these days

• We've been practicing patience. [not pictured above.] 
• Lo went to her very first movie with her aunt, uncle, and cousins. She had the best time-- even though she couldn't tell me anything about the movie. But she did tell me how delicious the popcorn and soda was.
• We've been exploring the idea of homeschool-preschool. I may even doing a little curriculum planning to see if it's something we can manage.
• Lo and I have a ton of mama/baby time with daddy working 50+ hours a week. So needless to say, when it's the weekend, we soak up as much of daddy as possible.
• We spend a great deal of time poolside, mostly in. My girl is a fish, no doubt. The weather has been so disgusting hot and humid that if we are outside, we need to be in the water. I'm over this permaheatwave. Like for real.
• We have been forming budgets and keeping to them without much struggle. Such an accomplishment for us :]
• We have been eating fresh and local mostly with a few cheats here and there. There are many summer-months birthdays in our family, so cake is too often at the ready. 
• We haven't ventured out for many play dates lately, as much of our time is spent in our own backyard. But I did find a weekly story time/craft at the local library that I would like to take Lo to.
• We have been getting close to a daily dose of cousin time, which Lo is loving. These boys have her heart.
• We have been reading a lot of books these days, a lot more than usual. Often I catch Lo in a self made pillow nook somewhere with books.

backyard butterfly

Yesterday's backyard adventure involved a butterfly study. This Butterfly Bush brings all types of butterflies-- usually big and boldly colored ones like so. With us being indoors for much of the week due to rain, rain, and even more rain, it was a pleasant change to be outside by the pool with visits from our winged friends. Lo gave this little lady the name: Jewel. She always thinks of the most unique names, it's so sweet.

I love to look at butterflies, but the second one flew too close to my head, you can bet I let out a shriek. Logan looked at me like I was crazy. I hope she doesn't pick up my ridiculous fears, and loves and embraces nature for a long as possible. 

on-the-go play

These days, Logan is so into imaginative play. She keeps herself so busy with barbies chatting about the movie they just saw, or begging their mom for new boots. It is the cutest thing, ever. In sticking to our sensory bin theme, I decide to make her a little play set that she could take with us when we go out to dinner, to the doctors office, to Grandma's house, or anywhere really. It's small, it's compact, and it is perfect for play wherever.

For the case, we used the plastic Johnson&Johnson band-aid container. We decorate the outside with stickers to match the theme of it's contents. We looked through our random toy drawer for littles to fill it with. And since its creation, it has been a hit.

I love it. And more importantly, Lo does too.

When she goes to bed, I plan to rummage for other little toys so we can make another.

28/52

"A portrait of my child, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Logan: Today you took the liberty to go into your dresser and pick out your own outfit [because apparently I wasn't moving fast enough.] Every single piece was hand picked by you. You couldn't be any more proud of your ability to create such a style. And I couldn't be any more proud-- though I do not think that tights constitute as pants, today I will play along. Good job, baby girl! Excellent choices.

sensory play

It had been far too long since our sensory tub was filled with anything. Of the many we had made, the "Under the Sea" themed bin was always a favorite. It is so simple, yet provides us with hours of play. 

This time around, Logan was able to help with gathering and assembling. She is so helpful in everything we do. She is so observant. She is flexible and kind. And she is so, so silly. She amazes me everyday.

I love to just sit back and watch her play.

Lo and I have been brainstorming for other "worlds" to create-- I can't wait to see what ideas she comes up with.

backyard adventure = smiles

Hard to believe that yesterday morning and much of the day this little girl was running a fever, her first in fact. She didn't want to eat, drink, or move. I couldn't even get a smile from my poor sweet girl. Then suddenly, out of no where, she asked to go in the backyard for a walk. She loves taking walks around the yard. Since the pool is smack dab in the middle of the yard, it provides a nice little oval track for Lo to explore. She loves smelling the flowers, naming their colors, and more recently counting their petals. So thats what she did with her cousin, Jordy. He was so good to her yesterday. He laid and watched TV with her [her picks--props for that alone!] read to her, and encouraged her to drink, drink, drink. And now today, he's running a fever and not feeling well. Poor guy. But you guessed it, Lo is his caretaker now-- such a sweet little pair these two. Yesterday we had a scheduled movie date to see 'Despicable Me 2' which was rescheduled to today, which again had to be rescheduled till tomorrow or thursday, providing Angelo stays well. We have fingers all crossed over here.

27/52

"A portrait of my child, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Logan: watching the kids swimming on this hot, hot day. We just got home from a morning of shopping and a lunch date with daddy. We stepped onto the grass for a quick photo since the deck was burning the bottoms of our feet. 

Not pictured is an entire afternoon spent in the pool. 
And now we're pruney.

Hoping for a little break with this heat.

More photos on my instagram.