Weekend in Photos
Some images of our weekend including computers, picking blueberries and early morning tree climbing.
Special Friends
We’ve had a whirlwind past few weeks with Brad’s parents visiting, Flipside (the regional Burningman event) and then a short visit from old friends Bob and Gyee. Bob and I went to high school together in Germany back in the late 80’s – early 90’s and through a lot of time and shared experiences have a built what I think of as a brother and sister relationship. I still remember when he first met Gyee and how much I adored her, and now I think Bob gets a bit jealous sometimes that she and I have become such good friends.
While pregnant with the boys, Brad, Dusty and I all agreed to asking Bob and Gyee to be godparents to the boys. Although they’ve moved away from Texas and on to Massachusetts to be with Bob’s wonderful family, we still talk about them a lot in our home and have their pictures up for the boys to see. It touched my heart beyond words that the boys responded to Bob and Gyee with such enthusiasm and open hearts. I wish I had captured more pictures of their visit but we only had a short time together and really focused on making the most of every second together.
People talk about how true friends are those you don’t talk to every day but can pick right back up with as if it was just yesterday even though it’s been years, and this really is our relationship with Bob and Gyee. Even the boys felt that as they dived into playing and cuddling with them.
I had moments of being chocked up with joy when I saw things like this
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| From May 2010 |
Playing with our new camera
Here are some of the images that Brad and I captured at the Lady Bird Wildlife Center that aren’t focused on the kids.
Red Eared Sliders
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| From Lady Bird Wildlife Center |
I loved this rebar ’statue’ of a wedding.
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| From Lady Bird Wildlife Center |
Prickly Pear cactus flowers
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| From Lady Bird Wildlife Center |
Indian Paintbrushes
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| From Lady Bird Wildlife Center |
Two caterpillars share a meal.
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| From Lady Bird Wildlife Center |
Bird installation among the wildflowers.
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| From Lady Bird Wildlife Center |
More prickly pear cactus flowers. Yes, I’m a bit obsessed with their beauty.
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| From Lady Bird Wildlife Center |
Butterfly on stone
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| From Lady Bird Wildlife Center |
Exploring
A few weeks ago, before the central Texas heat really kicked in, we took a spontaneous trip down to the Lady Bird Wildflower Center with the boys. We all had so much fun exploring all the quiet nooks and crannies, so carefully laid out and tended with loving care for our enjoyment.
We let the boys lead the way and be our guides.
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| From May 2010 |
Logan has learned this cute hand on chin move while he ponders things, such as which way to go next.
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| From May 2010 |
Forest wants to go this way!
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| From May 2010 |
Or maybe this way…
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| From May 2010 |
“Logan, look at what I found!” “oooh cool!”
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| From May 2010 |
Forest points out a pool of water amongst the rocks.
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| From May 2010 |
After our picnic lunch there was much discussion over the map as to where we should go next.
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| From May 2010 |
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| From May 2010 |
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| From May 2010 |
It was a big caterpillar time in the gardens and Forest was especially curious to watch the little fuzzy guys among the plants.
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| From May 2010 |
The boys checking out some caterpillar races.
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| From May 2010 |
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| From May 2010 |
Knowing
This morning I read the article “Guilt Trip into the Woods: Do Kids Really Need Nature?” and it brought up the need to write for me. At first I thought I was going to write about balance and how nature and the modern world are not mutually exclusive and pitted against each other. But as you’ll see it turned into something else.
I don’t understand why it’s a nature “versus” anything at all. My three year olds can navigate an iPhone like the best adult Apple fan and would rather practice their letters on the computer then a chalk board. But they also love nature, love to be outside. As much as a part of me wants to pack us up and move into the woods, we’ve made the choice to live in the middle of suburbia. Forest and Logan at 3 years old can identify some urban trees, plants and birds because I’ve made the point to tell them when we are outside riding bikes, playing at the playground, etc. Who knows if they will develop an affinity for learning about the outside world at a young age or like me only love nature until they get older and then realize they want to KNOW about it. I see it as my job as a parent to give them opportunities in all worlds, and to let them develop their own interests. Using an example from the article, my kids don’t want to press flowers either, but they sure do love to just be outside, and that is what matters. That they aren’t spending 24/7 indoors, on computers, in front of the tv. Let kids do what they enjoy outdoors: play sports, play on the playground, swim, read, write, draw. As long as they are outside their own interests will develop and they will get the benefit of new experiences, new stimuli that can only be offered by being outdoors. My eyesight improved when I quit working and started staying home with the boys because I was no longer stressing my eyes with computers, no longer only looking at things close up. Being outside and looking farther away improved my vision. I like to show the boys how interconnected life is while we are outside, I think that this will give them a sense of stewardship for the land as well as remind them to be tolerant and compassionate. Being outside is good for you on so many levels. But they’ve also learned a lot from the teachings I’ve found on websites about the outside world. It’s all a balance.
As often seems to happen in our society, things are pitted against each other in an “or” fashion instead of experienced as an “and”. I appreciate the article that led me to write this for wanting to take away some of the guilt that parents put themselves through. We live in a time when there are a lot of “or” decisions that have to be made about how we spend our time and there is a lot of guilt associated with the things that we don’t do. But this is very much self imposed and we need to change the way we think in order to remove all this guilt that we torture ourselves with. We need to remember that we have choices and that often the choice we do make is no better or worse then the one we didn’t make. Our family doesn’t live in the woods because we’ve chosen certain careers. We don’t have two cars because we’ve chosen to spend our money traveling more then we would be able to if we had a new car payment. We choose to take the boys to McDonald’s for hamburgers sometimes because it’s easy and fun. Choices.
We need to be more compassionate with ourselves about our choices so that we can in turn be compassionate to others about theirs. Try it this weekend. Don’t think so much and so hard. Don’t analyze as much. Just go with a choice, forgive yourself for not the other choice and live the life in front of you instead of the life that could have been. I think that’s one of the meanings for that phrase, “Choose Life”. You are empowered by life, not chained to it. Know that you have the choice and make wise decisions. Watch a tv show or play a video game as a family and then go outside and throw a ball or wash the car together. Choose balance, choose life.
Not tired
I love how Logan says “I’m not tired” right before dropping off to sleep.
why?
Forest has entered the “why” stage and it’s a miracle parents make it through this! Like much of parenthood I am floored at how unprepared for this I am. He asks “why” about every tiny detail of life. If it where big things I could turn to the internet and find the answers, “why is the sky blue? why do chicken’s lay eggs?” But no, it’s the minutest details of why things in our daily life and culture we do or say certain things. He constantly interrupts Brad and I with “what are you talking about?” I told him to listen carefully to our words and see if he can figure it out. On the one hand I love the voracious appetite to understand, on the other hand I need someone to do a running commentary for him as we live life otherwise I can’t live it because I’d be too busy explaining it! Sure does make you pause and wonder about things though.
Not Giving Up
We approach age 3 1/2 years old with a fine example of how different twins can be. One boy is completely potty trained and the other still refuses to do his duty in the potty. I am always torn about when to put a foot down and pressure the little guy and when to just wait it out. He’s always been my text book kid, the one that fits every book example – except this one time. I’m heading into next week with big plans to try another underwear assault. This week he was sick and I obviously didn’t want to make an issue out of something.
Ok Mom and Dads, got any tips? Tricks? Ideas? Suggestions? Even if it’s just “leave him alone, he’ll figure it out on his own”, I’m curious to hear your thoughts.
Us
Have I told you about “us”? It’s become really obvious lately how Forest strongly identifies as a unit with Logan. He’s always saying “us”.
I first noticed it when I was taking Forest for this Occupational Therapy appointments for the Tactile Defensiveness. We sat on the floor to play a game and he picked up one of the game pieces saying, “and this one is for Logan”. I gently reminded him that Logan wasn’t with us and wouldn’t need a piece. Then I started noticing how often Forest will tell me what “us” want instead of just what he wants. “Us want to go to the park”, “Us want ice cream”, we are working out the grammar of “us” versus “we” but you get the point. Another friend mentioned also noticing that both boys do it and it’s really cute. I agree with her, it is really cute. At the same time, it made me really understand why schools have policies insisting on separating twins in the classroom. It’s one of the precious differences that I experience as a twin parent.
How we spend a day
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| From April 2010 |
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| From April 2010 |
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| From April 2010 |
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| From April 2010 |
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| From April 2010 |
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| From April 2010 |
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| From April 2010 |
