Gratitude Mondays

What I am grateful for today....

Matt Rana.

I haven't been 100% these last two weeks.  Tired, nauseous, the whole super fun first trimester shebang.

So what does my sweet darling partner do?

He takes the kids to the park of course.  Not just any old neighborhood park either, but the super cool fun one across from the library.  (he also returned some over due books, stopped by the store, and put in a garden bed in our back yard, more on that another day)  What did I do?

I napped, snacked, read, and showered.  Alone.  In the quiet that can only come when you are all alone.  Nothing but the sound of the cool breeze through the windows, and the neighbors mowing their lawn.

 

 

 

He even took pictures for me.

Another thing  that I love?

Sweet sleeping babies.

Sleeping kind of sleep that a day at the park, helping to build a garden, and surprise play dates with neighbors brings.

 

 

Here's to you Matt.  Thank you!

Friday's Nature Table

Our Thankful Tree


Every year at Thanksgiving we add to our Thankful Tree. 
This tradition started back in 2006, the idea came from Family Fun Magazine.
We start with a tree branch, then add to it paper leaf cutouts for each member of our family to write what they are thankful for, adding their name and the year.
Its that simple.
Hang your leaf on the branch with string or ribbon.  Save the leaves at the end of the season for next year's tree, and watch the memories grow.
Each year now it has been such a blessing to put up our thankful tree and to be reminded of what brings us joy today, and what has brought us joy in the past.

This tree may be a fleeting addition to my nature table, (christmas decorations go up in 21 days!!!)  but the reinforcement of gratitude that it brings is substantial.

Thank you to The Magic Onions for bringing our nature tables together.

Here's to each of us finding this season full of tradition and gratitude

A budding crafter

Start with one fully stocked sewing kit......

Add to that one book for inspiration....

And then we have one creative little girl.  I didn't know that she could thread a needle.  Honestly.  Every project is done on her own, cut, glue, sew, create.

She has made......

A collection of things for her new baby brother, or sister.  Starting with this...

~a bib, with a functioning button...

~a very beautiful sock... 

~a blanket ...

~and a baby doll. 

She has also taken time to make some very practical around the house items...

~a pocket for me to keep small items in

~a pencil pouch

There are so many more things, some cared for now by her younger brother, some gifted to friends and family.

All made with love, all made on her own.

She finds a quiet corner to work in, and comes to me with a finished product.  She simply Amazes me.

 But just wait....

 This little guy is right on her heals.  He spends almost as much of his day crafting, and creating as she does.  Give him time.  Just give him time.


Here's to all of us finding time to finding our own quiet place to make something, anything.  Just make it.

For the love of movement

My tiny dancer

I wanted to take just a moment to share with you today one of the many blessings of living with Ava.
Interpretive dance, and movement.
  She stars in many ballet recitals around here, or as she calls them "Special Ballet Dance Show"s. 
It starts usually with a musical request, anything from Swan Lake, to Brandi Carlile.  While I set up her music, she rushes to get into her costume (or "beautiful ballet outfit").  We have a chest of miscellaneous clothing items, scarfs, and baskets of silks that she chooses from to create the perfect mood.  This lovely purple top is thanks to my sister finding it for twenty five cents at her favorite thrift store.
On very special days she wakes up with a plan in mind, then spends the morning making stages, setting up costume changes, and often makes programs for each audience member.  Sometimes we even hosts honored guests of baby dolls and stuffed animals to fill the seats.
With a carefully thought out production (or orders called out on the fly) we are all given our roles of participation.  Announcer/audience member (usually my role),  helper dancer (her younger brother), and the main dancer girl (that would be Ava).

She has it all figured out, and we are all so pleased to be part of the show.  Well, maybe one thing still to work on... the ending.  Wrapping it all up. These performances can last a very long time, as she is five and doesn't really get tired. 

Here's to all of us finding a chance to move just for the love of movement!

Changing

Autumn turning into Winter.

In our home we honor eight seasons.

In Arizona I feel the need to give a little extra emphasis on the ever changing seasons because the signs around us are so subtle.

Starting with Spring as our first, we follow with Spring into Summer, Summer, Summer to Autumn, Autumn, Autumn to Winter, Winter, and lastly Winter to Spring.

Our inspiration came originally from Celebration of the Seasons.

This rhythm suits our lives, and adds something special to our days.

Outside it may be 90*, but inside we are preparing our home, with reverence, and in anticipation for the coming festivities.

Gratitude Mondays

 I am truly grateful for.....

~Fruitful Winter Gardens with the beginning harvest just within our sites

 

~Craft experimentation...

~My girl's unique perspective that we should decorate the pumpkins before baking them

 ~Beeswax crayons....

~and the joyful bees they inspire

~Wild, Willful, Angel Darling, Boys that refuse to hold still or pose for pictures!
(I need to get my good camera back from the shop!!!  This one simply can not keep up with him!)


And mostly...
I am so truly grateful for a partner who will walk toward the unexpected surprises in our lives, holding my hand.
Thank you

Friday's Nature Table

With a little beeswax you can turn any plain ol' candle (purchased for less than a dollar last year after the season) into your very own personal creation!   Just cut, or tear, then press.  Simple, fun, affordable. Magical!

Here's to all of us finding the simple ways to bring art and magic into our lives!

A special thank you to The Magic Onions for bringing our nature tables together!

The big reveal

With Halloween being two days away, and with the festivities of the holiday starting tonight in our home, I declare its time for The Big Reveal....  I took some time to photo shoot with each child individually this year.  In years past I learned the lesson that if I want the pictures I want of my babies in their costume finery, then I need to create the time to dress them up and take their picture on my terms, and with lighting that I like.

Without further ado I give you-  "baseball man"  and "pretty purple sparkle witch"

Happy Halloween to Everyone! 

In the spirit

Two weeks ago The Little Travelers reminded me of the Gratitude Dance.  I had seen and played the video for my babies in the past, but over time I just plain forgot about it.  Its a very silly (and rather aerobic) dance with the message that we all ought to remember to be grateful.  Everyday.   Imagine the wonderful results if we all took some time to be silly, and grateful, joyful, and happy for life everyday?

In the spirit of gratitude I made an inpromptu interview for my babies.  I started with Cyrus.  While on the phone with my sister we came up with a list of random questions.  We didn't honestly expect that my 2 year old would have answers to half of the questions....  Really, when will I ever learn to Not Underestimate Children?

Cyrus, age 2.5

What do you love?
Make daddy happy
What makes you happy?
Daddy makes me happy
What do you want for christmas?
cake
What are you grateful for?
great carol?
(we need to use this word more often around the house...)

What's your favorite color?
pink
What's your favorite song?
heart song
 (heart, in Cyrus language, usually means 'words' or 'letters', so this answer is anyones guess)
What's your favorite food?
lunch
Whats your favorite candy?
mint
What's your favorite drink?
Ice water.  Cookies.  Big Cookies
What's your favorite animal?
dog  
(we so need a dog!)
Who loves you?
everybody
What's your favorite TV show?
TV
What's your favorite book?
library
What's your favorite baseball team?
Diamondbacks
Do you have a favorite christmas present?
christmas present! yep!
What's your favorite color nail polish?
orange
Anything else?
favorite sock
Thank you Cyrus!

Next up was Ava.  Same absurd questions, and some equally surprising answers.

Ava, age 5

What do you love?
flowers
what makes you happy?
get married and have a kitten
What do you want for christmas?
new toys for Fiona
(her kitten)
What are you grateful for?
wonderful family
What is your favorite color?
purple, white, blue
What's your favorite song?
Mama Mia
(she means the whole soundtrack)
What is your favorite food?
risotto
What is your favorite candy?
tootsie rolls
What is your favorite drink?
Root beer! Root beer!  Root beer! I love Root beer!
(singing and dancing)
What is your favorite animal?
kittens
Who loves you?
mama
What is your favorite TV show?
Little Bear
What is your favorite book?
Charlotte's Web
What's your favorite baseball team?
the ones at the baseball game
Do you have a favorite christmas present?
a plant
What's your favorite nail polish color?
purple sparkles
Anything else?
christmas lights
Thank you Ava!

I had such a great time asking them these questions.  Its so much fun to get a glimpse of how their minds work, I am going to have to think of more reasons to interview them!

 

Something Wicked This Way Comes....

In our house Halloween seems to become something larger every year.  Decorating for the season, and the   costumes built from, or to add to our treasure chest of dress up.  We aren't ready for anything too spooky.  We do have Sage, the kind gargoyle who chases away nightmares, or "Bee Monsters" (a particularly wild invention of Ava's, I should have her draw them for you someday) that we got so Ava could sleep peacefully in her own room.  You will also find our friendly ghosts made from white sheets, added last year to haunt our front yard.  That is what Halloween looks like to me.  Memories built upon the years before, or passed on from friends and family. 

The purple jack-o-lanterns from my mother, the candle made by Ava, the toilet paper bats we made when Ava was three, hand painted porcelain pumpkins from the 1970's gifted to our family from an old friend, the garlands over every surface; some paper, some fabric, needle felted pumpkins, fresh pumpkins for painting, gluing, carving or baking, pumpkin pie spice for our play-dough, wax paper leaves, glue ghosts necklaces, and we mustn't forget the bonus of the season... big overflowing bowls of apples, squash and pomegranates!

Halloween is fast approaching.  The excitement is building everyday.  My babies may be too young to care much about trick or treating, but they know its coming.  Around here when something is coming, anything is coming, and when that something involves costumes and candy to add to their dish....  Well that is just pretty awesome.

Crafting, costumes, and candy. Memories.  Folks, that is my kind of holiday!

Gratitude Mondays

I love....

A Trip to the Library......
 

It is serious business I tell you, or it can be, for me.  For me its lists of beautiful children's picture books to find, all seasonally appropriate.  All sure to enrich their lives.
For them, its something completely different, and oh so perfect.  After they have found their prize book for the day, they....

 ~explore the walls of games

 

~go for a walk with the ducks 

 

 ~Find a brave sense of peace at being five.  You may not be able to climb the tree, but its not so scary once you're there 

~or you may start to wonder if you were more comfortable on the ground after all

 

~exploring all the teeny tiny treasures to be found on the nice safe flat ground


My experience may not be the same as theirs, if I didn't have them to show me how to see a trip to the library.  I am so grateful for them.  They make life so sweet, I wonder if anyone else's life work is so rewarding? 

Here's to all of us finding the peace that comes so sweet with life!