the value of doing nothing

“Don’t underestimate the value of doing nothing, of just going along, listening to all the things you can’t hear, and not bothering” – winnie the pooh

its that moment at the end of the day that i treasure the most. after we’ve played and been busy all day long. after they get out of the bath tub and their hair smells all coconuty from the kids shampoo. when their jammies are on, special blankets in hand, and they’re ready for a little down time. When they pick up their favorite book or chose a movie to watch, and it doesn’t matter how much open space there is on the couch, they both curl up on either side of me and snuggle in just about as close as they possibly can, and we just sit. I get to do nothing but be close to them. Every time I see them they’ve changed so much, and seem so much older. I will take every moment I can with them curled up next to me doing nothing, because the day will come too quickly when they will pick the spot at the other end of the couch instead.

They came to stay with me for a few days this summer just like last summer, and I was so thankful that katelyn agreed to take some pictures for us! The ones that Jill took last year are up all over my apartment and I’m so excited to get these ones up around my house too :0) thanks so much katelyn! lauren talked about you and your wedding dress the rest of the day: “Miss Jessie, do you think one day I’ll have a wedding dress as pretty as hers??” :0) my favorite :0)
ones like these next two were more typical though… :0) Lauren opted to switch headbands half way through and put the other one on me.. aaand i guess i forgot about it, until i saw these pictures! oops! :0) okay seriously, how stinkin CUTE do they look in these outfits!! ah his tie just kills me :0) ooh how i love that smile :0) love how sammy is winkin at the camera ;0) surprisingly i didn’t take nearly as many pictures as I did last summer.. i made a point to do more playing and less picture-taking this year. I did snap a few at the beach though, mainly because I was shocked that Sammy jumped right in with his big sister, were as last summer he would barely get his feet wet! there were just a few too many jelly fish floating around, so we opted for some sand castle creations instead! I couldn’t resist taking just a few more pictures of them myself since katelyn was the only one behind the camera the first day! love my sassy girl :0) SUCH a stud!!! they truly are best buddies, i love listening to them play together! i couldn’t resist posting these next two… :0) is it just me or does she look so much older in these last two pictures? i don’t think its hit me that she’s going to be in 1st grade in the fall!

lauren and sammy, i love you to the moon and back!
love, miss jessie