week thirty two. a new series.

 

I didn't get any pictures of the kids solo for this weeks portraits but I did manage to snap this one of them together during everyone's favorite part of our night time routine.

Our kids really love to read and its something that is really important to us as a family. Our days usually start with Gus runnning into our room quite early and throwing a book at us asking us to read. Mabel is quick to follow. I keep books in my diaper bag, the car, and all over our house.

Each night after dinner, bath, and pajamas we snuggle up in Mabel's bed and read three books. Mabel and Gus each choose one and then Sam or I choose the third. Needless to say we've read a lot of books over the last almost four years.

When picking children's books out I like to put extra effort into it especially since we read so often. There are several authors that we really love and can always count on. I love design and illustration so that's usually what pulls me in. And of course we choose books based on things that we as a family are interested in at the time like potty training and back to school or ballet and trucks. I love to buy children's books and we visit the library a couple of times a week to keep things fresh. We are also members of the Imagination Library which I highly recommend checking into for the children in your lives.

On that note I'd like to introduce a new series to my blog called sweetest reads coming soon! Each week I will introduce 3 books recommended by Mabel and Gus and of course myself and Sam. Hope you enjoy!

week thirty one. first day of preschool.

 

 

Mabel: Excited for her first day of school! Actually she doesn't look too happy here but I love this picture because I get these looks a lot from her. My 3 year old going on 16! I love her Sass.

Gus: Nothing better than painting outside in your underwear if you ask this guy. We've been spending a lot of time without pants as of late, if you know what I mean. He's doing so well using the potty and loves to pee off the deck or on the rocks outside of our house.  

Here are a couple more pictures from the first day of school. She actually was very excited. The night before she set her school shoes in front of the door so she could find them, requested that I make banana bread with chia seeds and without sugar for breakfast so she has energy for school, she picked her own special outfit,  and insisted on wearing her flower crown. She had a great first day and couldn't wait to go back. We love her little school! Poor Gus kept hoping we were joking about him not being able to go. He cried for awhile after drop off.

 

 

week thirty.

 

 

Mabel: A little pause during Wet and Wild Wednesday at the park to wave to her Mama. 

Gus: A quick break from a soccer game during a evening picnic at the teepee. 

week twenty nine.

 

 

Mabel is officially starting preschool next week so we're trying to do as many spontaneous things as we can before our lives change. I'm certainly going to miss the flexibility of our schedule but we're very excited for Mabel. I know she is more than ready to venture off and can't wait to see how her little brain takes off. I am also looking forward to having some alone time with Gus! It will be nice to see his personality come out when he's solo. We are however expecting tears from him when he realizes his best buddy his headed off to preschool without him. When Mabel tells people shes going to preschool Gus excited jumps in and says, "I'm going to preschool too!" I'm not expecting Mabel to cry or be scared. In fact I would be pleasantly surprised if she does! Each time we have visited the school she has told me I could leave now, while pushing me out the door. She is very matter-of-fact and tells us not to worry, she'll always come home after lunch.

This weeks pictures...

Mabel: We went to the Creek this week for a swim and our adventurous little girl had a blast.

Gus: Our annual summer trip to Bearizona was so much fun. Gus especially loved the baby bears and wanted to "take one home so it could sleep in his room".

week twenty eight.

 

 

Mabel: She's so independent and is adamant about doing every thing on her own. She does a great job with buttons, buckles and zips. If you're lucky enough to see her about town, you can be sure her shoes are on the wrong feet. I let it go because I don't have the heart to tell her after she works so hard to get them on.

Gus: He loves his "G" hat and wears it everywhere we go. He loves to remember it before we walk out the door and hangs it up on a little coat rack when we get home. Sorry Gap, G is for Gus now.

As usual, one more from the "Duck Park".  After a busy afternoon of running around, on the way home we decided to pick up some frozen fruit bars and head to our favorite spot to sit in the grass and watch the ducks go by.

week twenty seven. a big boy bed.

  

 

Mabel: Loves her ballet class.

Gus: He got a new big boy bed and he loves it! I'm in the process of making a more personal space for him in their shared room and it's coming along nicely.

And a few more photos because he's just the cutest. 

 

week twenty six.

 

 

Mabel: She is so independent and loves to do things on her own. Rather than oppose her character, I try my best to appreciate it. Our house is quite kid-friendly already but I recently did a re-haul on the kitchen. I stocked the bottom shelf of the fridge full of healthy accessible snacks and moved the kid-friendly utensils where she can reach them. When she is hungry she gets her own food, no questions asked! I completely stay out of it. She cleans up after herself and will even get Gus something if he asks. I love to see her confidence grow. A little bit of freedom for kids goes a long way.

Gus: We stopped at the train depot in Flagstaff and watched the trains go by. He was very serious about the whole thing. He loved explaining to us what type of trains we saw and what they could be carrying. He's one awesome kid.