time on the porch

Time outside on the porch is most important for these two.  Sharing an afternoon snack, playing an imaginary game, riding bikes or just painting the house (with water) are favorite activities out there most afternoons.  The unstructured time together without my ideas, suggestions or opinions does wonders for them.  Stepping back to let them discover and explore together has become an essential part of their day...

 

until the bickering becomes so loud I am afraid the neighbors might complain!

preserving a memory

After travelling with my kids I can't help but wonder, will they remember anything about this trip?  Will they remember how significant it was for our family?  Will they remember little snapshots in their mind?

I usually make some type of photobook to remember our trips but I also wanted something they could directly remember...something more tangible.  

We collected sand at each of the beaches we visited while we were away.  When we got home we funneled the sand from the different places into little glass bottles.  We wrote on a little slip of paper the date we were there and location of the beach and inserted it into the bottles.   My big girl has her little sand bottles on the dresser in her room and loves to look at the differences in the sand and talk about her memories of the places we visited.  Maybe, just maybe, she will recall this trip in her mind longer with something to jog her memory. 

somewhere new

I love going somewhere new.  Such excitement awaits in these unexplored places.  The unfamiliarity around each bend peeks my curiosity.  What little pots of gold will we discover today?

Watching my children share in this excitement is such a treat.  Discovering tastes, sounds and sights that they never knew existed is delightful for a parent to watch.

I love to watch the light illuminate something so ordinary and make everything so beautiful.

I am amazed at how clear water can actually naturally be.

I love the way the sailboats sit silent and still in the harbor.

While travelling with children isn't really relaxing, it is wonderful to spend time together away from the distractions of home.

I love to stand back and watch -- watch the beauty of the people and their homes.

I am amazed at how the earth can entertain a toddler for many hours.

It is humbling to see how different we live but how similar we are.

But merely having the time to sit and watch your preschooler pretend is priceless.

And these happy faces never cease to make me smile!