B is for Bear - {Tot Time for 2 year olds}

{B is for Bear}

A friend and I have decided to do tot time for our kids once a week.  Our hope is to expose them to new things and help them learn through having fun.  Today's theme was bears.  We decided we would start each session with a quick photo shoot so that we can create alphabet flashcards to go with our lesson.  The kids really seemed to enjoy going outside for a few minutes even though it was still pretty hot out.

{Going on a Bear Hunt}

We started our morning (after the photo shoot) with circle time which included reading "Going on a Bear Hunt".  The kids listened to the story really well which really impressed me.  Then after we read the book we went on our own bear hunt.  We went through the "Dora tunnel", around the kid table, over the aluminum foil path, and down the slide.  We found the bear with a prize of homemade bear ears for each kid.  The kids were semi-impressed with the ears and the bear hunt.  :-)

{Playing with Puppets}

After our bear hunt, we played with our bear puppets.  This only kept our interest for a few minutes but it was nice to see that they were somewhat interested in them - makes me look forward to all the future craft activities we can do.  :-)

{Teddy Bear Picnic}

We finished our morning with a teddy bear picnic.  We gathered up all of our bears on a blanket and enjoyed a nice lunch.  We counted that 9 bears joined us.  Oh and we practiced our bear growls.  :-)  All in all the kids had a great time!  And it gave my friend and I more insight on what the kids might and not be interested in as 2 year olds.

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Disclaimer:  Everything was moving too fast to get a lot of pictures of the kids today.  :-)

Linking up to Tot Time and You Capture's Peace Challenge.  (The tot time really is giving me more peace of mind about doing something positive for my children's future.)

Hope - {An FStop Frenzy Challenge}

When the world says, "Give up,"
Hope whispers, "Try it one more time."
~Author Unknown

When I saw how much these two adore each other, all I could think of was "Faith, Hope, and Love..."  Such a beautiful relationship between this aunt and niece.  I was so glad I got a chance to capture these moments.

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Linking up to the FStop Frenzy Challenge of Hope.

Pet Week from I Heart Faces

This week's I Heart Faces Challenge theme is "Pets".  (It doesn't have to be your actual pets.)  So I pass by this red barn by our house all the time and something about it always catches my attention.  I finally couldn't resist stopping to take pictures.  It was so nice that when I decided to stop that the horse actually posed for me.  :-)

You can check out other entries on the I Heart Faces website as well.

Photo Shoot with Miss L

Today I got the opportunity to do a photo shoot with Miss L.   It was so different to take pictures of a 7 year old instead of two toddlers.  She actually stood still and smiled pretty for the camera.  And I wasn't chasing after her as she was running away laughing.  It was amazing!  So much fun!  :-)

We met Miss L and her aunt this morning at the park.  And while her aunt entertained my kids I got a chance to take pictures.  Here are some of my favorites.

After Miss L and I took pictures for a while, we all stopped and had donuts.  And I was able to capture a few more pictures of her with her aunt.  I think they look so sweet together!

And of course not to worry a good time was had by all.   Miss L was great at entertaining my kids too!  :-)



I think we may have to go back to this park and play some more some time.  Thank you so much Miss L for letting me take your picture today!!

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Linking up to this week's  "You Capture" challenge.  This was my not so ordinary moments in an ordinary day.





Beautiful Eyes

This week's I Heart Faces Challenge theme is "Beautiful Eyes".  And I know I'm biased but I think her eyes are absolutely stunning!

You can check out other entries on the I Heart Faces website as well.

Happiness in the Heat

It's been so hot here this summer that I've taken a break from taking pictures - mainly because I enjoy taking pictures outside with good lighting.  So today I decided to break out my light scoop and practice some indoor pictures.  I was so glad I did.  The kids were having so much fun. 

It was too hot to play outside, so instead the kids snuggled in our bed.  (It looks so sweet and it is but she wasn't really snuggling as much as she was "getting" him.)  :-)

Another favorite indoor activity for now is sitting in the chair.  I don't let them get in these chairs too often because I'm afraid they will fall if I'm not hovering over them.  :-)  So I'm sure it makes it extra fun whenever Daddy lets them get in it.



We also finally decided to get the kids a water table to play with to help with all of the heat.  They love splashing in it and climbing in it.  If you look closely at this picture you can tell she is dripping wet from her hair and chin.  :-) 



(Also if you notice the babies are in their diapers in all of the pictures.  They had already played in the water table once by the time I decided to grab my camera.  They were dripping wet when they came in so we had to take their clothes off to dry.)  

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This week's You Capture challenge is Happiness.  I thought it would be a good time to start linking back up.  :-)

The Forest

I love the new trick the kids are doing - they are talking!  :-)  They have been saying words for the last several months but now they have full blown conversations with each other.  In the mornings they always come in and snuggle with me - one of my favorite times of the day!  But now while we are snuggling they will sit and talk to each other and laugh like they are telling each other the funniest jokes.  I so wish I knew what they were saying!  And where is that video camera?  :-)

I have even noticed at our play dates they are starting to have conversations with their little friends.  I love that!!  We had a couple of really fun play dates this week.  One at a friends house who had a tent set up for us to play in and a ball pit.  The kids and I had a blast.  The other was a play date in the Forest (a small wooded park in McKinney).  :-) 

Here are some of our pictures from the Forest.  Notice the new friendship that was started - so cute!!!

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This week's "You Capture" theme is purple.  We don't have a lot of purple going on except her cup.  But I wanted to share this with my "You Capture" friends.  Hope you enjoy!