oh my wordle

This site is just way too much fun. I originally found it at Vintage Chica who had the cute idea to make wordles for her special valentines. I played around for a few minutes an hour entirely too long and made a few of my own. Now, I continue to find myself back at Wordle playing with thoughts and colors and fonts and and time, oh the time just slips away...

So check out Wordle and have some fun but don't say I didn't warn you!

cherry blooming joy

Snowgoose Cherry blooms -in my house! I am officially hooked on this forcing blooms thing.

revivify me

Several weeks ago, Tristan had a lot of fun digging these little Terracotta Army figures out of blocks of chalk (a Christmas gift from his Auntie Sarah who lives in China. Don't you love the wording on the box?) After all that messy fun, we wanted to know more about the real thing so of course a Google search ensued. We then printed some photos and packed up his figures and tools and Tristan shared what he had done and learned for 'show and tell' in his Classical Conversations class. That day in class the kids did a science experiment demonstrating erosion and we were able to relate his geology lesson to what he had just learned about archaeology. Later at home, we read a few chapters of Susan Wise Bauer's The Story of the World and we learned about the Egyptians and Sumerians and 5,000 year old records of history that still exist because they were carved in stone as well as great blank spaces of time that are a mystery because the paper records could not last. Tristan decided to put a piece of paper in a bowl of water and see what would happen over the course of a few days. Later, we marveled at the smooth, weathered stones on the beach as we collected some to bring home and then the kids made plaster casts of sea shells in class as part of their ongoing geology lessons...
I could go on and on but I'm probably starting to annoy you.
I just love how all this happened over the course of a week or two when I was feeling scatterbrained and unmotivated and pretty much unfit to be mom and teacher. Despite all that, our schooling, playing, reading and relating still worked themselves together like puzzle pieces of learning. When it comes to school, I usually feel inadequate and unprepared in the moment but when I am able to look back and see the big picture taking form I am revivified and excited to keep on. Something to hold on to as I face this Monday morning. That and my third cup of coffee.

blossoms in winter

It has been so cold for so long that even though I usually love winter weather, I'm growing eager to see and feel Spring again. A couple of weeks ago as I was cleaning all the dead winter brush out of my flowers beds, I cut a few branches from a rambling Forsythia. I took a hammer to the ends of the branches to break them up a bit and then placed them in a big pitcher of water. Now I have pretty yellow Forsythia blooms adding a touch of life to our wintry home! I was so excited when I realized it was working that I went right out and cut some Cherry branches as well. I'm still waiting for those and thinking about stealing some Redbuds from the neighbors. Do you have a flowering tree sitting quietly dormant in your yard this winter? Bring some of it in and see if you too can enjoy Spring while the snow is still falling.

p.s. I did a quick search for an actual tutorial on forcing blooms and this one here looks helpful. It includes a list of plants that can be forced.

birthday hats

A year ago, I made a tiny hat out of this gorgeous hand-painted wool (a splurge at the local yarn shop). I made at least one other newborn hat with it that I can remember (for another baby Kate) but the remainder has been jumbled in my yarn stash waiting for a special purpose ever since. The night before Kate's first birthday I suddenly decided I'd found a good use for it -a princess crown! She got to wear it on her special day which tells you how quick and easy the pattern is. It is edged in the same white wool from her bunny and bear and looks adorable during the moments when she actually keeps it on her head!

a happy first for kate alexis

My sweet Katie bear is one!
One sweet, funny, happy, messy, beautiful little girl.
One curious baby sister following and mimicking her big sister and brother.
One pair of gorgeous eyes taking in everything and everyone around her.
One pair of little feet taking the first of so many steps.
One set of hands holding our hearts.
One squishy tummy that I can't help but kiss.
One tiny person who adds so much joy to our family.

Happy Birthday, Kate. I'm so thankful I get to be your one Mama.

matching hats for the boys

I haven't been doing a lot of crocheting lately but as I was cleaning out my yarn stash the other day, I found a bit of inspiration tucked away. I think I'll have some fun projects to show you soon. I did make Tristan a hat while we were in Kansas from this pattern. I decided to make Shawn one as well after Tristan complained that he didn't get to wear matching stuff like his sisters. Tristan was thrilled and I think Dad liked it too. They look cute anyway. Goodness, I love those boys.
So, more crochet fun to come but first we have yet another birthday to celebrate in our house tomorrow...

the weekend

This is my kind of valentine. A gift of snow! Beautiful, fluffy, sticky, snow-man snow. There's still enough on the ground to enjoy it again today and our sick little one is doing much better. Snow outside, warm fire and chocolates inside...perfect.
Hope your Valentine's Day is sweet!

tonight

It is snowing. We are making phone calls, postponing the party we had planned for tomorrow. We are nursing one very sick baby who wants nothing but to be held close and kissed. The fire is warm. We are watching the Olympic opening ceremonies. The week has been long and hectic and messy but tomorrow we will wake to white and peace and still. We will run out to greet it and roll in it and laugh in it. Tonight it is snowing and I am glad the day is done. Tomorrow is promising to be covered and new.

but now I am six

When I was One,
I had just begun.

When I was Two,
I was nearly new.

When I was Three,
I was hardly Me.

When I was Four,
I was not much more.

When I was Five,
I was just alive.

But now I am Six, I'm as clever as ever.
So I think I'll be six now for ever and ever.

-The End by A.A. Milne

at least we were entertained

Shawn is at work so I'm killing some time with photos and video from the homecoming. The color is awful in my point and shoot video but I still love this. Kate was entertaining us with her little flag as the Wing band entertained us all. They were really fun! It's a good thing since we were shivering and sleepy as we waiting "just ten more minutes" for over three hours.
I didn't take a whole lot of pictures since I was half asleep and numb with cold but I will share a few more soon. Maybe I'll be able to share some things from Shawn's camera and Flip video as well.
For now though, I have a family dinner to cook. For my whole family. That's nice to say.

he's home!

February 2, 2010
one cold and sleepy but very happy family in the Hammerhead hanger at 3:36a.m.Welcome Home Shawn!