Shutter Hugger

So my granddaughter, Reagan, came over yesterday and I took her into my bedroom and tried to get a few pictures of her on my bed. She wanted nothing to do with that. She fussed and reached out to be picked up and basically let me know that she cared nothing about having her picture taken. I resorted to getting out a bunch of bright beads -- knowing she would love them and I would get some really cute pics. She did NOT love them and she actually seemed to hate them touching her at first. Finally, she calmed down a bit and started playing with the beads a little and I tried to get a few good pictures. But, she paid no attention to me no matter how hard I tried to get her attention -- I called and made noises and Abigail stood next to me and made silly sounds and called her. Reagan looked to the left and the right and up and down but barely gave me a glance. I just wanted a few pics with her looking into the camera.  Oh, well. 

So, I have now ordered this little guy. I am thinking that Reagan may find him amusing or that he will at least get her attention for a few seconds. 

You put him on your camera's lens and he is suppose to help get your child to look at the camera. If it really works then he will be useful for Bella, too. I don't think Sophia will pay any attention to him, but you never know. 

Closing Weeks of Day Long Play

We start school in another week and so the days of playing all day long play are coming to an end. I am sorry to see summer end, but kind of ready for fall at the same time. I think I have enjoyed this summer of doing almost nothing more than my daughter that suggested it. I have spent more time watching the kids just play and have paid more attention to all the things they have built and put together. So this is the end of long days with almost nothing to do.

They are filling up these last days with riding bikes in our back yard.

Making coffee and tea.

Making houses, bridges and rivers and lakes for the fairies.

Making crafts.

Sophia and Bella love to be on the front porch -- Sophia actually cries when we bring her in.

Resting and relaxing.

A Baby Shower

My son and his wife, Shannon, are expecting their first baby in October. On Saturday my daughter, Emily, and I gave her a baby shower. We did a pink and blue theme as we do not know if the baby is a boy or girl -- they wanted to be surprised. So the basic theme was "is it a girl?" or " is it a boy?". We had pink Jordan Almonds and blue Jordan Almonds and pink mints and blue mints -- even pink and blue lemonade. I think it turned out quite well and she had family and friends that traveled all the way from Pennsylvania to be here for her -- about a 5 hour drive, I think. It was only nine months ago we had a shower for my daughter Meredith, and now, less than a year later, we will have another little grandchild. 

We made lemonade and used food coloring to try to make it blue -- it looks more green blue to me but my daughter insists that it is blue. It was the best we seemed to be able to do, anyway. The pink was easy.

Reagan definitely liked the decorations and she also liked the food -- the little that her mom let her taste. 

I saw this idea and thought it was cute  -- make a calendar and have everyone write their name in the box with the date that they think the baby will arrive. Then the mom-to-be takes it home to keep. 

 A friend's daughter checking to see if her guess on how big around Shannon's tummy is could be the closest guess. We joked and told her she could NOT measure herself to get an idea of the correct measurement. 

Summer's End

I have really enjoyed this summer -- the one we decided to do almost nothing. We have spent a lot of time at home -- kids playing outside and reading. We have gone to the pool and our local amusement park several times, out for ice cream and had a family video night -- one where I actually talked my older kids into coming over and watching our old family videos. I feel like I have been able to spend more time reading to the kids and just talking to them, without having to rush around. I am not sure if my daughter that suggested we do nothing this summer will feel the same way next summer, but I for one have really enjoyed the slower pace. I am rather sad for summer to end -- even though I do love fall. 

In three weeks we will start back to school. Sarah and Caroline are very excited about school as they have new backpacks. We do home school so they don't really wear the backpacks out anywhere but  keep all of their school books in them so they will stay together. I am finishing up plans and getting last minute books so we will have everything we need to start -- I feel like I need more time. 

I bought a set of tiny fairies for Bethany and she has played and played with them outside under the trees. 

My granddaughter, Reagan, came to visit weekly this summer. Last week when she came she sat in the high chair and watched Sarah and Jordan make brownies.

Bella and Sophia enjoy their pool -- well, Bella does when Sophia is not pulling her hair. 

                                                                       Lazy Summer!