Memorial Weekend

Some family highlights from our weekend- we decided not to go anywhere this year and instead enjoy our home, our river, and our local parks (highlights from our anniversary date tomorrow)...

Beach Day

Our first swim in the river this year. Well let's be honest, their first river swim this year. We met some friends here at the beach today and it couldn't have felt more like summer. Bright shinning sun, running in and out of the water, baking sand pies, catching minnows... pure bliss.

Breakfast

Laundry

When I was little, on occasion, my mom use to hang our laundry out to dry in the warm summer air. There was nothing better then going to bed in sheets smelling of sunshine.



When we moved into our new house, I was delighted to find there was already a clothesline all ready and waiting for me. I was certain hanging the laundry out to dry would be a part of my new life. A year and a half later I had used the laundry line one time. Once.



But fortunately, a couple weeks ago I stumbled upon this blog post and was inspired. Then this one, and today this one. I finally had enough inspiration to motivate me into action.



A very rewarding feeling indeed.



And, if I must say, very beautiful too.

Lazy Summer Day

Today started out slow. We were all still recovering from our sicknesses and the general mood around here wasn't so great. Thankfully Ryan stayed home to help me and by the afternoon, everyone was in much better spirits. Of course, running through the sprinkler and drinking coconut milk smoothies... you can't help but smile.

Weekend Highlight

This weekend was kind of a hard one. Someone I love very dearly is going through a very difficult time right now and it was weighing heavy on my mind. And if that weren't enough, all four of us got sick... again.

But... on Saturday afternoon after struggling a little bit to get motivated, we decided we wanted to do something fun and different. We finally settled upon going to the Underwater Adventures Aquarium. As we suspected, Grace and Jackson both loved it. We had them bring their cameras to take pictures of all the fish which they really had fun with. After that we decided to go out to dinner at the Rainforest Cafe. Not a place I would generally pick for myself but definitely fun with kids around. They both got so excited when it would "rain" in the restaurant.

Anyway, looking back, I'm so glad we decided to go on Saturday. It ended up being the highlight of our weekend.


A few of Jackson's pictures (no flash)...







A few of Grace's pictures (flash)...

Fresh Flowers

I first became inspired to start collecting fresh flowers after beginning my Waldorf Early Childhood training two and a half years ago. Followers of Waldorf education believe that children are like sponges, taking in all that surrounds them. As a result of this, great emphasis is placed on creating a space of natural beauty. During our trainings we are always reminded how simple little gestures such as fresh flowers help create a nourishing environment for small children.

Over the past couple years I have come to see how true this really is. And not only for my children, but for myself as well. They are small fragrant reminders of the natural abundance of life.

Today I came down the stairs from putting Jackson to sleep for his nap and found Grace had gone outside. I wondered around the side of the house to find her cutting fresh flowers from the lilac bush. "Oh, hi mama," she smiled, "I was going to surprise you."

Little does she know what a great a surprise it was. The only thing better then discovering an unexpected bouquet of flowers on the table is stumbling upon your daughter creating one.

And They Ate It

Chunky Broccoli Soup

3 cups of broccoli
1 carrot
1/4 tsp of salt
1/8 tsp of pepper
14 ounces of chicken broth
2 tablespoons of flour
1/4 cup of cold water
1 cup of half and half

Cut up broccoli, peel and shred the carrot (I think the fact that I let them help me with this part made them more excited to eat it). Heat the broccoli, carrot, salt, pepper and chicken broth to boiling over high heat. Once mixture is boiling, reduce heat to low simmer and cover. Cook 6 to 8 minutes or until broccoli is tender. Mix flour and water in a small bowl and whisk until flour is dissolved. Pour into pot, stirring constantly while pouring. Heat to boiling and cook for one minute. Stir in half and half. Cook, stirring until hot. The soup should look steamy but don't let boil.

Summer...

is here... or so it seems to us. These little tadpoles spent a good part of their day swimming in the pool for the first time this season. I can't believe it's only May... but I'm not complaining. Today was beautiful.

A Play Date

Some of our favorite people came over to play today. I still get so excited when I see these two together. Of course, they aren't nearly as excited about it as we are since they're only one. But someday they will be running around getting into all sorts of mischief together... and will most certainly be the best of friends.

Another Good One

Some highlights from our weekend...


Spent pretty much every waking moment outside



Went to the zoo (I think I could have watched these two all day)



Went on a few rides



Shoveled a lot of dirt (also rolled in it, jumped in it, and probably ate it)



And planted almost all the rest of our seeds


Perfect.

Finally...

After 89 days of rain the sun finally came back today. I did my best to ignore all housework in order to spend as much time as possible outside.



I'm kind of paying the price right now as I have quite the mess to clean up tonight. But it was well worth it for a day spent in the sun.

Raspberry Muffins

In the middle of writing my papers last night I took a break and made some raspberry muffins. Apparently it was a good move, I ended up finishing the papers and the muffins were delicious this morning for breakfast (well and as a late night snack).



2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
3/4 cup whole milk
1 large egg
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups fresh raspberries

Heat oven to 400° F. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with liners.
In a medium bowl, combine 1 3/4 cups of the flour, 1/2 cup of the sugar, the baking powder, and salt. Add the butter and combine. In a second bowl, whisk together the milk, egg, and vanilla. Gradually add the milk mixture to the flour mixture and stir until just combined; the batter will be lumpy. Toss the berries with the remaining flour in a bowl. Gently fold the berry mixture into the batter.
Fill each muffin cup 3/4 full. Sprinkle the batter with the remaining sugar. Bake for 17 to 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean. Transfer pan to a wire rack to cool for 10 minutes. Serve warm. (Found on "Real Simple" website)

On Mother's Day...

I am feeling especially grateful for these two beautiful little ones that I am so blessed to have in my life.

My Getaway

Reading, napping, painting, delicious dinner, my river, writing... perfect.

Wuv

It was kind of one of those days today. Not one of those kid crazy days (thankfully it was a good day for both Grace and Jackson), just one of those days where I find myself still in my pajamas at 11:00 surrounded by a mess. I'm not sure what I was doing, catching up on overdue things I guess... bills, school stuff, who knows. I remember looking around at lunch time thinking what have I done all day... and how am I ever going to clean up this mess.



But (just as the life of being a mother tends to go) minutes later all stresses were forgoten as I tried to keep my beating heart from escaping my chest- Jackson said I love you for the first time today. Well truth be told he proclaimed his love to Ryan first, but once he got started he didn't stop there. Throughout the day today he would suddenly look over at me, tilt his head to one side and in the most sweet little voice say "Aah wuv you mama". So, of course who cares about messes and eating lunch in your pajamas with this going on. Seriously, this boy knows how to melt my heart. I think I'm in wuv.

Our Flowering Trees (Part 2)

Lilacs


Lilacs


Crab Apple


Crab Apple


Radiant Crab Apple


Radiant Crab apple


Dogwood


Red Bud


Red Bud