The Streetpoet

Ever since Peter brought home an antler for Jerome he’s been begging to go to Daddy’s work and hunt…or hike. So Wednesday we drove out at lunchtime and had tamales from Peter’s stash and headed out for a little hike in the Westlake hills. It was a magical time of day and I loved seeing Peter in the sunshine! This time of year we only see him either before the sun rises or after it sets…mostly after it sets. The boys picked up sticks and threw rocks and asked a dozen questions. It was fun.

And finally, a self portrait with my baby on my back:

We want to go back on a weekend when we have more time to explore! Thanks for giving us your time, Babe!

Her writings are inspiring to me and her philosophy of education is worth studying. This tidbit spoke to me this week. It reminds me to lift up my gaze, as Dad so encouraged me to do also.

“To bring the human race, family by family, child by child, out of the savage and inhuman desolation where He is not, into the light and warmth and comfort of the presence of God, is no doubt, the chief thing we have to do in the world. And this individual work with each child, being the most momentous work in the world, is put into the hands of the wisest, most loving, disciplined and divinely instructed of human beings. Be ye perfect as your Father is perfect, is the perfection of parenthood, perhaps to be attained in its fullness only through parenthood. There are a few mistaken parents, ignorant parents, a few indifferent parents, even one in a thousand callous parents; but the good that is done, under God, by parents, whether directly or indirectly…The highest duty imposed upon him, it is also the most delicate; and he will have infinite humility, gentleness, love, and sound judgment, if he would present his child to God and the thought of God to the soul of the child.” ~Charlotte Mason

Glimpses of our week…last week:

Seth and Jerome digging first thing in the morning:

Ian is crawling all over the house now, but he hasn’t quite figured out the obstacle course idea:

He’s also learning that Mommy is happy to give him his own water if he’s thirsty:

We made Christmas cookies with Grace!

Jerome usually does his lessons while the little boys nap, not today:

He really is making wonderful progress in his reading and is sounding out small words!

He’s always said things differently, mixing up words and switching syllables. His words are nearly all correct now, but I love how he puts them together and thought I’d share a couple sentences with you:

After two sneezes; “I had two God bless yous!”

“Happy water Tuesday, like the Dollar Store!” (???)

“Tinkle, tinkle little star, up above the world so high. I know how God wonders what you are.”

This afternoon I was sitting on the couch nursing Ian and enjoying the dappled sunshine coming through the window and caressing us, when Seth quietly skips into the house whispering “Fweeoo, fweeoo, fweeoo”. He immediately climbs up onto his stool and in one motion is on top of the counter reaching what I believe is our last apple out of the hanging basket, he climbs easily down and opens the silverware drawer. Now, at this point I know he doesn’t know I’m watching him and as I’m pretty sure he’s after a sharp knife to cut his apple I’m pondering whether to scold him and break the spell or wait and see what he gets. He turns up with a table knife, and humming, immediately replaces it and shoves the apple whole into his mouth for a bite. He then continues opening and shutting the silverware drawer as he’s alternately munching and humming, and the produce basket is still swinging over his head. After a couple minutes he turns around with a grin on his face and tells me: “I got an apple!”. Ten minutes later all he’s got left is an apple core in his hands and I ask him “Was that a yummy apple?” and He said “No.” and looks down at it, “It has seeds in it.” and handed it to the dog who took it gratefully!

When we got home from church this afternoon the boys were grabbing leftover waffles and Ian was sleeping…so Peter suggested a mini shoot before we changed for lunch. I jumped at that chance! I don’t know why, since I love taking pictures and I adore my man, I don’t have many pictures of him. hmmm. So here he is, my husband:

These are black and white because of the grain and noise…I had forgotten to check my iso. :-/

Here you can see his gorgeous green eyes:

I ran and got Jerome to take a picture of us together and I absolutely LOVE this shot, especially the sunspots and the tilted frame. He’s quite the little photographer!

Then Peter caught a candid of me:

Fun times! Thank you Babe!

The day before Mama left we set out my bridesmaids bouquet from Noel’s wedding, the narcissus plant that Peter gave me for my birthday, and a deodar pine cone in a wooden bowl and got out the macro lens to play with. It was a cloudy, overcast day so the lighting was perfect! Check out what we got! These are mine:

And these are Mama’s:

She was obviously more adventuresome in her choices! That was fun shooting with you, Mama, thanks!