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{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}

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{Harper}  This week my mum and sister visited us. It is always too long between visits and Harper did her best to shower them both with love.
~
This photo ties in nicely with my favourite thing Harper said this week. Over the past month, inspired by my dear friend Kate, we have been focusing on our family values. Harper loves telling me when she is displaying a focus value, "Look Mum, I am being helpful!" "Wasn't I so kind to Finny just then?" She's always checking with me to make sure I noticed (very subtlety of coarse). I too let them know when I see them showing one of our values, "Wow Harper you're so patient waiting there for your lunch", "Finn you are a kind brother" etc.

Each night my sister would read both kids bedtime stories then would lay with Harper until she fell asleep (awesome sister or what?) As I came to give Harper a bedtime kiss on one of the nights she kissed me and then her aunty and looked at us both and said "I am very loving." She didn't need to tell us so as she shows this quality each and every day but boy it was the cutest thing to hear her say.

{Finn} Eyes meant for dreaming big dreams.

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

{milkshakes and girly talk with her mama, nana and aunty. she could not have been happier if she tried}

{an impromptu Book Week dress up day- as in we were told the day before, yikes please don't do that to this book obsessed mama next year ok? So Fireman Sam it was. A bit a stretch as far as being a "book character" but he did take in a Fireman Sam book as back up. This year I was caught off guard, next year Mr Finn it will be a solid book character!}

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{Harper}  Playing happily in her room, surrounded by the afternoon sunlight.


{Finn} An 'F' made from sultanas on his morning porridge. From time to time over the remainder of the day he would turn to me and tell me "Daddy put an 'F' on my porridge. Do you think he will do that again?" A gentle reminder that small surprises make a difference to our little loves.

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

{lazy and cosy Sunday morning reading}

{hooked on lego}

{a simple blue rice* under the sea sensory box equals hours of imaginary play.
*quick and easy coloured rice method found here}

{a lip-smacking-good kind of apple}

{Oh the hokey pokey, oh the hokey pokey}

{he was only gone for two nights but we all REALLY missed him}

{a short tv break for two girls who spent a solid 4 hours in princess/wedding role play mode}

{making sure her baby can see the page}

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{Harper} Coffee date

{Finn} A visit to the National Museum of Australia.

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


{The sign says that you can't swim in the water but there was nothing about touching it right?}

{currently obsessed with books by Alison Lester}

{communicating via walkie talkies}

{making small changes to her room}

{after years of breastfeeding to sleep/co-sleeping/sitting next to her until she falls asleep, Harper is now happy to go to sleep by herself. And as she proclaims to anyone who will listen, "and now I sleep all the way to the morning."
A statement that is true, and glorious.}