Kids Were Here

“These still life images serve as a daily reminder that my days are awash in chaos, whimsy, laughter and laundry (sometimes all at once). They capture toys and spills and puddles and piles. Sentimental, solitary moments of childhood ephemera. A gentle prodding to live in the now and stop looking toward the “then.” And though sometimes I pray for clean and quiet and still, I know all too well it will come. And I will yearn for tiny shrieks of laughter in my bedroom. For toys and loveys strewn about. For signs of a daily life well lived. For traces of my babies who once were. For reminders that Kids Were Here–and they were life and light and love.” – Stephanie Beaty We are a group of passionate photographers who are setting out to document details of evidence that Kids Were Here. It is a fabulous idea introduced by the very talented and creative Ketti Photography.

It was a good day to transplant our basil & cilantro; Ella decided to help, then we were distracted by soccer & tee-ball. No transplanting ever occurred. 

Knights. Knights. Knights. Everywhere, everyday, in games, figures & costumes. Knights. Knights. Knights

Covey got himself a bowl of cereal. I took a deep breath, & grabbed my camera (thanks to this project).

Ella's teething like crazy; I'm not sure if her necklace helps, but it's cute :)

Four little lids to the applesauce squeezey pouches means four empty snack pouches probably didn't make it to the trash.

Rody has been around since Covey turned one (he'll be four in 6 weeks). They love him.  

Covey: "Mom, I never want to go to Africa." Me: "Okay, why?" Covey: "Because Honey Badgers live there."...& then a few hours later I found this (the irony: he has no idea where Africa is)

I busted these out because they're cute. The boys literally busted them in their bathroom door. 

It feels like spring- the buckets & shovels are ready for some beach time.

This game has come out almost every day this past week, yet we haven't played it in weeks.  

Working on the kids' journals- consolidating all of their random baby book entries, into one special journal for each of them.

Packing Rylee's morning lunch- do you want apple or pear? Always pear...unless we only have apples.

The Last Two Weeks of April

April 15. Soccer water break. April 16. My oldest baby.

April 17. The first attempt at transplanting.

April 18. Lately, she's been snuggling her brother's shoe.

April 19. Superman.

April 20. Feeding her dollhouse crumbs.

April 21. A tiny break in the weather.

April 22. Happy Earth Day.

April 23. Snacking.

April 24. Attack of the band-aids.

April 25. Jump, jump, jump, as high as you can.

April 26. Making good use of our good weather.

April 27. I almost forgot to take a picture today, so I'm stuck with this...at least her face is cute ;)

April 28. Acting innocent.

April 29. The boys requested a photo with their sister <3

April 30. The post-dinner Batman attack.

 

Welcome to the World, Evie

Evie arrived right on time. She's my sister's very first baby, which means she's 50% Peterson, & us Peterson's have a long familial line of tardiness. No matter how hard we try, we always seem to be five minutes late (or fifty, depending on the circumstance). So when my sister texted me Saturday morning, I somehow missed the part about her water actually breaking, & thought, no way will she really come today- it's her due date (my kids were also all 8-11 days late, so again, no way). But then I re-read the text & hustled to get ready, so I wasn't late for Evie. On my way to pick up my mom, Wagon Wheel was the first song to come on, & then I knew, even though she was very much on-time, she was a heck-of-a-lot of Peterson. That song is a family favorite, so it just seemed right to hear it blast through the radio. Even if it wasn't Old Crow Medicine Show singing. Six days after she was born, we did her newborn photos. Welcome to the world, our little "Easter Evie," & the day she was born can be viewed here

The First Two Weeks of April

92. April 2nd. The cabinet raider. 93. April 3rd. Lunch at Aunti's.

94. April 4th. Blowing kisses.

95. April 5th. Hanging at Aunti's again.

96. April 6th. Shovels & shadows, feeling kind of like spring.

97. April 7th. Sunday dance party.

98. April 8th. The sky is no longer dark at bedtime.

99. April 9th. Playing it safe.

100. April 10th. One-eye pirate peek-a-boo.

101. April 11th. The dishwasher dance.

102. April 12th. Holes in the socks, all the time.

103. April 13th. Birthday party day.

104. April 14th. Today, she is ONE.