A Beautiful Day for a Tea Party

  It was a lovely summer evening to celebrate my one and only beautiful daughter’s 7 yr birthday! A milestone in my eyes, my little girl blooming into a little lady!

 

One Story at a Time

Since the day Carissa was born I was constantly looking for FREE activities to enjoy with my baby girl. We loved playing at the park and when she was a bit older we greatly enjoyed story time at the library. Reading has always been a relaxing past time of mine what better way to spend time with my mini me than read and like mother like daughter Carissa loved and still does love books. As expectant that my little girl would follow suite in my love for reading I was just as unexpected that Nate would enjoy SITTING and hearing stories. Its just that even in my belly he was way more on the go than Carissa and when it was time for him to sit and be still I just didn’t see it happening, but although a bit more squirmy than Carissa he absolutely indulged in each story read and as he got older it got much more easier to let him sit like a big boy right next to his sister. Although vastly different in many ways there’s nothing that melts my heart more than seeing them enjoy one another's company by reading a book together (Carissa reading and Nate turning the page ;-) I felt that as I wrote this no one would believe how often this happens so I thought I’d share pictures of one day that I was going about my usual wife/ mommy business that I noticed how quiet it was so I had to go make sure everyone was where they were supposed to be and sure enough they had a book open and I’m sure having an adventure through imagination! I really can’t take all the credit on this one either though other than being consistent in getting the kids to their weekly wed story time I have to give a lot of credit where credit is do to the library staff and their wonderful programs! Especially their summer program that provides so many kids the opportunity to grow in their love for books! Of course with all the activities we had lined up this last summer we had to do the summer reading program which in all honesty God made all of it possible I had no idea how I was going to read enough books to Nate and get them to their parties but by no strategizing of my own it all worked out and both children had a great time challenging themselves and getting rewarded for doing their favorite activity reading! Carissa's party was first and I got to watch Carissa enjoy all her gifts, face painting, making masks, playing games, and laughing hysterically at a comedian juggler who at one point takes a pair of underwear and uses it as a handkerchief (Carissa's favorite part). A few weeks later Nate got to watch a train puppet show and anyone reading this should know our boys love for trains!! Just seeing his name on a train car on the wall was reward enough but to sing songs, eat train red velvet cupcakes and get his arm painted was icing on the cake….or cupcake rather!! It is a true treat to watch the love for reading grow in my children's hearts  every year because of the summer program and you can be sure to find us there again next year!

 

Part 2 of Anniversary Trip

After a very comfy night in our room Sunday we woke up just in time to pack up but our trip wasn’t quite done yet. Before heading home we took a trip further up the mountain to a small western town to take in a cute show, down-home cooking for lunch, and after walking off lunch making sure we got some apple pie that was delightful!