MY LITTLE READER

I love EVERYTHING that this picture says and I couldn't be prouder! I'm a huge fan of reading and I love books. As a parent, one can only hope that your child/ren gets the good qualities of you and my love for reading (in my opinion) is one such quality.

This little boy loves to be read to and loves to look at all the pictures in his books.

I bought this chair as a chair for watching t.v. but he hasn't been that interested in t.v. (hopefully it stays that way) and it's ended up next to the bookshelf. I can usually find him in this chair quietly looking at books during the day.

However, as boys will be boys, he has fashioned another use for his chair....



[Note: He can reach the books on the second shelf just fine without standing on the chair---but apparently, it's just cooler to stand on the chair to pick your books.]



I laugh everytime I see this picture because this literally is his "don't bother me I'm reading" pose. Whenever he's reading and doesn't want to be bugged he puts the book up close to his face like this so people won't distract him while he's reading. This kid is just too much!!!

BUDDIES

I have no idea what we would do without this guy....

I can't tell you how many countless hours he and Declan have played together. Logan makes my life pretty easy. They do a great job of playing with each other and Logan understands that some of Declan's (baby) behavior is because he's still little and doesn't understand, so Logan cuts him quite a bit of slack and let's him play with him.


Digging together

Haulin' their dirt
I'm sad that the warm weather is almost coming to an end. I'll miss being able to sit on the porch with a book (that doesn't reference Sam-I-am) and have my child play peacefully outside with his cousin.

16 MONTHS

I can't believe Dex is already 16 months old! Where has the time gone? When I was a child and adults would ask how I grew up so fast, I used to think that was so dumb. But now that I am an adult, I find myself asking the same thing to children around me.

One of his token "really mom?" looks that he tends to give me when me taking a picture of him is getting in his way.

FUTURE FOODIE

My kid loves all kinds of food. However, he doesn't like all kinds of textures. This has presented a problem when trying to get him to try different things. In an attempt to keep him from turning into a mac 'n' cheese/chicken nugget kid, I've been coming up with some creative recipes to get him to eat new things.

For starters,he hates peas and green beans. I think it's the texture and he can't bring himself to choke them down....until now:



Now before you start to be grossed out, check this out....they're "lily pad pancakes" titled so the kids will eat them, but they're actually quite good. They're made out of mostly peas. Put a little greek yogurt on top and they are delicious!



Another crazy idea that I saw was to make a pea pop. It's basically peas as the base and a hint of mint with some cream cheese. (oh yeah, and some mini chocolate chips) You freeze them and voila! Kids are eating peas like they're candy!





[Yes he's rolling on the floor in his church clothes with a frozen sucker that will eventually melt and end up in the carpet. (remember I'm a first time mom)]

We still haven't tried the pumpkin stuffed ravioli, waffle cheese sandwiches, black bean truffles, and french toast pb&j. Needless to say, dinner time around our house is getting very interesting.

Life Reflection

Today I have been extremely grateful for my life and the decisions which I have made to bring me to this very moment in my life. My life has been so deeply enriched by the many people whom I have had the pleasure of rubbing shoulders with and I count myself as one of the lucky ones. There are changes on the horizon, I can sense it and I look forward to whatever it may be. My heart is truly so full! Life is good and I hope it's good for you as well!

FALL IS ALMOST HERE

I know I'm rushing it with the fall time background, but I love this time of year. I love how the nights cool down and the prominent sound of the crickets while falling asleep. This time of year makes me want to buy school supplies and get up early and go outside just so I can wear a jacket. (I've even already begun making Halloween decorations.) I'm sure fall will be here soon enough, but for now, I'm basking in my pre-autumn glory!