thanks

I've been crafting up a special way to show some gratitude this Thanksgiving.

It involves some tree branches, paper leaves and some moments for reflection.

Here is a peek...

I am wishing all a happy, enjoyable Thanksgiving! 

And hoping you have some moments of reflection too -- for what are you most grateful?

in my fridge

Look at this gallon of water.

You would not believe how much my Munchkin looooves to get his own water.

And water for Big Brother.

And Baby Sister.

And Mom and Dad, and just about anyone in the house wanting water.

This could be the single smartest thing I have done this month -- putting the water in the fridge within reach of the little kid who wants to try anything that makes him feel like a bigger kid.

And he is getting to be a bigger kid.  Which he reminds me of often and which makes me so proud.

This simple water jug has become a daily reminder to me to not be afraid to let my kids learn and do for themselves.  I find that as a mother who wants to always do what is best for them, that I sometimes miss the point that letting them do is best.

What had been keeping me from having any kind of spout in the fridge was the worry that it would be more of a water toy than anything and there would be constant clean up from little hands turning it into a fountain.

But not so, only a few unintended drops so far.

I am grateful for the inspiration from Meg of Sew Liberated to set that worry aside.

And I love how my son is learning.

Apparently I am too.

my word

Near the beginning of the year a post by Lisa Leonard challenged readers to think of their "word of the year." (The necklace I am wearing in the photo happens to be a Lisa Leonard design -- so cute!)

It didn't take me long for me to decide upon my word.

create

and it's been hanging around with me now.

I've been reflecting what that word means to me.

create

create what?

create why?

and maybe the most imperative (and practical) question, create when?

I've found myself longing to create.  Create in so many forms.  But at a loss for when to do so.

I spend many days at home day dreaming of my creations, anticipating working on them once the kids are asleep.

But alas, as the kids are going to sleep, sleepiness gets the better of me as well.

So.  What.  To.  Do.

I am squeezing the creating in the best that I can.

And I had the chance earlier this week to create a shirt featuring my word.

create

I love it.  So simple to make with some letter stickers and fabric paint.

Now of course having done one shirt, I've thought of about 37 variations I could do with different paints, adding borders, different type letters, using computer graphics and label paper, going beyond t-shirts...

Oh please someone stop me now!

But I do like the shirt, and am anxious to see how I can change this project up with the kids.

And it also is a near reminder of my creating commitment.  Not quite my heart on my sleeve...but close enough.

What word would you choose?

some days

I make a second pot of coffee and sneak chocolate.

this moment

I'm joining Soule Mama in this Friday ritual.  In her words: "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."

and also this

Awhile ago I explained that I had been doing a lot of looking up.

And luckily that looking up, let me see this.

A simply magical Halloween-evening sunset.

What amazing colors this time of year brings.

recap

Last weekend:  snow.  Inches and inches of snow.

This weekend:  shorts and t-shirts.  And sunshiny warmth for playing in the back yard.

This is why I love where I live.  It never ceases to thrill me to experience the change of the seasons -- each one seeming more magical than the one before.

Though I do like that extra little gift of seasons lingering their days to us...the few hot days in September, the bright fall that lingers in early December, the last clean snowfall of April and cool spring-like mornings in June.  Like their final hurrah before the new season takes over, not quite wanting to give up their own glory just yet.

What is your favorite season?

change up

I've been thinking alot lately about the spaces in this cozy house of mine.

And by cozy, I mean small.

Really small.  

At least for two grown ups, three kids, a dog, and all of the s.t.u.f.f. that comes along with two grown ups, three kids and a dog.

Now in all fairness, the dog really doesn't take up much room.  She doesn't have piles of chew toys, or even her own big cushion bed from COSTCO.  The only thing she keeps around the house is hair.

And by hair, I mean all of the hair that she sheds.  And she does shed alot of that thick black hair she wears.

So, when I have not been swiffering up dog hair, I have been thinking about this house and how I can better organize the space for all of us.  

I want the kids to have some play space that is not the jumble of toys they currently have.  I want  some project and sewing space that is not the top of the dining room buffet (eeeesh!)  I want to once and for all get rid of the piles that seem to accumulate in the usual spaces:  the desk, the countertop, the bench in the kitchen.

I know this is a tall order.  

But I have come to understand that while I have a pretty high tolerance for a not terribly "clean" house (instead choosing to be more present with the kids) I am rattled by so much stuff not having a place.

So I am going to fill that tall order.  I've been getting inspired by some resources that are so simple and organized.  Always reassuring me that less is more and the kids will in turn enjoy it more.

So my first change up has been in the living room.

A simple change in the rug.

That may not seem like a big thing -- but it has been dramatic.

Over a year ago my in-laws had generously passed along an oriental rug that they were no longer using.  We just didn't think we had the right space for it, but thought someday we might, so held onto it.

On a whim, or maybe it was because neither Little Brother and Baby Sister would nap, I decided to bring the rug up from the basement, take out the old carpet, scrub the floor, rearrange the furniture, banish some toys to basement storage and add another table -- now dedicated to the ever-growing Lego collection (which is a whole other blog post on how to organize!)

And voila -- the first official change.

The space seems bigger.  The rug -- which I always thought was too fancy for our furniture -- is just the thing to liven up the room, and the colors match perfectly! 

I still have a long, looooong way to go to getting the rest of my ideas implemented -- every room is impacted, and countless shelves and drawers will be purged -- but it is a start. 

And it inspires me to keep on changing up.

Now where's that swiffer?

this moment

I'm joining Soule Mama in this Friday ritual.  In her words: "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."

Wishing you a weekend full of child-like determination for fun!

first snow

Well there isn't much better than waking to snow and within minutes being bundled up and playing outside. (It is so totally okay to wear pj's under snow pants according to this Mama!)

And that is exactly what Big Brother and Little Brother did this weekend.

Morning.  Noon.  Night.

So this Mama dug out the hats and mittens and boots and snowpants.

Those shovels that were scooping up leaves last weekend?  Yep, scooping up lots and lots of snow this weekend!

Guess we are now ready for winter!  Hot chocolate anyone?

this moment

I'm joining Soule Mama in this Friday ritual.  In her words: "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." 

everybody

 So there are times as a parent that I find myself nearing the edge.


The edge of frustration.


The edge of a harsh tone of voice.


The edge of turning an otherwise happy moment into one laden with loud voices and stern words.

That edge is oh so tricky.  If you are a parent you know exactly what I mean.

However I've been finding lately that if I recognize that edge, acknowledge it, and then kindly turn away from plummeting over it, that I can keep that happy.  That positive.  That moment of connection to my children, and my confident mothering self.

How do I do this?  The recognizing, acknowledging, turning away.  Well I am not totally sure, because it happens in a few short seconds.  Though I do know that it feels oh so good when it happens.


So I have been practicing.  And I am hoping that practice makes perfect.  (Well not perfect, I know that isn't even possible.  But closer to perfect than I am now!)


On Saturday afternoon, that edge teased me.  The kids were playing (playing a bit like banshees, truth be told), I was sneaking in a few moments on one of the favorite blogs to read, and I caught myself turning away from the computer and toward them, a harshness welling up, when suddenly I stopped.

I. stopped.

And I said "Hey, guess what, we are going to do something sooooo cool!  Dance party USA!"

As it happened I was lucky that the blog post I was reading had music attached at the time.  A song I had never heard, but was oh so enjoying!

So Dance Party USA ensued.  Dancing -- with scarves no less!  And it continued, and continued on for about 15 listens of that same song.

That same great, amazing, restorative song.

And dancing became wrestling and snuggling and tickling and airplaning on Mama's feet and photo shooting and loving loving loving.

And I watched my children revel.  In the pure fun, joy and spirit of the moments.

And I reveled in the pure fun, joy and spirit of the moments.

And I was thankful for my own growth as a mother.  My recognizing that tricky tricky edge and my saying to it, "So sorry, not right now, I am busy dancing with my kids!"

























Oh, the name of the song you ask?

Everybody by Ingrid Michaelson

Where has she been all my life?  I had never heard any of her music before.

I have since bought this amazing song on iTunes!  You should too!

all treats

Here is my Jedi, my Dinosaur and my Holly Hobbie waiting anxiously at the door.

Waiting for kids to come.

So they peer out the door and make plans for who gets to give out the next handful of treats.

Yes, handful.

Wanting the kids who come to feel as if they got the jackpot.

So I guess they are learning that it can feel even better to give than to receive.