Thrifted

 Best time of year to go thrifting!  Everyone else is getting rid of their junk.  Their trash may be my treasure!  Pic above:  Sneakers for Audra, bin for Adrian's erector set, Miss Rumphius (love that book), Shrinkydinks, Shel Silverstein Light in the Attic, brand new hide a key, English Muffin cookie cutters (I've always used a big bisquit or a hamburger mold, this is great to find!).  Get this. $4.75.

Store up for next Christmas! Two building sets and a loom set.  Brand new.  $6.50.

Stay.

Goodness.  This photo right here. It has my heart. 

I was cleaning up breakfast and heard the girls chattering away. Just under my nose, Audra managed to not only change her outfit to old fashioned, but also change Anna-Kate out of her pajamas into this.  Playing "old fashioned" followed for some time.

Stay just like this, girls.  Carefree, imaginary, poised and independent. And may the the images of these wonderful times stay in my memories forever.

Kids CAN Grow!

Adrian had a really neat opportunity last summer that I never wrote about.  He took part in a program called "Kids Can Grow".  It's run by our extension office and is designed to encourage and equip kids to garden.  In addition to being paired with a master gardener (Thank you Wendy!) who helped him set up and fill his own raised bed garden, he had six Saturday classes teaching him about gardening. Adrian has been gardening his whole life with me, but has never been as enthusiastic about gardening as now. He is so proud of his raised bed and had so much pride when it was time to eat what he grew.  I'm wondering what he'll be planting this year?  It's his choice, we shall see! 

Cat Carrier

Apparently what Audra REALLY wanted for Christmas was a pet carrier. "You know, mama, the ones that people bring on planes." Only she told us pretty much on Christmas Eve that it was the one thing she really wanted.  It didn't happen.  However, while we were out and about spending her Christmas money, she found one for $5.00!  I was worried that this would be Zippy's worst nightmare, but he doesn't mind being toted around. In fact, sometimes she leaves it open and he crawls in to sleep in it on his own.   Zippy is a really awesome cat. 

Mama Made: Upcycled vest

I found a vintage plaid 100% wool pendleton skirt just like my grandmother used to wear for $1.00.  Now it's a vest for Farmer Adrian. The last vest I made him two years ago (check out the funny pics of him wearing them here), he still wears, so now he has one to grow into.

 Before and after

Trouble

Look at this cutie, in a mama made dress.

But....she's not so innocent.  Trouble, I tell you.

Day FOUR of no napping.  I kid you not.  We're hoping and praying that we don't have a 2nd little girl who decides she's done napping well before age two!  Instead of getting tired, she has energy to boot!  Miss Anna-Kate spends her energy dancing (girl can shake her hips better than Beyonce), singing (hittin' those high notes like Carrie Underwood), 'helping' (as in dog food dumped in the water dish, dirty dishwasher unloaded, clean laundry spread out neatly all over the dirty floor) and talking! talking! talking!  (As in talking more than her mother. I know!  I didn't think that was possible either). She's generally a hoot. Good thing she's cute.

Mama, however, could use a nap.

Thrifted

 Some fab books. Upwords. Blank family tree book. A bag filled with misc. hooks and fasteners. Ice cream socks. $7.25.

A Maine vintage board game, chemistry set, a huge gorgeous tablecloth, how to draw flowers.  $10.00.