My helper

I was talking to a friend yesterday about how Payton likes to wash the floor, which reminded me I had taken pictures of the last time and thought I would share.

My Payton likes to help. And anyone with a 4 year old knows how much "help" they can be! But I really want to encourage helping and make her feel like she's making a contribution not that I'm going to re-do it after she's done. So when she wanted to help me wash the floor(one of her favorite things to help with, I think it's all about the bubbles) I help her get started, remind her that the carpet is not to get wet, and that the floor needs to be dry when done(she creates a bit of a flood), and let her go at it.

She and the floor get oh so wet(biting tongue).

But things do get washed.

Including toes.

Because I'm crazy

I decided sometime last week to make a blanket for a baby shower on Sun. Then I decided I would do it out of recycled wool sweaters, from Warm Fuzzies 30 Sweet Felted Projects Nothing like a last minute project that you've never tried before. So last night I decided which sweaters to use(didn't get before pictures, Darn!) and felted them up in the washer. So far today the pieces are cut and ready to sew. Now I need to feed my kids and get them in bed so I can sew. What do you think? Am I getting any sleep tonight? I'm not sure. Lol!

This one is for Kay

Kaylyn just loves mushrooms. Just ask her!

I thought I would share a little something that has been making me smile. Isn't he cute? It's a tin I found at toys r us, filled with....yes....mushroom shaped candies. Payton thinks I brought it home for her. Not so. I claimed him first.

Thought he looked a little lonely.

Much better. He usually sits on my entertainment unit, surrounded by pine-cones, acorns, leaves, and whatever else takes our fancy.

Acorns are another thing I've become enamored with recently. Gotta love a nut that comes with a hat. So fun!

Scattered

Today feels heavy. No big catastrophe, just a series of small things with a cherry on top. Just enough to throw me off balance and hit the floor. Thankfully I know that when I hit the floor not to jump and try to run again, it's a subtle reminder to spend some time down there, on my knees.

I've got a couple blog posts brewing but not ready so I thought I would share some pics of my favorite girls in the world. I just love the affection they have for each other already. Of course it's not always friendly around here, but I find that more often than not they are piling on the love for each other. One of the favorite games of late has been sitting in bins, different sizes and different activities but apparently there is something special about bins.

Priorities

It's amazing how quickly we can lose sight of priorities. I'm going on a ladies retreat this weekend, and am so excited to get away for a couple days. Somehow I decided that I needed to get a bunch of things done today before I could go. I think because I knew I wasn't going to be able to do them this weekend. So as my daughter was asking to play a game with me I heard myself saying I couldn't that I was to busy. A little later I realized that I didn't want to wash my floors, vacuum, or empty the dishwasher, and that it didn't matter if they got done either. I wanted to play with my kid. And that's what I did. Some things are just to important to put off. Have a good weekend everyone!

Paytons First Day of Preschool(2nd year). Alternative title: I'm such a poser

This is what happened right after I said "Let's get some pictures of your first day!"

"How about a smile?"

Payton says "ROAR!"

After "Why don't you put your head down by your sister and I'll take a picture of you together."

Sam thought it was all very amusing.

After I asked if she was excited.

I would say that was a yes.

Pay's squishy smile that is seen commonly in pictures these days.

Sam's still amused.

The only shot that she's standing still in. After all that work to get her to stand still I like the others better, this just doesn't show her personality!

Who dresses that kid? Why Spider-Sam.

We spent some time outside enjoying the sunshine today.

There were chalk roads to build, with houses, forests, and a happy Sun. A ball house to play in, and babies to be cared for. Oh yes, and a very hungry horse family.

I've been learning a lot about my second born as she gets older. She's fiercely independent and so so stubborn for someone so small.

"Would you please stop calling me, I will look at you when I'm good and ready."

I love our little fenced courtyard. Sam on the other hand is not so fond of the fence.

"Somebody, please let me out. I'm cute. And I want to take my baby for a walk."

"Anybody?" Doesn't the diaper tu-tu bum just kill you? I love it. I must have taken 20 pictures of her back side today.

I must add of course that I did not do this to my child. She did it herself. Yes folks she's 18 months old and is already taking charge of her fashion. She brought me Pay's dance costume and was trying to get it over her head and was very pleased when I helped her get it on. Then was twirling in the living room(I think Rod got pics of that). Later she was helping me do laundry by taking everything out of the laundry basket and handing the odd thing to me. I thought she handed me the Spiderman jammy shirt to wash but she objected rather loudly until I helped her put it on. Then she was as pleased as punch. She added the binoculars at some point and spent the rest of the afternoon like that. Who am I to object? I think she looks fabulous!

A few books I've been enjoying

I'm a little grumpy today so instead of boring you with the details of PMS I thought I'd share some books I have really enjoyed lately.



The Creative Family: How to Encourage Imagination and Nurture Family Connections by Amanda Blake Soule. I actually first found her blog and loved it, then discovered she wrote a book and promptly went and ordered it. I ate it up. I just love how she incorporates creativity into her life, and stresses that not only do the kids need it but she does too. That really resonates with me right now as I've discovered that the creative process is really an integral part of me. If I ignore it or squish it down I am not content. Anyways I really am not doing it justice, I love this book and will refer to it time and time again. Check out her blog here.





Warm Fuzzies 30 Sweet Felted Projects by Betz White. This book has so many amazing projects that I'm itching to try. They all use wool sweaters which are then felted(or fulled) and sewn into something else. I just love that these projects recycle old objects into new ones. The problem I've been having is finding wool sweaters, I've scored a few at local thrift stores but I'm not finding the much for a variety of colours or kid type patterns. So my local friends and family if you find wool sweaters at a thrift store or garage sale(or in your own donation bag) scoop them up for me please! Betz White also has a blog you can check out here.



Felt Wee Folk: Enchanting Projects by Sally Mavor. Payton and I can't wait to get started on making these cute little people. Payton has asked if we can start with the fairies. I just need the wooden balls for the heads. There are variations for the kids to make, and the instructions are very clear. This is going to be a fun rainy day project!

That's one cute baby

Here is one of the things I was working on. A blanket for a new little one. I have to admit that I have to dig for boy suitable fabric in my stash. I have lots of girly prints, not so much for the boyish prints. I wonder why that would be lol!

I kept it really simple, I didn't have much time. It's just 2 layers, the 3 prints(4 stripes) on one side, and the fuzzy super soft dotted blue on the other. I want to give quilting a try, machine quilting not hand, but I want a walking foot for my machine before I attempt that. I'm thinking it won't be until after Christmas as I have so many other things on my list before that.

I just love the texture of the bumps. Little hands just love it.

And of course a couple pics of the blanket it action.

Isn't he a cutie?

Guess what I've been doing?

Oh yes! I finally feel organized enough to spend some of my "free time" sewing. YAY! I've been just itching to create. I'll post more pics when I'm finished. I have so many projects on the to-do list! I hope to make most of my Christmas gifts this year so I'd better get cracking! Anyone else starting to get ready for Christmas?(no, this isn't a Christmas gift, it's for a new little one.)

Hello World

Today was a good day. You know, not hugely exciting, or even very busy, just good. The kind of day when you sit back, look around and just smile. I felt reminded today how good it is to be here, to be so lucky, so loved, so alive.

Rod's Dad and Step-mom(whom I LOVE) came over and brought picnic lunch. As I was tidying this morning I was not panicked about having people over. Just excited that they were coming. When I realized that I felt so peaceful. Like maybe I can give up my need for perfectionism and just enjoy things more. I have found lately that my fear of failure keeps me from doing more, enjoying more, and just living in the moment. I hadn't realized that it crept into my housekeeping as well. I don't entertain much. I never feel like my space is neat enough, big enough, or just nice enough. I have got to let that go. I want to have people here, to have people feel comfortable here. I think I'm making a start.

We had just a great visit. The girls love playing with their grandparents and we grown ups got to visit too. Rod got to take them for a tour of his work, then they watched the girls so I could take a tour! Wow that place is incredible! Rod absolutely loves his job, and it was so very worth it to move closer. I really enjoy seeing him so happy.

I fed and played with the girls after our visitors left, then off to bed for them. I love love love watching them play and interact. I was an only child so this is all new to me and I feel so fortunate that they have so much love for each other. Payton is such an amazing big sister, she prayed last night at dinner that Mommy have another baby. I was so surprised, how cute is that? I guess she likes Sam if she figures we should have another lol!

Then I sit down to check my email and found that I won a giveaway off a blog I've been enjoying lately! How cool that? I really need to update my links because I've found some really amazing blogs I want to pass along. Which is yes what I've been doing online instead of writing on my own blog(blush). For now I'll pass along a few links that are worth a check out,

Jessica at Juicy-Bits(where I won the prize)
Melissa at Yummygoods
Mary at Owlhaven
Amanda at SouleMama (I have her book The Creative Family, which I LOVE)
Hillary at Wee Wonderfuls
Bridget at Everyday Chaos (she just had a beautiful baby last week)
Sandi at PortabelloPixie

And last but not least

Little Birdie Secrets who have been having awesome back to school tutorial all last week!

Now I'm off to see if I can find some pics to add because a post without pics really seems naked don't you think?

The girls all ready for their first ride behind Rod's new electric bike. That bike is really a lot of serious fun! It means even me who is seriously out of shape can pull the trailer with both girls in it up a hill. It's not like a motorbike in that it's only power assist, you still have to pedal(well maybe not on flats). I was still plenty tired and sweaty after our last bike ride.

Bike in action, you think he likes it? The girls love it, "Faster Daddy FASTER!" lol, so fun!

Yes, I'm still here

It's been crazy busy around here. I fully intend to get back into the blogging groove soon as it's calling my name. I'm also horribly behind on getting photo's up as well.

We are almost finished organizing. I think everything is unpacked it's just the finishing now. I had hoped to be done before we went camping, but that didn't happen. Then as soon as we were back from camping Rod's mom and sister were here for a few days. So now that they are gone I can get back to finishing on this place. And finish packing away the camping gear as well!

I can't wait until everything around here has a home!

I just can't believe it!

In a few short hours it's Payton's birthday! I can't believe that one of my babies is 4 already! It's been just amazing watching her grow from an itty bitty babe into the beautiful little girl she is now.

Happy 4th Birthday to my Payton!!