For Christmas, each of the kids got a new lunch box with coupons inside that were redeemable for two lunch dates; one with me and one with Josh Downs.
All the Lunch-with-Mom coupons were redeemed this week, starting with Annie who chose a picnic lunch down at the park by our house.
She asked for blueberries, applesauce, a peanut butter sandwich, hot chocolate and a pretty blanket to sit on. (She asked for flowers too, but her request came in too late so there wasn't time to make it happen.)
It was cold and dreary so instead of picnicking on the grass, we picnicked on the stage at the park.
She didn't want to play on the swings because they were too wet so we played this little hand-game that goes, tic-Tac-Toe, give me an x given me an o, give me a three in a row and ends with a game of paper-rock-scissors.
Oh, and she didn't request cupcakes, but I brought a couple anyhow. (That's a cupcake on the pink lunch pail.)
Will post the rest of the lunch dates later this week.
So sweet. I absolutely love it.
Posted by: Jennifer M. | March 15, 2011 at 10:28 AM
how pretty is that?
all of it!
sweet annie
the blankie
the lighting
the healthy lunch ( my caroline would have requested mcd's)
you
all of it
Posted by: paige | March 15, 2011 at 10:29 AM
oh how sweet!
Posted by: teresa b | March 15, 2011 at 10:34 AM
I just adore her idea of a lunch date :)
Posted by: Amanda | March 15, 2011 at 10:42 AM
I like that she wanted a 'pretty' blanket. These photos are adorable!
Posted by: Kristy | March 15, 2011 at 10:44 AM
Beautiful pictures!!! Hope you have time to scrap them sometime and share them. Such pretty colors!
Posted by: gina f. | March 15, 2011 at 11:06 AM
These are just beautiful. Last week I scanned and color corrected some old photos for a friend, the only ones she has of her and her parents. In every one of them, my friend's mother is looking at her in a very cross way. Her memories of childhood are mostly unhappy, and hey! photos to back that up. It made me very sad for her. How blessed are your children to have pictures of you looking at them so lovingly.
And also, totally envious of Annie's gorgeous skin, which she obviously got from you.
Posted by: Cyndi | March 15, 2011 at 11:16 AM
There is not anything about this that is not precious.
And BEAUTIFUL!!! I love it all.
I am so sad to see little Annie looking a bit older:(
5 really seems to have made her look grown up.
Can't wait for the rest!
Posted by: Tricia | March 15, 2011 at 11:30 AM
beautiful photos, and i love that you got in so many of the photos. what a fun lunch date!
Posted by: sarah | March 15, 2011 at 11:33 AM
Karen, I am loving class, and all of the cute things you do with your kids- I hope to remember these things in a few years when my baby is big enough for lunch dated with mom!
Posted by: Cara | March 15, 2011 at 11:39 AM
that last picture is priceless....
Posted by: kate | March 15, 2011 at 12:02 PM
Adorable, all of it.
Love the lunch pail.
Kate
Posted by: Kate | March 15, 2011 at 12:22 PM
What a fun lunch with your little girl!!
Posted by: Tracy | March 15, 2011 at 12:26 PM
What a fabulous gift idea! I think I might steal it and do it for my kids this year .. I think I might do it for my husband as well. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Kimberly K | March 15, 2011 at 12:32 PM
So sweet! <3 it!
Posted by: kristin | March 15, 2011 at 12:34 PM
Really lovin your photos lately that include you! Really need to start doing that myself more. Thanks for the reminder, Karen!
Posted by: donya | March 15, 2011 at 01:14 PM
oh. i just LOVE these.
stella came home from school with the same song the other day. though she SWEARS that it's "give me an s. give me an o."
which just plain made me smile.
Posted by: jen | March 15, 2011 at 01:32 PM
Camera on the table, you'd reach over and push timer?? They are great. Indoors or outdoors, I love your photos. I am working with my 50mm lens and f stop, trying to make my photos as pretty as yours. Do you think your shooting in "RAW" and down loading as working on them gives them that beautiful soft look??
Posted by: Judy Webb | March 15, 2011 at 02:00 PM
This is so special... I imagine these lunches will be SUCH a wonderful memory for you and your children. ;) You are seriously ROCKIN' the self-portrait shots, too! You look awesome, Karen! (And Annie looks SO grown up!!)
Posted by: Lacey | March 15, 2011 at 02:04 PM
This is such a beautiful idea! I love it! And love your pictures too. Found you through another blogger.
Posted by: Misty | March 15, 2011 at 02:36 PM
What a sweet thing to do!
Posted by: Kelli | March 15, 2011 at 03:18 PM
This is SO SO SO Cute!! I just love it!! I am obsessed with the adorable lunch pail. Where did you find something so awesome??
Posted by: Sarah Edelman | March 15, 2011 at 03:21 PM
That is so sweet! I love what she asked for and I love the pictures.
Posted by: Melanie | March 15, 2011 at 03:48 PM
Adorable pictures! I must ask where do you get your cupcakes? They look so good!
Posted by: Terry | March 15, 2011 at 04:01 PM
I LOVE the idea...........and life does get in the way when you have a few kids. I think that is so special and the kids will all remember their special lunch dates. Your photos are great and you look beautiful in them.....great self timer ones... Regards Kathy A, Brisbane, Australia
Posted by: Kathy | March 15, 2011 at 04:51 PM
Love the gift idea! I'll have to use it someday ...
Such great pictures, as always. :-)
Posted by: Rebecca K | March 15, 2011 at 05:08 PM
What did I tell ya. Strawberry Swing moment.
It's such a perfect day
Now the sky could be blueee
I don't miiind
without you it's a waste of time.
Now the sky could be blue
could be gray
without you I'm just miles away.
Posted by: Sarah Batdorf | March 15, 2011 at 05:21 PM
What a special gift! Your Annie is growing up. We see pictures often and so the changes are gentle. In this group, I definitely see an older Annie--she is lovely.
Posted by: Mallory | March 15, 2011 at 06:02 PM
I ALWAYS get so excited to see a new blog post from you!!! And I have to say this is so cute.....you have the most amazing family and they are so lucky to have you and your husband. Seeing and reading your blog makes me want to be such a better parent and do more with my kids... And your husband seems so kind to you...well.....you seem so kind also to him.LOL
And I took your class two years ago and I so miss you!!! Sherrie T
Posted by: Sherrie | March 15, 2011 at 07:19 PM
Amazing self-timer shots!
Posted by: Kristal Jones | March 15, 2011 at 08:28 PM
she is starting to look like such a big girl now!!
Posted by: Shauna M | March 15, 2011 at 08:52 PM
Beautiful memories...love the "new" lunch box! Quick question...timer or remote?
Posted by: Ann | March 15, 2011 at 10:01 PM
such lovely photos!! You have such great and creative ideas!!
Posted by: Gretchen C | March 16, 2011 at 07:22 AM
These are fantastic pictures! If you don't mind sharing how did you set them up?
Posted by: Amy | March 16, 2011 at 07:58 AM
I don't remember what link recently brought me to your beautiful piece of the blogosphere, but I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoy your imagery and LOVE that you put yourself in the pictures, also. What a treasure for your daughter to look back upon!
Posted by: Susan K. | March 16, 2011 at 01:06 PM
I love this - all of it - the photos, the lunch date, cupcakes and sharing hot chocolate. So sweet! And how big is that little cutie getting! ay-yay-yay!
Posted by: Stephanie C. | March 16, 2011 at 07:16 PM
I love these photos of you and Annie - and what a great idea to get one-on-one time with the kids. I will copy this one but will wait for better weather. We still have cold weather and it is snowing today, I so long for spring and green grass! Have a great weekend Karen.
Posted by: Ingvild | March 18, 2011 at 01:43 AM
Even on a dreary day your pictures are so full of light and energy, I love it!
Posted by: alicia | March 18, 2011 at 04:04 PM
What a super sweet idea! Does Ross get a lunchbox too?? Love your relationship with your kids :)
Posted by: Emily | March 18, 2011 at 06:32 PM
Cheryl with Tidy Mom just showed me your blog and I love it. What gorgeous pictures of just everyday life. Love it! Thanks for sharing it with us!
Posted by: Kristen | March 24, 2011 at 02:46 PM
gorgeous photos...thinking i need to do the coupon thing with my kiddos...and i love that half a world away they play the same games...we get a whole lot os tic tac toeing in our house!!
Posted by: Tatum | April 11, 2011 at 07:08 AM