2017 The Sibling Portrait Project at Ladybug Home

We are joining for a 3rd year of the "The Sibling Portrait Project" that was originally created by Lucy of Dear Beautiful. I am excited that a couple new co-hosts have joined the team including Donna from What the Redhead Said. On the 15th of each month, I join a group of bloggers to document the very special relationship between brothers and sisters. This also creates a visual timeline of how quickly our children are growing up.

Search #SiblingsProject on Twitter and Instagram or follow @siblings_photos on Instagram to view the monthly collection of photos.

February 2017

Big Sister is officially now 5 years old! I truly do not know where the last 5 years went. Big Sister is still loving school and counting down the days until Grandma and Papa come visit. She loved her superhero themed birthday and received lots of new craft kits. She has been making greeting cards for family and friends almost daily. Big Sister loves writing new words and trying to read books. She wants to try football (soccer) in the Spring.

Little Brother is growing so fast. He will always be my baby boy but mums at school run comment that he looks like a "little boy" now and not a baby anymore. He definitely loves walking around like he is 5 years old too. He continues to surprise me with his ability to say and remember new words daily. He shocked me when the other morning he pointed at the bathroom tap and said "That tap is hot". He has a very strong opinion about what he wants to eat and where he wants to walk. Heading to town can be a little challenging now because he will sit in the stroller for limited period time before he demands to get out to walk around. I spend most of the time saying "sorry" as he walks straight in front of other pedestrians or dashes into stores. I want to encourage his desire to touch and see new objects but there is never a quick trip to town anymore. Little Brother is also obsessed with water. He wants water to drink but then quickly is pouring it onto the floor or a toy. A towel or two is always close by to soak up the water. He is still my cuddling bear.

Big Sister loves to blame Little Brother for mischievous acts. I think this is part of the benefit of having siblings that you can encourage them to do something that you know Mom will not approve of and not take the blame. Although, Big Sister does not always get away with encouraging her Little Brother to make a mess.

We are having half-term break this week. The next school break will be filled with an exciting visit from Grandma and Papa. Big Sister is making a list of places and activities that she wants to do with USA Grandparents. She is always looking forward to special sweet treats. I am looking forward to hugs and Mom's home cooking. The next month, we will be focusing on continuing to unpack boxes from house move before Christmas and preparing for Easter crafting. I am sure there will be many yummy pancakes on February 28th for Pancake Day (UK). This photo is from a day of documenting our recent visit to ZSL Whipsnade for The Home Life Project.

JANUARY 2017

This photos were taken on Christmas Eve. Can you tell that they are a little excited? They could hardly keep from moving all day. The last month has been filled with Little Brother's 2nd Birthday, first Nativity (Big Sister a "Star") at school and preparing for Christmas. We did a few videos for Vlogmas but this year was quite different with Big Sister at school. Little Brother was back with me full-time during the weekdays due to childminder taking another job. I missed have Big Sister around during the day to help prepare for Christmas but I got to take Little Brother on some Christmas themed outings. Little Brother is definitely challenging what he is allowed and not allowed to do. He loves running around town and will normally not stop until he is tired or a gingerbread man is offered. He is also loves water! He will ask for his water bottle to be filled but most of the time it means very little drinking and instead pouring it on the table or sometimes toys. His most mischievous moment this month was when he used a baking sheet with raised edges to create a water puddle on the carpet in the living room. He then stepped in it with socks on and proceed to jump up and down while laughing hysterically. Big Sister thought it was very funny. Big Sister does blame her Little Brother for naughty behaviour at times.

We look forward to a visit from Grandma and Papa in the Spring 2017 and a trip back to USA for Christmas 2017. We will continue to document Big Sister's and Little Brother's adventures together this year.

Just a quick look back at the Siblings Project for the last 2 years.

2016