around here

Around here, it has seemed very busy.

One of those one step forwards, 4 steps back. 

The house is littered with art projects.   I bought  few new blank books that have been keeping the older boys in the quite busy - when they are not cutting up things to create scenes.  Scenes are big here thanks to Uncle Brandon.  If you are going to grow up to be a cartoonist/ninja/jedi/paleontologist/painter/builder/chef you have to start early. 

 Logan has discovered the joy of stickers and is very intent on decorating all kinds of things.  I am pleased with this as it is such a good fine motor skill and great for him to keep his attention with.  I am not please to find these stickers all over.

I finally chopped off a lot of hair.  I know, pretty exciting stuff. 

We are trying to spend as much time as we can outside.  Right now it is raining (thankfully - we need it) but it should be warm enough tomorrow for some good ol' puddle splashing and hanging out on the screened porch.

A sweet pink sweater and booties are finished and ready to be sent. My cousin's wife had a baby girl and in following my Nana's tradition, I made something knitted (of course!).  I also have been waiting for a while to give them this book - Because A Bug When CHOO! as it talks about a boat named Mary Lou.  Since the boat he has is named Mary Lou, I think it is quite fitting.  My boys love this story and they were excited to send it in the mail.

I bought a set of child chairs for the playroom and I've only gotten as far as them being out of the box.  Logan, in all of his new 2 year old glory, wont let me build them. The pieces are way too fun for him to haul around and stack, line up, jump on, and otherwise drive me crazy with. I'm sure once they are built he will be ticked off at me for taking those pieces away and covertly sabotage the new chairs.

Tonight I played the theme music to Star Wars, turned off the lights, and gave the boys glow sticks while in the bath tub.  That was fun! 

Birthday Boy

It is hard to believe my wee little baby is already 2. I guess he isn't a "baby" anymore!

Today we had a simple, little party. 

A special Pop provided John Deere cake (made by the same place as our wedding cake!)

Gifts of John Deere shirts, a truck, and singing things for my little shaker and mover.

I'm looking forward to you being a 3 but I'm happy to wait. 

No need for the baby to get big any time soon.

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I hope to be back this week with some fun knits I've finished!  I'm afraid my camera might not be back from Nikon for another week.  I'll just have to continue to share Iphone pics.  boo.

This Moment

Inspired by Soulemama - {this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

This week

This week...

was a bit more slow
filled with sewing that I actually finished!
lots of reading - books everywhere
forts
bean soup and pot roast
rainy days followed by bright, bright sun
a new knitted sweater for me
still a very broken camera 

This Moment

Inspired by Soulemama - {this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Yarn Along

After finishing up a quick little knit, the Zuzu Petal cowl (that I'll use for someone later), my full attention is back on plugging away on my Chickadee sweater.  I'm now at the body and it is pretty slow!  I really enjoyed working the yoke though.  Stranded work used to scare me but now I find it fun. 

Under my sweater is my pile of books that I've been rotating around.  My sweet friend gave us a great book, Extra Yarn, which has been repeatedly requested.  I'm still finishing up Simplicity Parenting and Organized Simpliclity.  It really shouldn't take this long to read them but both make you want to put them down and do something n o w.  I also just finished The No Brianer Wardrobe.  Silly to buy a book on dressing oneself at this age but I have the hardest time looking "put together".  I just can't seem to be able to look like "that" and be on the floor playing with a precocious almost 2 year old, then kicking a soccer ball, and finding that lost Lego.  The ebook was a cute, quick read and I think I took some good ideas away from it.  It is hard to tell.  It is hard to get away from soft woolen sweaters, scarfs,  and jeans.

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Linking up with Ginny at Small Things...

A Little Freedom

Our favorite place to "be free" as my boys call it - is our local Wonder of Illinois, Allerton Park. 

With another 50+ degree day and the end to a long, busy, single parenting week, we all needed a little freedom.

I love the fact that it is safe enough and I can just set them free and just listen to their little voices echo off the walls.

I heard:

-Logan singing at the top of his wee and surprisingly loud lungs, "E-I-E-I-DOH"  over and over again
-A discussion about the large birds overhead and if they were indeed eagles or hawks. Also, why they were together?  Do birds hunt in packs?  If birds do hunt together, what is that then?  Just a meat eating flock?  (I have no idea. )
-What were the statues actually looking at?
-It looks like God painted the clouds with gold on the bottom.  (be still my heart sweet Mason) 

It was a good bit of freedom. 

Moments

With a broken camera, warm weather, and a traveling husband, I've not collected many pictures of all of our moments.  Instead, I've been in every one of them.