I fell off the bandwagon there for a bit. This weekly deal doesn't seem to be quite my thing. Random, once in a while, does.
The other day they found a pair of pretend glasses on our evening walk. They cleaned them up and plonked them on.
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123 and a set of portraits just like that.
"I make everything look good," Asher declared. Then he set his picture as the wallpaper on my phone. "Now your phone looks good."
Indeed.
Other (more regular) portraits here.
Ana isn't here this weekend. She has run off to a devotional/musical/ camping youth retreat. Which sounds pretty awesome, so I guess we will forgive her. In the meantime, I did catch her with her guitar before she left-- she set a prayer to music for the event.
Simon, Bella, Asher and I went up to visit my mum and dad yesterday. On the way, I stopped to document the kildeer nest the childrenspotted a week ago. While I was quickly trying to take a few photos, two crows were nearby (which is why neither parent was on the nest). Those parents did a good job-- the crows had no idea what they missed.
We went out for lunch, and these photos are from that time.
Asher and I have had quite a bit of time together lately. I recently went with him on a field trip, and will try to get some photos of that up soon. He has been a pretty happy and relaxed little guy this week, which is impressive as things have been busy and slightly chaotic. Here he is enjoying "the BEST hot chocolate ever!"
Bella is such a lovely girl. On Friday, Sonlla drove the youth up to the retreat. When Bella realized she would ahve to do the long drive home alone, she immediately wanted to go along in order to keep Sonlla company. I am so incredibly grateful to have such loving, strong role models for my children. We are blessed indeed.
Also? It took us less than 48 hours to devour our giant 7 lb box of strawberries. I hid the rest. Looks like we will have to go out again...
Ana finished her AP exams this week, thank heavens. She slept for twelve hours last night and still could hardly move. Each day, we see her stepping into herself more fully, becoming aware of where she wants to go and who she wishes to be. She joined us in deepening on the Ridvan message at a meeting held by the Auxilary Board Members, and we are so impressed by the depth of her perception, her thoughtful consideration, her enthusiasm, and her immediate desire to translate all she learns into action and service.
This boy has discovered dragons, especially the Dragonkeeper trilogy by Carole Wilkinson. A world of magic he never wants to leave. He walked to the university with me this afternoon, so he could point out a killdeer nest he had found, and built mathematical models at the art exihibit at the library while he waited for me to print 300 pages. I find myslef savoring every moment I get to spend like this with him.
I found Bella climbing a tree in her party dress, settling into a nest of moss she had built. This one has always been herself, in every way, at all times. What a gift. Her junior youth group animators report how courageous and strong, humorous and patient she is. Sometimes I have the same urge to smoosh her right up that I did when she was two. Except she is as tall as I am now.
Others joining the 52 project can be found here.
Ana spent the weekend studying hard for her AP Biology exam. She is still in ninth grade, so I am not entirely sure it is appropriate. If nothing else, it will have given her some better study skills and a familiarity with the the subject when she encounters it again.
Bella has been a champion Asher-entertainer this week. She took him out to the park for the afternoon, including a stop for ice cream with her pocket money.
Asher in a moment of pure bliss: muddy, splashing and warm.
Joining others for the 52 project here.
One studying for AP exams, one with stomach flu and one with a fever and cough do not willing photography subjects make. Some weeks are like this. But I suspect I will one day remember even this warm day spent lounging in pajamas all over the house and grass, eating watermelon and leaving trails of tissues with a certain measure of fondness (it is part of the obligatory construct of motherhood, this rose-tinted hindsight, no?)
Joining Jodi here, and particularly enjoying this lovely photo (because two out of three is completely respectable, and i never regret visiting Emma.)
Friends, forgive my absence this week. I've had the stomach flu and will return when I feel more able.
Simon just returned from a trip to Zambia. The kids were thrilled he brought them home Super Maheu. Supa Maheu is still supa! Long time readers may recall Asher loving this as a wee one still in diapers. A little taste of Africa in their bellies; those of you who have lived elsewhere and have their hearts in more than one home can surely appreciate the value of these small comforts.
An enormous thank you to Jodi for featuring last week's portraits on her gorgeous blog. She always has links to others as part of this project here.
This week I have also been enjoying an old favourite, Ella's Little Red Caboose. It is such a delight to watch her boys grow, and she records it all with such beauty and fun.
Some pictures tell stories that seem to be outside of time. These shots were a magical sort of gift today. My three children, walking together on a windswept hilltop, full of life and light and joy.
See the 52 project here. And some incredible portraits here.
Three in front of an enormous barn door.
I have been enjoying this project, although I confess I have not been really putting much creative energy into creating or capturing "the shot." I think a lot of this is simply due to how busy things are right now. In an odd sort of way, though, this makes me even more grateful for the project as it ensures that I at least record something.
Others are playing along here. And it has been a lovely way to find other blogs I might not have done otherwise. I am particularly fond of this one.
Oh, geez, Mum the sun's in our eyes. How come you keep taking all these pictures of us?
Alright, one snap then.
We've been on holiday this week.
Bella on the ferry to the Island.
Asher extremely happy to be at Grandma's.
Ana pushing (and pushing and pushing) the youngest cousin in the yellow swing.