Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Painting In Your Underpants

We have been doing a lot of work around here. We logged around 12 if not more hours on the yard this weekend. It's strange how good it feels to work on your yard. To plant your garden with hopes of fresh veggies for your family. To build a coop that will shelter your chickens and also bring delight to your child (Doug built it, not me). To clean it all up and enjoy a BBQ on your patio with family and friends. It was all worth it. Cooper is always involved in the gardening. He chose where his pumpkins, bean tee pee, and other veggies would be planted. He took care of the chickens as they explored the yard. He dug dirt. He created games to be played on the slide. He entertained his sister, who patiently played in the grass.
The other day he wanted to paint some rocks that we had dug up in the yard. After talking with him, we decided we would paint more rocks to become the "signs" for our veggies so we know what is coming up. Oh, and his best work is always done in his underpants!
It was a nice long weekend. Hope you all had a great one too!
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Sunday, May 29, 2011

A Walk To The Pond

We live by a very nice pond and the other day we decided to ride bikes/walk down to it and feed the ducks. (I know we probably shouldn't feed them, so sue me) It was a nice spring day and I was glad to capture the outing. It always feels good to walk in the evenings.
We had a great day today working on the farm, I mean yard. It sure feels like a farm around here. We gardened, Doug got started on our chicken coop. Overall it was a great day. Looking forward to enjoying Memorial Day with friends and family tomorrow. Hope you are all having a good weekend.
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The bird house Cooper painted. The birds are very happy about it.

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Love this guy.

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It's me at the pond!

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Friday, May 27, 2011

{This Moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.
Have a great weekend! From the Blair family!!
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Monday, May 23, 2011

Bath Time Just Got A Lot More Fun

Fina can now join Cooper in the bath! These two are so cute in there together! I love watching their relationship develop.
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They love splashing and playing together! Then they are all clean. I love the way my kids smell. I catch myself hugging them just so I can take in a deep smell of their little heads. Ahhh, the strange things I do. Have a great week!

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

For The Love Of Trains

I want to remember everything about my kids and it pains me to think that the memories of these tender times might fade. That is why I love and treasure photography. It allows me to freeze these special moments in time. I am grateful that I have this space to get it all down and share.
As you all know, our Cooper lives and breathes trains. I shot some photos of him playing the other day and I am so glad I did because this is a huge part of who he is now and I know that in a few years or maybe in a few months it may be something else. So, here are some photos of our boy doing what he loves, playing trains. I love how in one photo you can seem his lips in the shape that they are in when he makes the train whistle blow. I love how some of them show him bending his head down to the level of the trains and closing one eye so he can examine the wheels as they roll. I love how they show the concentration in his face that he gets when he is really into it. Love it!
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Monday, May 16, 2011

My Little Farmer

This photo makes you think one of two things. 1. How sweet?! 2. Yuck, he is kissing a chicken. He loves the chicks and is really helping to care for them.

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Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Imagination

Mothering is a tough job but someone has to do it. I have been thinking a lot about my role as a mother this week. Must be because of Mothers Day. It is so hard to carve out time every day to do all the things you need to do and the things you WANT to do.
Coopers imagination is growing and developing every day and it is so cool to watch. Yesterday, we were playing trains with blocks and he imagined up an entire scenario where there was a bird train taking the birds to the bird farm. We cared for the animals, figured out what they needed to eat and drink and we even "held" them. This particular interaction with him really touched me. Why? Because I was scurrying around the house, cleaning the bathroom, loading the dish washer, folding laundry, wiping bums and noses, doing the floors, generally cleaning up when I noticed Cooper deep in his imaginative world. (Side note: he plays really well alone and occupies himself quite well) I sat next to him trying to play but not wanting to invade into his private imaginary world, worried I might end the play that was happening. He worked me into the story and I was able to play in his farm. It was really magical, as silly as that sounds, it was. It was a privilege really. I don't know about you, but how often do adults escape off into an imaginary world for hours at a time, a world that is everything your heart desires. It is so easy for children to do this and such a blessing that they do. It really made me think, "Elena, put down the dishes, play with your kids, there will not be railroads running through your living room forever."
Thanks Cooper, for letting me into your special world.
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Sunday, May 8, 2011

Mom

Many years ago, long before I felt a labor pain or had a belly marked with silvery stretch marks, long before I snuggled my own newborn babies, long before I watched a human develop right before my very eyes, I wanted to be a mother. You can ask anyone who knows me well and they will clearly remember me saying that I wanted to be a mother and that I wanted many children. Having children has always been my dream and I can now say that it is my reality and I am so blessed because of it.
Even though I am a mother now, when I think of a mother, I have a hard time picturing myself because all I can see is MY mother. To me, she is the ultimate mother. I am so lucky that I have such a wonderful example for a mother. When we were growing up she would drill into our brains about how much she wanted us to go out into the world and get a great education and then a wonderful job that made us happy. But, truth be told, I always wanted to be just like her. A Mother. My mom was kind but firm, always there. Always. She was full of advice and stories. She always made all of our meals. She was patient. And now, she is my best friend. Seriously. We hang out with Mom all the time. The only thing that she is better at then being a Mother is being a Grandmother. Just ask her grand kids. They will tell you how much they adore her. When she is in town, Cooper would assume he just move in with her (and Po). So on this day after Mothers Day I want to say, thank you Mom! You make me want to be a better mom and I love you very much!

Friday, May 6, 2011

Meet The Girls!

It's true. We have taken on the challenge of backyard farming. We were already half way there with our gardening and we decided to take it to the next level with chickens. We have 3 baby chicks living in a homemade brooder in our bathroom! Don't worry. They will move to their new digs in the backyard once they are 6 weeks old. They are so darn cute and Cooper is loving having baby chicks around. We will keep you posted on their progress and on life with chickens. Exciting, right?
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Monday, May 2, 2011

Cabo Part 3

Last but not least, Fina in Cabo. She was a joy in Cabo. She played, she swam, she slept poolside in the shade. She traveled well and delighted the passengers around her (so did Coop). It was a great first beach vacation for her.
For those of us natural light photographers, Cabo is perfect. You can find great natural light anywhere!
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Just a little sunset snooze.

Sunday, May 1, 2011

Cabo Part 2

Mommy and Daddy in Cabo. Boy, did we ever need this vacation. It was so wonderful. Doug golfed and smokes cigars. We had sunset glasses of wine. We soaked up the sun. We simply enjoyed being with our family. We feel very lucky that we had this time to appreciate all that we have. Here are some photos of us...
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