charley star photo

16/52: HAPPY

Oh, Keats.
You turned ONE this week!
Bday pics to come, but i'll share these for now.  He's pretty happy don't ya think? :)

 

Sweet Navia

Sweet Satine.

xxo

 

"a portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2013"

15/52: FAMILY PORTRAITS

Keats

climber-walker-mover-shaker. thrower, cuddler, hugger, kisser.

climbing onto -- and into -- everything!  i had to move all the  delicate items to the top shelves.  You are very much indeed a BOY and i love learning how your need for exploration and physicality is so much more intense than your sisters' were at this stage. 

and for the record:  you took a series of 7 steps this week!  congrats, lovebug!

*

Satine. 

"It smells so goooood Mommy!"

we did (ahem, the hubby did) some work on the backyard garden over the weekend. satine played with some roly polys and then salvaged this neglected, harvested-too-late-from the garden little gem from the trash pile.  She picked it right up.  Of course, she would see it in it's true perfection.  

thank you satine.

* 

Navia

in reverie

Lately, I've been astonished at how much of a big girl you have become. One day in particular you napped on the couch. Instead of your usual rush to see me when you awoke, you simply lay there, locked into some magical world of your own creation.

And you were so beautiful then, lost in your reverie, your sense of self, your inner world, so strong and full.  You had become a new person since breakfast.

i watched you with melancholic pride, so impressed with who you've become, yet fully aware that even now, you've got your own worlds that even I do not have access too.  

i love you my little sugar plum.

*

a portrait of my children once a week, every week.

FAMILY PORTRAITS: HALLWAY CAMPING + 14/52

we have three big hallways in our house. they get a lot of play.

as a kid, i remember shutting all the doors to make the hallway pitch black, and playing "space" or "rocket ship" or whatever else me and my sis's little imaginations could dream up.

so happy to see my three littles now doing the same. i found them like this one day, to my surprise, cuddled up in the hallway. they pleaded for me to shut the door 'cause i was "letting the light in!"  (that thing in satine's hand is a penguin flashlight.) i had to run get my camera before i ruined the moment for them.

i strive to get the kids (ahem, myself) out of the house most days to play and discover, but it's always so nice to have a relaxing day at home, and give them space to unfold into the day...

they usually create far better playtimes for themselves than i could ever dream up.

simple really. 

for hallways camping all they needed were

sleeping bags (or blankets) and some pillows
flashlight
balloon
books
and a daydream....

i mean, just look at navia, above, contemplating the whole world.... 

 

xxo

FAMILY PORTRAITS: 13/52

tini + navi:  mesmerized

my two girls...  

a rare moment of stillness and captivation....  

we save screen time for the weekends, and as you sat and watched our go-to-family-fave in the late-afternoon glow, i sat on the floor and watched you...   also mesmerized.

mr. keats in joyful exuberation

you simply cannot get enough of being thrown into the air.  

this week you are loving being thrown, your cow, and most of all, your toothbrush.

also, keats took his first 2 steps this week! not long before i'll be chasing you all over creation. oh wait, i'm already doing that. :)

ONLY IN LOVE ARE WE OUR MOST NOBLE

"...With full heart and all that I am... 

      I make these vows and declarations to you:

 that my heart and soul are bonded to yours,

            and will be forever more.... "

 

thank you to my love, my dear Husband,  for these last eight magnificent years. for the crazy, full path;  
the deep, full heart;  the highs, the lows, the beautiful children, the laughter, the good times, the strength, the loyalty,
the hardwork, the wholeness...     just so much... just so, so, much....  

 

"For more clearly than anything I have ever known, I know this:

 THAT YOU ARE MY PATH.  You  are my heart.

You are my home."

 

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, BABE.  
THANK YOU FOR MAKING ME FEEL LIKE THE LUCKIEST LADY ALIVE.

 

A QUIET MORNING

FAMILY PORTRAITS: 12/52

satine making bird faces 

Breakfast reading: The Daring Book for Girls, a gift from a friend. awesome and inspiring for her. 

{also, i love when she wears this t-shirt-as-nightgown. it was my dear Dad's, who passed away 2 years ago this month. i think of them together everytime i see her in it.)

navia

keats