Sunday 21 April 2013

16/52 - swims, strengths + snuggles



Lily

Freestylin'

My little fish just completed a full week of swim school, and even *insert proud mama moment* passed from her current level up to the next one. This is the girl who pretty much cried every lesson for a full term when she started classes. I can hardly believe the progress! She has been so determined to face her fears, and face them she has indeed. It's amazing to see her swimming independently in the 'big pool' she was once so terrified of. Now she is so strong, so confident, so excited to utilise her skills. 

You can do hard things. Well done, sweet girl xx





Eli

A blue-eyed boy in a moment of calm - rugged up in winter woolies for the first time this season. 

My wild-hearted son has been challenging me this week - challenging me to parent him better, to know him better and reach his heart more effectively. And because I love him truly, madly, deeply, I will press on in my endeavours to do so. I am grateful God has called me to this parenting task because by learning to love and teach him well, it pushes me to grow too. Sometimes, is is hard work for everyone involved. But it is worthwhile, for sure! 

I love you, my little Tiger xx




Miles 

Three months old now and getting so big and strong. 

He is no longer a newborn (*sniff*) but watching his personality emerge and seeing him get more involved in our family dynamic is worth the passing of that delicious phase!

I.just.adore.this.kid.




Project 52: A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2013.



Other highlights from the week that was....


Two little brothers were just lying a blanket, laughing, giggling and hanging out. Eli was singing and Miles fervently cooed to join in. I snapped a few pics and ended up with a series that completely sums up their growing interaction and bond. It's just so them... I love it!








My contented little boy happily kicking around in the
late afternoon sunshine. 


A late evening 'dream feed' and cuddle with my chubby-cheeked little Bear. 


Her proudest smiles are saved for when she holds her baby brother!
(He is looking so much like her when she was a baby, it's amazing!)

He reads to his baby brother. It is so freakin' cute!

*Btw - there are so many varied sibling dynamics and combinations to capture now there are three kids!*


Reading bed time stories with Miles. She loves to hold him during this time.This night was so funny - Miles seemed intent on being part of the storytelling. Every time (and I mean *every*time) I started reading, he would start loudly cooing 'Ahhhhhhh'. I would stop and so would he. I would start again and so would he. It was almost impossible to read and Lily and I were totally cracking up! He just had so much to say :)




Happy Fish


An icecream to celebrate the end of an intensive week of swimming, and a little girl who worked so hard and learnt
so much! 


Checking out a reptile exhibition

Transfixed by a turtle!


Yup, it's already that time of year. Flannelette PJs, cosy fleece dressing gowns and constant
reminders to keep socks/slippers on their feet!




25 comments:

  1. Oh I love these! Miles is getting so big! He is gorgeous and the spitting image of Lily. Love that winter is approaching and kids get all dressed up in layers, beanies and scarves! So cute!! Xx

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    1. heehee yes so cute and YES so much like lily... i really have to drag up a pic and do a side-by-side - they look so alike as babies!

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  2. The series of the boys works so well and really captures the sparkle of their interactions much better than one picture. I love the expressions of both Lily and Eli when faced with the reptiles. There is just nothing like seeing a child transfixed and you captured it so well. And the sweet bedtime reading story of Miles' participation is lovely and the picture beautiful. Another wonderful week in your gorgeous household!

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    1. thank you Julia - yes i was amazed how making it a collage really showed the variety in their interaction! :)

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  3. Well done on your swimming, Lily!

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    1. thanks nicole- she is inspired by your little fishies :)

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  4. Hey, thanks for stopping by my blog and leaving a lovely comment. It is lovely to take a little peek into your world (and at your gorgeous family!). My little girl is having a similar breakthrough in swimming - it is so good when their perseverance pays off. I too, love woolies and beanies time of year, so cosy. Lovely photos of your busy week. xx

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    1. thanks for popping in here too :) yes isnt it wonderful when our kids face their fears and break through the swimming barrier - so exciting :)

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  5. I love the series with the brothers, all of the expressions are fantastic. How did Miles get so big already?! Congrats on working so hard on swimming and moving up, Lily!

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    1. thanks Nicole!! yes time is going too fast, my lil baby growing up!

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    1. thanks Emily - i'm biased but i cant help but agree :)

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  7. That series of your two boys is so gorgeous, you out to get that printed and framed!

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    1. thanks Ruby... hmmm i might just do that! they will be room sharing one day and this could be a gorgeous image to have in their room maybe!?

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  8. Hello from your newest reader !!!
    I found your blog via the documenting delight links and I have to say you have the most gorgeous family !!!!

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  9. LOVE the black and white one of them lying on the ground. So precious!

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  10. Oh Kate, your kids are gorgeous! Definitely my experience too that our little Cheeky Monkey boy challenges me to grow as a mother and in my faith! Learning how to mother him is very much my daily humbling activity!!!

    Had my mother visiting last week and we too went to a reptile exhibition at our local shopping centre too... but we have no photo's to show for it, I'm a little freaked out by snakes still!!! Granny was the one on the front lines with my Cheeky little Monkey! :-)

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    1. these kiddos do stretch us, dont they?! hopefully we all learn and improve along the way :) so excited to have worked out you are a local too - ahhh small world!

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  11. Such beautiful kids! I'm having a challenging little one at home too at the moment, especially at bed time. I'm still in the process of figuring out how to tackle that.
    Love the picture of your daughter with her baby brother. Makes me long for that third child we've been talking about ound here :-)

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    1. thanks for your comment elisabeth... all the best w bedtime, i know that can be a toughie! as for the 3rd child - well, i highly recommend them, lol!!! :)

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  12. It loos like your family is having fun!!!

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  13. What a sweet family you have! I really love the B&W photos of the boys - you've captured some lovely moments there :)

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