36/52

A portrait of my children once a week, every week, in 2014. Linking up with Jodi and her 52 project.

Bode: loves watching science shows on TV

Gianna: no matter how many times or how well we brush her hair, it always ends up looking like some version of this

Nico: probably wondering, "Why did Mommy say NO (when I climbed up here on the fireplace)?"

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On Labor Day, we set out for Hood River.  But an emergency announcement on the radio told us that the highway was closed due to "police activity."  So we had to re-route ourselves.  After much bickering (I am directionally challenged, and can't read a map - not even an iPhone map - to save my life. This drives RWF absolutely freaking CRAZY.), we wound up at a place in the Southeast called Powell's Butte, a 608 acre nature preserve.  These snaps were taken there.

Monday night, we remembered to Google the "police activity" that had closed a long stretch of the highway: a gunman was on the highway, shooting at cars.  The gunman was eventually killed by the police after a stand-off.   (ACK!)

This day was a sad day.  It was the first time we had taken off on a walk without Priscilla in tow.  She has been ill, and is not able to join us on walks anymore. 

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A portrait of my children once a week, every week, in 2014. Linking up with Jodi and her 52 project.



Bode: Story teller. In the car on a long ride, he entertained us.  He has such a big imagination!

Gianna: Swimmer (almost).  Last 2 weeks of swim lessons for this summer!

Nico:  Explorer.  Loves walks, and finding things...and he walks for so long! I rarely have to carry him.

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A portrait of my children once a week, every week, in 2014. Linking up with Jodi and her 52 project.


Bode: lost his first front tooth this week, and finally agreed to a hair cut (love that smile!).

Gianna: learning to button (and wearing a sweater that cool summer morning)

Nico: went down the slide by himself (fearless!)

31/52

A portrait of my children once a week, every week, in 2014.  Linking up with Jodi and her 52 project.

Bode: is suddenly into LEGO again.  

Gianna: pensive

Nico:  colors every morning before breakfast

30/52

A portrait of my children once a week, every week, in 2014. Linking up with Jodi and her 52 project.

Bode: lounged in this awkward position for the entire TV show, wiggling his loose front tooth the entire time (also love that he still likes wearing his socks mismatched, intentionally!)

Gianna: enjoying the sprinkler slide on a hot afternoon

Nico: loves wearing my hats (and reminds me of another little guy who loved hats as a toddler)

29/52

A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2014. Linking up with Jodi and her 52 project.

Bode: is in a growing his hair out phase.  This weekend, he insisted on a ponytail (and I happily obliged).  I figure that this phase will end soon. RWF was trying to talk him into a haircut this weekend. I'm all, "Why???"  He's a 5 year old boy.  Let him do with his hair what he wants. Years from now, he's not going to have the liberty (or inclination, most likely) to take risks like this without a lot of comment/peer pressure. Plus, the hair coupled with the old Lightening McQueen racing suit made me nostalgic, I guess? I remember when he was a toddler with long, curly hair and 100% invested in all things Cars.

Gianna: snack break after ballet camp.  Those tiny ballet shoes. (swoon)

Nico: happy (what else can I say?)

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A portrait of my children once a week, every week, in 2014.* Linking up with Jodi and her 52 project.** 

Bode - enjoying a princess moment (I love this photo because he's OK with being a princess!)

Gianna - the princess phase

Nico - will miss "school" as much as his brother and sister

*Okay, I am officially lame!!!  I think this is the 3rd, or maybe even the 4th, week that I've used photos snapped off of my iPhone for this series.  I just haven't been taking any pictures.  I need to make this a priority again and give this project the attention that I know that I will want to see at the end of the year.

**But not really linking up because again - LAME! I am so late to the game.  I need to step it up.

22/52

A portrait of my children once a week, every week, in 2014.  Linking up with Jodi and her 52 project.*

Bode: when he was a baby/toddler, he loved wearing hats.  One night this week, he put Gianna's tutu on his head and it made me smile so hard. It reminded me of him as a baby (and oh, that smile!).

Gianna: loving all the birthday specialness, like being able to wear a "fancy" pink dress to school

Nico: we never take him to parks, so swings are really a fun surprise

*I am so late! And my pictures are lame (quality) because they are off my iPhone. I must do better.

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A portrait a week, once a week, of my children. Linking up with Jodi and her 52 project.

Bode: I am not the only one to notice the growth spurt. Two mothers in the classroom spontaneously exclaimed, "Bode's grown!" and "Bode's shot up!"  Plus, the hair...I'm leaving it alone until  he tells me he's ready for a hair cut.

Gianna:  almost four, and going through a fun, fearless stage

Nico: is able to ride his bear rocker now! He received this when he was a tiny baby from his Grandma.

20/52

A portrait of my children once a week, every week, in 2014. Linking up with Jodi and her 52 project.


Bode: enjoying the first popsicle of the season

Gianna: finishes her popsicle first (of course)

Nico: first popsicle ever!

19/52

A portrait of my children once a week, every week, in 2014. Linking up with Jodi and her 52 project.

iPhone photos only this week, I'm afraid.  I was too lazy/tired/busy to pull out the camera, so I had to pull some snaps off of my phone.

Bode:  found a snail shell on our walk

Gianna: a flower in her hair and flowers on her dress for Mother's Day

Nico:  is obsessed with "Goodnight Moon" (by Margaret Wise Brown) and asks me to read it all the time!

18/52

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A portrait a week, once a week, of my children, in 2014. Linking up with Jodi and her 52 project.

Bode: is sometimes emotional and tired in the late afternoon (as evidenced in this photo). It is a shame that he can't/won't nap.

Gianna: was so excited about the May Day celebration that she couldn't eat breakfast that morning.

Nico: is more vocal about what he will and won't do/what he does and does not like/what he thinks is acceptable and not acceptable for others to be/say/do.

15/52

A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2014. Linking up with Jodi and her 52 project.


Bode: playing "spaceship" on a weekend walk

Gianna: "girl talk" with Mommy

Nico: early, early morning wake-ups

14/52

A portrait of my children once a week, every week, in 2014. Linking up with Jodi and her 52 project.


Bode: his imagination is so much fun, I love just listening to him

Gianna:  in what we call the "doorway" on our walk.

Nico: walking on his own and enjoying his exploration (just the way it should be)

12/52

A portrait of my children once a week, every week, in 2014. Linking up with Jodi and her 52 project.

Bode: loves chasing me in the backyard. The closer he gets to "catching" me, the harder I laugh, and the slower I run.

Gianna:  swinging

Nico: knows how to throw a ball, catch a ball, kick a ball, run and jump. He is our most "athletic" child.

11/52

A portrait of my children once a week, every week, in 2014. Linking up with Jodi and her 52 project. 

Bode: our story teller at the dinner table

Gianna: sharp eyes

Nico: discovered bubbles this week