the escape

this happened.

i hear giggling. i hear shuffling in a small tent. i see little feet poking out, kicking wildly.

and then silence.

i look inside the tent to find my two little rascals with a bag of jelly belly beans stuffing as many as possible into their tiny mouths. 

so, what do i do? 

naturally, i grab the camera and wait to take them until after i catch a couple moments.

i'm not sure who the ring leader was in this adventure. jackboy loves jelly beans, but birdie loves sweets  like i've never seen (since my own cravings when i am pregnant and/or nursing.) so it could have been her.

it really could have been. 

especially with her dangerous climbing skills that she has discovered.

even though school has started for most, the summer is still ever-present here in AZ.

i can't complain. not with the beautiful afternoon monsoons that have returned and the cool evenings and early mornings. but it's still in the 90's and man, that's a lil toasty.

we had cousins over a couple of weeks ago for an after church lunch. jack loves to see them and play outside. 

most sunday afternoons are followed with this (after naps of course)

both kiddos are beginning to understand the idea of just cuddling. john's top five favorite activity. i like it for a couple of minutes, but typically enjoying capturing it instead.

jack loves a good cuddle, even if zoey doesn't.

zoey does love post-bath cuddles with her daddy. so cute.

i love this shot. their faces. the crayon marks. that was a good day.

zoey likes to draw chalk on herself. so cute.

with summer months slowly coming to a close my favorite months are ahead. my favorite autumn months. full of pumpkins and leaves (mostly fake, but that's okay) and chilly evenings and apple cider. 

i can't believe it's already been a year.

i feel like it was just Christmas.

growing

Where have you gone, little ones? 

You're saying all sort of fun things like 

"baby"

"mama"

"dadddy!"

"ball" 

"jack-jack"

"bubbles"

"bye-bye"

"hello"

"beebee"

"blankee"

you love to cuddle with your blanket and baby. you already nurture, care for, feel empathy for crying babies, hug new friends, run away from strangers, cling to my hip like a little monkey and ask for more candys every time we pass the cupboard.

you are sassy and adventurous; climbing couches and dressers and playhouses. you run and fall a hundred times, but you don't mind. you get right back up. unless you see your daddy, than all you want is for him to hold you.

you already make fun noises and laugh at yourself or if we're laughing you join in. 

you love to color and draw, lying flat on your tummy.

you love to put hats on and bracelets and shoes.

your hair sometimes is in your face, when you first wake up.

you've learned to use both hands to move it away, even if it's connected by boogers.

you love to snuggle up and lately i can hear your tiny voice saying

"mama. mama."

and when daddy walks in the door,

"daddy!"

you make our hearts melt.

you are my little sunshine. i love you, zoeybird.

jack,

you started telling me stories about

jack in the beanstock

singing songs like 

"rock, crank, zing!" (really original)

loving daniel tiger's neighborhood

learning beatle's songs and bible songs 

loving on your sister and talking in your sweet, high voice to her.

nurturing her.

protecting her.

laughing with her and tickling her.

you run barefoot in the backyard.

take baths and have started to pretend.

you sing songs and make us laugh with jokes like 

"zoey, if you don't stop crying i'm going to throw you out the window!"

(that was a one time joke, of course.)

your heart, my dear boy, is changing and developing. i can already see you are

curious

loyal

desire justice and fairness

will play with anyone-however old

will greet anyone you meet, anywhere.

will always first say to them "cars! trucks! trains!"

and lately,

"hi. i'm Jack! do you wanna play with me?"

i've also discovered how much you love one-on-one time. 

you like to walk around the library together. get bagels. sing our favorite song (some nights)

get a car at goodwill and you are really great company.

i love being with you.

hearing your thoughts and your heart.

answering your questions (even when you are very certain you know the answer)

and just being near you.

you are kind. you are special. just the way you are, my jackboy.

current favs // summer 2013

these are some of the things on my summer play list...