a little crafty nest

moments from the week

Stormy spring weather continues, allowing the garden to drink up fresh rain, turning everything into a vision of emerald abundance...I will never tire of the vibrant shades of spring greens, tinged with yellows...proof that miracles happen in the ordinariness of today.

My friend, Melanie, made a post about an ordinary day, which made me instantly think of something I read recently.  Many of you may know about Taproot magazine, brought to you by the multi-crafty-talented Soulemama and friends.  Well, my favourite essay in the whole lot was written by her husband (what a team!) and he wrote, "...somehow great things occur under that false cloak of monotony."  These words have stayed with me, whispering in my ear, reminding me to accept and even embrace this very moment ~ no matter how mundane it may seem.

When I look back through the camera card that records our week's everyday moments, they seem more than ordinary.  They do, in fact, seem extra-ordinary.  I feel blessed for these miracles that are occurring right before my very eyes. 

See my helpers, eager to do the simple tasks of our household...

a blurry photo of a determined Huckley bringing in the kindling

Forrest wanted to help me pick the first nettles of the season...well-protected

pancake morning...Sunshine mixes the wet ingredients til they are good and frothy

while Huckley is in charge of the dry ingredients, focused on keeping it all in the mixing bowl

After the more serious tasks of the household, comes the real work of childhood, imaginative play.

Josh brought these two rootballs home from the bush, on two separate excursions, this spring.  Sunshine is sitting in the fairy castle, with the knight's armament beside her against the woodshed.  There are already grand plans for the adventures of all the gnomes and fairies.

Indoors, the four season's playmat ignites their imagination.  A friend from maplerose made this beautiful work of art which is a real treasure.

Many a spring day you may find us beside our creek, throwing rocks, poking at the mud, playing with snails and toads, or just swinging.  On days like this, I sit quietly beside the littles, drinking in the spring goodness.

This last photo is a tender one for me, as it signifies the first time I really had to put solid boundaries down regarding nursing with Huckley.  He is 22 months old and still nurses on demand, around the clock.  I am happy with this arrangement, too, as he truly is the best night-time snuggler.  However, for awhile he has begun nursing in earnest at night, leaving me exhausted and sore.  After a few sleepless nights, I realized he wasn't eating as much for dinner, making him hungrier than usual during the night.  So, I have decided to be firm and consistent about eating first, nursing second.  Well, after nap on this day, it wasn't going to fly very easily and Huckley's determined streak came out.  Let's just say it was a long, tear-filled half hour...for both of us.  Forrest and Sunshine encouraged me to just nurse him, but I explained that he needed to know I wasn't going to give in on this one.  I held Huckley, I told him I loved him countless times, I acknowledged this was a hard thing for him to understand, but that it was important.  I told Forrest and Sunshine how I night-weaned each of them at about the same age and it was difficult, but necessary to the health of our household.  I'm not sure they believed me, but when Huckley finally understood he just had to take one bite before he could nurse, the tears dried and my sunny boy re-emerged.  Mama was forgiven.  Hours later, I'm still taking the Rescue Remedy for that one, but experience has shown me that this is just another of the many trials of motherhood.

Indeed, these mundane and everyday moments are what we make of them.  For me, they form the memories of my little one's childhood.

And they remind me, in a beautifully humbling way, of the wonderful company I keep.

moments from the week

We are feeling that quickening pace of spring already, with more activities beckoning us to leave the comfort of our property and venture further afield.  This week, we have had friends come play with us, we have visited our favourite goat farm, we participated in a children's nature walk along the river, we (nearly) finished a little home renovation (details coming!), and we accidentally found a lovely new place to play on our land that has us very excited indeed!  Phewf!  Yes, it was a busy, full, lovely week of clear weather sprinkled with spring storms...I love it!

Little boy blue come blow your horn...

Dancing on the pallet tower (soon to be our newest compost bins).

Snails and slugs are still rather sweet at this point in the gardening season.  By August, not so much.

On the spur of the moment, we decided to clear an area lower down our creek for a better compost system.  Josh used his brushsaw and his chainsaw to take out some stubborn hawthorn bushes and suddenly we discovered a whole new world.  As we raked and stoked a fire to burn all the nasty little thorny branches, Forrest used the clippers to make a path into the woods beside the creek, whereupon we discovered the perfect branch for making a swing.  With a quick hole drilled into a branch and a piece of climbing rope slung over teh branch, we had a daring little swing that even holds me!  Our little creek has begun to swell, and just overnight with the rains washing down some snow further up the mountain, the quiet murmur has been replaced with a raucous babbling.  How exciting to swing out over the rushing water on a branch swing...

Huckley insisted on trying it, too (of course), but I couldn't take a photo as I was holding him upright!  Besides, he preferred to be close to his chainsaw-wielding papa...he truly loves big, loud, noisy machines.

I do think we will be using this swing often in the coming months...it is within sight of my big garden which is exactly where I want to be right now.  I can see some fun weeks ahead of us, for sure!

Friends, I wish you a lovely weekend in the fresh air, nurturing whatever gardens you find yourselves in!

moments from the week

As the snow recedes, though not disappearing quite yet (it snowed today!), we are expanding into recently uncovered areas to play.  Once again, we found ourselves drawn to the shop, to be close to papa and hear the buzz of his saw.  Before he begins his first contract of the season next week, he is working on a little home renovation ~ of the inexpensive variety...love those!!!

But over the bridge and to the shop we go...to climb, chisel, and teeter-totter ~ country style!

When I moved the long board over, I asked the children to stay clear, and it looks like they took it to heart.  I suppose they are not used to seeing mama move big boards around, but they look nervous, don't they?

Indoors, this little bug is as snug as one can get...he loves to get cozy in tiny little spaces, and there he sits until he is discovered, upon which he gleefully giggles!

We have been spending the last of our homeschool money...for science experiments like this worm garden.  Indeed, it is fascinating to watch the wormies compost the leaves and dig their tunnels.  Forrest was right into this activity, trudging out in the pouring sleet to dig up some critters from our gardens.
We also purchased a beautiful "real" guitar for Forrest to begin Suzuki guitar lessons in the fall.  I had intended to hide it away til September, but he asked me if I had bought it yet, so I showed him.  He is thrilled!  He really seems ready to begin...and, as he says, "rock out!"

Oh goodness, do you see his haircut?  He hadn't had a trim since a family event at my parent's last summer, and it was really getting too long.  So, I just began to trim it up here and there before realizing that I should NEVER cut my family's, or anyone's, hair ever!  Luckily, he doesn't know any different, but Josh reminded me of the time I managed two distinctive clearcuts up the back of his head with the clippers that forced him to buzz his whole head.  Yes, I can manage to shave hair, but not trim it.

And finally, we spent a few moments here and there this week in our garden, reconnecting with the soil that is coming alive again!  Critters of all sorts are visible, waking up and greeting this new season.  My little girl preferred to help mama in the kitchen garden while the boys tended a bonfire across the creek. 

Yes, indeed, it feels good to be back in this space...how I've missed it!

moments from the week

Thank you to all of you for your well wishes with the flu that some of my family battled this past week.  It was intense, but relatively short-lived and we enjoyed taking care of Papa.  He received lots of teas, hankies, cuddles and kisses over the four days he was in bed, and this Mama had a few moments here and there to share some quiet time with one child at a time ~ so special!

Between intense sweats and dozing sessions on the couch, Papa read to whoever would listen.  I love that!  He is back at work today, not nearly 100% but good enough.

As always, Forrest has been drawing and drawing and drawing.  He particularly likes to draw knights and castles and dinosaurs and skiers.  For a change of pace, I saw him quietly setting up a desk by the south-facing wood door.  He told me he wanted to "capture the sunset". 

Unfortunately the sun was behind the mountains before he even began, but I reminded him to try and take a photo with his mind and draw from that.  He set to work and drew a lovely picture of the sun setting...beautiful.

Sunshine, Forrest and I are each beginning to sew a doll.  Sunshine really loves handwork ~ oh, this just brings such happiness to my heart! 

I really love sitting beside her and hearing her chitchat away while she works.

I was so eager yesterday to plant our greenhouse full of greens, yet I seem to have not thought this out thoroughly.  Our creek is still frozen over and the soaker hoses are unhooked and the garden standpipe is buried in snow...oops!  So I'm hauling water to our greenhouse for our wee little seeds ~ garden dedication at its best!

And my oldest boy found a Viking battle-axe from a party we had six years ago...he is in heaven (that would be Valhalla)!

And one last photo...here is my toothless boy.  Honestly, it is so sweet listening to him talk right now!  He lisps slightly and I can see he is a bit self-conscious about it.  Oh, if he only knew that I would love to just bottle up this fleeting moment of his boyhood, so I might savour it in the years to come. 

It is almost like he is at the threshold of innocence and losing his baby milk teeth is symbolic of him entering into a whole new realm of childhood.  The tooth fairy has let me keep his teeth in a little container, though I'm not sure what I'll do with them yet.  I just know that I find myself looking at this boy an awful lot right now, quietly lingering a little longer with admiration and awe.  He is one fine six year old, that is for certain.  I love him so!

Enjoy your weekend, friends!  May you have one filled with sunshine, family, and perhaps a little garden planning! 

my special happy place

There are some up sides to this horrible flu bug hitting our household.  Papa was still home yesterday, and was able to watch the younger children so Forrest and I could have a little date.  The best kind of date...a gardening date.  Despite heavy, wet Spring snow, we sowed a few seeds out in the greenhouse.  It was a bit of an adventure getting there...

After shovelling our way in, we saw that the tremendous snow load from off the roof had insulated the interior and the ground was thawed to more than a foot ~ wonderful!

Our little rickety greenhouse has certainly gone the distance.  This is our sixth season in here, and it still stands, despite wobbly supports and duct tape holding the plastic together.

I love being inside the greenhouse, especially while a winter rain is falling on the roof.  I feel cocooned in a gardener's world where soil and seeds bring me right down into the present moment.  With my son by my side.  This is my special happy place.

To be honest, it was a spontaneous date out there.  Using up the remnant seeds of last year's lettuce and greens was brilliant.  And now, we get to venture out to my specail happy place more often to peek in on our little seedlings-to-be.

Yes, this is indeed a good place to visit on stormy, wintery days.  The pulse of Life in the soil is just a short venture away...it's coming!

moments from the week

Lots of outdoor time this week, though our best day went unrecorded.  In fact, it was our best day in weeks!  We visited another homeschooling family who live directly across the river from us and so we naturally call them, The Boys From Across The River.  We visited their homestead and it was such a perfectly wonderful afternoon, none of us wanted it to end!  The sun shone in a cloudless blue sky, the snow was so strong and icy, we walked on and on over hill and dale without breaking through.  The six children and us two mamas saw an eagle, ducks, and six swans!  The littlest two boys played alongside each other at the river's edge, content in their own worlds, shoulders nearly touching.  My daughter tried to keep up to the three older boys who ran and hollered and investigated and spied...it was sheer delight!  And, sadly, not one single photo.  This wonderful afternoon will be embedded in our hearts for weeks to come!

However, there were some photos from outdoor play around here...

A visit to our neighbour's horses.  Danny-boy is so beautiful, and becoming so friendly with my children.  Forrest is teaching me how to feed him properly so your fingertips don't get nipped.

This is how we travel for a winter's walk.  I pull littlest (or two) in the sled, though I'm trying to encourage Sunshine to walk more.  This day, she walked the whole way, although we had to turn around far too soon as I didn't prepare for all her activity and she had a diabetic low.  Usually, I have a juicebox, crackers, and a banana with me, even to just cross our creek into the meadow on our own property.  I don't know what I was thinking to venture so far from home with just a juice!  Here she is doing what she does rather frequently lately, sipping a juicebox to bring her back into range.  I never would have thought I would feed my children juice boxes, let alone several in one week!!! 

We ended up turning around at this point, a 15 minute walk home.  It was a beautiful day, clear skies and crunchy snow.  Little signs of the seasons changing are becoming apparent...birdsong, creeks murmuring, and even pussy willows peeking out!
With all this spring anticipation, Huckley heads straight to the sandbox while I look for snowdrops beneath our beloved oak tree.  We will have to wait a bit longer, which is just fine, as usually the snowdrops don't arrive for another few weeks yet. 

I used our shovel to clear an area for Sunshine to get back on her swing.  Oh, does she soar when she is in her happy place!

And finally, the tooth fairy has made not one, but two appearances here in the span of three days!  Forrest's top tooth was dangling about for weeks, and the night before Valentine's Day, it popped out.  I still have to take a photo of him with both top teeth out, which is so darn cute!!!  I'm having a hard time not smiling when he speaks right now...it is simply adorable!

And yet another wondrous thing...Forrest found his mama-made hat from the fall!  He wore it for two weeks or so in October and then it disappeared.  I usually don't worry too much about this, knowing it will eventually show up, but this time, after one month, then another passed, I sadly dismissed it as truly lost.  I really liked this hat ~ my favourite on Forrest so far.  Well, we were in town at the toy store, of all places, and Forrest came running over to me telling me he spied his hat...it was behind the cash register and had been for four whole months!!!  Oh, lucky day!!!  However, in four months my son's head sure did grow and so now, this hat has been handed down to Huckley.  But what matters is that it's all in the family, right?

Have a wonderful weekend, dear friends!

moments from the week

While last week was filled with flowing rhythm, this week was anything but!  I felt so challenged...by living with diabetes, by my children's energy levels, by my distinct lack of patience...Ahhh, it's been a tough one and of course, late at night lying in bed, I go over the countless ways I could have handled things better.  I know you know what I mean.  I really needed just ten minutes to myself to gather, to center, to regroup.  Josh is away on long long days, we don't see him at all until bedtime, and I have really felt the burn-out this week. 

I must add, though, that this is exactly where I want to be...at home, with my family.  I just struggle sometimes understanding how in the heck a western world's nuclear family is suposed to thrive, let alone survive?!

So this week, I have been experimenting with different ways to gain a few moments to myself amidst the bustle of living with three small people, with only myself to lean on.  It's a balancing act, this motherhood gig, I tell you!

However, the best way to center myself is to review the week in photos, and to see the happiness that was indeed there, shining right before my very eyes!

These three little ones are my joy!  I plunked the oldest in the snow, and the others gleefully demanded the same.  The snow is soft and heavy ~ Spring Snow.  I'm certain there will be colder days ahead, but the rink is finished and we are onto sledding and snowshoeing.  And yes, these are specatator sports...

We also did our new monthly visit to the library ~ how did I ever manage before the blessed library became a part of our life?  Forrest is so anxious to dive in, he hadn't even undressed completely before he was immersed in his new stash of books.

Youngest boy loves his books, too!  All the older people in the household model to this wee one just how wonderful books are, and he doesn't ever want to miss out on a thing.

I am also trying to incorporate a new quiet rest hour after lunch...again!  I could see how tired the older two were getting from late nights waiting for Papa to come home, yet they are too old to nap.  So I purchased some inexpensive CD players for their bedrooms and while I lay down with Huckley, Forrest and Sunshine sit on their beds, reading, drawing, or making puzzles while listening to a story or soft music on tape.  Right now, James Herriot's collection is a favourite.

I have never "plugged" them into anything before, but it is sitting well for me.  After a short while alone, I went and sat beside Sunshine while she lay quiet, basking in the warm winter sunshine streaming in her window.  It was so lovely to snuggle and cuddle my sweet girl for half an hour, alone.  I think this is going to be a helpful activity to give me some much needed quiet time...and the children, too.

We have also been spending some quiet afternoons by the fire playing these cooperative boardgames.  Do any of you know about these games?  They are really very simple, ranging in skill levels but many games can be played with 3 year olds.  Our favourite right now is Snowstorm and we all work together to clear the roads so we can get our errands down about town.  Good times!

And then, there has been handwork...lots of embroidery and (finger)knitting...a true joy for me to see my own children delight in handwork.

While it was a hard week for mama (and inevitably everyone feels that, right?), I look back and see that there was a lot of goodness, too.  It is so helpful for me to savour these little ordinary moments, at the very least they are a reminder that there certainly is some beauty radiating out of these three sweet souls I am honoured to call my children.  What wonderful teachers they are for me...I am truly blessed!

Have a lovely weekend, friends, filled with beauty, goodness and Light.

moments from the week

Around here in wintertime, if the sun is shining in a blue sky and the powder is deep and fluffy, we call it a bluebird day.  We have had many of these this week...

Lots and lots of snow.  It almost feels like Spring snow.

We were even snowed in at home with a crazy, powder-packed driveway ~ perfect for a little snowboarding!

While Papa took Forrest to the ski hill, the rest of us went visiting.  Do you remember being three with your best friend?  For these two girls,and a brother, there was a lot of doll play, dancing, and dressing-up, of course!

We also spent  some time at the ice rink...can you tell?

And all three of them pretended to be going off to school!?!

I busted this little imp sneaking almond butter in the kitchen...he thought that was great fun, seeing mama's surprised face peering over the other side of the island.  Oh, how he laughed!

A rare photo of my littlest and me after dinner...

There was a little dancing in Sunshine's bedroom with the boys.  Huckley found an outfit that he insisted on wearing ~ I'd love to know what he thought he was up to here!

And there was one happy, dancing, singing, blissed-out little girl!

Enjoy your weekend, friends! 

Next week, I am excited to be a guest blogger at the Homespun Waldorf Winter Carnival!  There will be many Waldorf inspired homeschoolers sharing ideas and inspiration over the course of four weeks...come and check it out!

moments from the week

The January cold snap arrived this week, with a pile of snow...and more on the way!  It was easier getting the children outdoors, with all the fresh powder possibilities beckoning. 

Lots of skating at the local outdoor rink behind a little restaurant near us.

Yesterday we arrived long before our homeschool friends and the ice was covered in a few inches of fresh snow.  Using a shovel, we made a series of meandering trails to skate along ~ perfect for playing "tag".  My sweet girl is now skating on single blade skates and her sense of balance is incredible.  In her very own Sunshine fashion, she refuses to use a chair for support, but insists on doing it her way, at her own pace.  This is her third day skating, and she is now beginnng to glide.

And this eager, active boy is so happy to be playing hockey!  Hard to believe two weeks ago he was using the chair for support.  It is a real testament to homeschooling as we have been spending a lot of time here during the week when most of the local children are in school.  I have felt really good about it, knowing that my six year old simply wants to be active...all the time!   Some days we skate with just one other homeschool family, wth six little people on the rink...and other days we are here when there are more than forty people on the ice!

Last weekend, we had our diabetes trainer come visit our home to set up Sunshine with one more piece of technology.  I think I'll save the details for February's Pink Elephant, though I will share that in less than one week we are seeing the benefits of using the sensor, a continuous glucose monitoring system.  It has taken us several days to get used to all the bells and alarms that ring, but it is worth it! This is a photo of Forrest playing with Lenny the Lion's pump and sensor.  Diabetes nurses use this stuffie to help the little ones feel more comfortable with injections and needles, and indeed, it works! 

Housekeeping in the little playspace beneath our stairs.

Playdough pie...just like mama's.

Inventorying our seeds from last year to get ready to make some orders soon.  With all this fresh snow, it's hard to believe it's almost time to begin our starts.  Though, if the truth be told, I'm always thinking about the garden ~ all year round!

Adventures in a boat in the middle of a lake.

I'm not sure words are necessary here.  It speaks directly to my heart.

 Friends, have a wintery, snowy weekend full of fun!

What are your moments from your week? 

homeschool happenings

*I was inspired by my friend, Taisa, who did a post in November about her Homeschool Happenings.  I loved hearing about her adventures in learning with her children.

Here we are, immersing ourselves once again in our regular rhythm and routine ~ ah, how I love it!  I really thrive on rhythm, (which also helps wonderfully when trying to manage a three year old's Type 1 Diabetes).  We are back into homeschooling ~ and because Forrest is in Kindergarten, it really is pretty mellow.  It is a wonderful way to step into the world of homeschooling, sampling here and there, trying on bits of this, discarding some of that.

We are using the Christopherus curriculum, and for Kindergarten, Donna is pretty loose about it all.  Truly, learning at this age is merely play-based, structured by the rhythms of the family and the festivals of the season.  We do a morning circle three times a week, and while I have heard it is a challenge for many homeschoolers, the circle works most of the time for us.  Perhaps because my children are so young and any excuse to sing loudly and do verses with actions is always great fun! 

handwork on Mondays

During the circle, we also discuss a virtue of the week (actually, we talk about the virtue for two weeks).  I used this in the classroom when I was a teacher at a local alternative school and it was wonderful.  I use only the most basic virtues suggested, like patience, respect, truthfulness, generosity.  I briefly introduce the word and we talk about what it would look like to practice this virtue, and then we use that word throughout the day/week as a reminder of how we can treat each other better.

We also read a fairy tale, often from the Brother's Grimm collection.  I spent a good deal of time in the summer reading most of them, deciding which ones were appropriate for Forrest.  We read this tale three times (or more) during the week.

    So far, we have enjoyed...

• The Little Red Hen
• The Hut in the Forest (Grimm's Brothers)
• The Star House (Grimm's Brothers)
• Little Boy Knight (Suzanne Down)
• The Giant Turnip
• Harvest Moon Magic (Suzanne Down)
• Elder Brother
• Rumpelstiltskin (Grimm's Brothers)
• Little Red Cap (Grimm's Brothers)
• Autumn Bear (Suzanne Down)
• Mother Holle (Grimm's Brothers)
• The Elves (Grimm's Brothers)
• The Star Money (Grimm's Brothers)
• The Gingerbread Boy
• The Legend of Babushka

my Kindergarten resource pile...most of which I acquired when I was a teacher

My ongoing dilemma with our homeschool year has been the question of Forrest's readiness for Grade 1.  He is a November baby, and he turned six last fall.  I wrestled with this for so long, flip-flopping back and forth several times, and then some more.  I consulted various forums, friends, and our local Waldorf Kindergarten teacher friend.  Almost all of them suggested waiting to begin formal schooling until Forrest is as close to the age of seven as possible.  There are many reasons for this, but my favourite explanation was simply, "Once you've awakened Sleeping Beauty, you can't get her to sleep again."  So, we chose to keep it simple this year. 

There were a few moments when I clearly saw this was the right decision, despite his body showing the classic Waldorf signs for intellectual readiness.  I attempted to add a few Grade 1 activities such as the Weather Tree to our circles.  He lost interest in that after a few weeks.  He also has a Main Lesson Book called the Mother Goose Book.  We recite a nursery rhyme every circle, one per week.  On the second day, he illustrates the rhyme in the Mother Goose Book.  He was so enthusiastic about it and readily set to work for ten minutes, putting his best intentions into his drawings.  After a few months, he announced he didn't want to do this anymore, and I happily obliged.  (I could just picture him in a school setting, where Kindergarten children go all day, five days a week, and my boy would be getting bored and mischievous, being sent to the principal's office for disruptive behaviour).  However, the following week he asked to do the illustrations again, and has been into it ever since.

Forrest's Mother Goose Book ~ illustrating "Snow, Snow Faster"

Towards the end of December, I noticed Forrest seemed bored ~ a word my children don't really use.  I talked to him a bit and asked him how he was feeling, and he told me he wanted to do more school work.  Oh dear, I panicked and worried tremendously about our homeschooling path.  He is, afterall, a very gregarious boy who interacts so well with others.  However, after a lot of reflecting, we decided Forrest needed more challenges, not public school.  So then I pondered beginning to teach the letters to him.  But I kept thinking about Sleeping Beauty.  Instead, I came up with a second Main Lesson Book for him to illustrate, the Sounds Like Main Lesson Book.  With a new sound each week, Forrest (and Sunshine, if she likes) draws everything he can think of that starts with that sound.  Last week was "B" when we read the story of Babushka.  This week it is "S" because we are singing a lot about snowflakes and snowmen.  Forrest loves this!

Forrest's Sounds Like Main Lesson Book ~ illustrating the sound "B"

We also are beginning to visit the library twice a month...and that is a very special treat in my little one's eyes.  It is very exciting to go to town with the express intention of loading up on some new stories.  As Forrest said recently, "Mama, I just love the Books."

Forrest's first knitting project on wool he dyed himself ~ a blanket for his doll, Erla

Art continues to be a central activity for my children and me.  We handcraft on Mondays, setting up the week for handcrafting whenever they feel like it.  Today the children sewed their own gnomes.  We plan on doing some weaving, knitting, and more sewing as well.  We also paint, model, draw, create, often based on the seasonal festivals.

Can you guess who made the pink and purple gnome and who made the blue and green one?

Finally, I recently discovered the Homespun Waldorf forum...it is wonderful!  There are a lot of familiar mamas on there, and it is such a treat to engage in conversations with them about learning at home.

This homeschool year is an ongoing journey of learning for all of us.  I so treasure the time with Forrest, when all is so fresh and exciting, when his enthusiasm is contagious. 

I would love to hear how other people are experiencing their homeschool year so far.

 

moments from the week

How can it be that Solstice is next week and Christmas is on the weekend?!  Time is indeed slipping past faster than I am comfortable with!  I suppose, though, for the little ones, it is crawling ever so slowly...Papa was away a lot this week training some of the team for his mountain work.  The four of us stayed close to home, though I definately felt the long days ~ it is such a transition from Josh's non-winter work when he often is home for lunch, or at least to help with getting dinner on the table.  I have to admit, it hasn't been as smooth as the last couple of weeks...for whatever reason(s). 

A few weeks ago I discovered that second-hand stores have a ridiculous amount of cast-off Christmas stuff!  One visit there and you can verily inhale the consumerism that is thick in the air in any North American town this time of year.  But one thing leaped out at me and, well, I just couldn't resist.  I forked over a whopping 50 cents for a seasonal addition to our tickle trunk...

Tacky?  Definately!  Necessary?  Nope.  Adored?  Absolutely!  (I'm a little sheepish now about my disdain for the holiday clutter and materialism, but really now...50 cents!)

Huckley, who some of you know, is quite the jokester.  I took this photo not too long ago and it wasn't until tonight that I realized he is holding up his sister's dolly bib and pretending to wear it...and laughing hysterically!

Ooops...so very out of focus!  One of these days I must read the manual to this camera.

Please meet St. Nicholas and his elf, wonderfully inspired by Jan Brett's rendition of The Night Before Christmas.  I'm not sure why Sunshine is wearing the sunglasses, but I'm assured it is a necessary part of the ensemble.

Outside, Huckley loves his snow trike...

And the neighbour's horses love our visits...

Inside, the boys imagine where Papa is in the mountains...

And Forrest's beloved Erla gets a bath and some Papa-sling love...

Indeed, there were many different moments this week, often with high emotions.  It was so wonderful to squeeze in two different sledding parties amongst the solitary days...our long driveway is like a luge run and we can nearly land on our doorstep with one crazy swooosh! down. 

This next week will be one of crafting and baking and get-togethers with family and friends.  Oh, it is a jolly time of year!  Enjoy your weekend, friends!

bringing it in

Every year at this time, my husband's work schedule becomes a little more demanding as he begins his season of mountain work.  Long days of work during the short days of winter.  He is at work before we even wake up and home again to tuck the children into bed.  Knowing he'd be gone for much of the pre-holiday merry-making, we hurried up and got our tree this past weekend.

We've done various things about this little holiday tradition over the years...from complete abstaining, to an itty bitty live tree that was really a Norfolk pine houseplant, to our new and ongoing tradition.  Every year we drive down the backroad to Opa's place.  Josh's dad lives ten minutes away on over 40 acres and ever since Forrest was born, we have driven our car up up up his steep and squirrely road in his back, ahem, 40.  We pile out and whoever's not asleep in their carseat (that would be Mr. Huckley this year) gets to tromp about in the woods searching for the perfect Christmas tree.

This year was especially exciting as Forrest was allowed to saw down the chosen tree all on his own!  After a few tips from Papa, he was fairly humming with anticipation ~ ahhh, the noble tasks given to a six year old!  Imagine this world if we all took such care, reverence, and determination with the simple tasks in life.

And he certainly sawed it down very nicely.  (Unfortunately, you'll have to take my word for it as after that last photo, my cheeky camera batteries decided to take a snooze.)

According to Sunshine and Forrest, the highlight of our outing, though, was to throw hundreds of maple helicopters over the bridge and watch them twirl down to the river below.  It always amazes me what the children find memorable about certain adventures...often, they have nothing to do with the task at hand!

We also made a wreath for our front door, (again lacking pictures), and I made a little indoor wreath that was inspired by Soulemama from a few years back.  This was so simple and so satisfying. 

Forrest got into the swing of wreath making and made this for the playhouse door beneath the stairs.  He never ceases to amaze me with his ability to manifest the ideas in his head. 

The halls are nearly decked...let the merriment take over!

moments from the week

A week of sunshine, and lots of outdoor play.  We can feel the energy increasing as holiday cards arrive in the mail, the amaryllis blooms, crafting is consuming most of our indoor activities, and of course, a specail visitor arrived on the 6th.

Thank goodness for buttons while Mama needs a little quiet time to make dinner.

And of course, there's beeswax, too!  This really and truly is a marvelous thing...and smells heavenly.

This week we added moss, pine cones, evergreen boughs, and rosehips to the crystals and stones adorning the path Mary and Joseph travel to Bethlehem.  I love that every year our advent garden grows in beauty and in meaning.  It is a delight as much for me as it is for the children.

Down below us on a little used road, Forrest road-boards.  I am so amazed at how effortlessly and naturally he is learning so many physical skills right now.  He is using this no-board like it is an extension of his body ~ a big difference from a year ago!  I absolutely love to watch him as he grows into his body, revelling in discovering what he can now do.  I sense he is beginning to soar...

Meanwhile, these two pixie gnomes stick with the snow racer...who knew my girl would love speed so much?  I do a lot of the grunt work, marching up the long driveway towing these two ~ though, Sunshine will walk if necessary.  At the top, I turn them around and run in front helping them steer.  If Sunshine chooses a solo ride, I send her off with a little push, giggling as I hear her squeals echo in the crisp afternoon air.  Oh, the freedom that being outside gives us is such a delight!

And here is our annual holiday card photo.  I've taken one every year since Forrest was just weeks old and we've gotten pretty good at distracting all three of them.  It takes Josh to divert their attention with ridiculous antics behind me while I click away.  Mission accomplished and now we have a weekend of stuffing envelopes with good tidings.

May you have a wonderful weekend filled with seasonal cheer!

a few special moments

Dear December, I am so glad you are here!  You are the month of excitement, of magic, of happy hearts.  Outside, everything is fresh and still, quiet and peaceful...yet, within there is an undercurrent of motion, of energy, of activity.  Dear December, I have learned to embrace you again through the eyes and hearts of my children. 

Advent has really begun in earnest around here.  With our Nativity scene and a store-bought calendar, this is our third calendar that I made over the past few years.  Now, the three little ones have something to do each day, taking turns in a rotational way.  How exciting the morning has become, to race downstairs and move forward one more day towards the return of the Light.

This little fella is full of beans, I tell you!  He loves to make people laugh, especially when he is egged on by his older siblings.  At snacktime this morning, I went into the kitchen for something only to hear great guffaws from said older ones.  Never a good sign.  This is what I returned to...one big yogurt disaster!  (With mama smothering her own giggles, too)!

We've also been dealing with congested little people...(I know, I know, yogurt is not a good idea when the noses are faucets, but it was all that was on hand this morning).  The two younger children sleep in our bedroom at night and it is like they are having a contest on who snores the loudest!  There has been less sleep than usual this week, and our usual is already at a minimal.  Huckley is 17 months and still nurses during the night...and right now, that is a large majority of the night.  I've been finding myself recalling (with fondness) when I night-weaned the other two.  But this is my last baby and I am holding on...besides, he loves it so much!  There is really nothing like curling up around my little baby at night, all snuggled together, often holding his little hand in mine.  We fit so well. 

I'm not sure if this is a global thing, but where we live, November has been called Mow-vember.  Lots of photos of Tom Selleck and his big mustache all over the place to promote men's health...which I think relates to prostate but the guys just call it "men's health".  All over our little ski town, men are sporting all variations of mustaches.  They look ridiculous and it is all too obvious something is going on in town.  Anyhow, my six year old picked up on it with his keen radar and came downstairs tonight like this...

Do you see how serious he looks...that's because he is serious about this look!  Lately, he's very conscientious about his "style".  You'd think we get out lots, but nope.  We see other people mabye once or twice a week.  Imagine if it were more often...

And then there is wee little Huckley and his phone.  Honestly, I can barely answer a phonecall in a day...if I do, suddenly our 1500 sq ft home shrinks to the 2 sq feet around me, with little arms grabbing at me, little people squabbling at each other, and oh yes, please please please mama may I use the carving knife to open the coconut milk can?  Does this sound familiar?  I choose the path of least resistance and usually let the answering machine pick up ~ much to the chagrin of relatives.  And so, seeing Huckley wander about with this useless stereo remote (where in the heck did he find that, I wonder) was, well, comical.

One last photo from this week...Sunshine pointing to her brother says it all...

Sniffles, spills, and silliness, oh my.  What a week this has been!

Wishing you a wonderful weekend, friends!

moments from the week

Sometimes, the camera card reminds me of the week we've had...the photos ~ and moments ~ that slip by my memory, only to show up on my screen days later.  This was such a week, and here I am mystified that I barely captured any "moments" this week.  I'm trying to think of why...and I suppose it's because we are in a good rhythm right now and time is seamlessly unfolding, without a moment to pause and grab for the camera. 

It has been a good week...of rain then snow with a lot of wind weaving the two together.  We've been mostly nestled inside, carrying on with homeschooling and playing and crafting and all those mundane sounding things that actually make up the rich fabric of our days.  I am thankful for being here right now, nestled with my favourite people, weaving together one day with the next.

Forrest moved quickly from fingerknitting into "real true" knitting...in a matter of hours!  I had thought to wait until grade 1 next year, but he told me he was longing to knit, so of course, we began.  And he took off with it...he loves it so much, he sat and knit for two hours that first day.  That night, and a few more after that, he even took his handwork basket to his bedroom so he could wake up and knit in the morning ~ a dream come true for this mama!

We moved the doghouse last weekend, hoping one of our two girls would put it to use if we positioned it so they might see our front door from their front door.  Worked like a charm...for Nyla ~ who refuses to share with the young Cocoa Marshmallow Puff Puff.  I suppose she'll just have to come inside more often!  (That's a secret hooray for me)!

Today we gathered heaps of rosehips to decorate our home.  I love this time of year, awaiting Advent...on Sunday my friend and I will be creating a special Advent Spiral for a few Waldorf Homeschooling families in the Valley.  We are both really wanting to celebrate the seasonal festivals with meaning and beauty, in a home-grown, home-schooling way.  If any of you has any suggestions, I would be so grateful for advice on how to make simple celebrations in community.

Almost 17 months old!!!  Already.

First snowman of the season...and it's only beginning...

Happy Advent weekend to all of you, my friends!

a few special moments

In November, at winter's gate, the stars are brittle.  The sun is a sometime friend.

~ Cynthia Rylant

And yet, in November, when that first snowfall quietly and completely transforms the yard that we know so well, then there is a whole new world beckoning us outside, waiting to be discovered, explored, and even tasted!

We also have been reminded of November's darker side...the drearily short days where the brittle cold snaps at us to stay indoors.  With a little transformation of some of the play areas, old toys become new again.

The magic of fairy-tales sheds new light on everyday objects.  Rumpelstiltskin inspired Forrest, and then his brother and sister, to experience one of Mama's spinning wheels.  I do believe the rhythm of the wheel mesmerized each of them into a quiet stillness...round and round and round...whirr, whirr, whirr...learning to take turns has never been so effortless.

Along with the snow and the cold keeping us quiet, my sweet little girl came down with a very very high fever, lasting three or four days.  On the fourth, she broke out in the pinkish lace-like rash of roseola...so common in early childhood.  My dear Sunshine has been uncharacteristically quiet and still as the sickness overwhelmed her spirits and body.  Tonight is the best she has been in seven days, with the rash fading and her health resuming.  Gratefully, her BG's (blood glucose) have been mostly in range...very unusual for a sick child with Type 1 Diabetes.  Her big brother has been especially doting, helping monitor her BG's and "reading" to her to keep her company.  Oh, how I love them both!

And in November, there is no better month to learn how to fingerknit.  Using the wool he dyed in the summer, Forrest quickly began to fingerknit on and on and on.  I introduced him to it last spring, but it was really today that he soared with this new skill!  Oh, I do believe I'll be handworking in earnest with this boy very soon.

In November, I am reminded of the importance of our home-life.  Of how we treat each other, talk to each other, help each other, and love each other.  I am reminded of how much the atmosphere of the home resonates in each of our souls, shaping our days, holding our hearts. 

birthday mama-mades

It's not a true birthday around here without some new, mama-made clothing for the birthday boy.  Forrest asked for a cardigan just like his little brother's from back in July.  Of course, I was pretty happy to oblige...the last time I made a sweater for this boy was when he was in the womb.  I didn't give myself very much time to knit his birthday sweater ~ I was blocking it the day before and stayed up until midnight selecting buttons.  But finish it, I did, and he (and I) couldn't be more pleased!
As you can see, my wooden button stash is low and his sweater is missing the top and bottom buttons until we go to town next. I used the same cardigan pattern that my dear friend, Melanie, had introduced me to and it is a fairly easy, satisfying knit.  I used some lovely Berroco Ultra Alpaca tonal, which I really love. 

You can check out my ravelry notes under a little crafty nest, but I did have to alter the pattern, and darn it, it still came out in a slim fit.  I even cast on for a 10-12 year old, adjusting the length of arms ~ however, it is a slim fit.

No matter, Forrest tells me that he loves his sweater as it's like "wearing a kiss from mama".  What more of a rating could I get than that?

I also made Forrest some comfy pants from an old pajama pattern I've used several times (I can't even remember where it originally came from).  I bought some denim but preferred the washed out look of the wrong side of the fabric.

Forrest helped me choose some patch pocket material...vintage snowy sport fabric!  I love this print!!!  It is just perfect for my boisterous, active boy who loves anything snow-oriented.

And a funny little tidbit...my boy doesn't like to wear anything under his sweater ~ the wool is that soft!  I suppose there's nothing coming between him and his mama-mades!

 

moments from the week

This past week has been a little hectic with a lot of birthday prep and celebrating.  There was a whole lot of present making, secret wrapping, menu planning and scheduling of naps.  Extended family came and went in a whirlwind, celebrating three birthdays in one day.  Aside from a certain boy turning six, there was also a shift from outdoor to indoor play as the cold weather has descended.  Balancing the energies of three young children in a smallish space can be a challenge, one that requires my conscious efforts.  However, overall it has been a good and busy time ~ and now we find ourselves well into November.  Goodness, how did that happen?

working together

experimenting with Papa's camera

kitchen help...of the entertaining variety

Forrest is beginning to help cook on the cookstove...he said these chantrelles and leeks were the best yet!

Papa gnome.

Birthday morning.  Big love.

Have a great weekend, friends!

all a-quiver (a tutorial)

This past weekend, my big boy, my eldest, turned six.  There was absolutely no hesitation about what we wanted to give him for his special day...he is obsessed with bow and arrows.  And while I took a peek at some store-bought bow and arrow sets, there was no question we wanted to make him his own. 

My husband made the bow (ponderosa pine and larch) and four simple arrows, using feathers from a grouse he hunted with a sling and shot a few years ago.  He also used some feathers from an old family friend's parrot (?) and foraged goose.

I was excited, though a little intimidated, to make him a real quiver.  When I began, a few weeks ago, I had no idea the carrier for the arrows that archers wear slung on their backs is called a quiver.  A nine year old boy told me this after I had gone to see his folks about some hide to make the quiver.  I finally found some buffalo hide that was 1/4" thick...tough stuff, for sure.  Around here, the Native American Church is a pretty big deal, so I was grateful for the generosity of tools and tips from a few friends.

This is the finished quiver I made for Forrest.  I thought I'd take you step-by-step on how to make one for yourself because it was much easier than I anticipated, and so very satisfying.

These are the equipment and tools you will need:

A nice sized piece of hide, a piece of leather for the strap (I used a belt I found at a thrift store for $2), sinew or leather string for lacing, a leather punch, and a rotary cutter.

Next, measure your leather.  I wanted a quiver for my six year old, so I cut a piece that was 17" long x 12.5" wide.

After cutting through the hide, I used a ruler to make pencil marks 1/4" in from the edge, 1/2" apart along three sides for where I wanted to punch the holes for lacing.  Being precise makes a more polished look.

The hole punching is tiresome work!  I had to rest many times to get the holes in...buffalo hide is really really tough!

Next came the tricky part, attaching the strap which I decided to attach before doing any of the lacing.  I cut a belt to 25".

Above you can see two 1 1/2" slits I cut to insert the strap.   The bottom slit is 3" above the edge while the top slit is 1" down.  I punched four holes into the strap and into the hide at each slit.  Then I slipped the strap into both slits and sewed them down with the sinew, which is unbelievably strong.

Once the strap was attached, I laced up the long sides of the quiver.  This was a whole body exercise as I needed my feet to hold the quiver while pulling really hard on the sinew. 

My husband also helped hold it steady while I spent a long while tightening the seams which was a little tedious with a crochet hook.

I used a yogurt container to make the template for the circular bottom piece of the quiver.  I stuffed it into the bottom end and simply cut off what was sticking out.

This leftover container made the template for the circular bottom end.

Lacing the circular piece to the bottom of the quiver is a lesson in patience, but it paid off!

This is probably one of my most favourite things I have ever made!  So much easier than I anticipated, and now my mind is off and running about all the other potential leather work to be made!

And my six year old...how did he like it all?  Well, let's just say it was a definate bull's-eye!

now he is six

What a gift he is.  His smile, his enthusiasm, his cheerful optimism. 

I think I won the lottery when he came into my life. 

What a wonderful world this might become if there were more Forrest's out there.  Thank you, my sweet little boy, for brightening up even the sunniest of days.  Wishing you a magical, marvelous, mighty year ahead!

Oh, I do so love you!