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}

15/52

 

{Harper} This week I did some work for a post-natal yoga teacher I know, taking some photographs to update her website. As it was during the day Harper joined me. Before we left I packed her a bag full of colouring books and toys to keep her occupied. Upon seeing the bag she said "I don't need those. I'll just play with the babies". Bless her. She did end up sitting quietly drawing and reading, but did stop every now and then to join in with the nursery rhymes and giggle at the cute babies.


{Finn} Finn's portrait this week was taken by Harper. Yes, I can pretty much hand half the Project 52 duties over to her now.

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

{now that day light savings has ended the kids can actually stay awake during golden hour. yay! }

{just chopping down a tree, mum.}

{we seem to have a little tree theme going on this week. completely unplanned too.}

{finn hearts mobilo}

{What I want Finn to do: Stand still so I can get a portrait of him in front of today's beautiful blue sky.
What Finn does: this.
Aghhhh!}

{sibling love is.......accepting a leaf that your sister said was food...}

{...and eating it}

{Harper's most frequently used word: "Ummmmmmmm?"}

Documenting Delight: day three hundred and fifty one {backyard cricket}

Documenting Delight: day three hundred and forty seven {adventurous}

Documenting Delight: day three hundred and forty two {tree climber}

Documenting Delight: day three hundred and twenty five {golf practice}

Documenting Delight: day three hundred and twenty {early morning chalk drawing}

Looking at this photo against yesterday’s photo of the day, I realise that Harper is in pretty much the same position. Whether she is playing, reading or drawing she seems to prefer being flat against the ground.  

Documenting Delight: day two hundred and seventy eight {mud pie kitchen}

Our mud pie kitchen has been in the pipe-line for a while. Preparations began here and this week it was open for business.  It was slow-burner at first but after a few days sloppy mud creations were in full swing. This week was all about seeing what kind of play Finn and Harper would generate from this new feature in our backyard. As always my two surprise and impress me with how engrossed they become in this type of creative play. Soups have been boiled on the stove, mud smoothies were blended, mud juices were poured and after all the cooking was done Harper created a sink where the dishes could be washed up.

I wasn’t sure how Mr clean and tidy would go with all of this but I am happy to report he has been quite keen to make a few of his own creations. Of coarse Harper took to it all like a duck to water. Her enthusiam has lead to a little taste testing though, which may be taking things a little too far I think. New rule Harps: Mud pie kitchen creations are for looking at and admiring, NOT eating!

Documenting Delight: day two hundred and seventy four {i lied about being the outdoor type}

Finn's need for cleanliness and order doesn’t  fit well with outdoor play in our backyard.

I didn’t need to ask Finn what he was doing here. I knew. He was cleaning the dirt off his branch.

After this scene he went inside and dried it down with a tea-towel.

That’s my Finn.