Spring?

Mrs. Thaw came to town and it looks positively rosy out there. The kids and I had a great walk around the neighborhood in the 60+degree weather. The creek was rushing madly and the air smelled deeply of earth. I'm afraid this this little spring tease is throwing me off track as by the calendar winter has only just begun!

Poor Lilla was "overheated" in her little coat (well, according to Ava....)
Rowan stomped in every bit of remaining-and extremely dirty- snow!
When the snow does fly again, we'll be reading one of our favorite new books, Ollie's Ski Trip which is filled with Elsa Beskow's reassuring words and beautiful watercolors.

On Holiday

Snow and wind whistle outside. A new year is here and we are snug and cozy back home again. We spent the Christmas holiday with my family on the lovely Cape. Somehow it seems so long since our last visit but really it has only been a few months. Though I like where I currently live, I always feel the tug toward Cape Cod- my childhood home. My parents still reside there and most of my many siblings live within an hour and a half or less. Perhaps it is also the sea, its endless tide ever drawing me near.


Christmas brought presents galore, entirely too many sweets (but oh those brownies were too good) and much joy in seeing all the family. How fun for all NINE cousins to be under one roof (and challenging to get a picture of them all together)! And so sweet to see the four littlest ones scrambling around on the floor.

I thought the matching pjs were fun, though by the expressions on their faces, I'm not sure they agreed.

Mild weather gave us the chance to savor the solitude and beauty of the winter beach-scape. I especially appreciate the Cape in the off-season.


I even visited with a few friends that I hadn't seen in years...so nice to catch up with Shirley, Sam and Kate. I'm afraid Lilla did not approve of my outing and cried in protest while I was gone.

Of course with the delight of seeing family and friends comes the tinge of bittersweet because eventually we must say our goodbyes and make the journey back to our far off home.

Sweater+Scissors=

I couldn't pass up this sweater for only a dollar. Made of 100% wool with a lovely beaded trim, the sweater would have been wearable if not for the hole near the neckline and the extra small size. But why let that stop me? With plans in mind, I bought it anyway. I have a weakness for bargains and recycling. So once I returned home, I spun it in the wash to felt, snipped off the sleeves and sewed them into some mittens.

Later I think I'll make a hat, but no time for that today. What I must do now is prepare for our trip and wrap some gifts. Happy Solstice!

Lilla Love

Today Lilla is six months old. Happy Half Birthday, my sweet! She is almost crawling, starting to sit, and talks with the most lovely sounds: ba-ba-ba, ma-ma-ma and all sorts of coos and goos. Our love for her just grows and grows.

The Big Outing

I think I can count on one hand the number of times I've left the house without Lilla. Which means: A. I don't get out much and B. When I do get out, I've got a baby attached to me and a bag full of stuff (you know- diapers, diaper covers, washcloths, extra outfits, socks and hats just in case, a water bottle for the thirsty mama, diaper cream, ETC, ETC). But tonight I sneaked out of the house all by myself and went across town to a shop- a birthday treat for me! Though it probably shouldn't seem like a big deal, it felt huge to me. I was semi efficient in my shopping and even checked a few items off my Christmas list. And after trying on a few pairs of jeans for me, I have come to a more complete awareness that cake and cookies aren't my friends!

Birthday party, Take five

In spite of blizzard-like weather, we went ahead and had Rowan's party with his friends. The party that was supposed to happen last weekend and because of the bad weather I probably should have canceled it today. The snowy roads left a few people stranded at home unable to join us.

How appropriate and funny that he ended up with five parties for his fifth birthday-a family party, school party, big sister created party after school, the sick day party that one friend ended up showing up for and today's party. Ugh...my stomach feels woozy thinking of all the cake and goodies we have consumed over the last week.

The kids made their own pizza, ran around chaotically and didn't want to play party games.

My second try with the dinosaur cake....the frosting press is FUN!

Blowing out yet another set of candles. This boy has a stockpile of wishes.



Thanks for letting me share more birthday bits- until next year!

Hitchhiker

Just last week I broke out the old Tough Traveler backpack that I used when both Ava and Rowan were wee ones. That carrier has some serious mileage on it...it's been on long walks through various towns and on all kinds of hikes through the woods. Now it's Lilla turn and she loves it. I love it too as she can be securely on my back while I tend to other things (and there are so very many things to do.) Well, Ava- the super helper- wanted to have a go with it. So we strapped Lilla on Ava's back and they were off.
Since Ava is just ten and Lilla is not so petite, the carrying sessions don't last long, but I had to snap a picture of this sweet moment.