Cooper's Snaps

Cooper is an aspiring photographer! Here are a few of his latest snaps. We are enjoying cozy, snow days at home. Happy Tuesday!

click HERE to see more of Cooper's snaps.

{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.

Lolly Pop

Cooper LOVES to go to the bank drive through because they always send him a lolly pop. Fina had her very first one a few days ago. Cooper was complaining of a sore throat that day and the lolly pop really soothed him. A little sugar never hurt, right?

BTW, its a bit of a slow time for business so my kids are getting lots of face time on my blog. Contact me if you want to schedule a shoot :)

Screen Time

Screen time. This issue of screen time is an ongoing discussion in my house. We are in a time of such fantastic technology and much of it requires a screen. Kids see us on our screens all the time. Our phones, the computer, the television, ipad, ipod, you get the idea. So it is only natural that they want in on the screen time too. We control what Cooper watches on television, what movies he watches, which games he plays on the ipad and so on. Even with this control, I have a hard time deciding how much is okay. This may sound obvious to some of you or may be a non issue but for us we are still trying to figure it out. I know research says too much TV is bad, but what about all the other types of screen. I know I don't want him to be one of those teenagers who only wants to play video games and I know I don't want him playing the violent games. Most times, I think his time would be better spent playing and being creative. It really blows me away how good he is at navigating the computer or the ipad. In some ways, it is helping him learn to read, which he is doing all on his own, by the way. Actually, you would think he could read when you see him using the ipad. He loves to get on groovshark and play DJ for the family (groovshark is an online radio, check it out) . While this is very limited screen time and the end result is music, he is still looking at a screen. In the photos above, that is what he is doing, selecting the next song. This is after I told him that he was done with screen time for the day. My point is, it is so hard to escape it. I usually try to keep his screen time under an hour a day. Some days that is easy peasy but some it is not. How do you regulate screen time? I would love to know.

2/52 Tantrum

What is project 52? Click HERE to find out. Click on the label "Project 52" below post to see all Project 52 posts.

Thank You Notes

I really want the kids to put a personal touch on their Christmas gift thank you notes. I got out some paint the other morning and had them go to it. I plan to print out a message to glue to their art and have Cooper sign his. Fina was really into it and stayed painting long after Cooper had finished. I love watching them work together at the table. This table is where it all happens. Creativity, meals, family meetings, play, and love.

His 4 ness

I have said it a bunch of times because it is mostly true. I LOVE the age 4 so far. Coop and I have our daily differences, that's for sure. Actually, we have our hourly differences, to be honest, but for the most part, having a 4 year old around is pretty awesome. He is caught in a sweet spot between baby and child. He still thinks his parents are cool and wants to play with us. He sings songs all day long in his adorable little boy voice. He still needs a lot of cuddle time. I can still pick him up. He has the best sense of humor, much better than mine, which often reminds me to lighten up! His head still smells delicious and comforting (I know I am weird, it's a mom think okay!). He is a dreamer and often is caught in a day dream. His imagination is larger than life right now and I love watching him think up fantastic scenarios with his toys. He is creative. Because he is getting to be a much bigger kid, you can have conversations with him on a semi adult level, which is more rewarding than I every could have anticipated. Don't get me wrong, like I said, we have our differences. Nobody can make me see red like Cooper can, it catches me off guard sometimes. I think that has been one of the most surprising things about parenting, how frustrated and angry I get. But, I am working on that every day and learning as I go. Nobody prepares you or teaches you how to be a mom. You have to learn. Actually, I am signed up for a 6 week parenting class starting at the end of the month! I am very excited about it. Anyway, back on track. Sometimes I look over at Cooper, his big eyes, and I melt inside. He is still so innocent and I know I need to savor these sweet 4 year old moments as much as I can. These photos crack me up because they are so him right now. Goofy to the core, scrapes and scars on his face, sly little smile, so beautiful.

Have a wonderful weekend and savor those babies of yours!