Click Chicks - Black & White - Do you recognize this pier?

Click Chicks - Black & White

This week I chose some old photos I took before we moved away from Southern California.  
 This was a very special location for one of my all time favorite shows. This pier, this location, visiting it.. was bucket list for me. 
Do you recognize it?

If you follow me on Instagram and have a really good memory (or love the show like I did) you might remember some IG photos when I visited 52 weeks ago.  Wow, looking that up on IG was surprising!  I can't believe it has been a whole year since I visited this special place. My IG pics from last year. Of course we had to sit...

And order chili cheese fries

And get caught by the employees full on teenybopping and taking lame pics of autographs (no regrets!)

It was fun. I miss Southern California.

may 2nd- insect or animal
may 9th- bridge
may 16th- mom
may 23rd- celebrate
may 30th- weather Grab a button if you'd like and link up!  
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The "H" word?

  The truth is, I'm guilty of using it.  And using it for ridiculous things.   It's just not something I want my kid hearing. It's on the list in the back of my mind, things to never say in front of my toddler.

 I'll be honest, there are times when I slip and I use a word from that list.  To be totally transparent just the other day I was reminding myself that it's a miracle he doesn't say "Crap" yet and that I need to find a replacement word, a better way to describe what I'm feeling in that moment.

However there are things I think I've kept from him pretty well.  The dreaded F word for one.  And even more important to me.. the H word.  I don't like the word - hate.  To me, it's ugly and awful and I don't want my kid even knowing what it means much less using it.  Not yet.  I  know everyone has their own "thing" - things they want to shield their child from being exposed to until the time is right.  And of course it doesn't always work out the way we want, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't try, does it?

So why all this chitter chatter?  Why the "H" word?

I have gotten two books in the last few months, both from the scholastic book club, with the word hate in them.  Both books aimed at preschoolers.  Is it just me, or is that surprising?  I was surprised.  We've read dozens and dozens of books in this 2.5 years of life and I've only come across this word twice.  The word wasn't used it an awful way in either book, it was dialogue.  One time in reference to broccoli, so that's sort of understandable... but really?  Is it necessary?

I just didn't even realize how much a word could bother me.  We still read the books, I skip around it now, use other words instead.  It's not that much harder to say "I don't like broccoli" than "i hate broccoli", I guess the attitude isn't really the same but I don't want my kid to have a word like that to use when he's feeling attitude.

So, Is it just me?  Am I being extreme? I don't even know, it's just the way I feel right now at this point in his life.  I want to keep him little for as long as possible.

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So I wrote all this the other day; before my other book post.  I wasn't sure I wanted to post it.  Then we were watching Clifford yesterday and there it was again.. the H word.  He doesn't say it yet, but he's definitely heard it a few times.  My feelings about it haven't changed, it's not my favorite.  I think there are better ways to teach a child to express distaste or dislike of anything and everything.

What do you think?  Have I become one of those uptight crazy parents?  Please say it isn't so.

overwhelmed with picture books

My house is starting to look like a children's library.  There are books on every open surface and I'm running out of places to keep them.  This is not a complaint, I absolutely love it.  I love children's books.  I guess you could say, I collect them.

From second grade to twelfth grade the library was always my favorite room in my school.  Getting read to as a child?  One of my favorite memories.  I remember that my 3rd grade teacher went above and beyond and we had a special read aloud time every single day in her class, and I looked forward to it constantly.  I absolutely love children's books.  I don't think there is much we can do for our kids that shows more love and support than to read to them every day.

Now, I am not an expert in... anything?  I am not a teacher, I did not take early childhood development (or any childhood development classes) or any teaching courses.  This isn't based on numbers or facts or anything other than the fact that I loved to be read to as a kid.  I know it's important to read to our kids because I've been told that, but seeing my kids face light up at "book time" is what really taught me that.

Of course there are days when he doesn't want to settle down or sit down at all, he's a 2.5 year old boy!  He is not a machine, he's not always predictable.  However, if I try and lay him down for a nap with out a book?  He cries.  He begs for it.  This happens occasionally when we've been out for an extremely long time after normal nap time.  But I've learned that even in those instances, 5-10 minutes of reading will help him settle down a lot easier and it's a wonderful way to show him how much I love him.

So.. am I reading to Declan constantly?  Am I living up to that expectation I had for myself?  Is that why my house looks like a disorganized library?  No.  I wish it was.  Sometimes I still find it really hard to just sit down with a stack and read read read.  I wish I didn't.

Don't get me wrong.. we read every day.  In our house it's a bad day if we only read 3 books.  A really bad day.  Yesterday.. I think we read 5, total.  That's probably not 20 minutes worth, and truly.. not enough for any kid especially a 2.5 year old that is hungry for knowledge.  Declan definitely spends more time watching TV than he does reading books, on a daily basis.  And it's something I am anxious to change.

But!  I'm a work from home mom.  I sometimes need that time, that quiet that peace that comes from a child mostly glued to the television.  It's sad.  It's not what I pictured my mothering to look like at all.  I am disappointed in myself.

So why I am writing this?  It's a challenge to myself.

-A challenge to pick up the books that are on every imaginable surface of our living area - because they come in the mail from Grandma, or come home from the cubby at school from our scholastic order and they haven't quite made it upstairs yet.  A challenge to pick them up, and read them.  And then!  Find a good place to store them.  To get organized!

-I need to go through his books.. there are so many that are meant for babies that he does still enjoy looking through, but many he's moved past that need to be stored for our next kidlet that eventually comes along. To make space for him to grow with the longer stories he now appreciates so much more.

-I need to not purchase anymore books (even for a dollar) until we read all of the books we already have.  We get a nice sized box from Grandma (who used to be a Kindergarten teacher and is slowly gifting her stash to all her lucky grandchildren) every month, and there is really no need for me to be purchasing any books above and beyond this.

-And finally - to read for a larger portion of the day.  To take my daily 3 book minimum and make it a daily 10 book minimum.  We have the time.  We have the resources.  My kid deserves this, and so do I.  I love that cuddle time and I need to cherish it more because these precious years are flying by.

Here are a couple of the really great books we are really enjoying recently:

                                                  

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If I ended up with some doubles of children's books (I have already got a few) are there any mama's out there that would appreciate some gently used books?   Most of the doubles are board books, but I know I have a few that are better for age 2+   If anyone is interested leave a note and I will post what I've got and either do a "give away" or just give them away.  Let me know :)

Click Chicks - Happiness

Click Chicks - Happiness

Description- A moment of silly, free running, smiley glee

Coming up:

april 25th- black & white
may 2nd- insect or animal

may 9th- bridge

may 16th- mom

may 23rd- celebrate
may 30th- weather

Because it's fun.

A place for animals, friendship and photography.

This week Declan and I visited a farm animal sanctuary with some friends.  It is a 600 acre farm where farm animals can live out their lives in safety while being well taken care of and loved.

We weren't sure what to expect, it was gorgeous.  We happened to pick a beautiful day to visit and we couldn't have had a more peaceful time walking around and trying to peak in at the animals through the fences.  They have so much space to live and roam around that it was hard to get a look at some of the animals, but it was really fun and wonderful to see how much space they have to just live.

And I took way too many pictures.  As usual.

Here's Declan with my friend Sadie's daughter who has taken D under her wing.  She's 4.5 he's 2.5 and for the most part they get on wonderfully (definitely as well as can be expected).  She puts up with a lot of BS from him haha.  But if you ask Declan who he loves, he just says her name.  It's quite funny and oh so sweet.

Checking out the bunny rabbits

Checking out the turkeys

We did lots and lots of walking.

And some flying.

And some hand holding.

What's cuter than kids holding hands?

There were lots of "wait, smile for mommy!" moments.

And I found a palm tree and if you know me, you know that was the cherry on top of a great day.

And then I looked at my pictures and his pose? Some chocolate sauce on top.

We kept wandering, wondering if we'd see any "big" animals.

Then we found some sheep!

If you are wondering if that little guy only has 3 legs, you would be right.

And finally, we found a cow.  Day made.

These gems taken by my friend's daughter.  I'm so glad I asked her to give it a try!

Sadie and I.  Awesome friend who didn't make fun of me for anxiously worrying about rattlesnakes constantly while we were there.  We never did see one.  Phew!

Me and my boy.

---

I truly can't believe how much there is to see and explore around where we live now.  We are having an absolute blast living here and wouldn't want to be anywhere else in the world right now.  If you have been reading since the beginning (which was only like what? 7 months ago?) then you know this is kind of a huge deal.  We followed our instincts and so far, life is a really fun adventure.  We are so thankful for how things are turning out, and though of course things are not perfect, they are wonderful.  And what more would I dare ask for?  

Thanks for reading :)

Click Chicks - Silhouettes

Topic: Silhouette 

Titled: sunset through the trees

The fact is I never got out my camera this week.  At all!  In the back of my mind I thought I probably wouldn't do better than this.  And I also regretted not saving my last sunset photo for this.  Silhouettes of people are one of my favorite things. Now seeing all the other click chicks photos Meagan posted on Instagram & I feel like I should have been more driven to create a new image.  You ladies inspire me!  

Next week:

april 18th- happiness

april 25th- black & white

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Here is the link

words

You know that saying "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all."  Well I've been living that out, on this blog anyway.  I've had a few verbal spills on twitter (and in real life).  But here?  I haven't written a darn thing.  I have had some things on my mind that I couldn't shake, until now.  And I just couldn't come here with that nastiness, this is no place for nastiness.

This is a place for good things, for the best things.

Today is going to be a good day.  

It's a Wednesday.  Wednesday means Dance Class.  And Dance Class means bagels, a vanilla steamer, and an iced coffee.  It means a walk through our sweet little town in the early morning hours while the people are just getting their shops open, just getting ready for the coming day.  It means being outside and seeing people, seeing life and hopefully breathing it all in.

Time is flying.  Things are happening.  Good things, not so good things.  Happy things and sad things.  Brave things and quiet things, small moments, big moments.  It's all happening.  Time is flying.  It always does.  It feels like it goes faster when I have nothing left here to show for it. 

So some filler:

- Yesterday.  Tuesday, 4/9

 It was Declan's half birthday.  We didn't celebrate or do anything over the top.  I mean it's a half birthday and if I'm being real, the kid was just spoiled rotten over Easter.  But, the fact is?  My baby?  My one and only?  He's 2.5!  That's huge.  Especially considering earlier this week while we were discussing my cousin's new baby he told me "I a yittle baby too" "Carry me yike yittle baby too".  Uh.  Okay kid.  But only because this is the very end of your baby boyhood.  It's coming to a close quickly, he's a yittle kid now. (And yes, I have baby fever like whoa.)

Where we live, I think I have mentioned in the past, we can walk to our town.  We live in a real town, with a main street, a church street, a school street, and our high street is at the top of a hill.  For real.  And I love it. We all love it.  Declan and I love to go for walks when the weather permits.  Yesterday we left our drive way and turned right.  We always turn left.  It was a first.  The church bells were ringing, it was just 5' O'clock and because D loves the church bells, I decided to walk towards them.  We made it in time for the little song it plays at the end, to mark the end of the work day (I assume?) and I was able to point up to the bell tower and show D where the sound was coming from.  We enjoyed that, went and checked out the historic graveyard where the original church in our town stood and then we kept walking.  

We walked down Church street (which we had never done before), and then we walked all the way downtown.  And then?  We walked home.  No treat yesterday, no hidden agenda, just a pleasant stroll through our town, discovering a new street and checking out the gorgeous Victorian style homes that still line our streets.  And it was lovely.  We picked up sticks, tiny adorable pine cones and we just enjoyed.  I took some photos of a cool, crazy old house that reminded me of the movie Practical Magic, and we just were.  We just enjoyed being.

And that is the thing I am loving most about this move, this new place in our life, this town.  Everyone just is. No one is questioning what everyone else is up to, no one cares.  Whether you are planting a garden full of veggies in your front yard or have a yard full of gnomes and plaster mushrooms, no one cares.  They enjoy diversity here, differences, there is no pressure to meet the status quo.  Everyone's status is different and everyone is just busy being themselves and it's a beautiful thing.  I am learning to let go of pressures, of things that we spend our whole lives creating and trying to live up to, and I'm just being.  I'm not dressing like a hippy, or like I'm ready for the country club, I'm just putting on clothes and going about my day with a smile on my face.  And?  I can feel that relief, that happiness, that pressure melting away and I'm loving it.

And I'm happy it's Wednesday.  We're happy it's Wednesday.  We've got Dance Class in a few minutes.  It's a good day already and it's not even 9 AM.  And I'm happy I finally got out some words.

I hope you have a beautiful day too.

Click Chicks - Bokeh (blurry background)

Titled: White flowers

Description: I took about 25 pictures before I finally got one that focused where I wanted it to.

Next week's topic:  silhouettes

april 11th- silhouettes

april 18th- happiness

april 25th- black & white

We would love for you to grab a button and link up! Because it's fun. <center> <br><a href="http://www.readyforroots.blogspot.com//"><img border="0" src="http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o98/poisonivy068/clickchicksbutton_zps503dcdaf.jpg" /></a></center> <br>