It all started with a few photos at breakfast time because I loved the light streaming in through the window. Well, "a few photos" turned into me documenting almost our entire day! I didn't plan on this happening, but I think that makes it even better.  My house was not clean, my kids were not put in special outfits, and I did not have to stress about getting them to pose or to get the perfect shot - this is simply us. Nothing extraordinary happened yet there are so many things I love about these images.  My children seem to change so quickly and moments are so fleeting. I wanted to have a special way to remember these precious yet challenging times in their lives. Here is a small window into my life with my two little ones and the best guy a girl could ask for! 

It's breakfast time!  Smoothies are always part of our morning and Oliver loves to help press the buttons on the blender.  I don't know how we will manage to get out of the house once we have to be on more of a schedule.  Breakfast is a long (and sometimes silly) process in our house!  

We played the morning away!  Nora loves any type of "gem" so she loved looking at the prism and both kiddos think its so fun to be in the big bed.

Here is my attempt to get in the photos. Although I have done this many times, if you ask me, taking self portraits is not easy.  "Just stick the camera on a tripod and grab your remote timer", they say.  "They will forgot that there is even a camera in front of them and they will just have fun playing with you", they say.  Not these kids! Ollie couldn't get off of my lap fast enough and Nora really wanted to be in charge of the remote.  Although its far from  perfect, I love it! 

I often become a jungle gym and I have the cutest monkeys climbing on me!

 What is it with this child and brooms?  It will be nice when he can actually help me sweep.  For now it amuses him for a few minutes (or seconds) before it becomes a tripping hazard...

More play time and a little tiff over who plays with what part of the castle...life is tough.

For a few weeks Oliver was completely obsessed with washing his hands.  Sometimes I would accidentally mention it and he would run down the hall and into the bathroom. I would hear the step stool getting moved into position which was often followed by the demands to, "WASH HANDS!" Sometimes he would even throw a "please" in that demand.  He does have excellent manners for a 1 and 1/2 year old, but patience is a virtue which this little guy does not yet possess (and if he's like me, he may very well be without.)

Nora doing a little reading before lunch-this girl will read anything she can get her hands on.  Up next, another long process of eating a meal.  Come to think of it, eating takes up a good portion of our day.  We love food!

"Sweeping" again after lunch and then Nora invites Oliver to play in her room.  She loves to lure him in there. They sometimes get into trouble, but its usually just a little jumping on the bed (and that bed is still sitting on the floor.)  Then the lights go out and some of the best money spent turns on...

The Flashlight!  I just love the way his protruding belly is lit up.  Like I said, they love to eat!

Playing in the closet, wanting to jump on the bed (but not doing it due to my presence) and just rolling around.  

Books, toys, dress up and snuggling.  He just loves Pooh Bear and is quite the snuggler these days. 

Getting ready for naptime!  Gosh, I love naptime. The fact that they BOTH still nap at about the same time is just glorious!  Here is my little helper getting a diaper, closing the drawer with his signature move (I find this hilarious) and laying himself down to be changed.  The only thing better would be a potty-trained child.  

I spend a little one on one time with Nora before its time for her to take a nap.  These days this time is spent with her reading.  She never wants me to read to her anymore and she doesn't even read out loud now.  I'll spare you another shot of her with a book for now.  

She wasn't very happy with me for taking the photo on the left.  She now knows what privacy means and she wants it (unless she is streaking through the house.) She takes naps on her floor, I don't protest.  Her "little pillow" has been sleeping with her since roughly age two. You better know where that thing is come naptime or bedtime or you will regret it.  Bottom right, she is pretending to sleep for me (her idea.)

Naptime for me means online time, quiet chore time and admittedly, I love a little catnap.  Nowadays I spend a good chuck of this time uploading and editing photos if need be but who wants to see me hunched over my computer.  I am so overdue for a massage!

Friday means Jeff comes home from work early!  I am so fortunate to have a husband who is such a hardworker at home and away from home.  I feel I am equally as fortunate that he knows how to relax and enjoy life.  He definitely deserves a nice cold one.

Since Jeff is home early, I decide to run to the post office.  Super exciting!  I forgot to get my package ready while the kids were awake (I may have been a bit preoccupied at this point.) I do not dare use packing tape and bubble wrap while there are two children happily napping, so I head out to the garage. Its so much easier to do a post office run with two empty carseats, so I will enjoy it even though it is COLD out.  See the picture of the temperature?  Yeah, I never do this but I thought I would document it incase you aren't familiar with March weather in Northern Michigan.  

Shortly after I get home the kids wake up.  Jeff usually retrieves them on Fridays.  It is so much sweeter than the way I just described it...awww!

On this day, Oliver met the milestone of climbing onto the big bed!  Apparently it can be frustrating but he was determined. Nora wanted to be silly and sit in the highchair, then she got into a good book and became pretty cozy.  

Daddy and Oliver dance to one of their favorite genres-reggae! 

The eating of dinner was excluded from documentation.  I think you got the picture with breakfast and lunch.

After dinner we took a family outing to a cute little bookstore in Harbor Springs where Jeff treats Nora to a new book. She has an incredible love of books.  It is a wonderful thing! 

Nora reading (again) and Oliver piled high with toys on the car ride home.  

Bathtime! Oliver loved baths (a whole 3 weeks ago) and now he very strongly dislikes them.  Like I said before, they change so quickly.

More fun with dad!  

Pajamas on and then more playing before bedtime.  At this point everyone had enough of the camera, myself included.  I kind of wish I had a few of the bedtime rituals, but it pretty much includes what you saw before naptime (and Nora reading a book.)  Goodnight!