born imaginative.: December 2024

Remembering Zippy.

Heavy doesn't even describe the day we found Zippy had passed. We have been so blessed to love Zippy for all these years. Zippy was so so so loved and snuggled us every night. He just showed up in the barn, decided he wanted to live here and we decided he could. He spent his days roaming and his nights inside with us. 7 years ago the vet didn't think he'd make it through the night, we were blessed with him all these extra years. He died from natural causes on the farm he made his home. My gardening buddy, we decided to bury him near the garden. We will forever have a Zippy sized hole in our hearts.

Merry Christmas 2024

Merry Making

My homemade gift, couldn't be more proud of the builder! I love it so!

And a couple of pockets of decor.

Happy Seven and a HALF, Anna-Kate!

Anna-Kate is seven and a HALF!

Anna-Kate,

First of all my apologies that we are celebrating weeks later than we should have, oops! This actually shows your personality so vividly. At your age, the other kids would ask and ask when it was their half day and you just never asked when you turn seven and a HALF. That's because you are so adaptable and go with the flow.

You basically love everything. You love people, activities, food, learning, reading, writing, going places, staying home, being inside and outside. You are up for anything and everything. You'll play with tiny pieces for hours, you'll craft with anything or you'll just go outside and talk to yourself without a single thing to play with. If you could pick anything to do, it's hard to think what you'd do, you'd want to do everything!

You talk a lot. So much talking. You love to narrate everything you do, share all your inner thoughts and read everything you read aloud. You've never met a stranger and can strike up a conversation with anyone. You have enjoyed our kitty fostering journey, talking to them all the live long day. You also enjoy snuggling animals and snugging your parents.

The things you hate: Black beans. Waiting. Not having something to keep your hands busy. Showering. Someone else brushing your hair. Carrying your own things. Coats. Shoes.

Your favorite places to go are places with friends, swimming and the library.

You are a marvelous grand finale and we are so blessed to have you to love.

Happy seven and a HALF, Anna-Kate!

Love, Mama

Here are previous posts:

Seven

Six and a Half

18 months
She's One
9 months
6 months
(Here's 3 months, newborn.)

Snow

The wee bit of snow was lovely while it lasted. Gone now. I'm requesting more, just when it's not during my husband's commute.

Kids' Night!

I got to be a wrapper at the 2nd annual Kids' Night at the thrift shop. Kids shop for 50% off, get hot cocoa and sweets, meet Santa and get their presents wrapped. I love it.

Mama Made: Christmas PJs 2024.

Mama Made PJs for 2024! The bottoms are a queen flannel flat sheet that I thrifted for $5. I did buy two out of the three tops and appliqued the tree and star for my Mainer children. Adrian asked if I would still be making him Pjs when he's an adult. I suspect my arm could be twisted...

Merry Making

Every year, in partnership with our Tree Farm neighbors, our 4-H club creates dozens of centerpieces and delivers them to helpers and people who need cheering.

My big kids worked so hard to collect what we needed.

Our annual winter gear swap was a smashing success. We did this for a solid week. It was a huge commitment, but a great way for community to support community.