Wednesday 13 September 2017

35.52 a father's day amidst the blossoms


For our (early) Father's Day family day, Mark requested a picnic and bike ride down by the lake.

And so, of course, we did! 

#anyexcuse

When we arrived the blossom trees were in full glory. Ahhhh, spring, we have been waiting for you!

So although we were all dressed for bike riding (and not nice family pictures!) of course I had to get Mark's Father's Day photos amidst those stunning blooms!

How blessed these kids are to have a father like this guy. How blessed I am to parent alongside him... like, seriously, phew! 

He is a good one (the best!!) and I looooove seeing his special bond with each child in these photos. They adore him and all have so much fun together :) 


























Eli asked to take photos of us. He took these with my big camera and did an awesome job, don't you agree!!! :) 





We love this guy so much!!! 


Happy Father's Day, honey xx


Project 52: A portrait (or a few!) of my family, once a week, every week, in 2017.

Sunday 10 September 2017

34.52 brotherly teeth brushing // siblings learning to get along







Big brother giving little brother a demonstration on 'how to brush your teeth like a boss'.

Little brother soaks it all in. 

Much giggling and brushing and bonding (and spitting) ensues. 

Heart melt xx



It's funny. Sometimes you have those parenting challenges emerge, and you dig in, and work hard, but then as change tends to happen slowly, you kinda forget to even notice the results. Oops.

As mentioned previously, Eli and Miles went through a stage where they just seemed to be riling each other up all the time. In retrospect I really think this little laundry project was a turning point in their relationship. We did a lot of other stuff too - talking things out, skilling them up in how to work things out, role play for conflict resolution, etc. (Also, alternately pulling my hair out and praying for patience!). They did a lot of work too, in recognising the kind of brothers they wanted to be (best friends!) and implementing a lot of self control and trying new strategies. Maturing too, I guess. 

But then I kinda forgot to keep track of it, lol, till just over the last few days I suddenly realised, wow these two have been getting along so great!  When things weren't going well, it had been so easy to focus on it. Funny how the absence of a problem makes it even easier to forget to recognise and be grateful for improvement!! I suddenly became conscious of how they were playing well, talking through problems calmly, working things out , doing chores together happily (like putting away the laundry while giving each other a high five and shouting 'team work!' for every item complete, haha!) and just having fun together without it constantly dissolving into problems. 

And the change happened so slowly I didn't even realise!

Isn't it funny. I worked so hard, they worked so hard, a good change happened but we didn't even recognise it when it came. I wonder how often that happens in our lives. It can be so much easier to focus on the problems and overlook the successes. Well, of course as soon as I did recognise it, I was sure to tell the boys how lovely it was to see them treating each other lovingly and as best friends. They are pretty proud of themselves too! I'm also musing about what else I can do to help celebrate and cement their brotherly bond and progress/maturity.

Of course, there still are, and still will be ups and downs but it warms my heart to see their bond blossom and hopefully we are all on a better track. Lessons learnt will help us all the next time issues crop up again (as they inevitably will because family/siblings/life/etc!).

Siblings can be life's greatest challenge when you are little but hopefully become more and more a blessing and support as they grow and face life together. That's my prayer!







Thursday 7 September 2017

33.52 book week dress up costumes




Dressed up for Book Week...

Wombat from Wombat Stew (nibbling a carrot), Judy Moody and Mr Twit from Roald Dahl's The Twits.

The cuuuuuuuutest xx


And me feeling like a real bookweek parent, rather than a total slacker like I usually am, thanks to generous last minute costume loans from my very creative friend, Jess!



Project 52: A portrait of my family, once a week, every week, in 2017.

Tuesday 5 September 2017

32.52 little landscapers






We are in the middle of a big garden overhaul (well, big for us, this ain't Backyard Blitz, haha!). 

The best part is the opportunity to get the whole clan outside working together in the sunshine. Just love these family projects and being outside together.

Eli especially works hard, without break or complaint. My happy helper, he amazes me!

These  kiddos hauled greenery to the trailer, raked and chopped. A day's work (well, a short afternoon, let's be honest) well done.

Will they remember these days - and will it be fondly or as slave labour?! I'm not sure but I know I will treasure them in my heart always xx


Project 52: A portrait of my family, once a week, every week, in 2017.