Monday, September 16, 2013

Reading

I have been obsessed with reading lately. I went through 4 book in August. It helps that I've been able to find a bunch of free books on the Kindle app, so I just read them using my phone whenever I have a few minutes.
 
These have been my favorite:
Secrets by Aimee Ash is the second book of hers. The story reminded me so much of the 'Twilight' series: girl and boy meet. Boy has secret powers and can live forever. Cheesy, but very cute. I'm anxious for her third and final book to come out. 

I've been on a Jane Austen, 18th century, I don't know what you want to call it, fix lately. One of the free books that I found and read was 'Pemberly to Waterloo: Georgiana Darcy's Diary' by Anna Elliott. 


 
'The Fairy Tale Bride' by Kelly McClymer.



'Of Moths and Butterflies' by V.R.Christensen has been my favorite so far.

After finishing 'Of Moths and Butteflies' I told Ryan that I need a new book to read. He pointed to our bookshelf and said, "What's wrong with all of the books on those shelves?" I've been using my phone so much lately to read, that I almost forgot about all the books we have invested in. I guess I just like the continence of having what I read on my phone wherever I go. 
               

Ryan bought me this books few years ago. I started to read it, but stopped for sme reason, then completely forgot about it. The author also wrote a version of 'Pride and Prejudice' called 'Pride and Prejudice and Zombies'. I didn't think I would like it when Ryan first bought it for me, but it was actually really good. It gave the story a good little silly twist. 

I love reading, and I always have. Ryan said he hated reading growing up, but he has learned to really enjoy it. So far Arianna and Hunter love reading. Ari will make up stories to the pictures and has even started to memorize some stories. Her favorite is 'Green Egga and Ham'. We try to read them a few stories before bedtime. They love it!
 
I also took them to the library for the first time this weekend. They were in heaven. I couldn't keep Hunter from grabbing handfuls of books off the shelves. Ari's favorites were the Curious George books. I think going to the library will be a weekly occurrence. I love it too because my favorite library just happens to be right next to Ryan's work, and the park where we had our first kiss, and where he proposed. The kids love to feed the ducks there.
 

 


Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Time


Ari 2 years old and Hunter 6 months
 
My kids are growing up way too fast. I was looking at Ari the other day noticing how grown up she's looked lately. She's definitely not a baby any more. She's a little girl. Hunter is looking a lot more grown up as well. He's talking a lot and mostly independent.
Bathtub Painting
 
With as fast as these two are growing, I have found it more important to really spend time with them and play with them.
puppet play - Hunter thought it was funny to wear them on his feet
 
I work 3 days a week, and I get to bring Hunter to work with me. I am so grateful that I have had the quality time with both kids when they were infants to be with them all the time.
Napping at the same time - something that is rare
 
On my days off I tend to get caught up in the housework, sometimes putting that in front of the kids, because it needs to be done. Sometimes I'm on my iPad or phone too much. During that time is usually when Arianna and Hunter get into the most mischief.
 
Last week I made sure to play with the kids more. The sink was full of dishes, laundry was overflowing in the hamper, but it waited. I could tell that the kids really enjoyed the one on one time. We played with puppets, colored, did an alphabet project and played.
A is for Alligator
 
I've been thinking about the future a lot lately. I hope I have a good relationship with the kids as they get older.  I hope they remember spending a lot of time with Ryan and me, instead of us being on the phone or computers all the time. I also hope that they will be open with Ryan and me, and I hope that they have a lot of good childhood memories and remember all the fun things we do!
 

BFFs!