March 31, 2010

Planting

It was a beautiful day! A day of walks and a picnic at the zoo. Only to be made more beautiful with a first time planting experience. Our seed order has yet to be delivered, but we could wait no longer. We planted some flower seed mix that Piper had been given by a friend. Piper is all for digging her hands into the dirt, this activity was up her alley.

We used an old egg carton that someone opened too roughly and ripped. Who could that be? Ahem. Figuring our egg supplier (Ninepatch) wouldn't need that one back I cut it up for a seed starter.

Covered in dirt and having sufficiently watered her work -twice, she was happy to inspect (dig her fingers in each compartment) and show off what she'd done. Not so willing to be patient, however. Piper wanted me to dump it into the flower bed to grow. It took some convincing but she settled on sitting it in the sun of the laundry room to watch for sprouts first.

March 29, 2010

A Lambing We Go

Its that time of year again. Time for a family day at the lambing barn over at A-Z Farm. We were a weekend or two later than last year. Which means more precious, newly fuzzy lambs to feast our eyes on and fawn over. In fact, only six mamas were left with-lamb. Amongst the lambs was the newest set of twins born yesterday.

And of course a little something for the knit loving mama.

Hoping you all had a great weekend!

March 25, 2010

Calder's Manly Vest v.2

One of the first things I knit for Calder was this vest. The 'Manly Vest', but it wasn't long before he out grew it. I had been itching to make him another, larger size, more neutral that he could get more wear out of.

Here it is, just in time for the cooler days of spring. This one went pretty fast. Helps to have been through the pattern once before. A nice neutral shade of light brown. This mama loves her brown - a vest that's sure to go with many things. If I've guessed the sizing right (the pattern is only one size) this should last him through summer and into fall.

There are a couple of knitting mamas that stop by this space on occasion that also have baby boys in their lives - if you're interested in trying out this pattern you can find for it here (for free!), it uses very basic techniques. I used worsted weight (Cascade 220, 'a good workhorse yarn' according to my brother, works nicely) and size nine needles.

March 24, 2010

What's Up

The snow is gone, the sun has been out and the air warm. So, what's up around here:

Tulips are peeking up from the soil.

Lilacs buds are up and out from the tips of the branches.

Flowers are starting to come up and fill in the perennial beds.

Lawn chairs are up from the basement, trying out a new spot in the yard this year.

Some new roman shades are up in the living room. It took some months and many projects have come since I first mentioned this fabric and my vague dreamy intentions for it. A fresh look for a familiar room, one we spend most of our days and evenings in. My favorite part is that although the construction was more complex, they are easier to use that our previous shades. Which means that on the rare occasion the papa of the house puts the shades up before I do, they'll still look pretty.

March 23, 2010

Our Water Adventure

We took a quick excursion to a little indoor water park to stay in a mermaid themed room. For a bit of family r&r.

Perfect for the four and under crowd. Calder dipped his toes in, Piper enjoyed the slides...and the game room. Her obsessive button pushing paid off, she found a game that had left over tokens in it. Played and walked away with some tickets. Which she didn't want to trade in for a prize - they were prize enough.

Piper and I left the boys to sleep in on the second day and headed down to the pool. We had it all to ourselves and our bed head.

March 20, 2010

This is Spring

We woke to snow cover this the first morning of spring. Although saddened by the larger implications of an early spring, we were getting quite accustomed to the warm sunny weather.


I had hoped to find the tulips starting to peek from the earth, not snow covered branches. We'll still think of the pending spring today. Garden planning is underway and our seed order is about to go in.
Happy Vernal Equinox!

March 19, 2010

{this moment}

Please feel free to share your moment from the week in comments - I'd love to read them.

March 17, 2010

We're Off

Our suits and over night bags are packed. We're off for a little family adventure. See you in a few days.

Enjoy the warm weather and sunshine!

March 15, 2010

Brightening Up

I decided that it was time to take the snow flakes down out of our living room windows. There is very little snow left around us (yeah!). But we've yet to have any greening going on. Lots of brown muddy looking yards in our neighborhood. Brightening was in order. In order to make good use of the lengthening days and the wonderful sun that has been around, I thought we could try some Waldorf inspired window stars.

They sure are cheery! I quite enjoyed making them. I tried two different methods of folding them, but much preferred one version and made most of ours from that process. Our family liked the rainbow ones best so we only have three of the solitary colored ones. It was an easy and quick project, maybe next time we make them Piper will have the skills to join in on the project. I encourage you to try them. I got our kite paper here and the tutorials for folding here and here.


I actually liked making them so much, I have four extra rainbow stars. I want to give them away to you. If you'd like one leave a comment by Wednesday night. If by some chance there are more than four of you that would like one we'll do a random~ pick-a-name-from-a-hat ~ drawing.

Keep it coming spring!

Edit: the window stars have been sent out. To the author of the lovely poem - you didn't sign your work. Email me if you'd still like a star.

March 14, 2010

Another Achievement

We're One!

Today is our 'blogiversary' if you will. We're one year old! Thought we'd do a little round up of some of our favorite pictures from our posts to celebrate our year. Thank you for following our humble little family.


March 12, 2010

{this moment}


This is the 100th post here on our little blog. Hope you're having as much fun browsing it as we're having maintaining it.
Happy weekending to you all!

March 11, 2010

Over the Rainbow

Its been raining for the better part of two days. A sure sign spring it on its way. When the rain finally let up just before dinner time, a rainbow took its place. This is the view from the street in front of our house. Zac said from the bridge over the river, a block away, you could see it from end to end. Beautiful and amazing display of nature!

March 10, 2010

Sunny Sun Sun Girl


The sun never says to the Earth
'You owe me.'
Look what happens with a love like that.
It lights up the whole sky.

Hafiz

March 09, 2010

Books, Books, Books

The days, weeks go by fast these days. Busy and full of the mundane. The weather has been pleasantly warm. Warm enough to venture out in the stroller for the first time this year. A first ever for Calder.

Regardless of what we have going on there is one constant in our days, reading. Piper cuddles up to have book after book read to her. The line up almost always the consists of some of the same books. I enjoy the ease of the familiar on some days.

As we watch the seasons outside changing we've begun to change out the seasonal books, from winter to spring. A welcomed addition to our collection of books.

March 03, 2010

Little Helper

On our last library trip we got a Berenstain Bears book. A favorite of my siblings and I, Piper got a dose of the books at the farm. Its exciting to read about characters that fits the make-up of your family, Papa, Mama, Brother and Sister. How happy she was to find a book with those same characters at our library. How happy I was when the one she picked out was Help Around the House. She's a bit young yet to have any responsibilities around the house. But she's more than willing to help out with somethings, rinsing dishes for example is great fun. Or helping make a treat - particularly when there is potential to eat some of the chocolate chips.


I didn't think it was too early to start instilling the helping attitude. We don't feel like we should force her to help out, we'd rather that she feels part of the family, wanting to share the work that comes along with that. She's taken to the idea, while waiting for the chicken and potatoes to come out of the oven she set the table for our evening meal. Has done it twice now. I only put on the dishes and glasses to avoid broken items. Things don't make it to their 'proper place' if you will and the dressing perches precariously close to the edge, but close enough... close enough.

She also has taken to calling herself, and being called, Sister Bear. Makes me smile to hear her say, 'want to play with Sister Bear, Calder?'

March 02, 2010

Afternoon Tea

Piper is great at, and really enjoys, pretend play. Not a day goes by that she doesn't pretend something. Many times it just copying things that Zac and I do through out the day. Sometimes it is completely wild creations she's come up with in her little head.

In our house there is tea nearly every day during those few minutes when the littles' naps over lap. After nap time this day we had tea time together. This time it was not pretend. Piper had picked out some new tea to try at the store. We brewed it up in her tea pot and added a bit of honey. I think the art of tea is lost at this age, she downed cup after cup. Maybe it was just that good to her or maybe she just liked pouring it into her cup.

March 01, 2010

For the Love of Boy

We had a relaxingly full weekend. Some time with friends, some time at home. Refreshing.

This picture came from my papa. It was taken by my sister, Willa, on the farm trip I've been talking so much about. Calder is quite fond of another sister, Ollie. She always elicits the best smiles.

Dreaming of more farm time and welcoming a new week and a new month. Hoping your weekend was a pleasant one.