Toddler craft

If you're like me and you have a prolific abstract painter in house, you probably wind up with reams of painted paper. What to do with all these delightful bits? Some end up on the wall as is ...others become gift wrapping paper or cards. This time around, Spring time inspiration struck and we decided to cut them into all sorts of butterfly shapes- Eric Carle style. Now the wall is covered with a mass of rainbow hued butterflies. Maybe we'll add some flower shapes too. And to complete the scene she painted a few of those classic egg-carton caterpillars. Easy, messy and good times!

I've noticed Lilla's imagination really blossoming over the last few months. She comes up with little stories about the butterflies, dolls or whatever she might be playing with. It's so fun to listen in on these sweet conversations she makes up between the characters. I've also enjoyed watching her speech develop. The other day as I weeded the garden she said "look the dandelions are having a party!" (yes there are that many growing in my yard) Then the next day when we had snow flurries (sad but true) she said "the snowflakes are dancing!" I love my sweet girl!

Green gifts

Just a few glimpses of things making me smile inside and outside my door today. I love how lively all the fresh spring growth looks on gray, rainy days. Is it crazy that I wake up each day excited to see what new things might be happening in the garden? Sometimes I'm rewarded with little surprises as last fall's hastily set in perennials and bulbs come to life. My garden is small and simple, but Spring still makes me feel like a child on Christmas morning- anxiously waiting to see what gifts the earth has to offer.

I hope to steal a few more moments to come back here soon.