Thursday, September 19, 2013

Daddy Daughter Date at Arches

A few weeks ago Summer was watching a nature show on Netflix about erosion. Of course, many of the most spectacular examples of erosion are in Arches National Park, and I decided that Summer had to see the place before we left. So we planned a trip.



Unfortunately, Henry got really sick right before we left. His ears are still having issues. He and  I stayed behind to see the ENT again, and we scheduled a tube insertion surgery again. Poor guy.

But it made for a fun bonding experience for Nathaniel and Summer.


They had a great time. Summer especially loved the sand.




























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Friday, August 16, 2013

Summer Growing Up



Having a child is incredible.




Summer has changed so much in her thinking, in her social life, in her play, and it is fascinating to be a spectator. Of course, I'm not just a spectator, I'm a parent, coaching her on self-esteem and age-appropriate behavior and learning of every kind.


 And giving her lots of love along the way.








A few days ago, I asked Summer what she wanted for lunch. I rattled off a few options and she stood there, looking into middle distance. I decided for her: peanut butter and jam. She consented. I was halfway done with making the sandwich when she looked at the bread and said, "Ohh, I know what I want! Butter and jam toast."

I wanted to make her butter and jam toast, but from what I understand becoming a short-order cook wouldn't be the best for her development. So I said no. I lovingly said she could eat the jam sandwich or go without.

She of course threw a tantrum, and of course I put her in time out. A while later she came out crying, and explaining just how much she wanted jam toast.

"Summer," I said, "I love you, but I can't just do everything you want me to do. It's not fair to me because it makes more work for me."

Summer replied, "When I have my own kids, if they ask for a butter and jam toast, I will make it for them. If they ask for mac and cheese, I will make them mac and cheese. I will make them whatever they want."

"But what if you kids grow up to selfish? They might always think they can get whatever they want if you did that, and that's not true. No one can have whatever they want."

"If they say, 'Give me some chocolate chips,' or something with lots of sugar, I would not give it to them. If they play with their food, and use something that I need to make dinner, I would say, 'Hey, no playing with that food, I need it to make dinner.' So they will not grow up selfish."

"So if they want too much sugar you won't give it to them, but if they ask for something else to eat you'll make it for them?"

"Yeah," said Summer.

"Well," I said, "I think that's a very good idea. I do things a little differently, but you are going to be a great mom."

I often second-guess my parenting, but it seems to me like Summer is such an amazing person that she will turn out okay in spite of me.





 And now for some Summer pictures I haven't posted here yet (I think). It's an interesting age, because sometimes she looks so little, and other times so much like a big kid. I suppose that is just part of growing up.


Summer and the neighbor boy.

 
Ice cream for her birthday.



She's a sweet girl.

I can't get enough of her antics.






Summer selfie.


Another selfie









She is learning to pillow fight.

Sometimes I let her dye her cereal milk.


She really loved her butterfly balloon.


At the playground.

Making sure Henry gets the chance to get up the slide.

This might be my favorite picture ever

Chocolate pizza!

Refreshing!


Summer is a dream, I tell ya. 


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Friday, August 9, 2013

I'm Thirty, Yo!

I turned thirty last Wednesday. It was a good day.



I love to bake, but few recipes and equipment are made for baking for one, or two if Nathaniel happens to be in the mood for something sweet. So my birthday was a nice excuse to bake a cake I've been wanting to make for some time. It was really yummy.



Do you like my cake stand hack? I learned it from Lauren Conrad. No joke.




Okay, enough about the cake. Let's talk about me. :) I am really excited to be thirty. I have read articles about how twenty-somethings are super insecure, and I am looking forward to a more secure decade. I have read articles about how the twenties are the time time to experiment with fashion, and I'm looking forward to being unapologetically boring in my sartorial choices. I know it's arbitrary, but I feel like I have another decade to look forward to. I look forward to more interesting experiences, more reasons to smile, more love, more laughs, more life.


More of this guy too.

Happy belated birthday to me. 

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Thursday, May 9, 2013

Hey Look I Have Kids!

I haven't done a pictures post in a while, so here is some of the stuff I have cluttering up the hard drive. 



"Hey, Mommy! Look, I'm in a pickle!" For reals that's what she said.


Sweet sleeping Henry

He loves his graham crackers

And he doesn't share.

I didn't intend for this to be a picnic, but that's what happened.

I tried to take a cool picture of myself and post it on Instagram because all my pictures are of my kids but I chickened out.

This is what happens when you leave yogurt out on the counter.

Is it just me or does this girl look sooooo old?!?

Oh my goodness I love her.




Playing with the baby goats at Grandma's house.

He was around 24 hours at this time.

 That's all for now!


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