Family Day

We spent the whole day as a family yesterday which was much needed. Despite it being super cold the sun was out, which is a rarity in this neck of the woods. We decided to go on a family hike. Bear was able to walk the majority of it on his own. He enjoyed the extra bit of independence and loved walking hand in hand with papa. While Wolf also enjoyed getting upgraded to the bigger carrier. We ended up having to cutting our hike short since we went a little late and the sun was setting too fast on us. But it was so worth it to get out. Sometimes I forget how much I miss the sunshine and fresh (freezing) air. 

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         " A portrait of my boys, once a week, every week, in 2013 "

Bear: He walked our hike for  the first time instead of being in a carrier. 

Wolf: I take random pictures on our hikes while he's on my back in a carrier to make sure he is okay. I loved his face in this one.

We had papa home today which makes all of us pretty happy. Enjoyed family cuddles in the morning and a family hike in the afternoon. Wishing we could have a family getaway soon. For now we will enjoy any family time we get. 

**linking to Jodi's 52 week challenge**

Mama Pressure

Do you ever over think something so much that you end up doing nothing? That is the very the place I am with my parenting. Lately I have second guessing myself and what I should be doing with the boys to the point that I end up doing nothing. It doesn't help that there are a lot of changes going on in our life, all good but as I have mentioned before I have a hard time with transition.

I got to thinking about how much pressure I put on myself to always do the "right/best" thing as a mom. And I realized that most moms are no strangers to these feelings yet we rarely confess them. Because somehow by saying "I am not sure what I should be doing right now?" it somehow means that we are admitting to failure. And no one want to feel like that when it comes to their kids.

The truth is  that even though it may not feel like this all the time we are better moms for it. The fact that we stress out about any and all aspects of our kids lives  (what they eat, what they learn, what books we should read, etc.) It means we are dedicated mothers who only wish to do the very best for them. We care so much that we often find our worth in these activities. I know I do.

I am learning to understand that there are stages in life, that we can't always be perfect and my boys will be fine despite my imperfections. I am learning to accept this un-inspiring time and enjoy what these quiet moments have to offer. I am learning to take the pressure off myself and not over think everything but rather be present in the moment. In the whole scheme of life there are only a few short years that my kids will be this little and need me this much. Maybe I should stop searching for things to do with them and instead BE with them. I am learning to love myself and through that teach my kids to love themselves.  For now I am just going to stop and enjoy.

2/52

                                    " A portrait of my boys, once a week, every week, in 2013 "

Bear: This little guy is just getting too big. Taking his brother for a stroll

Wolf: Such an independent little guy. So full of curiosity. 

Well, week two of the 52 week challenge is done. I am excited for the new week as I have slowly gotten back my motivation and inspiration to blog again. I have a few ideas and things in store that I am slowly working on and am excited to be putting them in action soon. Until then this project at least keeps me wanting to check in and say hello. 

Best of 2012

I am so late to the party with  the Kid Blogging Network Best Activities from 2012 linky party. We are linking up some of our favorite and best posts from some of my favorite kids educational blogs. BE sure to check them out, there is so many great ideas.

Here is the link to my best post of 2012. It is our PVC pipe fine motor activity post. It not only has been one of the most viewed but one of my personal favorites because the boys came up with these games on their own. It really is what inspired me to take a step back and allow the boys to explore their toys in a more open ended way.

Be sure to check out the rest of the co-host for this Blog Hop

52 Brand New ~ Adventures in Mommydom ~ angeliquefelix.com – The Magic Of Play ~ At home with Ali
B-Inspired Mama ~ Blog Me Mom ~Boy Mama Teacher Mama ~ Busy Kids = Happy Mom
Carrots Are Orange ~ Caution! Twins at Play ~ Coffee Cups and Crayons ~ Confessions of a Montessori Mom
Craft To Art ~ Creative Family Fun ~ Creative Kid Snacks ~ Creative Learning Fun ~ Creative Playhouse
Creative with Kids ~ Cute and Peculiar ~ De tout et de rien: Activités pour le Préscolaire ~ Dirt And Boogers
Edventures with Kids ~ Enchanted Homeschooling Mom ~ The Good Long RoadFrogs and snails and puppy dog tails ~ Glittering Muffins ~ Go Kid Yourself ~ Growing A Jeweled Rose
hands on : as we grow ~ Here Come the Girls ~ Home Learning Journey ~ Housing A Forest
Mama Smiles ~ In Lieu of Preschool ~ Inspiration Laboratories ~ Inspired by FamilyIt’s A Long Story ~ JDaniel4′s Mom ~ Kids Creative Chaos ~ Kid World CitizenKindergarten & Preschool for Parents & Teachers ~ Kitchen Counter Chronicles ~ Laughing Kids Learn
Learn with Play at home ~ Lessons Learnt Journal ~ Life At The Zoo ~ Little Artists ~ Living Life Intentionally
Living Montessori Now ~ Love, Play, Learn ~ Loving My Nest ~ Mama Pea Pod ~ mama miss ~Mamas Like MeMess For Less ~ Mom to 2 Posh Lil Divas ~ Momma’s Fun World ~ Montessori Tidbits ~ My Buddies and I
My Little Bookcase ~ My Nearest and Dearest ~ No Twiddle Twaddle ~ NurturestoreOctavia and Vicky ~ One Perfect Day ~ ourfeminist{play}school ~ Picklebums ~ Play Activities ~Playdough to PlatoPlayDrMom ~ playful learners ~ playing with words 365 ~ PragmaticMom ~ Putti’sWorld ~RainbowsWithinReachRainy Day Mum ~ Raising Playful Tots ~ Reading Confetti ~ Red Ted Art ~ Royal Baloo ~Science SparksScribble Doodle and Draw ~ Small Potatoes ~ Smiling like Sunshine ~ Sun Hats & Wellie Boots~ Sun Scholars
Teach Preschool ~ The Educators’ Spin On It ~ The Fairy and The Frog ~ The Freckled Homeschooler The Golden Gleam ~ The Imagination Tree ~ The Iowa Farmer’s Wife ~ The Outlaw Mom Blog The Pleasantest Thing ~ This Reading Mama ~ Toddler Approved ~ Train Up a Child
True Aim ~ Two Big Two Little ~ What Do We Do All Day? ~ Connecting Family and Seoul

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" A portrait of my boys, once a week, every week, in 2013 "

Bear: yarn and trains= serious play 

Wolf: first art project he didn't try to eat

  I have never done a photo challenge before and I am really excited about this one that Jodi is hosting. One picture of each of the boys a week sounds doable and exciting. So here is my first week of it.

Life has been pretty slow around here. I have been sick the last few days which has been pretty horrible with having to take care of these guys, luckily husband has totally been a super hero when he comes home from work and I have been able to rest when he gets back. Today is the first day I am feeling like a human again. Hopefully I am 100% tomorrow and we can get back to our life. I am off to bed again.