I went a bit crazy with the processing on this one. Experimenting, I guess…

I love watching Nathaniel and David interact. It’s one of my favorite things to do. How he looks up to him.

And how patient David is with him and plays with him.

I love watching them build blocks together.

David never really played with these when he was little.

But Nathaniel watches David like a hawk and has learned so much about blocks from him.

so now he can build big towers and loves to do so.

He also loves making funny noises while he walks.

And here’s beautiful David.

I feel like I don’t get enough photos of him lately.

And by the end of the day, we see a lot of this which is a cue for mommy to start dinner so we can go to bed. Especially since the naps have gone all wonky lately.

And now I am trying to catch up on my June list which is a bit behind but I don’t feel worried. Things are chugging along and I’ve been reading so much and I love that.

Note to Self:
While it was a relatively ordinary day here, my brother in law and his wife had their first baby today! A little boy, Caleb. It made me realize that at this moment while I sit here, having an ordinary moment, someone else is having a baby. Some one is dying. Someone is finding out bad news. Someone is getting great news. To so many people today is extra special and a day they will remember forever. Isn’t that amazing? Somehow, that makes me really happy.

Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. My full life. I feel like my life is so full. Of my family. of love, of joy, of intellectual curiosity and art and memories. I love it so.
2. I am grateful that my brother in law and sister in law had a healthy little boy. It was a long day for them and I am so happy it ended well and they are all doing well. We love you!
3. I am grateful that June is not over yet. I want it to last a while longer. Not ready for July just yet.

Two Things David’s Grateful For:
1. building a lego city.
2. mommy.

There’s something odd I like about this photo.

This is the kind of day Nathaniel had today. He woke up at 6, went down for nap at 9 and slept all the way to 12:30 and then was cranky most of the day.

But he’s still so cute.

David was watching his shows and Nathaniel played right next to him.

And I deeply admired how restrained David was. He did not yell at the little boy at all. Not once.

Then Nathaniel decided to topple over the whole box of legos.

And looked at me like he did nothing wrong when I got his attention. What? his expression said.

It was of course David who had to clean all of those and he did without complaint. My angel.

Book club tonight so I am trying to get all my tasks done before they get here.

Note to Self:
My back is still in quite a bit of pain. I wonder if this is someone’s way of telling me to slow down. Or just be less stupid when I bend down.

Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. My little boys. They make me so so happy.
2. Jake’s been coming home early and feeding the boys dinner. I am so worn out by night time that this is a tremendous help for me. I am so grateful for it.
3. I am grateful that my book is ending. It turned miserable and I can’t wait to finish it.

Two Things David’s Grateful For:
1. batman movies.
2, daddy
3. doing toy story workbook with mommy
4. i’m grateful for myself.

Flowers, bugs, animals. Those seem to be my favorite subjects (except for the family of course).

Today I woke up before the kids. It was quite amazing. I opened my eyes scared of the silence and tiptoed over to their rooms to find both of them sleeping soundly. I came down and spent a few quiet minutes reading my book. Then David joined me. Nathaniel didn’t wake up until 7:30. A record.

While everyone else was sleeping, David and I finished his Father’s Day card and we excitedly waited for Daddy to wake up. Once he came down the stairs, David whipped out the card (photos tomorrow) and presented it proudly. I then made them all breakfast. Daddy wanted eggs with a lot of cheese so that and some blueberries and raspberries is what he got. David got to have a vanilla and oreo yogurt, some toast, and some graham crackers. Nathaniel and I each had one egg, some toast and he had some berries and graham crackers, too.

Wonderful way to start our day. Then Daddy took some alone time while the kids played and I read. I read two books this weekend and loved them both. Love it when that happens. Nathaniel went down for his nap and I told David he could play some more Wii since he was so good. And I kept reading. When Nathaniel woke up, we all went out to lunch at one of our favorite restaurants, Donato.

The boys didn’t accomodate me so this was the best shot I got of all three of them.

But I did take some individual ones. One of the big boy with the long lashes.

And one of the little one who just discovered crayons and how good they taste.

And one of the man of the hour.

We ate and laughed and talked and even drew on the table.

After we came home, the boys played some Wii while I finished my book. The minute they took a break, Nathaniel grabbed the remote to attempt his own game.

Dinner, bath, and the boys were in bed. When I leaned over to kiss Nathaniel goodnight, I threw out my back and it’s hurting like crazy. I am praying that a night of sleep will ease the pain so I am headed to bed really soon. I did a little bit of painting and might or might not get to finish my Weekly Gratitude work but I am not worried, I will catch up tomorrow if needed. I’ve already accomplished such a monumental amount this June that I feel really good about it.

Oh a few other things I wanted to mention: David has a tooth that’s wobbly. I thought it was too soon but I guess it might be falling out in a month or so. Wow.

And my butterfly photo got chosen by Pioneer Woman for group 5 set on bugs which also made my day.

I promised my friend Deb that I would send her an email this weekend about my exercise goals and while I’ve sort of been thinking about it, it’s been on the list of things I’ve been postponing doing. I just don’t understand why this has been such a struggle. I wish I could do better.

Note to Self:
I just wanted to take the time today to thank my wonderful husband who is also my best friend in the whole world and my companion in every sense of the word. I like him, love him and I am so in love with him. He is my favorite person on earth. I am so thankful that we found each other and that we stuck together. He completes my life so fully. He is the best father to our amazing two kids whose faces light up the minute he walks through the door. And so does mine. We love you, Daddy!

Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. My husband. Today and every other day.
2. Thankful for lots of quality family time today. I love my family so deeply and feel so grateful for them.
3. Thankful for good books. They can be such good fodder for thought, conversation, and entertainment.

Two Things David’s Grateful For:
1. playing wii with daddy.
2. playing wii alone.