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.

Signs of spring

OK, I've had enough with the snow day pictures. Spring is officially here and for the moment the snow is gone! But since we've been known to have March/April snowstorms, I won't get my hopes up too much. For now I'm taking in the latest star to the landscape scene- snowdrop blossoms.
And maple sap! Though a very small scale operation with just a few taps hooked up, the kids are nonetheless delighted to fill and down a cup of the slightly sweet 'tree water.' And our little tree tap came in handy on the day our hot water heater was replaced and we were without water.We had a beautiful weekend full of outdoor play: swings, sandbox digging, biking and romps up the muddy, mossy hill. Now the rain's coming down and it's misty and cool. Refreshing!

Slow day

The morning sounds are different, everything is hushed. It's so quiet, one almost can hear the slow flakes touching down. As the roads are blanketed with snow, we fold away all of our previous plans and possible errands. Today there's time for baking, making and just being. Even time for a little walk. I like that.

Gratitude 4

Since all winter I've been left wearing a hat I hastily zipped up from some sweater scraps, I thought it was time to make a little more effort and knit myself something cozy. But I'm the kind of knitter that prefers the easy, mindless projects that don't require a lot of counting and marking. I think of knitting as something to do while doing something else...while hanging out with others or watching a movie. Actually I rather like the simplicity of no pattern at all.

So, with all that in mind I made myself a hat. Throwing caution, measurements and patterns to the wind, I just started casting yarn onto my needles. And hat #1....well that one fit Lilla just about right.

So I thought I'd make myself a different hat... and that one fits Rowan just fine (and even goes with his winter coat).

Fortunately, I have couple sweet little ones around here that can fit these off-sized caps.

And speaking of knitting, Rowan just learned how to do it! Exciting! He's been finger crocheting for a while and just picked up the knitting needles the other day.

Gratitude 3

Outside is still icy white and inside paper and fabric snowflakes are strewn about, but the days are growing noticeably longer as the sky still glows pink after 5pm. And though our igloo succumbed to a little January thaw, I'm grateful that we're inching toward Spring.

And Happy Birthday Dad- I hope you know how very grateful I am for you!

Gratitude 2

The bigger kids have been on a paper airplane making frenzy lately, turning out dozens of flying machines and leaving snips of paper in their wake. Amongst all those bits, an errant pair of kid scissors landed in the hands of our littlest one and she quickly set to work giving herself a trim.

Before I could stop her, Lilla's hair had turned into a punk/mullet combo.

Of course I'm feeling most grateful that she avoided a nip to the ear, but I'm also glad that hair grows back. And hats! It's a good thing that it's hat season.

The new cut cracks me up and kind of surprises me every time I look at her. As I snipped away to blend it in with the rest of her hair she kept saying "cut more!" She's so full of personality and quite the busy girl. Okay everyone, hide those scissors!