HomeGrownHess

Spring on the Mind

2012-03-01T21:59:00.000-06:00

We've been having bouts of spring like weather. Which turns our minds to thoughts of spring and working in the dirt. We have a lot of work ahead of us this year, and for some years to come. Seed catalogs started showing up in the mailbox while the temps were till frigid. I browsed them, and handed them over to Piper. Giving her a marker, I offered to let her help pick out the seeds for the year.

She proceeded to circle everything that caught her eye. Everything! Often telling me, auntie grew these at the farm, we can too!

Apparently, thinking we should grow six varieties of beans, she circled two pages of them. I love the idea that these things were beautiful to her. Hoping, they taste as beautiful as they look. We are still waiting for our two seed orders to come in, should be any day now.

To tide us over, and something we've never grown from seed before, we picked up a few packages of flower seeds. Piper and I have talked about her and Calder having a kids garden this year. Of course flowers is on the top of her 'to grow in the kids garden' list. I added a few of my favorites to grow too. Thinking maybe we could be a little frugal with the flower budget this year, as it always seems to be much pricier to fill a few pots than one would expect. We have other yard related expenses this year to plan for as well.

For a couple days, the littles and I planted flower seeds. It was messy, there were seeds on the floor that were meant for the dirt, and fights over who's turn it was with the spray bottle.

Those fights are likely to continue as we wait for the seeds to sprout. But a mama can always hope that the kids will magically start to share all the time, can't she?

Who Are We Today

2012-02-17T15:48:00.000-06:00

We pretend here, we pretend a lot. So I knew that our one 'fancy dress', tutu skirt, and couple of hats for dress up wouldn't get us far. Back in October I started collecting items on my thrifting trips. Bigger sized fancy dresses (one sailor outfit - ahem, cute!), colorful scarves, clip on ties, and various hats. It took me about two months to collect enough things to be a true dress up set. In addition, I sewed a few pieces. Two crowns, two capes, and a waitress apron.

Years ago, while searching the internet for clothing storage ideas for Piper's itty bitty closet-less room I came across the cutest hanging branch clothes rack. I didn't end up using it then. Recently, I came across the idea again. I thought it was the perfect solution to storing the dress up set. Fit the bill for something compact and accessible. Moving to a bigger house hasn't really left us with loads of empty space, we're still eking out 'extra' space where we can. Dress up would be sharing space with the book nook.

My sister brought the littles this stick. The thought of her getting on and off the bus toting this stick still makes me giggle. To use as a walking stick. It's really the perfect size for a pint size walking stick. Unfortunately, many fights ensued over its use. Along with things and people getting accidentally clobbered with it, led me to retire it from its use as a walking stick. When planning out our dress up installation I thought of searching the yard for a good stick. Then remembered the perfect stick.

We hung it from the ceiling with eye hooks and twine, for a natural look. I slipped on a set of curtain clips before we hung it to hang the hats, scarves, crowns, etc.

What gets used most is the 'fancy dresses' and crowns by Piper. Calder likes to go the farmer hat route. Quite the pair. Piper is usually the instigator in Calder's part in playing dress up. I'm sure he'll be at it full bore soon enough. For now, Piper helps him unclip his hat from the rack. Then they dance in the mirror.

Piper's other favorite is the waitress outfit. I made an apron with pockets from a cloth napkin, some fabric scraps (recognize the vintage sheet?) and some trims. Looks more like the cafe waitress apron, after all the kitchen is her cafe.

To go with it I ordered some guest check pads from the internet. Piper loves them! Real waitress pads! And she's such an attentive waitress. Always asks for drink, meal and dessert. Then off she goes to make it up in her kitchen. Bringing back exactly what you ordered. The best part is when she gets this scrunched up sad face and tells you, 'oh, we don't have that today.'

We've had it up for over two months now and it's getting plenty of use. That makes me happy.

On the Hunt

2012-02-08T09:04:00.000-06:00

I had hoped that while the littles where on a scavenger hunt for matching socks and clean undies in the unfolded laundry basket, I'd find they had folded as they went. Not the case, instead I discovered one half dressed and both snacking midst a pile of clean clothes now on the floor. That was fun!

Our Super Bowl

2012-02-06T10:09:00.001-06:00

Our Super Bowl went a little like this...

...with a little of this...

While Zac and two friends watched the game in the basement, the littles and I camped out in the living room. They played I Can Do That! (it has become a fast favorite with them both) and I knit a dishcloth, start to finish. Not as planned, but sometimes that turns out alright.

{this moment}

2012-02-03T02:00:00.002-06:00

{this moment} - A single photo - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. via

Cranky Spot

2012-02-01T15:22:00.001-06:00

A long while ago Piper and I discussed creating her a space to 'retreat' to. A small space for big emotions, if you will. Piper has personality. That's my gentle way of saying what it really is, crabbiness. I'm convinced its genetic. I have my bouts of it still, as a kid I drove many of my family to the brink. Not to say that she's always like that. In fact, usually, quite the opposite. She's bright, caring and happy. However, on occasion I'm frustrated and without answer.

The other morning it was coming on, Piper turns to me and says, 'I need a crabby room. You said we'd make me a crabby room in my closet.' We abandoned our other activities for the morning and put together a cranky spot. Somewhere she can go to on her own, or prompted, when she needs a bit of time alone. Comfortable and small where she can mellow out and emerge happy.

Luckily her closet is decent sized and had some empty space to be made. We moved all the clothes to one side and removed the hanging rod. One of the many tension rods I have stashed away came in handy for hanging a remnant of vintage sheet to close off her new space.

Borrowed a couple cushions from the family room to make a soft spot to sit. Pulled out a pillow that went with the crib bedding. Another that my mom made. It's contents is my blanket from childhood. Worn and tattered - and given back to me when I got married, just as I was promised when it was taken from me.

A shelf left with the house was added to hold a stack of books to read while hidden away. Piper added a fairy statue from her stored for winter fairy garden - to have something pretty to look at. I put together a calming jar, a massive amount of glitter in a water and glycerin mixture, for the shelf. She can shake the dickens out of it to match her feelings then calm herself as the glitter falls.

For a bit of cheer we moved the tissue paper pom-poms from over her bed. The tape holding them over the bed wasn't holding well anyway. Just the bit of brightness needed for a closet cranky space.

To battle the dark that comes along with being part of a closet, we put up two of those LED push on/off lights. Zac's brilliant idea! It doesn't make it very light, in my opinion, but Piper claims it works for her.

She's used it once or twice, for the intended purpose. It worked. Her and Calder (who calls it 'new home') go in to hang out. Feeling like it will get some good use, intended or otherwise.

The Perils of Pinterest

2012-01-31T14:47:00.000-06:00

Do you have a Pinterest account? Is your house work suffering because of it? Mine's not, if not this it would be something else keeping me from housework. I'm not a huge fan. I've ~~wasted~~ spent a fair amount of time on that site. It's the best of the internet on one site! So. many. good. ideas! After my boards started to fill up, I decided that I needed to put this to use or it was really just a waste of time. Perfectly timed with my resolve to make more, buy less processed, and focus on the food portion of our lives more. Without further ado, the perils of Pinterest:

: : Bagels : :

I've made them a bunch of times, I've lost track of how many. They are very good, and not too hard to make.

: : French Vanilla Creamer : :

This is the end of my second batch. Its decent, not exactly like my favorite Organic Valley French Vanilla. But in the spirit of buying less pre-made, processed food, it will do.

: : Graham Crackers : :

Third batch. I think I eat just as many of them as the littles do. I tweak them a bit each time and they just get better and better.

: : Granola : :

So I've made granola before, just not this recipe. Since I was having good luck with recipes found, I wanted to try this one. The littles love granola with yogurt (on the list of things to try making). Piper says this isn't as good as store bought. Hoping she'll come around.

: : Mayonnaise : :

MAYO! Tackling this felt way out of my league. Surprisingly easy, with a bit of help from Calder. And a tip from my brother. Only thing that could make it better is if the eggs were from our own chickens. In time. These eggs came from Ninepatch - which is the best we could ask for. The flavor is richer than store bought, yum.

: : Wrapped Cord : :

When I saw this it was done on ear buds. I'm not 'hip' enough to use ear buds. In fact, my iPod is nearly the original version. I wrapped up the conversion kit for the car's cord. While doing so Zac asked me if I had nothing better to do. Of course I did. However, it made it so much prettier.

Oh yea, and then there's this...

: : Haircut : :

My sister says I look 23, my brother says I look like me from high school without the pouf. (For the record, that was middle school - I promise I was much cooler in high school!) Ah, it's just hair, easily changed if it doesn't work out.

We also have had a few new dinners, this, this and this. Piper declared the chili 'nasty' before even tasting it. Calder follows the leader. So it goes.There is so much more I want to try.

Things Missed

2012-01-13T12:01:00.001-06:00

As we go through our days, I happen upon the littles in the midst of play, together play. I'm comforted that they get along - for the most part. Moments like these I wish I would be carrying my camera on me all day. But I don't. I make a habit of keeping it with in close reach, on the kitchen counter or atop the fridge. Even then it's a bit too far. By the time I retrieve my camera and return to them, they're on to something else, or have detected me and I've interrupted them. The moment is gone, saved only in my mind to be recounted later.

Sometimes, just sometimes, I do catch them on 'film'. Proof that I can show them years from now, when they're teens potentially sick of each other (that will never happen right), that they were friends once upon a time and will be again. Often I feel that there is so much pressure on their friend/sibling relationship because there is only two of them. There won't be another sibling to run to when they're mad at each other- like I had times seven. This is it for them. I hope with my whole being that they each turn out to be people that the other can love, accept, support, defend and be friends with.

At It Four Years Now

2012-01-07T20:12:00.000-06:00

Over the weekend our eldest turned four. Hard to believe we've been working hard at, and always learning on the journey of parenting for four years already. Piper certainly is her own person. So very different from her younger counterpart. Independent, but oh so very needy. Funny. Smart. Kind. Not so patient. And now a big girl.

The days leading up to the day of her birth she talked over and over about how she was going to be a big girl when she was four and all the big girls thing that accompany that title. No whining - which lasted half of the day. Drinking coffee with breakfast. On and on. Thinking she was going to wake up four and much larger in size, she was happy to announce she had indeed not 'busted out of my clothes last night'. Just minutes after waking said that she would be five soon. I begged her to slow down just a bit. Wise beyond her years she explained how it was just life to grow up. Marmar (my mom) hadn't wanted me to grow up but I did. Despite wanting her to stay little, Piper was going to be growing up. In turn, I'm growing with her; learning, changing, adapting to meet her (and Calder's) needs. Besides that I still have Calder, according to Piper. Yes, why yes I do.

Along with four other big girls we celebrated Piper. Dressed in fancy dresses - of course.

Piper's Room: Finished

2011-12-03T21:11:00.000-06:00

Piper spent an unexpected by us, planned by her, week at the farm after our visit for harvest dinner. In her absence I made a plan to clean her room, wash everything, vacuum really well, do a bit of organizing. In the process of that I got the urge to just finish up her room - at long last, as a surprise.

At three and a half, I find it important to have a space her own, in which she's made some of the choices. Choices about the things she cares about; wall color, fabric for her bed, having a blanket on the end of her bed to make it 'fancy', maybe an accessory here or there.

Before the room was actually our's (her's), Piper had request a striped room. Mostly the result of paint chip love. Too many beautiful colors to settle on just one. Eventually, with a bit of persuasion she agreed on one color. Picking two shades of pink for one wall of stripes.

Piper has this amazing antique bed that was in the farm that her Gigi grew up in. When I was little that was where we, as a family, went on vacation. It wasn't a functioning farm any longer, rather a get-away for the family. As a graduation present Gigi gave the bed to me. A tall painted white ages ago iron bed with flowers on the head and foot boards and worn brass knobs. It was one of the best presents I've ever received. Living in a half story house for six years meant that use of the bed was temporarily handed over to one of my sisters at my parents farm. My dream, after having Piper, was to hand over the use of that bed to her. A bed for a princess. Our purchase of this home made that reality. And she loves it.

To make the bed a major focal point of her room we choose the wall behind her bed for the stripes.

I painted her old bedside table a dark teal for a fresh look. Which wouldn't be complete with out her stack of currently reading chapter books. One, On the Banks of Plum Creek, Piper and I are reading together a bed and rest time. What a special treat for us both. Piper is a book lover if I've ever met one. It's absolutely charming to hear her reading these books to herself.

Upon her request I found more art for her walls. A free printable from Feed Your Soul: the Free Art Project in an old frame I found in the basement.

A couple of weeks back she broke her piggy bank when she set her heart on buying herself an ice cream. She took the saying, 'break the bank' seriously. I grabbed a blue Mason jar from the kitchen and embroidered a bit of linen from a discarded pair of Zac's pants turning it into a new bank for her change.

A girl after my own heart! Granny chic. We found this doily at the thrift store for $.50 and thought we'd use it as a dresser scarf. Perhaps covering a bit of the wear on the top.

The sewer in me loves fabric. The scraps of fabric (or vintage tea towel in the large hoop) in thrifted embroidery hoops have been remade for each room Piper's had. The charm of embroidery has been a favorite of mine for some time now. I'm fairly new to it. But I was inspired by a few images I found while helping gather ideas for a girlfriend's daughter's room led me to making this little piece of embroidery for Piper. A simple dandelion blowing and her name. I did it at the same time as I did her piggy bank.

A shelf left with the house holds a few pictures/prints, vintage blocks we're gathering to spell out her name, and a small vase filled with a collection of discarded guinea feathers (one Americauna feather too) she and I found at the farm this fall.

A project Piper and I worked on a couple of weekends ago was this cradle Zac's mom had given Piper for her 'kids'. It was in need a of a paint job. In some spare moments alone while Calder napped, she and I painted it with left over paint from our atelier. The whole time we worked Piper told me how OoOo and Chloe love teal and how they had wanted their bed to be painted. It's not a perfect paint job, but there is beauty in that imperfection. The next morning up before the boys, we made those girls a blanket to match their mama's with left over scraps from Piper's duvet and an old sheet.

So it's finished...for now. Decorating is always an evolution, as Piper has already reminded me of, saying she wants to add more pretty stuff to her room. Indeed, always more pretty stuff.

{this moment}

2011-11-18T13:39:00.000-06:00

{this moment} - A single photo - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. via

Fall Dinners

2011-11-17T21:58:00.000-06:00

When it's cold and dark outside by dinner time, our normal mealtime candles feel so much more cozy and magical. Hope all of you are finding ways to make these shortening days with their dark evenings special.

Muffin Making

2011-11-08T21:43:00.001-06:00

We had ourselves a little time; measuring and mixing and tasting and baking these delicious pumpkin muffins. Oh, we made a big mess. Messy, to the extent of Calder requiring a change of shirt and wash-up while the first batch baked. Baking with littles is always much messier than it usually is. Actually, pretty much everything done with Calder is much messier. Eventually, that won't be the case. But for now it is, and that's fine - we can clean up.

Now we'll be eating muffins all week.

Bowling!

2011-11-07T21:51:00.001-06:00

The Madison chapter of sisters and I took the kids bowling Saturday night. Oh yes, we're that hip! We shared a pitcher of beer, bowled a game - and it was fun. Piper was very excited about it. Wore her tutu skirt and everything. Calder, as always, was a curious man. Taking all three of us grown ups to keep track of him. Bowling only kept his interest for a short bit. As I expected, being too small to really work that ball yet. He'd pick up a ball and say, 'hey-ee!' (translation: heavy) put it down and move along to what every else caught his eye.

Piper played the whole game. Mostly by herself. She'd lug her ball up to the foul line, get down on her knees and push the ball down the lane. Then lie down for the show. While the rest of us patiently waited out her ball's s-l-o-w journey. By the time it reached the pins it had such a small amount of momentum that it barely had the power to knock any pins down. Piper didn't mind, and celebrated joyously over every pin she did get.

She loved her ball. In between her turns, she'd stand guard over it at the ball return. Touching it, leaning on it, posing on it. Even going so far as giving the kids in the next lane over the evil eye so they wouldn't try to snatch her precious ball.

She was such a treat with her slow play and dramatic sequence of movements at every turn. A reminder to enjoy the game - as much as a mama with a two year old on the loose could.

After our bowling was done, Piper asked to play the claw game. Zac is the only person I know who wins almost every time at that game. Which was my excuse for not wanting to play. Although, in hindsight I would rather waste the fifty cents on her and I playing and losing, than have Zac play, win, and have to deal with the ~~garbage toy~~ prize we end up with.

Must remember to just enjoy the game.

{this moment}

2011-10-14T10:06:00.000-05:00

{this moment} - A single photo - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. via

Weekend Scenes

2011-10-10T11:24:00.000-05:00

~ With family and friends, we celebrated Calder's life with us. ~

Calder Turns Two

2011-10-08T09:15:00.000-05:00

Today Calder is two. Somewhat hard to wrap my head around that. Seems like just yesterday he shocked us to our core with his arrival. I have many unresolved issues regarding his birth. Ones that I hope not to let Calder know of. Surely he'll ask one day years from now, and I hope at that point I have all the right answers for him. One thing I have no unresolved issues about is the blessing that he is in my life, all our lives.

Calder is such a beautiful, sweet, smart and funny little boy. He has brought such joy to my life. Reminding us that our life is full of amazing, supportive, loving people to be thankful for. Blessing this mama with a relationship that Piper was physically unable to provide. A relationship that he shows no signs of being ready to give up for a long, long while. He's shown us how similar two kids can be, yet how immensely different they are. He's shown me the preciousness of a full nights sleep. This little man is quite the character!

Twenty four pounds and two years later, with out doubt we all love this little man with our whole beings. And he will continue to bless our lives.

This face, or some variation of it, is what we get when he says he's two.

{this moment}

2011-09-16T10:40:00.001-05:00

{this moment} - A single photo - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. via

Chalkboards

2011-09-15T14:52:00.000-05:00

Before we moved into our house, I had a list (still have) a list compiled of projects and things I'd like to do in this forever house. Since we'd only been in the house a few times, not everything would work out as I had envisioned once we were actually in. One of those was a chalkboard wall. My littles, as most I'd guess, like chalk. At the farm there is a big, real slate, chalkboard in the kitchen. Used by all, for lists, notes, phone messages, and for small 'drawings' by visitors. Something about the process of drawing and erasing that is thrilling to them. I thought there was a section of blank wall in our new kitchen that I could paint up. As it turned out, that section was oddly shaped, and small, due to a couple light switches and an outlet. I kept it on the back burner, as I worked on other things thinking of an alternative spot.

Then I came this post on a blog that is very inspirational to me, and I had my spot. Off our kitchen is a hallway with the back door. A door that was in need of a paint job - like so much else in our home. Perfect! A few weeks ago I went to work. In getting the paint, which is not no-voc like the rest of the paint in our house, I was happy to discover a tint-able version. In original planning I thought my choices would only be black or green. Moonstone (gray) suited me much better.

The kids, Calder especially, like it. He also thinks chalk inside is for writing on the floor. Which is coincidentally slate, but not that kind. Luckily, it washes easily. The eraser that is so popular with them however, doesn't clean very well. We've resorted to just wiping it down with a damp rag. And when I pass through I can focus on the one thing that is done in this space. Instead of the unfinished - well nearly everything. I like the little drawings I find there too!

With so much paint left, the possibilities floated through my mind. Then I remembered this I had found last summer when Piper was just starting to show real interest in chalk. At the time we were trying to sell our house and decided to forgo that project. We just happened to have a scrap of plywood left (which after some help from a very nice stranger boy while Zac was out of town I got home on the roof of our car) from the sandbox cover. Few coats of paint and a week later, we had another outside activity for the backyard. They did on occasion write on the part of the driveway that is in the backyard. But, as many of you saw, it's not the smoothest surface for drawing.

Sometimes I get so excited about projects for the kids, possibly more excited then they do. I was beside myself to show this to Piper and Calder after nap time. Calder indulged me - that sweet little mama's man.

Just Peachy

2011-09-13T09:08:00.001-05:00

Old news, right. Really old. Canning that is. Lots of preserving of summer's yield all season long. With moving and apartment living I have yet to do much preserving this year. No garden, means no excess of anything, planned or otherwise.

Other than my living at home years I've always done it alone. Which is fine, still a satisfying outcome. This year when a bushel of peaches ordered through my mama came in ready to use a couple weeks back. I packed up the littles and my jars at our first opportunity and headed to the farm for a group canning session. One really full day of work and a few hours on a second day - done. Three bushels of peaches in jars, pies or bellies.

Pictures by my papa.

My baby brother seen in the first picture did not help, just caught in the picture as he snagged a peach (or three) to eat. I don't think I've had the pleasure of spending that much chatty time with my sister-in-law, and she's been around for some years now. It sure was nice.

Sure is nice to look at these lovelies too! Waiting to be joined by raspberry jam, apple sauce and pears. Fruity goodness to take with us into winter.

Totally not peach related...we came at just the right time to see the Monarch come out of its chrysalis. We had done this many, many times as I was growing up. I so wanted to share this with Piper this year. I combed the bike path near our apartment for a caterpillar on milkweed. Alas, I was looking too early - as they had only found their's a couple weeks before. I was elated when I saw the jar with a milkweed stem and chrysalis on the dining room table when we arrived. And over joyed when the butterfly emerged over night, that I could share this magic with Piper. Both kids stared and gently stroked the wings. Later, after enough practice and strength had been gained, my mama set it out on the porch and it flew away. Another of nature's amazing gifts off on its journey.

Movie Out

2011-09-11T22:05:00.000-05:00

Something I've been waiting to do for oh so long. An outdoor movie, feels so vintage, so big, adventurous and almost romantic - sitting under the stars with all of nature's sounds around us. On a whim, I asked Zac, while at work on Friday, to borrow a projector so that we could set up an outdoor movie in our backyard. It was actually, fairly unplanned right up to set up. Picking the movie just before dinner, searching for a large sheet and way to secure it to the garage wall. Luckily we started while there was still enough light left in the day. And it all worked out. It was so enjoyable, finding that I much prefer flying by the seat of our pants sometimes.

With the air turning cool, we indulged in a bit of hot chocolate (at bedtime!) to keep all toasty and warm. Piper actually made her mug last for the full length of the movie, taking the last sip as the credits began to roll. Such will power.

Eagerly awaiting our next movie out of doors. In fact we may make a little event of it. Piper thanked me at the end of it, I'm sure prompted by Zac - but regardless, I felt like my idea was fun and we all had a wonderful time.

Hoping your weekend was filled with some type of wonderful.

Sand Play

2011-09-05T22:42:00.001-05:00

We started our weekend with rain. But we ended up getting my goal project for the weekend done, well almost. Usable - I consider that done...ish. We built a sandbox. Yeah, finally something for the kids to do in the back yard other than wander around in the weeds. I spent a few nights searching online for plans. In the end I put together my own by combining a few. A quick trip to the hardware store for wood and we set to work. We used all cedar, despite the higher cost, I love the natural look of cedar and its abilities to withstand being out in the elements - and I couldn't see us putting littles out to play in a box made of treated lumber.

Piper watched and waited while Zac drilled pilot holes I had marked. Her job was to wipe away the saw dust and keep track of how many boards and holes there were to drill. She was the perfect helper. Often a little jumpy to get in there but we got it done without any mishaps.

Then we had a box.

And she played. And played.

They played. And he tasted the sand, of course.

I think this will provide many many hours of play, and learning. The woman who helped me load bag, after bag of sand into our car told me that sand and water play are the best ways for littles to learn. She's a teacher she knows. I'm inclined to believe her. I'm already a firm believer in learning through play. So learn on little ones, learn on!

Hope you had a lovely weekend!

p.s. Sorry for the long gap in posting. I was kind of taking advantage of only having our iPad and not being able to post. Plus I was a bit busy. Most of you saw with what at our picnic. Thanks to all of you who came. We had a truly wonderful time - despite the scare of rain. ~emmy

** Update ** The sandbox is officially finished. It has a cover!

Moving Along

2011-08-02T15:03:00.004-05:00

We're getting there. Settled in that is, but very slowly. We're on the, we-have-two-kids-and-a-kitchen-in-the-midst-of-some-updates pace. Slowly we are getting used to things in a new spot, or faucets that run a bit differently than we're used to, or trying to figure how these cabinets were ever functional for the previous owners and working on adjusting before we decide to go our own way. In some moments I feel as though we're just borrowing this space, because it all feels so different.

I have learned my limits for home improvements since we went through this with our last house. I know that I can't handle pulling everything apart and slowly putting it back together. Not now that my work is my family and home and I don't leave the mess behind all day. One thing at a time.

We still look like this through out most of the house. Many boxes unpacked and things out of place. There are walls that are still not painted and I think that I'll be painting trim for a year's time. I have yet to hang anything on the walls or windows. The list goes on, and on... and on. But I finally have more than just a path cleared and a load of laundry in the machine, and that's something.

Luckily, some spots are closer to being set up. Giving a glimpse of light at the end of the tunnel.

Some spots were set up first thing and have been used many times over. A spot where the littles can retreat too, away from the rest of the mess. Where they can surround themselves with their own mess. Something they are quite used to.

Then there is nothing like a nearly complete new floor and just delivered pretty appliances to make you over look the silly things like not having any baseboards. Or having your dishwasher where your dining room table should be.

These things are not important anyway, right?

Progress

2011-07-26T22:46:00.000-05:00

Well we're eleven days in, and we've been busy. We move in two days. A lot has been done, yet there is a lot left to do. Here is a little peek at some of what we've been doing. Please excuse the pictures, I took many of them quickly as we left the house tonight.

Calder's room: remember that lovely wallpaper. It took two and a half days to get down. At which point I was so tired of working on it that I closed the door for a few days and went elsewhere. Finally returned to prime the walls and ceiling (had been painted to match the wallpaper - ugh!) and painted it all. The color is off in this picture, it's actually a green. Which reminds us all of a toned down version of our old living room.

The downstairs bathroom is now blue - kind of a dirty robins egg. It was a quick paint, sometimes small is good. It was (near) instant gratification. Zac even found a few minutes to install a new light for me.

Living room was the first room to be painted. Khaki/beige - boring I know compared to our last house, but I decided to go more neutral this go round. Hoping it will be easier to swap out the fabrics as I tire of them. The halls though out the house are the same color just two shades lighter.

Piper's room: it's pink! Her current favorite color. Luckily for me she chose a light shade, based on the color name - what else? She's also request stripes which we've yet to get too. Soon, I keep telling her. It was so much fun to have her come into a half painted room and jump and squeal with joy over having a pink room at last.

Lest I make it sound as if I've done this all myself - I must say that my two Madison based sisters have been an immeasurable help in this process, and will continue to be. Without their help painting and watching littles, most of this would not be done.

Zac, along with his friend, have been working on installing a new tile floor in the kitchen in the after work hours. There is so much more that needs, we want to be done. It's slow going, but that's fine. Zac has been a good balance for me throughout these days. As I stress over what's not going to get done before we move in, he gently reminds me that we have forever. I love that... but I still can't wait to get curtains hung and things on the walls.

Home Sweet Home

2011-07-15T21:52:00.000-05:00

Today was a big day for our family, we closed on our new home this morning. Our for-a-very-long-time home. We're so happy to have found it. We went straight 'home' after our closing. Piper held the new keys. It was a bit surreal going in by ourselves for the first time - we'd been waiting for this day for months now. It didn't have any of our stuff, nor our smell, but it was ours.

We had cake, that Piper and I made yesterday, in celebration of our new beginnings in this place. I think us girls were the most excited about this celebration, as we planned it. Calder was just happy to have been given chocolate milk. Zac busily walked around documenting the house, which we didn't do in our last house and always regretted it, before we put any of us into it.

Then we got right to work. The littles and I attacked this room while Zac pulled up the very (very!) old linoleum in the kitchen. This will soon be Calder's room. Very man's office-ish, no?

All that not so cute wallpaper you see came down. We still have a bit of paper backing to scrape from the walls, then to wash them before we can start painting. But I already feel it's much improved. We forgot to take an end of day one picture, but will first thing tomorrow.

Zac has already met neighbors on both sides of us and a few others from across the street. As my mom says, he's good for that. And many other things - of course.

The Good Stuff

2011-07-14T21:20:00.000-05:00

When I look around I think this, this is good enough. And I try to laugh at whatever life brings. Cuz when I look down I just miss all the good stuff and when I look up I just trip over things.

- Ani Difranco

Strawberry Season

2011-07-03T23:26:00.001-05:00

Sorry for the patchy blogging. I've been focused on other things, and just not feeling it. Anyway, last week we went strawberry picking. I'm guessing you know the drill: pick, eat, make a mess of your face and hope that you pick more than you can eat.

It's amazing how much just one year's time can make. Last year, Calder was a 'baby', I feel he's still a baby (my baby) but really he's a toddler. Calder didn't need me to carry him in the carrier. He wasn't helpful in picking but he didn't care too much for eating the berries either. Calder's so touch and go with his like of fruit. Which is shocking to me - I thought everyone loved fruit. By the looks of his face you'd never know he hadn't been shoveling them in hand over fist. Calder did find great entertainment in the flag we needed to place where we stopped our picking. Putting it in the ground, pulling it out and putting it in somewhere else. All the while wearing the sunhat I made for him for our GA trip. It's reversible! Piper's version of the same hat has chickens on it. Smile!

Piper on the other hand loves strawberries. She ate loads, although not nearly as messily as Calder. Unlike last year, she ate only what she picked. And she ended up with berries in her basket. She was so proud. So was I. We were there longer than I expected the two littles to last. I was pleased and we left while it was still fun for them.

We're almost out of jam making that the big project with our pickings. Piper woke really early one morning asking if I'd get up with her. We started making a batch of jam. How excited was she when I set her up with her own knife and cutting board. I gave her the big berries and she hulled them and put them in her own measuring cup. She ended up with one and a half cups and I had to reclaim some of the berry left from her cutting. She and I enjoyed our time cleaning berries.

As I prepared for jam making I realized that my canner was in our storage unit. I didn't feel like going out there to search for it. Instead I searched online (what can't you find online) and followed this honey sweetened no canner recipe. Much to my dismay as I readied jars and lids I found that, save two, my jar rings are also in storage, probably with my canner. Needless to say I had to make do and use pint jars instead of the smaller jam jars and scrounge up all the store bought jar lids (you can reseal those!). It worked, we have 7 1/2 pints of strawberry jam on the shelf and a bit of whole berries in the freezer.

Wishing you a wonderful weekend and strawberry season.

Welcome Summer!

2011-06-22T13:25:00.000-05:00

With summer now officially here (Happy Summer Solstice to you all), I thought I'd put together a family to-do list for us. So as to not forget that picking paint colors and curtain fabric is not the only thing to be doing this summer. Not that some of those things didn't make the list.

What is on your summer to-do list?

Rainy Day Project

2011-06-15T22:10:00.000-05:00

It was a rainy sort of day, so instead of playing outside like we've been doing, we did a project inside. One Piper has been waiting to do for some time now. Wool felting. My lady had high expectations for her, our, first time. She wanted to make felt balls, then turn those into flowers which she was going to make into hair clips. Yes, expectations were just a tad bit high.

She loved the water and playing in it. She couldn't quite get the ball making technique down. And it frustrated her for a bit. But then she moved on to making other things, a bear, a scarf and a penguin. No, fancy flower hair clips, however, satisfied none the less.

And this guy. He didn't get anything felted, not for lack of trying. A few splashes in the water was all he needed to be satisfied with the project. But he did walk around looking all cute getting into mischief quite a bit.

Weekend Doings

2011-06-06T21:15:00.000-05:00

This weekend we did Ride the Drive. It was our first year, and it was a lot of fun. We rode our bikes, Zac pulled the kids in the trailer, downtown to the event. Which turned out to be surprisingly easier than anticipated. Our ride home however, was wrought with hills. We made it, to find this...

Awe!

Spent a lot of time thinking about and planning for this place. Our soon to be new-to-us home. Yeah!

Hope you had a wonderful weekend.

At the Seashore

2011-05-25T19:39:00.002-05:00

We're home from our sea shore vacation to Hilton Head, SC and Atlanta - with a day trip to Savannah and Tybee Island. Short and sweet. We took along my youngest sister - she's the last of the little-loving sisters of mine. Next year we'll have to vacation solo, unless my little brother wants to come help wrangle kids. Zac went out early for his work conference. In his absence, I made due as a single parent. The main portion of our vacation consisted of beaching.

{Meeting it for the first time for a couple of us.}

{Testing the waters from the safety of Papa's hand - or someone's hand or arms.}

{Lounging and napping in the shade.}

{Exploring in the sand. Piper had a love hate relationship with all that sand.}

{And just taking in the vastness.}

Wishing to get through the rest of the vacation pictures soon. Hoping your week was lovely.

The Good Stuff

2011-05-12T08:34:00.000-05:00

When I look around I think this, this is good enough. And I try to laugh at whatever life brings. Cuz when I look down I just miss all the good stuff and when I look up I just trip over things.

- Ani Difranco

On our way to the park near our apartment we happened upon a field of dandelions. It was the source of much joy and amazement. Piper was in heaven picking 'flowers' for me. Explaining how we'd put them in a jar of water when we got home, so they wouldn't die. She left happily when her bouquet was as big as her hand could hold. I now have four jars of dandelions lining my counter. I'm one lucky mama, oh, yes I am.

"The Shop"

2011-05-11T14:58:00.000-05:00

So, it's open. My very own shop. After much encouragement from a few friends and Zac, I decided to go ahead with it. No matter how little time I have or how scary it is to put yourself 'out there' like that. Mostly, I started this whole shop idea because of my jackets. Then came the bowties - which are both fun and a quick sew.

I'm a mama and teacher to my littles first and foremost. That's not going to change. Creator/shop owner is back burner, happening in the free time while the littles sleep or otherwise occupied by the papa. I'm keeping my expectations for this low. Accepting that things will be slow to be added. After all it took over a month to get my first listings complete.

I have to admit part of the excitement over starting my shop came from Zac's suggestion to get my own business cards. Any of you that have my jackets - there are quite a few out in the world now, and would like a card or two to pass out when your little's jacket gets comment. Do they ever get commented on! Let me know, I'll get a few to you. With much appreciation.

I redesigned my tag and had them printed. Complete with care instructions on the back. Oh, how the little things make me giddy.

On the wonderful suggestion of a friend I started a Facebook page for the shop too.

I'm so appreciative and thankful for the support that has brought me here.

On Motherhood

2011-05-09T09:49:00.002-05:00

This beauty was nearly the entirety of my Mama's Day. Zac let me sleep in until 9, which allowed him time to have Piper make me a card. He helped her write 'Happy Mama's Day Surprise' on it. It's from a Berenstain Bears book, Piper thinks it's the official name of the holiday. The rest is all her.

She continues to amaze me with her drawings. Particularly, the people. We've never shown her how to do it, but she keeps evolving her process on her own. This is her best to date.

In addition, we took a family walk by Lake Monona. It was such a beautiful day. Though young, I truly feel my littles appreciate me daily. Maybe because they're young. But it's nice to have a special day dedicated to what you do with your life. For that's what it is, motherhood is my life! Being a mama is hard, hard work, but I love it. I wouldn't trade it for anything. I've developed so much gratitude and sympathy for other mamas in this world by becoming one myself. We're all on our own journeys, with different littles on their own journeys. Mamas can use love, understanding, and acceptance daily. Trying our best is all we have.

In the past three years: I've inherited, as so many before and after me have, the name Mama. Which is sweet music to my ears. I traded in my 40 hour a week job for one that is 24/7, much harder and so much more rewarding. I've done more research for this job than anything ever before. I've agonized over most every decision I've made. I've learned to never know what to expect, these littles of mine are growing before my eyes. I've begun to wear my heart on the outside - times two. Our days are constantly changing, and I try endlessly to adapt. My hair is longer and my patience is shorter ... but I'm working on that.

Hoping all you beautiful, wonderful mamas out there had a joy filled Mama's Day!

Our Favorite Places: The Zoo

2011-05-03T10:49:00.000-05:00

The weather has turned, hopefully for good now. It's zoo time again! We've already visited a few times this season. I see many more visits in our future. Overall, it remains unchanged between visits, yet its always fun and interesting for the littles. Our visit yesterday, with a friend, brought a new addition.

The lions had a cub. He's six months old and cute. The papa made sure, via lots of noise, that he remained safe.

The primate house is a highlight of every trip. All were inside on our visit, but visible. Cute? Maybe to some. Not like that lion cub. We always have to compare hands to the monkey's and ape's. There just might have been a large growth spurt to suddenly make them monkey sizes. I think we're safe on ape sized...for now. The bears were out, actually most of the animals were out this trip, enjoying the sunshiny day.

Although it's interesting to see the animals, this is the real highlight of the zoo. Their playground. The ground is soft and there are plenty of things for the smaller littles to do. The rest is just icing on the zoo playground cake.

Zoo trips aren't complete without a ride on the carousel. Calder likes to ride on the animals, he's brave like that. Piper, despite her attraction to the animals, prefers to ride on a bench. She thinks that the 'handlebar' on the animals is too big for her to hold on tight, she's safe like that.

The Good Stuff

2011-04-26T21:20:00.000-05:00

When I look around I think this, this is good enough. And I try to laugh at whatever life brings. Cuz when I look down I just miss all the good stuff and when I look up I just trip over things.

- Ani Difranco

My Newspaper Boy

2011-04-19T00:34:00.000-05:00

About two weeks ago now I finished this dapper hat for Calder. He had a khaki linen one last summer that I paid maybe $5 for on clearance. I found a pattern online, which went on sale just after I finished it. I decided I could make Calder a bigger one each year from now until he's way over wearing them. I'm guessing sooner or later he'll not be so agreeable to my fashion sense.

It was actually a bit of a sew. Not so much difficult, but time consuming. It's corduroy on the outside and lined with cream/green ticking. I'm loving this little man dressed up in items with a vintage feel.

I didn't have the right interfacing for the brim, instead I used what I had. In hindsight, I wish I hadn't. The brim is a little more flexible, wavy than I'd like it to be. Now I know for the next one.

I kind of feel like I've won with this one, Calder actually keeps it on his head. What more could a mama ask for.

And that's the last of the spring sewing I'm going to show off. I really feel every time I write a post like this I'm saying, 'look at me Mom, look what I did!' The other things are not so exciting, dyed and embellished onesies and tees (like the one Calder's got on here), skirts and the like. So that's all folks.

At Times

2011-04-18T10:24:00.001-05:00

When you're a mama under the weather and not on the top of your game, this might happen:

At least I had the foresight to get him half undressed. Right? OK maybe I was too wiped out to wrangle the little man who prefers his birthday suit. When I realized what happened, my first thought was to get the camera. Damage was already done, might as well document it. It is kind of funny. And now, the markers have 'gone missing' from the art supplies. Smile.

This Moment, or Two

2011-04-15T09:10:00.000-05:00

Wishing you a lovely weekend!

This Morning:

2011-04-14T14:11:00.001-05:00

This morning followed a night of little sleep. We made the most of it in an effort to keep our over tired moods at bay. This morning I am:

playing go-fish before breakfast.

watching the littles read books.
loving that Piper reads to her baby brother about their favorite subject.

liking that Zac can bike to work.
wishing our apartment had a better place to store his bike.
appeasing requests to open the play dough container.

seeing lots of joint fun with the play dough.

fueling up on lots of coffee.

moving the crib out of the little's room...finally.
wondering why it took me so long. Ah, more breathing room!
removing the changing pad from the dresser - who am I fooling? No diaper changing happens there.

feeling fresh and new and clean.
kidding myself that the room will look like this for more than one day.

stopping at every passing to look at my morning's work again.

This morning I'm enjoying my Thursday, and hope you are too.

For anyone interested, there is a book club for the reading and discussion of the book Simplicity Parenting by Kim John Payne here. A great book for those of us parents that strive for a calm and simple life for our littles in this fast and often overstimulating world.

Calder's Jacket

2011-04-06T21:45:00.001-05:00

Finally, right? Piper has been wearing cute mama sewn spring/fall jackets for a few years now. Now Calder has one all his own. It was one of the big things on my list for him. Something I was eager to get to and dreading all at the same time. I didn't have a pattern, nor did I want to buy one. And I had a specific look in mind, I'd have to draft my own.

As my list began to dwindle, the time came for me to tackle this one. It ended up coming together nicely. Not my original plan though. Once Zac saw the jacket with its caramel colored narrow wale corduroy and navy knit lining, he offered his input.

Zac suggested elbow patches and leather buttons. Similar to an old school sports coat. I agreed it could turn out cute. Stylish, dare I say? A real retro feel for my little man.

So I strayed from my plan to re-purpose cargo pants pockets for front pockets and designed a pleated pocket that seemed to go with our look. I added an ample rounded hood. For the times when he doesn't want to keep his freshly knitted spring hat on his head. Alright that's most of the time, unfortunately. In hopes of not making it seem too retro, and some added detail, I used light blue contrast stitching.

Calder's been wearing it for about a week now. It seems comfy and he looks fantastic in it. I'm not biased, not a bit.

On a side note, I've improved my bowtie pattern. After a few wears, the brown polka dot tie was looking a bit scrunchy and droopy. Problem solved and a few more ties to add to his collection.

Piper likes them too.

Our Favorite Places: The Library

2011-04-04T23:44:00.002-05:00

Another of our weekly outings and favorite places is the library. We had become quite familiar with and comfortable at our 'old library' as Piper calls it in Stoughton. Now that we've moved we've been frequenting, and getting to know our new library. Much to Piper's delight they have many more Berenstein Bears books to choose from here. They even have Mama and Papa Bear on a quilt that Piper points out on every visit.

Another point of interest for our little book worm is this little check-out area. They have a train table, building blocks and puzzles, but none of those perk Piper's interest like this does. Even at home to likes to play 'order' or 'bookstore.' The library's little produce store is a big draw with its pretend cash register.

Piper likes to find a spot and read some her new finds. Sometimes in the castle but most often in any chair she finds free. Calder is just starting to become a book worm, so I spend reading time following him around making sure the books he's pulled from the shelves get replaced.

I knew that library fun would be a good guise for sneaking a photo or two to show off another new summer piece. A super simple smocked top skirt. Which she loves and has already worn many times.

She was excited that I agreed to going out of the house with no socks on.

Our Favorite Places: The Museum

2011-03-31T22:16:00.001-05:00

Madison has a specular children's museum. It's one of our go to places when we want something fun to do, have nothing else to do, or want to plan a play date. We go often, yet it doesn't get old. The exhibits change just enough to keep these littles coming back for more. This week we met friends at the museum.

If Calder was a man of more than just a few words, I'm sure he'd shout his love for the water room from the rooftop. As soon as he gets down the steps into the Wildernest, he books it to the water room and doesn't emerge until he's soaked through. The provided smocks are usually soaked and we normally don't even bother. On this day we managed to get one that was relatively dry. No matter, he still came out drenched. Calder always digs right in; getting his hands in there and on the cups - filling them and dumping them. Piper could really care less about this space. But she does like the books, the babies, drums, bridge, capes and puppets in other parts of the Wildernest. The kid sized rainbow brooms are loved by both; scooped up as soon as they are abandoned by another child. They'll sweep the whole place.

Another spot of interest is in Possible-opolis. There is a display of kid built mechanized pieces that turn on when buttons are pushed. A similar set up turns the lights on in a doll house.

We spent some time at the light table in the Art Studio. Looking at slides and using the magnetic building blocks. Isn't Calder such a dapper man?! Some of the summer sewing for him was bow ties. Because who doesn't love to see a little man in a bow tie.

Piper wore another of her new dresses. A simple dress with a gathered neck and sleeves made from soft and comfy Swiss dot fabric. Inspired by a request by one of Piper's friends, I made a bunch of clips and headbands. So far, Piper has enjoyed having her hair combed and done up with a clip.

Calder's standard face when the camera comes out, or he's asked to say cheese.

Other spots of interest to my littles is the telephone booth, painting wall, dark room, the car and bake shop. On occasion the Gerbil Wheeel and the Hodgepodge Mahal climber for Piper. We can spend hours in the museum and still not get to do everything. Most trips, something is skipped. This trip it was the Rooftop Ramble. A first for us. We always, no matter the weather, go up to see the chickens. Our little friend wasn't feeling it, so Piper agreed to skip it and head for lunch. It's ok, we'll be back.

A Farming We Will Go ... Went

2011-03-30T20:50:00.000-05:00

Last week we spent a few days farming. We hadn't been up for for a number of weeks. Had made plans that got pushed off for one reason and then another. We had a great time. We got to see nearly all of the family up there, even some from out of town with coinciding visits and some friends.

Like Piper did a few years ago, Calder took a liking to my youngest brother. I guess he's fun, knows what the littles like to play.

While it was spring in Madison, it was still winter up north. There was lots of snow. A visit to Gigi's (my grandma) provided some time to play in the snow banks. Something we've missed having no yard for the past few months.

Piper found a puddle despite the temps that were barely over 20. That sun! Clad in her barn boots she proceeded to do some puddle stomping. Calder quickly saw the appeal and joined in minus the barn boots. His stomping is still elementary and soon had soaking went pants. He didn't mind a bit.

Since our return Piper has talked daily about returning. My girl loves her farming time!

Summer Sewing

2011-03-21T21:41:00.005-05:00

Hello Spring! The first day of spring in Madison was full of rain. Fitting, huh?

Over the last week and a half I've been working on my slightly ambitious spring/summer sewing list for the littles. Sneaking in a piece or two for me. I originally started out with the goal to make one piece of clothing a day until I was done with what was on my list with its horrible chicken scratchy drawings. That worked well with the skirts. They just sew up so quickly. Then came a day with out of sync naps so I didn't get much sewing time and my one a day goal slipped away. So it goes.

Last week I worked on this sun dress. I actually constructed the dress in one day as I had hoped. But it took until today to sew two buttons on the back. I didn't see the rush since we're not having days that would require a sun dress and moved on to other items. Piper was so excited to put the dress on and have a photo shoot. Shouting, 'it's summer now!' while she got ready.

It was a fun one to sew. Exciting that it turned out, other than the idea in my head I pretty much winged it's pattern as I went. It has lots of pleats, in the skirt - making it great for twirling, and a pleated neckline. I've been eying this fun bright lemon fabric for a while now and was thrilled to get to use it. Luckily, Piper likes it too despite there being no pink or purple or blue on it.

Our little photo shoot was so fun. Piper kept coming up with ideas. She'd ask me; do I want her to jump up and down, or should I do my back flip? I'm just hoping I can some how get the same enthusiasm for modeling the other things.

Hoping you're all enjoying spring's arrival as we are!

This Moment, or Two

2011-03-18T09:37:00.001-05:00

Project: 365 Days of Gratitude

2011-03-15T17:01:00.003-05:00

I've started a new project today - 365 Days of Gratitude. Really Piper and I have been doing this for a couple of weeks now. But I've decided to make it official. It's something I've seen around the internet for years now. I'm not sure where exactly it originated.

At lunch and dinner we light a candle, say an quick and easy blessing and then once a day we take turns listing what we are grateful for that day. Zac joins us occasionally too. The first day I gave Piper a quick explanation of gratitude. Basically, something you are happy to have in your life, or that makes you happy. She caught right on! Spewing a list of things she was happy about. Most of the time it consists of a list of things that we're eating, her family members and then added things from her day - objects or experiences. Often times brings a smile to our face to hear her list. Makes us really appreciate the small things in life.

And so often during our days, I find myself grateful for the little things. I'm hoping this project will help us all to really focus on what blessings, small or large, we have during our days.

In an effort to keep the blog clutter-free and simple, I added a separate page (accessible from the menu bar across the top of the page) to keep my list. I've added a comment box to the page. If you're so inclined, please leave your gratitudes in comments there.

Morning Craft

2011-03-09T11:48:00.003-06:00

We're snowed in. Not quite - we did get a few inches of snow. Zac took our family car - for it's AWD, as he has meetings all over town today. In a sense we're snowed in.

While looking through one of my books Piper (I mean 'Goy' - as she's named herself today. Apparently, Goy and I have met a couple of times. And I told her that my name was 'Mare'!) found pictures of some children felting wool balls in bowls of soapy water. She asked me if we could do it. I said sure, but we'd have to get some wool roving first. A good project for another day when we're more prepared for it. Quickly she came up with her own alternative and ran to her art supplies, returning with some colored paper. Piper then explains her plans to put pieces of paper in a bowl of water to make balls. Hmm, not sure it would work, I scramble for an alternative project for her (us.)

I came up with a paper mache bowl. We went through our recycle bins for the newspaper type papers. Filled a bowl with ripped up strips. Then I mixed some no-cook paper mache paste. Adding just a bit of white glue for good measure. I covered the table with an old shower curtain (originally from Piper's birth, now used for painting and other messy such projects).

First, we started out with 'painting' the paste on to our mold. Piper wasn't quite feeling it so we set that aside and just dipped the paper in with our hands. It was nice and messy. We worked together on it. Taking turns doing the different jobs: dipping the strips, removing some excess paste, placing the strips, flattening the strips. I, intermittently, took breaks to un-attach the boy from my leg and re-occupy him with something else while Piper continued on her own.

We finished it off with colored paper strips. In hindsight, I should have tried tissue paper - next time. The construction paper was difficult to wrangle onto our bowl. Our mold is covered with lots of paper and LOTS of paste. Had my hands not been so messy I should have taken a picture of the mess, it was immense!

It may take days, weeks to dry. We'll see.

Imaginative Fashion

2011-03-07T15:44:00.006-06:00

Shortly after Piper turned three she announced, 'now that I'm three I can get dressed myself.' And so she does. Its actually quite hard to talk her into something other than what she's picked out. Back when she was two, she'd have a day or two here or there where she'd want to pick a shirt or bottom but was happy to wear what I suggested.

I decided I was going to document Piper's outfits for a week or ten days. In the beginning, she obliged me by standing in front of the wall while I snapped away. Shortly after I started, she caught on and refused my request for a daily photo. I let it go and tried again a week or so later. Still Piper wasn't keen on the idea of posing for pictures. We'll just post what we have.

Piper mostly likes to wear anything she can get on herself with ease, she can't always get buttons buttoned which is frustrating to her. Skirts and dresses are on the top of her list. On the rare off day, she completely shocks me and puts on something rather tame, like jeans and a shirt. More often than not, completely weather inappropriate clothes are chosen - no tights, short sleeve or just an undershirt, even shorts or capri pants now that we've started gathering for the upcoming seasons.

Some days its fashionable to wear your pants backwards. I asked if she was into Kris Kross. She said yea. I'm sure she doesn't know them. Maybe she's channeling my older brother circa 1994.

She loves loud, colorful, patterned pieces together. She's in love with accessories. Earring, necklaces, bracelets, rings, scarves, headbands (which she claims tames her crazy hair without needing to be combed), hats - you name it. She likes them in mass quantities some days.

A third googly eye? Why not.

Piper thinks fancy is tie-die - really she came to that idea on her own.

Excuse the cookie dough face.

Mostly we don't mind her choices. We let Piper go out of the house in whatever she chooses - so long as her legs are covered. She does not have much love for tights or leggings. Not even the really cute ones I got her after she started wearing skirts daily. We're happy to let her be herself. At three you have so little you get to decide for yourself - why not let her outfit be another thing she gets almost total control over.

Sure Piper gets lots of comments or looks and smiles or chuckles. Other moms or older women will tell her they like her outfit. I think over all people understand that Piper's dressing herself and expressing herself via imaginative fashion. Even on days when she wears a dress-up dress, costume or safari hat. People get it, accept it. Now if I wore that out I may not get the same response. How wonderful that she's completely accepted for her creativity and encouraged to do it.

Piper has even on occasion chosen what Calder wears. This day it was their champions shirts (complements of my Packer fan folks!) and skirts. Yea, Calder went along with it and wore a skirt.

We're Ready

2011-02-24T13:26:00.003-06:00

Calder got his first pair of barn boots.

We're ready for a wet, muddy spring on the farm. Or at the very least, some good puddle stomping. We're ready whenever you are Mother Nature. Sooner rather than later. Thanks.

The Ordinary Week

2011-02-21T09:09:00.003-06:00

My last post made me think: What exactly did we do this week that made it go so quickly? I looked back at the week's photos. Nothing really out of the ordinary. Maybe it's those ordinary weeks that go the quickest. Those that we really need to pause and appreciate before they're gone - onto another sort of ordinary. I'm still amazed at how quickly these little change our ordinary.

This week in between our outside play and some naps we:

: : Jumped and rolled around together on the big bed. Which doesn't seem so big when all four of us are in it at once. : :

: : Checked our our next chapter book, The Wizard of Oz. We're down to the last couple of chapters in Charlotte's Web. This mama still in awe of the interest in chapter books by my three year old. : :

: : Had an indoor picnic that required bringing every snack out of the pantry. A sampling of sorts, everything was tried. : :

: : Did some art - a collage of cut up paint chips. Leftovers from Zac's office makeover. He didn't have any idea the direction he wanted to take it. I did, but wanted him to come to my direction on his own. There are lots of discarded paint chips for art now. For me this project was a lesson in letting go. I set her up, then had to bit my tongue as she glued many chips color side down. Her project her way. : :

: : Made bread, left to rise in the warm sun of the patio door. It drew curious littles, keeping vigilant watch over the process. After a quick explanation of why we can't touch it, Piper quickly told Calder all about it - as if she'd known all along. : :

And some things, luckily, change more slowly. My toddler still looks like a baby when he sleeps. Sigh!

This and That

2011-02-18T13:26:00.007-06:00

Gah! Where did the week go?! I know I promised you water park stuff. But after going through the camera there really wasn't much that is post worthy.

We went to the Wilderness with another family. We had fun, so much in fact that neither of us took pictures at any of the parks. That's fine we have the memories. Piper had fun. Was up for trying most things. Didn't wan't to go down the dark tunnel ride by herself. But was thrilled with the wave pool. After going in a time or two with Zac she offered to take me in it. And took me she did. She was quite specific on what we needed to do. First I had to get us a tube, then get us in it - her on my lap, then paddle us to to the far part where the waves start (that part was much harder than anticipated). Yes, we had fun.

We've been having some unexpected, but most welcome, warm weather. We went for our first spring walk! Tried to visit our new local park. The paths were still snow covered so getting up the hill with Piper's stroller proved difficult. The snow hand just begun to melt. It was just so nice to be out and walking around with out freezing every exposed piece of skin.

We did a little bit of playing on our patio and 'yard'. Its fortunate that our patio is just off the yard in front of our building. A bit of space for us to play in.

Calder did some shovel work. Or so he thought.

Piper ran around that tree and acted like the yard was huge! Bless her heart for making me feel better about not having a yard for the littles. She made the most of the space she had, searching in the trees, bushes, and rocks for 'nature'.

With spring on my mind, I'm hoping to container garden on our humble patio. Anyone have experience, tips or resources to share?

An Excuse

2011-02-11T09:05:00.003-06:00

Ah, how fast your knitting unravels. All those hours I put in on Super Bowl Sunday were quickly undone on Tuesday afternoon. I bound off and tried it on...not what I wanted. Proceed to unraveling. Hours of knitting comes undone in under five minutes I tell you. Slightly disheartening. I saw it as a opportunity, an excuse, to use my new toy.

I'm working on this large (huge!) project for Zac and since I'm no longer frequenting the local yarn shop in Stoughton where they let you use their swift and ball winder, I invested in my own. Well the ball winder - I've yet to find a good deal on a swift. I'm not the only one excited about this addition to our home. Zac was happy that he wouldn't have to hold a skein of yarn while I slowly and tediously wound it into a ball. Then he found out the winder replaces only my job in that process. For the time being I think a chair can do Zac's job, however.

And the littles, well how can a little not love something like a ball winder.

Both littles love to turn the handle and watch the yarn wind up. Calder is a bit easier to convince that he needs some assistance. Piper just has at it, turning this way, then that way, and creates a little rats nest of her yarn scraps.

Zac's been home with us all week. He's on vacation. I asked when I get vacation. He joked that I should have checked the 'benefits package' when I accepted this job - after three years I get one night a week of yoga, after five I start to accrue vacation days. Lucky, for me the other benefits of this job far out weigh those. And most days/weeks all I need is my one night off for yoga and maybe a little time alone in my closet. Over all, it's been an uneventful week. We did, though, take a little getaway on Wednesday and Thursday. More on that to come.

Enjoy your weekend and stay warm!

So 'They' Won

2011-02-08T10:39:00.003-06:00

I'm a bit behind in posting. Sunday was the Super Bowl. A big day (mostly for Zac) even though 'our' team wasn't playing. We went to the same Super Bowl party we did last year. Although, last year it just required a walk across the street. This year we had to drive 25 minutes from Madison. It's quite the crowd at this party. All Bears fans. And the folks that host the party aren't into football. Fun none the less. Mostly the kids got to play and I got nearly four hours of intermittent knitting time. Piper did get into the game, despite her realization that she had no "Packer Backer" (I think she may think that is the full team name) gear. She even made up a cheer after the second half that she used. 'Lets go Packer Backers, lets go!' Best of all, she enjoyed that Black Eyed Peas was the half time show and even started to imitate some of their dance moves. Cute and funny! And when the Packer Backers won she threw her arms up in the air and cheered but was most concerned with if Grandpapa was happy about that.

Our contribution to the party snacks was a first for us - and I *think* a last. Bacon brownies. At some point during last week we saw a documentary on bacon and they showed these bacon brownies a restaurant serves. Zac immediately said we needed to make them and bring them to the party. A quick search for a recipe and we had our plan. They were alright. Interesting texture. Rich. I thought they'd be excellent, being a fan of sweet and salty. I had one and have no desire to have another. Surprising considering my love of anything chocolate.

Sorry to all you vegetarians friends. I used to be one of you - alas breastfeeding and a second pregnancy got the best of me. Way to ruin a good pan of brownies with meat!

We hope you all had a wonderful Super Bowl.

Playing Dough

2011-01-27T15:30:00.006-06:00

It's been a while since we've had fresh play dough around here. Last week, while Calder slept in, Piper and I mixed up a batch. It started in just fun and ended as a lesson in color theory. Four choices of coloring is too much for a three year old. Green and red make...ah, grey. Add blue and you get...a different shade of grey. Add lots of yellow and you get...army green?! Didn't see that one coming. At first I thought we under cooked the dough (we used this recipe this time). But after kneading in a bit of extra flour it came out the perfect consistency.

Then we set to putting together a tool kit. We surveyed the kitchen cabinets and drawers to see what wouldn't be missed there that could be used for dough work. We started with the rolling pin (which is actually returned to the kitchen after each use - we need to make a small hands version), the pastry blender, a canning lid, a cookie cutter, and a small funnel. Over the week we added a melon baller from the thrift store, a small doily and a stamp I made by hot gluing a shell to a cork.

She's played with it alone a few times. Then we invited Calder to join. He liked using the tools to bang at the play dough. They worked on each others play dough, which seemed to be most interesting to the both of them. Piper mostly tried to dictate what they should be doing. But gave into him doing his own thing fairly quickly.

Truth be told the first go round, Calder didn't like to touch the play dough with his fingers. Each time he'd try it would result in a scrunched up face. I think it's now growing on him.

In an effort to make this an activity that Piper can accomplish from start to finish on her own, we've been working on the whole process in steps. From getting the basket and all its contents out, opening the play dough container, and putting it all back into the basket when she's done. I hang a damp cloth on a hook on the side of her table for her to wipe her hands and table with. Quite liberating to be able to do it all on her own.

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Now We're Farming!

2011-01-25T13:53:00.003-06:00

We, by we I mean Piper and to a small extent me, have been waiting for this for over two months now. Piper's love of all things farm is no secret. When she came across this farm set in a catalog it was all she talked about for weeks. I loved it because it was a well made, from natural materials, beautiful, quality toy that left plenty of room for imaginative play. From there we started to bring it all together. Waiting for items to come in the mail. We've got most of it, she still has a bit left she wants - every farm girl needs a tractor. But that will have to come with time.

Its a gorgeous set! She loves it. Around here we're hearing a constant chorus of 'moos', 'baas', 'oinks', 'neighs', and bawks'. I hope our grandchildren are as into farming as our kids - its sure to be around when they come along. And won't that be wonderful!

A Place To Call My Own

2011-01-11T20:58:00.005-06:00

We're living in an apartment now, an apartment in a complex. Void of character, and I'd grown accustom to some character in my home. I've done my best to work on that. I just finished my last curtain install today. Whew!

It's close to work for Zac. Six minutes to be precise. He can come home for lunch and have plenty of time to play before he needs to head back. It's a nice apartment, roomy enough. A different kind of roomy. Although, the square footage is bigger than our old house, the allotment of space is much different. Its a challenge to figure out where to put things - this is not a challenge I'm unfamiliar with, having just moved a family of four from an 800 sq foot house. Carving out all the extra little niches I can. There are two fantastic things about this apartment. First being it's close to work.

Second best is a permanent space for this stuff:

This small drawer in a lingerie chest was how I sewed, did any crafting for that matter. And I call myself a sewer - a disgrace. I should clarify, that's my supplies. I had a bookshelf full of fabric in our old house. When we decided what was going to storage, all that was boxed up and put into storage. I'm not sure what I was thinking - I wasn't going to do any sewing till we bought a new house!? Before we moved in, I couldn't see any space here for it.

Without further ado I give you, dare I say it, ahem, my 'studio'.

At last a space for my stuff. A space that's not the dining room table and needs to be cleaned up daily before dinner is served. It's a small space, definitely not enough room for the fabric stash that's in storage. But I love it. I can sew in the littles-are-sleeping hours. Which is a surprisingly hard habit to break. I had to remind myself that I didn't need to stick to just the quiet tasks over nap time. Obviously, it's lacking some key components of a true studio. There isn't a cutting table, or storage for any sort of fabric stash. But I can turn Pandora on my laptop and get down to business here. Bliss.

Oh and did I mention... it's in the walk-in closet of our bedroom. Yeah, it is.

Three Trips Around the Sun

2011-01-06T14:41:00.009-06:00

Dear Piper,

I wanted you so badly long before you began your journey into our family. When I dreamed of you, I didn't fully comprehend how you'd fill my heart, my mind, my life. You've taken Papa and I on quite the adventure. One we thought we'd take - just a bit differently, but we took it as it was given to us. And we got through it. Stronger. Filled with more love than we knew to be possible.

I thank you for coming to our family. I thank you for letting me begin with you. For letting me find, and continue to find, my way as a mama - your mama, and now Calder's too. I thank you for your patience and help as I adjusted to being the mama to two. You took that adjustment in stride, mostly.

I can not begin to explain to you how you've completed me, changed me. How a lump forms in my throat and tears blur my eyes as I think of how much I love you and how proud of you I am. Piper, you are a beautiful, smart, strong-willed, unique little lady. We love every bit of it - even the parts that challenge my parenting ability on a daily basis. How did I end up with such a perfectly amazing girl!

There is so much that I hope you remember about these first three years of your life as you continue to grow. I hope you remember being two, and one, was fun! I hope that you remember the time we had with just you, Papa and me. I hope you remember how much you love your brother, your mama, your papa. I hope you remember reading late into the night, far past lights out - by light of twilight turtle. I hope you remember what a good mama you are to Rupert, Oo Oo and Chloe. I hope you remember the piles and piles and piles of books you tote with you. I hope that you remember that you're sometimes too smart for your own good, for my own good. I hope you remember that you talk far more and far better than any two year old I know. I hope you remember that you get your crab from your mama, and that I try so hard to take that in stride. I hope you remember how much you love to learn, and how naturally it comes to you. I hope you remember your sense of style, and how you impose that style onto your little brother - who doesn't care to protest, yet. I hope you remember how 'you' you are, and keep that with you always. I hope that you remember how you climbed into bed, snuggled in with Calder and I this morning and told me that you woke up three today.

Yes, Sweet P, you woke up three this morning. How did that happen!?

I love you with my whole heart!

Mama

It's All Said and Done

2010-12-31T07:31:00.005-06:00

We did it. It's official, we're no longer home owners. We moved out with the help of some amazing family members and a trip to the children's museum Sunday. I tell you, those sisters of mine are amazing - all boxes were unpacked and in their place by mid day Monday.

We sold our house, we closed on Wednesday. It was bitter sweet. I cried some, but overall am sure that it was the right move. I tell myself over and over that it's just the house we left behind, the home comes with us where ever we go. I'll work to hold on to the good memories. So much of our life was lived there. We bought young, really young . Looking over the pictures of the house before we moved in we wondered what we saw, and what in the world made us think that WE could do everything that was done to make it our home. But we did. Life was even made there, twice! Born there once. We also experienced loss there, there are still days when I think Binger should be right around the corner or underfoot. Good times and bad times, joy and anger, and lots of love filled that little house. When we started packing I thought I'd take pictures of the house empty. But when I saw it, I knew I couldn't handle seeing documentation of that house, our house, void of nearly everything that is us. So there are no pictures, only memories that I hope will be forgotten. All our loss was softened by knowing we sold the house to a really nice guy, someone who loves it and doesn't plan to change a thing. He's even going to try his had at gardening in our veggie beds.

Apartment, in a complex no less, living isn't where we'd (I'd- Piper finds it to be a great adventure) prefer to be. But at least we have a roof over our heads. Things are different here, we now have a pantry that is bigger than any closet we had in our house, a dishwasher that isn't me, and a garage. We'll continue to try to make it feel more like home and less like a rental. I'm holding out hope that pictures on the walls and some curtains will the trick. Without putting holes in the wall, of course.

On this eve of the new year, we say goodbye to all that 2010 has brought our family. Look forward to what 2011 will bring...hopefully in the form of our perfect house.

Wishing you all health and happiness in the year to come.

Happy Solstice!

2010-12-21T20:47:00.003-06:00

The return of the light! A sunny day, and some goodies - some homemade pajama pants and a winter book.

A happy solstice to all and to all a good night!

These Moments

2010-12-17T09:25:00.000-06:00

Snow Flakes

2010-12-16T08:31:00.005-06:00

Winter officially is almost here. The cold and snow, however, has been around for weeks now. One day last week Piper and I decided that it was time to take our fall leaves from the windows. After all, our inside no longer matched our outside - it was time. Piper did the take down and then both of us set to work at the mass amount of glue on the panes. Somehow it took a great deal of glue to how those guys up there. With all that scrubbing, I thought we best do our next installation with less mess and less permanency so we can take them with us. Oh yeah, did I mention we sold our house back in October and will be moving in a couple weeks?! We did. Unfortunately, where we'll be moving to isn't going to be our final destination, but a rental house.

So in the few minutes while Calder naps later than Piper, her and I cut snowflakes. She chose the colors. Really, I had nothing to do with matching the snowflakes to the curtains. Nothing, I tell you. I did the cutting - mostly.

Over the first three days of the week we decorated our windows. Piper picking which flakes hung in which window, and which were banished to the kitchen window. I chose to hang them with scraps of yarn instead of gluing them to the windows like we usually do. This way we can take them and hang them in our new windows. I like how they dance a bit when you walk by or the heat goes on.

Piper even make a couple of her own. Snowflakes that required twice as much tape as it did folding or cutting. And lots of 'writing'. She hung hers proudly on the door from the front porch.

We feel a little more festive, in season, around here now. Hope the same is happening in your home.

Mmmm, Smells Like Fresh Baked Pretzels!

2010-12-13T08:46:00.005-06:00

We had a family baking night recently. Which was so much more enjoyable for me than baking day. Zac came up with the project, I located a recipe, and we were off. It was all an experiment as we'd never made homemade soft pretzels. Although, back in the day we had quite the short term obsession with the frozen ones you can get at the grocery. We knew where we were aiming for at least.

It was a leisurely baking escapade. We measured and mixed and kneaded. Then we waiting for a couple of hours while the dough rose.

Then we finally got to the fun part. Rolling and shaping, dipping and salting. Piper had one piece that was her's and her's alone. She worked that little piece until it was barely pliable. Then I helped her out with the shaping. A spot designated on the baking sheet so as to not mix her's up with ours, if that would have even been possible.

Into the oven, and a few short minutes later we had wonderful, delicious, hot soft pretzels. The cheese sauce we had was sub par - we'll have to work on that one for next time. I'm sure they don't cover all the food groups, but we made them dinner. Yum. And 'mmmm it smells like fresh baked soft pretzels,' was declared by Piper over and over.

Zac wants to try gummy bears on our next baking night.

Hope everyone enjoyed the weekends' snow. Happy Monday to all.

Weekend Doings

2010-12-12T21:06:00.001-06:00

Weekend Doings

2010-12-05T22:09:00.002-06:00

We went to bed to snow on Friday. Woke up to more snow on Saturday. Piper had to get out there as fast as she could. She had a new pair of snow pants she wanted to debut. Some pretty pink ones she chose herself. After bundling up well, she went out to 'help Papa shovel'. I think more playing than working was done. While out I heard talk of snowboards, snow angels and snowmen. She came back in rosy cheeked, cold and happy.

Hot cocoa was had to aid in the reheating and on we went with our days.

Hoping you all had a wonderful snow filled weekend.

December

2010-12-01T09:23:00.003-06:00

I heard a bird sing

in the dark of December

A magical thing

and sweet to remember.

”We are nearer to Spring

than we were in September,”

I heard a bird sing

in the dark of December.

Oliver Herford, I Heard a Bird Sing

We woke to December with a dusting of snow on the ground and flakes floating through the air. Nothing of substance and I'd be surprised if it stuck. But it's here none the less.

Wishing you all an enjoyable December.

Our Days

2010-11-23T08:46:00.004-06:00

A local blog writer put it perfectly, something I try to remind myself of daily.

"I belong here. In this life. I am linked body and soul to all my limits and freedoms. I can either embrace everything and run excited circles around every piece of it, or I can pull so hard against it all that I break in half. The choice is mine. Everyday."

Little Bit Of Warmth

2010-11-18T14:38:00.002-06:00

Since we haven't talked knitting in a while...

It's no secret that I run cold, or that I dislike winter - or more specifically cold weather. This old house of ours isn't well insulated, I feel chilly most of the time. So I layer and wear wool socks and slippers and scarves. This year I thought I'd try something new. A shawl - sounds old lady doesn't it? Not to offend any of you young ladies that sport these.

I wasn't convinced I'd like it when I cast it on my needles. The yarn had been in my stash for years. Cast on as one project only be be frogged barely in. I felt I had nothing to loose, save some time. Not to mention that its a small shawl that doubles as a scarf, as I mentioned - another cold weather staple for me.

I love it! I'm a shawl kind of girl I guess. I bound off a bit over a week ago. And wore it immediately and non stop for a couple of days. I didn't even bother to block it. It's like the perfect sized blanket that can tuck right under your arms to keep it put. It provides a surprising amount of warmth considering its size.

I finally took it off to block it this week. Then handed Piper the camera (scary - for a few reasons) and had her snap a few pictures. I'm satisfied that I indulged myself and knit something for myself. In fact, this has inspired me to do sew myself a few things too. Maybe when my to-do sewing/knitting list starts to dwindle, I might even indulge myself in another.

Research

2010-11-15T21:37:00.004-06:00

Piper has a project she's working on for one of her cousins. One that she's come up with almost completely on her own. I've given her some direction on what we could do with her idea. But over all its her concept, a project all her own. A project which she decided required some extra research.

Research that came in the form of play and fun at the zoo. I was happy to oblige her with a research based field trip.

This unusually warm November weather proved perfect for a late in the year trip. So many of the animals were out enjoying the weather. The lion was roaring, loudly. We even got an up close view as the tiger paced back and forth in front of the glass.

Piper decided that I'd be her research assistant. I had suggested she bring one of her drawing pads and pencils. She opted for the camera. Directing me to take pictures of her favorite animals so she could look at them later.

I think we're going to love homeschooling! Hope this week brings more joy and adventure.

Sister Bear

2010-11-02T13:50:00.004-05:00

Let me start this post by saying, if you didn't know already, we LOVE the Berenstain Bears around our home. LOVE THEM. I'm new to costume making. Have only made two or three so far in my mama-hood. Piper wanted to dress as Sister Bear for Halloween (and beyond- I'm sure.) Really she had plans for us all to be Berenstain Bears. I pulled off Sister and Brother and called it quits.

Brother's costume luckily required no sewing. Sister's costume I made from scratch. Maybe I'm a bit of a purest. I see the resemblance, but I wanted it to be exact. The pink is a little too light and there aren't any brown or tan dots in the book. It was good enough to satisfy Piper. She wore it out trick-or-treating for the first time ever- we just went to the neighbor's houses. She even got a few pieces of candy out of it.

Hope you all had lovely harvest days.

Weekending

2010-10-26T12:47:00.002-05:00

We did a bit of farming over the weekend. Then we survived our first sick-little-and-mama-sleepless-night.

Wish you (and us) health and wellness this week!

Our Calder Man

2010-10-12T17:25:00.003-05:00

Our little man turned one year old! Seems like just yesterday we embarked on our journey with Calder as part of our family. He's brought a little bit of trial and a lot of joy to our life. He's smart, beautiful, loving (loves his mama most of all) and loved - so loved. Now if only he'd let me sleep through the night!

We hosted a small party in his honor. We had unseasonably warm weather, a record temperature for this date- in fact. Our fall party wasn't so fall-ish. Without the cool weather we anticipated there was no bonfire or hot apple cider. But it was nice just the same.

He's SO loved!

Apple Picking

2010-10-06T14:02:00.003-05:00

We've already been once to the orchard this year. This round we invited some friends. My sister and the two kids (my friend's) that she nanny's for. The weather was great! The trees hung low, heavy with apples so the little girls could reach to pick their own.

Our mission this time was not picking enough to put by what we make with them. Instead it was to get just enough for fresh applesauce for our special little guy on his upcoming very special day. Oh my, has it already been a year?!

And such a cute little guy he is - I could just eat him up!

This one too, I suppose!

Our Laundry

2010-09-30T10:13:00.002-05:00

First of all a happy fall to everyone! I was a little delayed in posting our changing of the seasons, then it just seemed too late. We marked the occasion with fresh off the needles fall hats for the littles, a cleaning of the nature table and putting out the fall books. Oh, and some mums for the mama.

On a more fun, well for the littles it was, note - we took a trip to the laundromat. I do believe that Piper may have been there once before, but was too young to remember. Exciting to see a big laundry room filled with lots and lots of machines.

Calder was memorized watching the washing through the front window. Until he discovered riding in the laundry carts. Where he kept trying to pull up on the side unless I was in constant motion with them.

For me, all I could think of was the nights Zac and I spent in this very spot before we put in our laundry room. When we'd put off doing laundry until every last stitch of clothing had been worn and we were out of socks. And even then we'd try to hold off until dollar wash Wednesday. We'd fill a whole row of machines. Try to stagger the drying so that the fold pile wasn't as daunting. And we'd just sit there together, alone. I thought of how thankful I am for the laundry room I have in our home. Even when the laundry hamper never seems to be empty. I'm thankful for the lack of time we have, alone, to just sit together, as much as I'm thankful for the moments we do have.

Weekend Doings

2010-09-20T13:55:00.003-05:00

Football season has begun. Sunday is a highlight of Zac's week now. A day when everyone, but the mama, dresses to cheer on their beloved Bears. Zac beams like the proud papa he is when Piper starts chanting, 'bear down Chicago Bears!'

Hope your weekend was just as filled with cheer as ours.

Whoa!

2010-09-17T20:28:00.005-05:00

Whoa, where have we been?! Well, there was some pesto making and freezing. There was a short trip out of town with Zac's family. Followed by some making of applesauce, canning, making more sauce, canning, making of tomato sauce, canning, trip to the Ninepatch, sauce, and canning. Our pantry is getting stuffed. The canner was finally put away this week, probably not completely for this year but for now.

Seasons are changing around our house. Slowly. Just starting to see some colored leaves. Mornings are cool, as are the evenings. We're seeing the need for jackets on our morning nature walks. Since my camera was in a small hiatus most of while we've been away I thought I'd share what we're seeing these days on our walks.

Happy weekending to you and yours.

Ice Cream (in a bag)

2010-08-26T21:41:00.006-05:00

We have an abundance of mint. Apparently, its the one thing in our garden that the rabbits have no interest in, or maybe we have so much that they can't seem to put a dent in it. I've been cutting and drying it for tea for a month now. That, however, can only get you so far.

I came across a recipe for mint chocolate chip ice cream last summer. We don't have a ice cream maker so that never was attempted. Then I read this post and thought we'd give it a try. Who knew you could make ice cream in a bag. An attempt to hang on to these last days of summer.

I was surprised at how cold the bag of ice and salt got. The directions I found said five minutes till you had ice cream. Ours didn't work like that. I had put at least triple their recipe amount into our bags, guessing that makes the difference. We worked on that bag for over half an hour, until our hands were nearly frozen. It was still milk shake consistency at best. I tossed it into the freezer. Went back to it every hour to massage it a bit. It was a thick chunky milk shake by bed time. My hopes were not high as I went to bed.

By morning it was done. We tried it after dinner that night. And it turned out good. Much different flavor than store bought mint ice cream. A good, natural, vivid mint taste. Pretty perfect with chocolate chips.

Run, Jump, Forward Roll

2010-08-11T13:29:00.002-05:00

We've been enjoying a tumbling class for the past few weeks. By we, I mean Piper is enrolled in the class, Calder finds great amusement in all the kids, Zac and I sit proudly grinning at our adorably uncoordinated daughter with her expressive faces. I found it wonderful that when asked to stand in line she had no idea what they were talking about. Who needs that when your life is lived at home.

I have to give her credit, she's doing great. Unlike the other kids, who all have a year or two on her, Piper's a first timer. It sometimes takes her a bit of studying of the other kids to be able to do the task that's asked of her, but she gets it.

Piper is loving tumbling. She picks a special outfit to wear each week, which is a joy in of itself for her. She likes the trampolines to jump on. The mats, 'so when you fall it doesn't hurt'. She loves the flipping over, and over, and over.

Oh and her favorite part of class...the piece of candy they give out at the end. Despite Piper's love for tumbling she tells me in fall she might want to try sunshine tot yoga. She may change her mind again in the weeks before tumbling is over.

HGH Picnic 2010

2010-08-09T17:03:00.005-05:00

We had our annual picnic Saturday. It was wonderful to see all who attended. In retrospect I should have delegated the photographing to someone else, I just had too much else going to adequately photograph the event. I did snap a few early on, before all guest had arrived and dinner was served. Looking that the group shot it seems that mostly who's missing is my siblings...hmm late a bit?! Could that be genetic? I'm known to do that also.

Piper and her cousin both in dresses made by me.

I was pleasantly surprised at all the littles that showed up wearing something made by me. Four of them! It felt good.

Thanks for joining us!

Baking Day

2010-08-04T10:44:00.001-05:00

Summer is a hard schedule to keep. With it's nice weather and flurry of happenings. We lost our rhythm at the beginning of summer, which I expected to have happen. Slowly over the last weeks or month I've been trying to work on a new rhythm for our days and weeks that will carry us into fall and winter. Not that I want a set in stone rhythm - I much prefer the semi-predictable ever evolving rhythms. Some of it's easier to keep up with than others. Such as we take our morning nature walk with out fail. Monday is always grocery shopping day. And although most day's rhythms go as normal, sometimes swimming or going to the park get us a bit off.

One I'm still working on is baking day. Which usually consists of baking our bread. If there are treats in the house, we (I) eat them. I'd much prefer to just not have them around often. But bread baking produces enough loaves to get us through two, sometimes three weeks. On the weeks in between I was lost as to what to do. I recently found a cookbook that I'm really enjoying, Feeding the Whole Family. This week I decided to bake some cookies from the book. We chose the Oatmeal Chocolate Chip and Walnut Cookies but substituted raisins for the nuts and chocolate. There is no sugar and whole wheat flour in this recipe. So really a more healthy alternative to the standard cookie - that I can handle.

Piper loves the process, the apron, the dumping and pouring of ingredients into bowls, stirring, and tasting. Today she started tasting when it was just the dry ingredients in the bowl. Who knew she'd like whole wheat flour and oatmeal so much.

Once the wet ingredients were added there was no stopping her. They're sweetened with maple syrup. I think had she not eaten so much of the dough we would have ended up with a dozen full sized cookies.

The fun, tactile, part came when we had to form the cookies with our hands. Kind of a gooey sticky consistency.And of course there is always lots of clean up. More oatmeal, less flour than our usual clean up. Now we're enjoying some delicious cookies at our house.

Farming

2010-08-03T14:02:00.003-05:00

Zac was off fishing in Canada for five days. I packed up the littles and headed for farming. On this trip we had no agenda. My brother and his wife were visiting too. Which was great since our visits don't often overlap. Wednesday we met the Wausau family for Concert on the Square, had a quick play date with friends we don't see often - even when we're up for a visit often, and a visit to the Ninepatch stand at the farmers' market. But mostly, we did nothing in particular.

On this trip farming meant:

Playing on the back porch with your diaper half off.

Drawing on the kitchen floor with a cute hairdo provided by Auntie. (Not sure how she manages to get those braids in such short hair.)

Meeting Pheobe - the bottle fed calf. (I asked Ollie where the mama was. Ollie replied, 'hamburger.' Piper took it all in stride, asking, 'where's her papa?')

'Assisting' with the bottle feeding twice a day nearly everyday.

Watching the many hummingbirds play around the feeders.

Looking cute in a new mama-made skirt with yet another snack in hand.

Playing in the rain. She requested to dance in the rain but settled for soccer instead.

I imagine by now you're sick of seeing more farming pictures. But its my retreat for many reasons. Something about being there, with extra help, extra love and not being responsible for the putting the food on the table makes me feel like a kid again/still.

Picnicing

2010-07-23T12:57:00.006-05:00

We had our second midway picnic of the year this week. It was a gorgeous day for it too. Sunshine and hot, but nice in the shade.

Piper went swimming with Uncle Gabriel, Calder and I dipped our toes in and played in the sand and rocks. We found some new shells for our nature table. Calder debuted one of two (three were planned but not accomplished) pairs of mama-made lounge pants.

But most of all we enjoyed the company. And we'll get more of it next week as we're headed for more farming! Maybe I can get my little model so show off her new skirt and jacket (not the one from the last post - I've made two new ones!) before then. First I need to talk her into wearing something other than the tutu she's been wearing for days.

We got oodles of rain and storming here yesterday late afternoon and evening. We're all safe and dry. Hoping that's true for those of you that got some of the same. Enjoy your weekend!

Of Things to Come

2010-07-20T09:29:00.004-05:00

We had a busy weekend, followed by a quiet few days. Piper's busy farming, Zac's busy working, Calder's busy sitting/playing/talking/laughing, and me - I'm busy sewing.

Our summer days and nights are so full, as most of your's are too. It's tougher to get some time to do what I love. I've been working on some embroidery in the quiet hour(s) between bedtimes, but itching to get on my machine. Zac offered to help make this possible a few weeks back. So a couple times a week they all leave the house for a Mama-less after dinner walk. And I sew for a bit.

These kind of quiet days allow for more sewing. More new pint sized pieces of clothing to come...

{this moment}

2010-07-09T12:54:00.003-05:00

Fabric Painting

2010-07-07T13:11:00.002-05:00

I'm currently in the middle of a big project, well more like 17 small ones that make up a big one. A project that requires fabric paint, which Piper has eyed up on more than one occasion. Then I was caught red-handed by Piper when she came down from nap time the other day.

She wanted in! We dug out an old tee, some shopper paper (how do you get them to stop delivering that to you!) and a hummus container from the recycling and she set to work. Using nearly every color we had out for her wonderful creation. She was very intent, trying to be precise, as a two year old can be, with where she put the paint. We talked about what she was painting while she worked.

It's dinosaurs eating leaves. A boy dinosaur behind a girl dinosaur - of course!

Summer Loving

2010-07-06T13:48:00.002-05:00

Weather was nearly perfect here for a long holiday weekend. Around our house though we were still nursing some sort of bug. Zac felt worn out all weekend and by Saturday morning Piper had developed a runny nose.

All of the plans we had made were broken. However, we made the most of our weekend doing what we could. A little picnic lunch, nature walk, playing at the state park was the highlight of our weekend. It was quite windy so we left the swimming for another day when the water wasn't so rough.

Ah, summer! How we love you - even when we're under the weather. Hope you had a wonderful weekend!

A Standard Wednesday Celebration

2010-07-02T13:52:00.004-05:00

The littles and I returned from Ninepatch yesterday evening. A quick visit for a big celebration. It was our standard celebration, as far as celebrations go at the farm. Family, food, and fire. Not standard in that it was on a Wednesday, Zac was missing - he had to work, but ended up home sick for two and a half days (poor guy) and we were celebrating 35 years of wedded bliss - now that doesn't come around everyday.

: : Lucky choice, farming, those farm houses come with big dining rooms- table for 16 : :
Picture by Hannah.

We so enjoy our time on the farm; surrounded by those that we love, fresh air, good food, good times, different books to read, and different toys to play with. Piper stayed up way past her bed time for the fire and was introduced to a sparkler, moved cows and visited chickens. Piper loves the farm, to the point of telling me yesterday that she was going to ask Marmar to stay. As soon as she found her, she did. And of course Marmar said yes. Had I brought extra clothes she'd still be 'farming'. But alas, she's home... but just to pack up some more clothes.

Happy Summer Solstice!

2010-06-21T22:03:00.006-05:00

A Happy Summer Solstice to you all! And anniversary for those of you celebrating one of those today. We made the most of the year's longest day and acted like we had extra time too. Many things were done.

Our plans for a celebratory bonfire were squashed by a summer thunderstorm, accompanied by the blare of our tornado siren advising us to seek shelter. We have a whole summer ahead of us for more chances to make that happen. Summer is always a welcome season at our house, we're fans of summer produce, pool/beach days and of course - ice cream.

Nikki McClure's Mama is it Summer Yet?

Wishing you all an enjoyable summer!

Strawberries

2010-06-17T17:00:00.004-05:00

We're eight pounds of strawberries richer than we were this morning. Piper, Calder and I went to the strawberry patch this morning!

We're fortunate to have an organic u-pick farm close to us. I wanted to take pictures in the patch but thought I should acknowledge my limits - carrying limits that is. I had Calder on my back already and hoped to be leaving with a berry heavy tray and thought the camera would just be an 'unnecessary' burden. No need to worry, as we loaded into the car Piper said to me, 'we'll come back'. I agree!

Piper had a red mouth, hands and streaks down both arms from running juices by the time we loaded into the car to head home. In the beginning she ate half of what I picked. Slightly frustrating. But she slowed as we went on and we came home with a nearly full tray.

I stood at the sink cleaning, hulling and putting up the berries until the soles of my feet hurt, my hands stained red. I was happy for it. Pleased because of the joy my current work would bring to my family later in the year. Smoothies in December or strawberry shortcake in March. Grateful that my mom did this for our family and gave me the itch to do the same for mine. I remember the giddiness I had last year as I filled the top shelf of my pantry with jars. The jars with their pretty contents stacked neatly in rows, beautiful. The same feeling I had when I would go into the cellar of my childhood home. Or when I, just this winter, discovered the cellar in my parents' farm. All that lovingly put up food in one place warms my heart.

I've decided not to make jam this year as I have in past years. We still have over a dozen jars left from last year. I think that will more than tide us over till next strawberry season. Instead I've frozen them for whatever strikes our fancy later. Now that my freezer is free of breast milk I have the room. For now we'll enjoy fresh berries with our meals and snacks.

New Orleans: Vol 2

2010-06-15T22:45:00.003-05:00

I thought New Orleans - despite the heat/humidity, was so fun. Maybe I'm easily amused or what I'd rather think is that I was enjoying this vacation through the eyes of my two year old. I think we had the opportunity to do some things that brought simple pleasures to our days.

We took a few street car rides. These amazingly cute, bright red, clean and well-kept trolleys that you could ride for $1.25. It took Olly and I a bit of convincing for Piper to be excited about her first ride. But when she finally saw it coming down the track towards us she was giddy with excitement and ran up and down the platform. She even had her picture taken with some Asian tourists - they liked her blond hair.

We went to a spectacular aquarium right on the Mississippi River. We got to watch and learn how they feed the penguins. Olly got to touch a sting ray, or two, or three. There was a huge Gulf themed tank that was in part sponsored by BP! Anyone else find that ironic!? I took a picture of the sign but as I was sharing pictures with Zac my SD card went on the fritz.

Calder and Piper sneaking a quick kiss between exhibits.

Possibly my favorite excursion: the ferry ride. We took the free ferry across the river to the island of Algiers. We intended to go on the walking tour and see the site of the slave trade but weren't able to get our hands on the tour map that was promised on the ferry. Instead we walked around a bit, had some lunch and rode the ferry back - riding in the air conditioned compartment this time.

One day towards the end of our trip, we went took a horse (mule really) drawn carriage ride of the French Quarter. Piper didn't take her eyes off Shine, the mule. We learned quite a bit about the history and all the celebs that live/lived in the area which we could have done without. Our tour guide showed us all the great spots to eat. We wished we had taken the tour early on and saved ourselves from our daily search for a good place to have dinner.

Well that's it folks. The highlights of our trip. We're settling back into our regular routine and doing a lot of pretending to take more airplane rides. Keeping in practice for next time I suppose.

New Orleans: Vol 1

2010-06-14T14:15:00.007-05:00

We're home. Safe and sound. What a time we had. Zac and I had a brief visit to New Orleans about five years ago. We still enjoyed all the French inspired architecture. This time was a different experience, however. Zac had a conference to attend for the better part of our week days. And a focus on the family friendly attractions was necessary this trip. We found many, more than we expected.

I guess we all underestimated the heat of New Orleans in June. It was HOT and HUMID! You felt it the moment you set foot out the door. We joked of all the water weight we were losing, but not sure we ever became accustom to the always sweaty feeling.

Again, we felt blessed to have one of my sisters traveling with us. So nice for me to not have to spend all my days on vacation alone with two littles. We also felt blessed to have a suite to stay in. The separate bedroom was wonderful for getting the usual nap and bed times accomplished. Key to avoiding the lack of sleep melt downs from our little lady.

This was possibly the least planned trip we've taken so far. Life was a bit busy prior to our departure so planning activities were pushed back time and again. Yet this was possibly our most active trip and great fun was had all by all.

I've decided, for my sake, to post some of our pictures in multiple posts. Save picture overload.

: : Our lay over in Chicago, the two first time fliers - Olly and Calder, with our seasoned flier and a large dinosaur statue : :

: : Jackson Square - With cathedral and statue of our 7th president, Andrew Jackson : :

: : On the terrace between Jackson Square and the Mississippi River. Zac and I have a picture in the same spot from our first visit : :

: : On our walk to the French Market Piper found a nice lady to pose with and pretended to eat fruit from her basket. Don't touch - she was hot! : :

: : Piper meets the pigeons and our bird lover worked hard to identify them for the rest of the trip : :

: : Sweet Calder adapted nicely to taking a hot nap in the stroller or on my back in the mei tei : :

: : We like to seek out the children's museums where ever we go. How lucky for us that this one was two, yes two, blocks from our hotel! Piper tried to talk us into going there on three separate occasions : :

Where We've Been

2010-06-02T21:40:00.006-05:00

So where have we been? We spent our long holiday weekend finishing our to-do list of house projects. We were working on a dead line this time. Tuesday was a big day for us.

We've listed our home for sale! The time has come for this little family to move on (pun intended) from our home. We've finally outgrown our humble home. Its hard to actually leave, as we thought it would be. This is our first home, we grew up here - bought it when we were 22 and 23, where we began our family - right here in the dining room, and grew our family into four. We've enjoyed many happy times in this home, and a few sad ones. Countless hours of our sweat, hard work and love have gone into making this house our home. Its a strange feeling to see all this life we've lived here reduced to a couple of sentences and a bunch of pictures. This home will forever hold a dear place in our hearts.

We now focus on a busy weekend and week to come. Littles and I will be off Friday to attend one of my sister's high school graduation. Hard to think this happened for me 11 years ago now! Then bring said sister home with. All five of us will leave early Saturday morning to catch a flight to a little vacation and a little work (for Zac).

Till then, enjoy your days.

Rainy Day Purples

2010-05-25T10:47:00.004-05:00

Some think we never have "those" kind of days around here. We do - I just choose to remember the "other" kind days. And that's what I post about here. I tell it all to Zac and move on. Yesterday was one of "those" days, one that really started the evening before.

We were all hot and lacking a nap, or a good one, and starting to walk that cranky road. Zac was off boating with friends since late afternoon. Calder didn't want to be put down, nothing seemed quite right to him. Piper was playing in the back yard with the neighbor girl. Whose uncle thought it funny to make 'scary' noises from their kitchen window. Piper ran across the yard to me yelling, 'Mama, Mama Bear!' searching for solace. That was the highlight of my evening, too darn cute to be called Mama Bear in a moment of panic.

We had late dinner and a hard time going to bed. Mid night Piper woke me to take her potty. She had already peed some in her underwear. Miraculously her sheets were not wet. Not that it mattered she wanted to sleep in our bed now. There she proceeded to barely sleep, kicking her legs non-stop trying to scratch a mosquito bite she had on her inner calf. Kept both (part of the night - all three) of us up until Calder woke in the early morning to nurse. I convinced her to lay in her bed while I nursed Calder and fell asleep. Came running in just a couple of hours later crabby from lack of sleep and angry for not being retrieved back to my bed. Calder was up now too.

We got out of bed, crabby myself for not getting a good nights sleep or allowed to sleep in a bit. Calder had wet through his diaper. As I went to change him I remembered that I forgot to wash diapers last night. We had just enough clean to make it through. Nothing was going right, both were having melt downs as I tended to the other one. Or grunted non stop because they couldn't make their body work they way they wanted it to. Frustrating for him and for me. I fed us cold cereal for breakfast and felt guilty for being so lazy. Piper said, 'we should go for a walk'. Yes, yes, yes, that was exactly what we needed (she's so smart!). We had to get out, we had to leave the house. I rushed to dress us all before another break down could occur or any thing else could be needed and not found. Finally out into the hot muggy air headed for the park. It was 9 am!

Things got better and we're completely back to normal this morning. Good nights sleep all around. Even as I write it out, it doesn't seem as bad as it did then.

Just off the needles late last week was this cute cap sleeve number in purple for my purple loving lady. In perfect time for our 80 and 90 degree days - sometimes works like that. *sigh* Living in the state we do I knew there would still be chance to debut this number. Today's rainy thunder stormy morning brought just such an opportunity.

As we went the yarn shop a couple of weeks back to pick out yarn she told me she was going to pick pink. When faced with all the choices, pink didn't even come up once. She settled on purple, it compliments her eyes beautifully.

Oh, and goes with her new favorite purple flip flops.

Weekend

2010-05-23T16:06:00.003-05:00

It's a hot one around our house. Luckily inside is a cool reprieve with the windows open to the shady breeze in front. With such beautiful weather we're hesitant to stay inside.

We walked downtown this morning for a little brunch. By the time we were back at our front stoop we were all feeling a bit flushed. Sat for a bit in the shade, removed as much clothing as we could. Calder was feeling the heat in a sleepy sort of way. I came in for a drink, sat him down and next thing I knew he was sleeping. Not for long - which I also think had to do with the heat. He's a hot one that Calder of ours.

Yesterday morning, and today too, Piper and I found a duck couple in our backyard. Piper pointed out that they're not by the water. They spent most of yesterday morning in the shade of our big pine tree.

We on the other hand spent our morning yesterday, from eight till lunch, volunteering at a nearby elementary school. There was landscaping to be done. We planted new shrubs, spread mulch, moved a couple of hostas, and a bit of weeding.

Life's most persistent and urgent question is, What are you doing for others?

Martin Luther King, Jr

When Piper was just a baby we got the idea of doing one community service project each year as a family. We thought it would aid in instilling in our children a sense of community, goodwill and appreciation for what we have. Just before Piper turned one, we helped serve a meal to the less fortunate in our community. She didn't understand what we were doing, of course, but we felt sure that we were on the right track with this. We figured we'd do something similar the next winter. That didn't happen, Calder came before he was expected, we had a little too much to coordinate. Then this opportunity presented itself to us.

Piper had a good time, understood what we were doing this time. Probably not the why, but its a start. She grabbed a big shovel and tried her best to help out. Was mostly content to wander the play ground and watch us with snack or drink in hand. Calder was all over too, in the carrier multiple times, a nap in the stroller and on the blanket on the ground.

Hoping you all stayed cool in your weekending.

{this moment}

2010-05-21T09:08:00.001-05:00

Normal

2010-05-18T11:07:00.003-05:00

Normal day, let me be aware of the treasure you are. Let me learn from you, love you, bless you before you depart. Let me not pass you by in quest of some rare and perfect tomorrow. Let me hold you while I may, for it may not always be so. One day I shall dig my nails into the earth, or bury my face in the pillow, or stretch myself taut, or raise my hands to the sky and want, more than all the world, your return.

Mary Jean Iron

Off to the Movies

2010-05-14T08:30:00.003-05:00

I think I was blogged out this week. So much effort went into last week. I'm still working on putting together my album and plan to share when I'm finished.

I took Piper (and Calder) to her first movie at the theater yesterday. A documentary - welcome to our family lady. It was about a subject she loves at least. It was Babies!

The whole process was fun for her. Going in, getting our tickets, the line for popcorn (a decaf mocha for me) and the big 'TV'. Piper did well and as I suspected talked me through most of the movie. Her favorite part: 'that baby is nursing on that baby's bee bo!' One of my favorite parts was when she told everyone she passed in our isle 'I have to peepee. I'm going to go to the bathroom.' Luckily some of the knew us.

Happy weekending to you!

Week In the Life : Day Seven

2010-05-10T07:42:00.000-05:00

Zac took the littles down stairs when they woke early this morning so I could try to catch up on some sleep. Calder was restless and was up most of the night last night due to his runny nose. I came down a while later, took the kids and Zac resumed his normal weekend morning routine.

While I ate breakfast, Calder sat in his swing. I caught him sucking his thumb. Not his standard two fingers.

Piper spent a bit of time after breakfast trying out the shoes I wore out last night. She found them a little hard to get around in and abandoned them on the floor.

I think the changes in weather the past few days brought on Calder's runny nose. Poor man! He was fussy on and off, needed lots of extra loving, cuddling and bouncing.

Our late morning and early afternoon were spent in and out of the car. Lunch out again. We got home for a late nap. Zac napped with Piper again. Calder didn't want to go down so he and I tried to keep quite so Piper would sleep.

I spent a little time in the yard. Pulling weeds, picking flowers. Calder decided to take a small nap. After he woke up and nursed Piper thought maybe Calder would want to sit by her. She wanted him on her lap so she could play that he was riding a motorcycle. She made engine noises and tried her best to hold him up while she moved her legs as if he was driving curves. He liked it, he was happy and laughing.

Zac, as has become our weekly tradition, made us popcorn on the stove top for dinner. Piper went up to bed, thought she wanted to try to take herself to bed. But backed out as she headed up the stairs. I took her to bed and Calder an hour later.

Well that's it. Our Week in the Life is over. I don't know that it was a normal week for us. Maybe normal in the sense that we don't always know what our weeks will bring when we start them. We strive for more of a rhythm to our days and weeks than a set schedule.

I had fun, but am feeling a little relief that I don't have to document our days anymore - at least for a while. Now I need to find some time to put this into the final product. I'm hoping that what I've already worked on in this space will lead me down the road I need to be on.

Enjoy your week!