Monday, December 14, 2009

Swirling colors...





As the snow is piled up outside, we chose to have a art filled morning inside! We were equipped with new paint from IKEA and an art cabinet that I finally pulled together last night in order to have supplies ready and waiting for use. Oh how this cabinet makes me excited for future homeschooling days:) I just love organized learning supplies! Anyway, they had a fabulous time swirling paint and telling each other, "Oh, good job." I overheard that they were painting planes, rainbows, rockets, and cats.


They were very messy afterwards and so I plopped them in a bubble bath and started folding some laundry (yes, we fly out tomorrow for Texas and yes I should be packing that laundry and yes I am procrastinating:). I went over to the tub to scrub them and Sam said, "Get out of the bafroom!" What?! Um, what?! I knew the day was coming when they would want to play without mama getting in the way, but up till now they ALWAYS wanted me near them. To the point where I would complain about it and say that they were not very independent and wondered aloud if they would cling to me forevermore. Why do we always want what we don't have? We do we always want the next stage to come and then so often wish we could go back? They have been playing so much on their own the past couple of weeks. With their cars and blocks and animals and such. Sigh. Sigh. Sigh. Growing up before our eyes.

All for now. The next post will probably be from Texas (where it better be getting warmer for my arrival:), Jen

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Ready or not...

Winter is here. Winter is here and every year that we have lived in SLC, I get the same feeling. Dread. Dread of being indoors, of feeling cooped up with two energetic children who are happiest when outdoors. But, again, I have a choice to make. I can choose to worry and fret and dread and feel sad, OR I can appreciate the beauty and get creative about indoor activities and spend a little more time planning our days. I really do set the tone for our days, and the past week or so the tone has been pretty grumpy around here. Snow is sticking and we have been under the weather and, in the worst of times, there has been lots of whining, crying, growling, and picking on each other. But, there have been sweet times as well. I captured some of them and want to remember that there is always joy to be found, no matter the weather!

So, here are some of our best moments this past week:
Venturing out to a friend's house (though we pretty promptly turned around and came home when the whining/crying continued in their house:)

Made a big tent and played in and around it for a very long time.

Made gingerbread cookies--yum, yum:) We also made peppermint, red and green play-doh today!


Practiced skills like pouring their own milk:)

Read lots and lots of Christmas books and sang Christmas songs....precious times!


So, I know it isn't even officially winter yet, but it is for us and these are the memories and quality times I want to keep having together. I know there will be frustration and challenges and that I will be ready for sunshiney days for sure, but I don't want to miss out on the beauty. It's there to found every day, Jen

Sunday, December 06, 2009

Sammy Settles in...


There has been lots of movie watching these past few days with everyone around here feeling yucky:( I walked in today to find that Sam had arranged this little set-up with the stools all by himself. He was a little close to the screen, but looked so comfy with his legs crossed and snacks and water set up, I just left him there!

Thursday, December 03, 2009

Glimpses of our days...

Here are some video clips of the past month. November was really so mild and beautiful...ahhhh. I did leave in Sammy starting to melt down to confirm for you that it isn't all sunshine and granola over here all the time:) Anyway, enjoy!

Saturday, November 28, 2009

"Who made it?"

This is the question Amelia asked as she tried on a new hat I bought today. "Ummm, looks like someone in Peru made it", I answered while thinking what a surprising question that was. Then I smiled as I thought about it and realized that so many things that are special to her were hand-made by people in our family. Their barn and several chairs and trucks and other toys were made by their Grandpa Jim, Grandma Shari embroidered a special pillow case for Amelia and shirt for Sam, she cuddles with a blanket made by her Mammy, her Auntie Tara has made them all kinds of goodness...the list goes on (but does not include their mama--boo!). Anyway, it makes me happy to think that in her mind, "things" are made by people she knows and loves. It's something I hope to keep as a reality as much as possible. Not only with "stuff", but with food as well. Because really, it's a question we should all ask, isn't it?
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Thursday, November 26, 2009

For these three blessings...




and many others, I am truly, daily thankful. Happy Thanksgiving to you! Jen

Saturday, November 21, 2009

Shhhhhh, don't tell Sammy...

but he is getting a train set from his great granny and papa for Christmas! Do you think he's gonna love it?

I can't get enough of that little voice saying, "Chugga Chugga Choo Choo!"
Jen