Getting outside is one of my April goals, and we spent most of our free time outdoors this week – mostly on after dinner walks. We also (finally!) tried out our local pool, and were surprised to find that it is heated to surprisingly warm temperatures. So we spent a few afternoons there. Hopefully the kids will all learn to swim by the end of the summer!
I love spending time outdoors with my kids! They have such a natural curiosity. They have all been learning a lot about how the earth moves in relation to the sun by watching their shadows at different times of day.
The kids find all sorts of interesting plants and rocks while playing outdoors, and we talk a lot about those – sometimes from a science perspective, and often simply admiring their natural beauty and complexity.
The kids like to little tree overhangs and piles of branches that they use to build forts and houses. They all work together to find these spots!
Being out in nature is also a great opportunity for me to work on photography – one of my other goals for this month
The kids also got to play with their cousin S a lot this past week! Anna is finally starting to catch up with him enough that it is fun for them to play together, and that was very cute to see! They also got to see Mike’s aunt, uncle, and cousin, some family friends, AND we spent Saturday in San Francisco!
Then we started this week off with some excellent excitement – little cousin S became a big brother, and I got to practice my newborn photography on his gorgeous little sister V. She showed up very early Sunday morning, and my kids can’t wait to meet her!
How was your week?
2014 After School Party HOSTS
The Educators’ Spin On It
Planet Smarty Pants
Boy Mama Teacher Mama
Coffee Cups and Crayons
Little Wonders’ Days
Mama Smiles
Relentlessly Fun, Deceptively Educational
The Measured Mom
This Reading Mama
What Do We Do All Day
Please share you elementary school aged activities in the linky below (by doing so you are giving the linky hosts permission to feature your post and to pin it to our After School Activities board on Pinterest). I adored these Storybook Inspired Easter Eggs from Growing Book by Book and this Sticky Face contact paper craft from the connection we share that were linked up last week!
MaryAnne is a craft loving educator, musician, photographer, and writer who lives in Silicon Valley with her husband Mike and their four children.
Congratulations on your newest family member! Your photography is amazing!! It looks like a wonderful week.
Sounds like a perfect week! So fun to photograph those cute, pink newborns.
Newborns are so special! I am excited to have this new niece to cuddle.
We’re so excited for your new family member too! It was a wonderful news to start this week. This week has gone by quickly, but we’re taking it day by day without any major goals but to rest and take it easy.
Those sound like excellent goals!
MaryAnne, those images are so gorgeous!! And, a big BRAVO for hitting one of your goals this month – Yay!!
Thank you!
Oops, I’d had this open, but forgot to comment. Some days…..
Happy sigh for newborn babies. My niece was born a couple of months ago, and she’s a cute little girl and fun to see. I hope they get time to enjoy their new cousin in the coming months.
I adore newborns.
Even before I got to the part where you said you wanted to practice photography, I was thinking, “these are really nice photos!” :) Still waiting for it to warm up here, but I think the last little bit of snow in my yard melted this weekend!
Thank you, Holly! I hope you get some warm weather soon. You have had quite the winter!
Lovely photographs! Especially that one of all your kids and their cousin S eating together! And Anna walking!! :) Yay for a newborn, and newborn photography! Sounds like a terrific week!
Thank you, Elisa! It was a wonderful week.
I just love baby feet! That’s great that you got to visit with family. Everyone looks so happy!
Baby feet are perfection. We are very lucky to live about half an hour from this brother, so we get to see them a lot!
I love the idea of an after dinner walk!! We haven’t done that in a very long time!
It’s such a wonderful way to wind down at the end of the day!
Fantastic pictures MaryAnne – A is looking so big now. We’ve spent the weekend outdoors as well the weather helps motivated us to get out and about.
Anna is growing up way too fast. I can’t believe she will be two in a few months!
Good weather makes a world of difference!
Love your photography! It sounds like a great week for you and your kids!
Thank you, Natalie! It really was a lovely week.