Chalking

Delving into a brand new box of Crayola chalk =

delicious.

(dress + chalk found at Walmart!)

Pink Pajamas

(a scene from this morning)

It was a warm and breezy evening last night and I watched Avery stand on the back porch with her arms wide as she laughed and hurled rocks into the yard. She was stark naked, the way she is 95% of the time. (I should mention that she always starts out the day clothed, but seems to shed it layer by layer as the day goes on). I kind of envy her freedom sometimes. And I love the joyful, boisterous, lively way she moves through the world--wild curls whipping around and the wind and sunshine on her bare skin.

Trav said yesterday that she at least has to wear underpants if she is outside. He's probably right, but I figure she is only 3 once in her life and why stifle her freedom? It will be cold soon so I guess it will sort itself out.

This lad ended up sporting pink piggy pajamas as I found myself in a laundry bind last night and dipped into Avery's outgrown stash. It was bound to happen. Really only a matter of time before he ended up in girls clothes.

Avery pronounces it, "Pa jah mas" and not "Pa jam as" like me. I love that about her.

For the Hundredth Time...

"Avery...We only draw on paper!"

When Daddy Comes Home

Trav was out of town for several days this past week. I don't love it when he's gone but I try to make the best of it. I let the dishes pile up. We eat dinner whenever and where ever we feel inclined, and I get out all my messiest craft messes and spread them all over the place. I think Avery missed him especially this time around so we decided to have a party when he came home. We chalked the steps (her idea) and then I hung the lights on the sadly neglected Apple tree.

(I am just noticing how posed this looks with all those black and yellow things...totally coincidence that we had a broom, boots and flowers all coordinating sitting right there....funny)

Upon his arrival he took her to get a few groceries so I could have a little rest and she could have him all to herself. He bought her her first Twinkie (which I maybe scolded him for...seriously those things are so bad for you) which she calls a "pinkie" and claims is her favorite treat.

And when the sun had gone down and jammies had been put on, we snugged each babe outside in the warm breezy night and told stories, sang songs and talked about the things we needed to do on the house.

And I thought about how we have almost everything I always wanted already.

Except I think I am going to add, "functioning master bathroom" to that list.

Too much to ask?


Lights here.

This Sunny Morning

Bathing Beauties

Rarely is a bath had in our home without this little blond doll as a companion.

Sneaky as any of us privacy and relaxation seekers might try to be, when she hears the sounds of water flowing she disrobes and cheerfully climbs in to join the splashing fun-- without the slightest notion that she might not be invited.

I will admit that when I chose this enormous white cast iron sink and positioned it in front of the large window that looks out over the fields and our neighboring horse friends,

it was mostly this little scene--the bathing of babes-- that I was envisioning. (Not mounds of dishes...which it what it usually contains).

It does this mother's heart good to spend an evening in the kitchen making little bottoms clean and then wrapping them in warm towels from the dryer before tucking them into fresh white nightgowns and sheets.

These are the sorts of things that my dreams are made of.


you?

Windfall

With lots of our dollars going towards our house remodel these days, its hard to splurge on maybe-less-than-practical purchases, without feeling guilty. But that is what is so fun about my little Etsy shop! Though it doesn't make very much money, its my little guilt-free internet shopping fun-fund.

Here are a few things I have gotten lately that I am really excited about:

Christmas Stockings for our family.
I have to say, I am so excited about these! I really wanted some white cable knit stockings but didn't know if I'd find any that were exactly like I was imagining. I did though...and when they arrived (on a snowy fall day) they were even better than they looked online. They are big and snuggly soft. I love them!



The Lower Lights
We got the album, which Avery LOVES (we do too...you will too). She dances around in circles while it plays and cleverly figured out by pushing random buttons how to get it back to her favorite song.

And
tickets to their upcoming concert, which were a steal and we get to bring the little one for free! Can't wait.

Also:

Bulk Vanilla Beans

Clover Bias Tape Maker

Double Welt Cording Foot

I have big project plans for all these little treasures. I can't wait to show you!

Well except for the stockings...no projects planned for those. Although I have to admit, since we have a baby due a few days before Christmas, there is a pretty good chance we'll end up curling him up in one for a photo. I know its cheesy but I am afraid I won't be able to resist!


What would you buy with a little Paypal fun money?

Sick Week

All plans have been canceled. This is what our day looks like:

Pukey clothes (but so thankful to have a sink finally to rinse them in!)

Since I can't have Nyquil...mint tea will have to do.

My nose is raw.

"Teddy Dog", rubs on the back ("do it again mom!") and hair, watching the "kid show" (Kate plus 8...which I cannot stand but Avery is obsessed with...poor kid needs some siblings) over and over, talking on the phone with daddy, and lots of snuggle me's since she can't have any Nyquil either.

The Girls

The chickens are getting bigger.
They like to jump out of their pen and roam around the yard eating bugs.
Avery likes to call to them, "Come here girls!"
They don't really listen.
Sometimes they come and "tap tap tap" at my window.

I like putting on my boots and bringing them food.
And sitting and listening to them cluck, cluck, cluck.