43/52 {the daddy edition}

{Harper} He is your rough-housing playmate, the one who you make pizza bases with, who holds you when you become overwhelmed, the one who calls you Harper May. You are his little helper, the source of a lot of his laughter, and the one who will always be his little girl.

 {Finn} He is your lego building buddy, the one who talks science with you and answers your questions with thought and care, the one who encourages you to do things that are outside your comfort zone and reassures you when things don't work out. You are the one he loves taking to school and seeing what takes your interest when you enter your classroom, the one he gets up to in the middle of the night and whispers "it was just a bad dream, it's not real finny". You're the one who laughs at his Dad's jokes and misses him when he is at work. You're his little buddy, always.
 

The B-sides (because two photos seems a little minimalist for me)

{pizza night}

{"So Mum, can you put a piece of lemon on the side of my cup?" He likes things a little fancy}

{working hard on her pincer grip}

{Teddy bear's picnic with Super-Big Ted and Super- Little Ted}

{imaginary face painting}

{my summer baby, flashing her sunny smile}

{catch}

{Harper, the veggie patch and the scarecrow shadow}

{ready to be sprayed}

{...sprayed}

42/52

{Harper} "I love you." Her first written words. If I could have picked the first sentence she would have penned it would be this. She is love, from head to toe.

{Finn} His love of drawing continues. Today's picture is courtesy of his latest TV obsession: The Octanauts. In case you were trying to work it out, that's a submarine, a bit of sea kelp and the pink creatures are sea pigs.
 

The B-sides (because two photos seems a little minimalist for me)

{Taking inspiration from a wonderful Reggio blog 'An Everyday Story' this week we used mirrors as a work surface. Placing the mirrors under our apricot trees on a sunny day just added to the experience. }

{Finn did place a collection of loose parts on his mirror but I could tell he preferred looking at himself from different angles.}

{Look let's just say I took ALL my play based inspiration from Kate over at 'An Everyday Story' this week. This homemade geoboard was a winner with the kids. Both Finn and Harper worked hard to get those rubber bands around their pins. I love watching those busy, busy hands at work}

{Finn made some boats using his LEGO. I filled up a container of water and told him he could place his boats in there.
Finn: "But LEGO can't go in THERE!"
Me: "Why not?"
Finn:" Because it will get wet. Won't I ruin it?"
Me: "No mate, it's plastic. It will dry."
Meanwhile Harper grabs a piece of lego and dunks it in the water.
Harper: "See Finny it's ok."}

{my spirited child, at her spirited best}

{look no.136}

41/52

{Harper} We spent some of the week at my Mum's house. Which just happens to be a lazy couple of streets down from the beach. The kids were both excited about the thought of visiting the beach but the reality was a little different. Finn in particular struggled with the sand and the waves. As he stood on the sand he would scream "The waves are too big!" (they were actually just gently lapping his toes) My sister who was minding our towels overheard the local family next to her giggling at my two running away from the waves and reassured them "They're from Canberra". Yep, we are pretty clueless when it comes to beach living.

{Finn} Bubbles* lift his mood. Every time.

*Reminded me of this bubbles experience way back in March. Finn is pulling a similar expression too.

The B-sides (because two photos seems a little minimalist for me)

{daylight savings started this week which means we can take after dinner walks while the sun is still shining}

{so.very.tired}

{we visited my Nana and Pop's house for lunch during our time on the Coast. When we arrived the kids discovered that their Great Nana had set up a cute little lunch table just for them. It was the cutest sight when she proudly bought out their plates of fish with an adorable bowl of side salad. The kids were suitably impressed. Finn and Harper are always made to feel special by their Nana and Great-grandparents when they visit.}

{whenever the kids spot me writing on a birthday card they request to add their names or drawings to the message. love that.}

{can't forget the mandatory moody b&w of Harper now can I?}

40/52

{Harper} Reading in the afternoon sun, alone and quiet. Alone and quiet are not two words strongly associated with Harper this week. It was our first week of holidays and a lovely escape from the normal school routine. Finn desperately needed this time to reboot, to play independently and just be. Everytime Finn would quietly dash off to his room to play with his Lego, Harper would be at his door "So Finn what do you want to play now?" It was a week of trying to juggle their differing play needs. Some days successful and others, not so much.
This peaceful little snippet certainly didn't represent Harper's week but it was a moment I let out a deep sigh of relief...and of coarse tip-toed around to capture.

{Finn} As we call it in our family, a scooter related "stack-a-tak". And it was a doozie. I am always surprised by how quickly those egg shaped bumps appear on their heads. Ouch!
 

The B-sides (because two photos seems a little minimalist for me)

{This week Lachie and I started reading the kids the 'Tashi' series chapter books. I have fond memories of these books from my time as a Year 1/2 teacher. I remember reading them after lunchtime as the students laid on their backs listening and quietening their bodies after an active time on the playground. For the past year I have been collecting them at op shops (with the help of my sister in law) and waiting for the right time to introduce them. Initially they were both keen but as the week went on Harper deemed them "too scary" so Lachie and I have been finding pockets of time to read them just to Finn. He loves them, and we love reading them to him.}

{I wrote a list of the Tashi books we didn't own and took the kids to the library to find them.}

{Our new favourite reading spot: the trampoline. thank you Lachie for taking this photo}

{sneaking up on the kids.}

{as we were walking around the lake a balloon artist approached the kids and gave them both a balloon animal/creation. Happy kids from that point.}

{we took a trip into the city to see a performance at the Theatre and on the way home we stopped in on a local toy shop so the kids could spend their pocket money. They have both been waiting so patiently to save enough money to each buy a new Lego packet. Slowly, slowly they are both understanding the value of "things" and that while saving money can take time (in Finn's words "But it is taking FOREVER!") it has its rewards when you finally reach your goal.}

{ balloon heads. the stuck on fabric ears were a cute touch.}

{big egg on the old noggin seemed to deflate pretty quickly}

{love watching her at play}

{end product- perfume!}

{on Fridays Harper goes to Family Daycare as I usually work, however being the holidays I wasn't working. On Wednesday my plan was to not send her, but come Thursday night I decided that Finn was in need of some quality one on one time with me. I did have a touch of the guilts as I sent her off to care for the day but I tried to remember one of the themes from one of my favourite (and much referenced) parenting books 'Siblings without Rivalry', "Give time according to need". I couldn't (and didn't) give of my time equally this week to Finn and Harper but I knew that Finn needed some of my time and this was one way I could give it. 
We visited a friend in the morning and as we drove home I asked him what he would like to do when we arrived home.
Finn: "I was thinking that we could do some craft. Something together."
Me: "That sounds perfect. What do you think we should make?"
Finn: "Well, I would like to make a yellow Canberra firetruck, buuuuuut if you have a better suggestion, well I think we should do that instead.*"
Seriously kiddo, I love you and your thoughtful mind.

*Apparently he liked my suggestion of making a cardboard firestation}