Happy Halloween

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Halloween!

Treat Bags

Nothing like the last minute to inspire a little creativity.  Surely I'm not the only one that needs an impending deadline to actually finish some projects.  I feel like that's the only way I've been able to finish anything lately and my Christmas crafting list is looking mighty long because of it.  But for now I can be happy to have finished Halloween with a bit of time to spare. 

The girls needed something to carry all their goodies in when they go Trick-or-Treating this year so they each picked their favorite Halloween fabric from my stash and whipped them up in a late night sewing session. 

 

 

 

We decided the boys might need new bags too and these tiny little spiders seemed perfect.  Now let's just hope they aren't scared of spiders...

 

 

 

Birthday weekend

 

 

This weekend was very special, especially for one little girl.  We made sure to fill it with some of her favorite things.  Starting with making and decorating her very own birthday cake, her special crown, a trip to her favorite store in the mall followed by a carousel ride, and ending at home for a party with family.  She went to bed Friday night declaring this the "most awesome birthday with surprises ever" and woke Saturday morning ready for more fun.  We made a trip to the theatre with Grandma and Grandpa for a special movie day and Sunday she went on her first ever hunting trip with Daddy.  The memories of this weekend will stay with us all for quite some time. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This Moment

this moment} - A Friday ritual inspired by Soulemama. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. 

If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

(okay so maybe I cheated and it wasn't from this week but it's a moment I am remembering today...)

Goodnight Four

Tonight when I tucked this little girl into bed she was only four years old.  Yet somehow when she wakes tomorrow she will be year older.  Of course I realize that only one night will have passed but that doesn't really matter does it.  Time certainly does seem to go by that quickly when your babies are small.  I often find myself staring at her wondering how she grew so quickly right under our noses.  I am often in awe of her and the old soul that she possesses, wise beyond her years indeed.  That seems like such a strange thing to say about someone so young, but those that know her understand.

This evening we made a quick trip to her very favorite place.  The weather was freezing and we weren't all quite well but she just knew that she had to see it one more time as a four year old.  And so we bundled up and braved the chill for a bit so she could soak up the last bits of sunlight on the very last day of being four years old.  I can't wait to see what adventures await her over this next year, and I feel so lucky to be along for the ride.

Rabbit Remodel

The bunny hut finally got a fresh coat of paint last week.  We haven't been able to decide if we would leave the wood or paint it and last week while on a painting spree we decided paint was the way to go.  It didn't take long at all with such great helpers.
  

The girls were very proud of the work they did, and I was very thankful to have such good helpers.  Daddy even built us a terrific bunny yard so that they would have plenty of room to run and play but still be safe (and unable to run away).  Marley and Juliet seemed a bit less impressed but that's perfectly okay.  

This week we are...

...feeling quite under the weather

...drinking lots of warm tea with honey.

...reading a stack of favorite books kept within easy reach.

...watching a lot of Angelina Ballerina and Phineas & Ferb.

...thinking ahead to the upcoming birthday and the list of things still waiting to be finished.

...realizing it is a whole new ballgame when mama is sick too.

...loving all the extra snuggles to be had.

Bug out!

It’s a funny thing that all around blogland I see people writing of the turning inward that comes with fall. It seems to have a different meaning for us this year. The summer heat was so unbearable that we found ourselves indoors much more often than we would have liked. We’re embracing this cooling down and heading out into our surroundings to take in everything that fall has to offer. I know our time for moving inward will be coming soon so we want to take advantage of opportunities like this one.

  

 

 

 Kinsley rescued this little guy from being trampled during a game of hide and seek. The funny thing about Kaitlyn's love of all things bug related is that it has started to rub off a bit on Kinsley. Don't get me wrong, she still wouldn't touch them but she was curious and concerned enough to want to get a closer look at this caterpillar before moving it to safety. We've been very careful not to make her feel badly about her fear and not to push her into growing out of it.  Only she knows what she is willing and able to handle and it is such a joy to see her blossoming at her own pace.  She may never really like bugs, but that's perfectly okay too.  

I would really like to add some field guides to our book collection, and maybe make some themed baskets to pull out for moments like this.  If you have any good resources please let me know!

A Minute with Kaitlyn...

Just a little snapshot in time with my littlest love...sometimes it feels as though she is changes by the second.

This Moment

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment, inspired by Soulemama. 

A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

 

I no wike soccer

Yep.  That's how she feels about it, and she'll tell everyone that asks her.  It seems a bit ridiculous to even worry about an activity for a 2 year old, I know we never even considered it when Kinsley was that age.  Kait was so upset at another year of not getting to be a "byrina" like her sister so we wanted to find something for her.  We never expected her to really follow the rules but we did think she'd have fun running around with the kids...wrong.   She cried.  The whole time.  Needless to say we cut soccer short.  She does love playing at home though.

 We always said that we'd want the girls to give new activities a try but we'd never force them to do something they really don't enjoy so our soccer season is over.  She does love playing at home though.  Maybe next year...

Giveaway: Autumn Table Set

AND THE WINNER IS... Julie who said "Ohhh, I love Autumn! Don't know if I can pick just one thing.... the colors and pumpkin everything!"

Congratulations Julie!  I'll be contacting you to get your mailing information. 

 I'm so excited to be giving this set away!  I just hope the winner will post some pictures so I can see it in action.  Especially since my girls were so disappointed that it wasn't for them even though I made them some last year.  

This set includes:

The book Autumn by Gerda Muller

2 handpainted wooden trees (AP certified non-toxic paints, sealed with a beeswax polish)

2 Autumn gnomes (made with my favorite wool blend felt)

2 tiny wooden toadstools

All you have to do to be entered to win is to leave me a comment telling me your favorite thing about Autumn.  How easy is that?  

If you want to earn extra entries, there are two ways:

1.  "Like" my facebook page and leave me another comment here telling me you do.

2.  Follow me here on the blog and leave me another comment telling me you do.  

I'll close comments at 11am CST on Thursday, October 12.  The winner will be chosen via random number generator and announced shortly after.  

Comments Closed.

This Moment

{this moment} A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week, inspired by Soulemama.

 A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

 

Around our Home: A Room for Girls

The biggest challenge with living in a much smaller house is, of course, the stuff belonging to the girls. Even though we've tried to be quite selective about what (and how much) comes into our home there is still a lot involved with kids.  I wanted to create a room that gave them access to all their favorite things but that still remained simple and relaxing.  I have to say this is probably my favorite room in the entire house. 

I will admit that this corner behind the door drives me a bit insane. There just wasn't a better place for all their beloved stuffed animals.