A friend of mine recently posted online about taking the time to find the beauty in every day which sounds a lot like finding the things to be thankful for. So this week, I looked for the beautiful in the everyday. As a homemaker/stay-at-home-mom/child caregiver/homeschool mom, a lot of my life is taken up in the mundane daily chores of running a home. There are always dishes to be done, food to be prepared, diapers to change and laundry to be done among other things so it can take some effort to find the beauty in each day.
Some days it can feel like these two will never get along and then something as simple as climbing the same tree gets them working together and smiling.
Hiking with two year olds is an adventure for sure, he's perfectly happy as long as he chooses each turn we take. Not so much when his brother gets to be the leader.
These guys tend to make every outing in the woods into a survivalist game. Here they are reading the symbols on the tree and preparing for whatever may come.
A simple afternoon in our backyard is a beautiful thing for sure. Especially since we have generous neighbors who let us share the toys they have in the yard for their kiddos. (and we share our toys with their kiddos, of course)
He was perfectly content with a mere 2 inches of water. He had enough to splash and cool off in.
I've never seen lily pads in person before so this was really cool.
I love flowers and I notice them everywhere. I'm already planning what to add around our yard next year. Most of these were spotted while walking in the neighborhood or at a park.
Davis has been re-reading several of his favorite series' lately as he has finished everything published by his favorite authors, so we asked for a few recommendations to get him started on something new. This is the stack after he put several back, and it includes a couple he's re-reading. Our children's librarians are amazing, they came up with these and several others in a matter of about 5 minutes.
This boy loves water. Any body of water, he's hooked.
And this one loves to take the hard path because it's more fun.
Wonderful list of thankfuls. You have a beautiful family.
ReplyDeleteYour boys are doing some good muscle building activities by hiking, taking the harder path, and climbing trees. It is great that you have good neighbors and that your children and their children are willing to share. I love the photos of the flowers.
ReplyDeleteFinding the beautiful things in each day is definitely in keeping with finding things for which to be thankful, when we see beauty around us we aren't overcome by the sometimes ugly things happening in our world, and it helps us to maintain balance and perspective.
ReplyDeleteI always loved watching my son and daughter whose behavior was similar to your two, they would squabble often, but were the tightest duo when it came to shared adventures or opposition from the world outside. Now in their 30's and 40's, they remain close and very protective of each other, and yet still tease and taunt in the fun of conversation. :-)
Children and water are meant for each other, that two inches in the pool was just right for cooling off and staying safe. I sat in a kiddie pool much of the long hot summer when I was pregnant with my son, and it was a blessing!
You've found some lovely bright flowers, I enjoy them too! I've never seen a lily pad either, that's a very cool photo!
Your library is certainly top shelf, with caring librarians, great programs, and obviously a grand collection of good things to read. I love libraries, and have worked in them in younger years.
It's cool that your older son loves to take on adventures, that will serve him well in life, and I suspect his brother will be following right behind as he gets a bit older! Enjoy these last weeks of summer, as you settle into a new year of homeschooling. It's fun to watch your lives unfolding! XO