I love documenting little snapshots of life (my phone camera roll can attest to this). I just love the seemingly small details that actually are the big things in this beautiful life. The random favorites, fleeting obsessions, and quirky routines my kids are into right now.

Since I just shared all the things I’m currently into, I thought it would be fun to do a little round up of what my girls (rising 8th and 6th graders) are loving right now as we soak up the last bit of summer.

Whether you’re looking for books recs, game ideas, or just a peak into another family’s favorites, I hope you enjoy this little snapshot into our current season!

What My 13 Year Old is Into

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Reading: After finishing The Chronicles of Prydain, she dived into The Ranger’s Apprentice series and it is a huge favorite of hers right now. She took a quick break to read Sunrise on the Reaping (which sounded very violent) and has happily returned to devouring all the books in the Ranger’s Apprentice series. Next she will read The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes to finish out the whole Hunger Game series before starting to dive into her assigned reading for homeschool.

Watching: Not much. If given the choice she’ll usually watch a classic Disney movie, something like The Parent Trap, or A Week Away.

Listening to: Thomas Rhett since we’re going to his concert, but otherwise it’s not much unless we’re playing the Spotify pass the phone game where she’ll add Song of the South, Beautiful Things, and American Pie for certain.

Foods: Fried eggs on an everything bagel with cream cheese and sriracha, apple and cheese, BBQ chips, any FRUIT, fajita bowls, whatever mom is making for dinner. She loves homecooked meals. Each summer I have the girls pick a dinner to make from scratch by themselves and she picked marinated chicken and noodles. She also loves making caprese bites (cherry tomato, mozz, basil, balsamic) which she made last week for her book club.

Style: Mostly athletic wear like shorts and athletic tops. She likes her shorts overalls and jean shorts with cute t-shirts like this one or simple tops (not into cropped anything). Nail color choice is subtle pinks or soft blues.

Hobbies and General interests: writing (she just finished her first children’s chapter book!), visiting the chickens, Dominion, piano, running, chess, exploring the woods, training Finley, driving the golf cart, UV resin and embroidery, puzzles, wanting to decorate her room

What My 11 Year Old is Into

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Reading: She’s really enjoying Keeper of the Lost Cities right now and pulling out Magic Treehouse books when “her brain needs a break.” She also returns regularly to The Land of Stories series and the Whatever After series as comfort reads

Watching: Harry Potter movies, all the Narnia movies (she listened to all the books on Yoto), Full House, Just Add Magic

Listening to: a lot of Broadway tunes like Wicked and Hairspray while dancing around the living room

Foods: Annie’s mac and cheese, cinnamon raisin bagels with butter, peaches, marinated chicken and noodles. I have to remind her to eat protein because she would eat all carbs if it were up to her. She likes to bake cookies (and she makes really good ones) to devour on the regular.

Style: The girls loves her some clothes and style! She likes colorful athletic dresses, fun earrings, fancy dresses, and her wheelies. Nail color choice is ALL THE SPARKLES and alternating colors on each nail.

Hobbies and General interests: Baking (my kitchen counter is covered with sprinkle explosions more often than I’d like to admit), musical theater (singing/dancing/acting), fashion, Shut the Box, chess, simple machines, creating potions, chemistry, catching frogs, swimming with friends, snuggling (always snuggling!)

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I’ve been doing some thinking (as I feel like I always am) about life, time, and all the beauty and heartache that comes with each stage. I believe a big part of contentment and deep joy is recognizing the gifts that come with each age and stage of this precious life.

While part of me might always miss the stage of having a baby on my hip, I can say with complete sincerity how much I am enjoying these tween and early teen years with my girls. It really is a fun blend of guiding and parenting with glimpses of a deeper relationship/friendship budding, too. I’m so grateful to be spending my days with a front row to seat to watching them grow into the beautiful people God intends them to be. This motherhood gig truly is the greatest gift and I am grateful. Have a wonderful weekend, friends! <3