21 July 2011

Ode to afternoon naps


One of my secret pleasures of these hot summer months 
is taking the time mid day for a siesta, a proper lie down, 
little D sleeps (for hours!), the oldest boy child quietly reads on the sofa and builds lego worlds. 
My magpie middle child and I lay down on my big bed in front of the rotating fan (after ice cold showers) and I read a story a day from her new favourite book. A book given by an adopted grandmother of sorts here on the island (will save that story for another post). 






Here are a few pages of our latest story book (I love the old illustrations and the way it's written). 

* The best part of all though is if by chance she falls asleep before I do, 
I get to gaze for a spell at her sleeping face, something I shall never tire of looking at. 
Is there anything as sweet and peaceful as your child deeply asleep? 


13 comments:

  1. What a dreamy and delicious summer you are having!

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  2. It is one of the happiest moments in parentdom. I remember my lovely daughter sleeping beside me just as you describe.

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  3. Youre pictures makes me looong for summersun and afternoon naps.
    I am still at work and start my summer on monday ; )

    Have a wonderful weekend!

    : ) fra gunn

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  4. Oh this is absolutely wonderful! I love the book and will check it out on Amazon--
    I am at a loss with Petit Caramel having just received from two people books of traditional and I should say scary stories (red riding hood, ugly duckling, and more of the kind), all with bright illustration that leave little to the imagination. I have put away most but one he keeps as it is a pop-up book so of course it is fun. It is the red riding hood and I have completely changed the story with a "nice" wolf as Petit Caramel keeps asking me "is the wolf happy?" and the wolf sleeping at the end rather than having become a floor mat --yes that is the last illustration on the book!).
    Have a lovely week end full of sleep and quiet and tenderness.
    Kenza.

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  5. Hi Kenza,
    This book may be a little wordy for Petit Caramel at the moment, Lili is 5 nearly 6 and it's the perfect age, she laughs at the rabbits mistakes, asks about the pixies and the gnomes and is concerned when the little Lucy loses Peters favourite boat. I can certainly think of some good books for little Caramel though- will try to email you a list of our favourites. Its true what you say though, we are so used to visually vibrant books, I rather liked the switch to just a few good minimal drawings but nice words and descriptions.

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  6. siestas in the summer hols in the mediterranean are just what it's all about :)

    regarding my "olive oil production". I replied to you, but here it is again, in case you don't read it there:

    "no, no. it sounds like serious showing off this. it's just my own internal ongoing joke. castles in the air... :)

    the (very incipient) olives are no bigger than a pinhead. ha."

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  7. What a beautiful photo. Yes, sleeping children are one of the most precious sights.

    p.s. I am an afternoon snoozer myself! Such pleasure... happy napping :^)

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  8. What a beautiful photo of this precious child... I have a few old children's books with this type of illustration... delightful!

    Enjoy your summer, mon amie!

    Bises,
    Genie

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  9. I am so envious. Last summer we had like this, but this summer is one of huge growth and change and movement..exhausting!

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  10. Oh so sweet, the kids are so very cute while they are fast asleep...
    Yes, siesta, a thing which is really unpopular here these days, the little man will not take his nap anymore. "Mami, I just can't sleep" he is saying to me after I cuddled and sang for him for about 15 minutes and I put him in his bed, I think he is asleep and while I try to do nothing for just a minute (except for drinking a cup of tea maybe) I hear him rumbling and coming with a wide smile and saying "I told you, I can't sleep.".

    But in September he will be a tall Kindergarden boy and so I am enjoying time with only him ; ) and tomorrow the girl will be having her last day of kindergarden before summer brake... HOOOLIDAYS

    And soon we will be off to Mallorca, SUN SUN Sun, swimming and relaxing - I am just so much looking foreward to this as summer is rarely here these months...

    Have a great summer and siesta with the family dear Juniper!

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  11. Oh and Juniper, did you read Trixie Belden by Julie Campbell when you were young? I just found it, I remember I bought all book whenever a new one was available at our bookshop...

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  12. Thank you No, I shall look up Trixie Belden, have never heard of it ! Have a good summer break, enjoy the sun!!!

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Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment, I always enjoy reading them.

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