It’s Thursday, which is normally Embrace the Camera day, over at Emily’s blog. Each Thursday she hosts a little link party, and the point is to take a photo with your child or your spouse or a photo of your spouse and your child. Even if you don’t feel beautiful. That one day, your child will be so grateful for all of the photos with you.

Case in point:

How adorable are we? And my polka dots on polka dots. And my mom’s very high waisted pants. Fashionistas.

This picture always makes me laugh. My dad’s face is awesome.

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We all went for a walk together on Sunday. I brought my camera along in hope of snapping some good photos.

I wanted a cute photo of Aaron and Gus. Both Reed and Lena wanted to be in it, too. This is a prime example of trying to take a photo with kids!

And my version of it…

But, here are the ones I actually like…

Gus ripped out my earrings 3 times on this walk!

When we got home, while I was making dinner, I found this scene…

Sitting down to read a book together. The boy who rarely stops moving slowed down enough to read through “Diggers and Dumpers” a few times with his papa.

We spent most of our afternoon outside today. I don’t always bring my camera out, but as I watched the last photo unfold, I ran in to grab it. I am glad I did, because I love all these photos. The light was beautiful! And so are my kids. 😉

Reed can hold back his feelings a bit, especially towards me and Lena, I think. As animated as he is, he doesn’t always let on that he loves us. I had been taking photos of Lena, and I said “hey, Reed, run over here and give Lena a hug!” I don’t think he would have hugged her if I hadn’t asked, but his love for her is so genuine.

He’s 5.

R walked into this one.

R and I talk a lot about giving G personal space. R just kind of runs by Gus and gives him a quick hug all the time. Gus doesn’t always like this. R went in for a hug.

This time, Gus pulled back and shouted at R. R said, “he doesn’t want a hug, so I’ll give him a back rub instead.

That was fun and fine by Gus.

R hugged everyone tonight, after my initial suggestion that he hug Lena. I am not sure anyone else enjoyed it quite as much as L did, though.

I love this girl.

Reed is such an entertainer and story teller. Even as a parent, I struggle to get a word in sometimes. But, I reminded myself a couple of times today that it matters so much to him that I listen… when he talks, it is my time to build him up and make him feel loved, important and heard. The more I genuinely listen, the stronger our relationship grows and the more he’ll keep talking as he gets older, right?

For him, I feel like that is his most-needed gift– for someone to hear him. I do think listening to all kids is important, but it is #1 for him. (And no, I don’t normally have my camera out photographing it, but I have a feeling in 10 or 20 years, I will be glad I did it once!)

He climbed up here to talk to me. I asked him to smile for a photo and he said “you have got to show that one to Papa!”

Lest you think our afternoon was perfect,

We had some freak-outs, too.

And the cuddles that come after freak-outs.

And overall, it was a pretty great afternoon.