well, the conversation has become a bit….unexpected. So, I’ve put together my top few phrases of what a 23 month old says in my house. The results may surprise you.
Adorable!
Precious!
Beautiful!
I love when I get these words, especially when they’re talking about my kids. My sneak of my family’s holiday photos this year turned out pretty darn good, especially when I took them myself. And while the results turned out great, there’s always fun to be had with 2 young kids, a camera and me. So take a peek “behind” our holiday photos, and enjoy a good laugh for your Friday 🙂
Halloween is over, and yet there are still moments when I wake up in sheer terror. Cold sweat on your face. Shaking. Yes, I still fear of what goes bump in the night. Last night was no different. And I about jumped out of my skin.
I think as parents we all have expectations as to what a holiday should be. Today should be no different. It’s Halloween after all. And they particularly chose the word “Happy” to go before it. Smiling faces. Adorable costumes. And candy….lots of it. A child’s holiday dream if you ask me.
Expectations to be met.
So as a parent in search of that perfect Halloween picture to share, save and cherish for many years to come, we finally got to pumpkin carving last night. The family together. The kids playing happily. And I should expect nothing less than smiling faces as children reach in a pull out squishy pumpkin guts.
Because hey, we have expectations to meet now, children.
But alas, the night was late. The children were fed and tired. And well….we got this perfect shot 🙂
If you would have told me that my son liked going to a petting zoo or farm, I would have laughed in your face. For those that have been following awhile, you know that my 6 year old son is shy, timid, and afraid of new challenges…even when I know he would love it. So going to a farm/petting zoo for a friend’s birthday party….I was already mentally preparing myself for the whining and meltdowns that would occur when I would ask the all important question “do you want to go….?” Trying to keep a cheerful and positive attitude for a family day at the farm (especially for my fearless daughter that loved anything that moves), we headed into the Green Meadows Farm for a beautiful fall day. Insert the scary Jaws music.
I love Family Focus Fridays. If you have been following every week, you know how I love sharing a fun family moment and playing out the scene with you. Well, this week is a good one. Be sure to I love my baby girl. And staying home with her everyday is one of the BEST blessings I could ask for. But when I go out on that rare date without her…well it only solidifies my very existence and why I need to get out more. Sounds like any other stay at home moms I know? Well, after last night’s latest family episode, I have 5 reasons why I need to get out more. Let me play out the scene….
So my baby loves to come into the bathroom with me. She gets so excited to see….tampons. You’d think that her girly instinct would tell her to back away from the horrible remind of everything that we HATE about being a girl…but no, she is just fascinated by the “tampon drawer.” In fact, over the months she has discovered new ways to play with and use these little devices of delight. So, in a letter of plea to her, I title this Family Focus Friday “Baby, Tampons Are Not For…”