A couple smiles...and some randomness.

Remember that carrier I made (post here...along with instructions to make your own), well my little guy baby wears on and off.  Seriously, I love love love this.  How can you not?

 He asked me to switch to 'back carry' so he could play.  He's totally a mini me...

 What's he playing in, you wonder? A sensory bin, yes.  In comes the randomness.  The sensory bins I have are upcycled.  If you're at a party and they have a store bought deli meat platter, veggie platter, store bought cake, etc....ask to take the container home.  They're perfect for sensory bins.  The top goes on to keep everything stored tight. They're shallow enough to play.  Recyclable when you've had enough.  Free.  I love that word.  

Keep collecting, get a  bunch.  You can stack them in storage filled with different sensory experiences. This one has confetti.  I also have done rice, shredded paper, pom poms, packing peanuts, oats, flour, dirt, sand, leaves, rocks, dried corn and dried beans.  Plus keep an empty one for snow, shaving cream or water play. Add some toy trucks, play figurines, a spoon, measuring cups, etc...and you have hours of fun.  Plop the box outside or lay it on a big table cloth or sheet to contain the overflow.

 A happy kid=a happy mama.  Provided the mess is contained, that is. 

More Amish Dolls...

Remember her?

Well, I made her a friend.

They're about a foot tall, which means lots of intricate stitchwork.

 Pair them with the Amish boy and girl doll I still have from my childhood, and there's a set.

 He so wants them to be his. 

 But, I'm starting something new.  I am actually going to wait to give her this gift in July, when she turns one.  I'm afraid I won't be doing too much crafting in July, so I'm preparing.

"Please mama", he says.  This boy knows how to tug at my heart strings.  Maybe I should make a couple more so there's enough to go around? 

Baby Chicks 2013

Guess who's here?!

My husband was in charge of picking them up and setting things up while I was at a conference.  I missed them discovering them initially.  He snapped a quick shot.

They're all set up in the playroom.

She's constantly pulling herself up to inspect.

 He loves, loves, loves the chicks.  He's declared he'll be 'Farmer Adrian" and he'll take care of them and teach them.  He is so gentle with them. 

 Someone else is interested. Harley has made his way into the brooder.  Could care less about the chicks.  Just wants to be nosy and make a mess.  We keep him locked out, mostly. 

 She wants to smack them if allowed.

 Mostly she just waves and says 'hi', since we keep her away, given we'd like these chicks to live. 
 


Did I mention he LOVES them?  And he sings to them?  And he holds them so gently?  And that he's going to take such good care of them?

 

 Anyway, there's much abuzz in this house, rightly so.  Raising chicks makes us all happy.

Thrifted.

Fish stickers.
Red sled book
Brand new game of Sequence (been looking for years for this game at a thrift store!)
Colorform book for my little construction lover.
More books for my construction lover.
Fabric marker.
Wooden challenge puzzle (brand new).
Fuzzy craft balls.
Brand new chalk.
Crafting sewing for kids.
Brand new colored pencils.

$8.00

Score.

Happiness is...

Family dance parties.  We tend to do this regularly.   Turn up the music, pick and instrument and jam. I can't help but smile thinking of these little parties.
 
 

Memorable moments, love capturing them.

Weekend...

Ah weekend.  May your pace be slow and let us soak up all that you have in store for our family.

 

She's 9 months!

And here we are, at your 9 month milestone, celebrating these marvelous 9 months with you.

Your personality is emerging, for sure!  You used to be quiet and would just go with the flow.  "Quiet" is no longer an appropriate term.  We much prefer your (constant) chatter.  And how you find yourself so comical.

We have several awards to give you.  First is you're the Head of the Welcome Wagon.  We get waved at, well, constantly.  You hear the word "hi" and your arm starts a flopping.  If one gets tired from all the waving, that's okay, you can switch to your other hand.  Waving is most entertaining at meals, you take turns waving at each of us.  When all of us have been waved at, you start all over again. If that's not enough, you blow kisses and give high fives.

You're a Foodie.  Bottles, eh...who needs them, you'd say.  You appreciate the finer things.  Like homemade bread, which you devour.  Home canned apples and pears.  Avocados. All of which you fervently sign "more" for (again and again).  You devour such with 3 1/2 chompers.

You're our Chief Disorganizer.  This drives your brother crazy.

You're a Competitive Racer.  You will get there first.  Crawling, bear walking, pushing the radio flyer fire engine. The amazing thing about you, you're a sprint and endurance athlete all in one.  You spend most of your time sprinting to our bunny, "Hop". You're happy to explore on your own...must keep an eye on you constantly.

You're a Discoverer.  Of everything you're NOT supposed to eat. And you pick up the tiniest piece with such precision. 

You're our Animal Technician.  You help with lots of important parts of animal keeping, such as tasting the hay to make sure it's safe for the rabbit.  Just petting the bunny sends you into fits of giggles. 

You're a Beautician. You make sure your mama's hair is pulled and tugged and yanked in each direction when being worn.  You love love love to be held and worn. (Smiles from mama here.)

Oh, sweet girl, I could go on and on. You love the tub.  Hate doors that are closed.  You'd prefer to potty on the potty.  You'd rather not sleep lately. You love your brother.  You hate when he takes a toy from you.  You smile is contagious.  Your hugs make me the happiest.  You are loved more than I can express in text, sweet girl.  We're celebrating 9 great months, for sure!

In case you missed...
Three months 
Six months