Playing In The Blizzard

I just sent my children out to play in a blizzard.
Was it wise? I don't know.
But I do know that I needed some quiet and they needed to run and get rid of some energy.
So I did it, and you know what? They haven't come back yet. They seem to be enjoying it in fact.
It's really not so bad here in the woods, surrounded by trees so the wind doesn't blow as hard. The snow is coming down sideways,however, and I'm thinking Heidi will sufficiently release cabin-fever-itis by trying to shovel a path to the door. The one that's covered by a large overhang yet had snow come rushing in when I opened it.
Yes,I just sent my children out to play in a blizzard, something my California self thought I'd never say.

I Love This Age

The best reward for picking up toys is... mopping the floor!

Playing With Food

Occasionally I break out of the rut of boring snacks and suppers and have a little more fun with food. This is the girls current favorite snack, Mr Crab: Cut the top off an apple,then cut the rest into eighths. One marshmallow broken in half plus two chocolate chips or raisins for the eyes.

Then just sit back and listen to exclamations of delight!

Pretty Princesses

Colored Rice

It's a marvelous crafting medium. Requires some fine motor skills, but doesn't fly all about with the slightest puff of air like glitter. I had the girls tell me what they wanted to make, I outlined that shape with glue, then let them apply rice as desired.

Heidi's picture:

Hannah's picture:

To color the rice I just mixed it with a few drops of food coloring. If you wish to try this yourself, I would suggest wearing gloves or mixing it in a plastic bag. Either that or put up with many questions about designer fingers like I did for the next couple of days.

Family Fun

We are all loving that Daddy gets to be home in the evenings this year. 'Though I suspect myself to be happiest of all.

Heidi Amongst the Grasses

Little Man

Hannah Paints

Heidi's Sock Puppet

A project she thought of and completed almost entirely on her own!

Heidi's New Favorite Dress (and it's not a princess one!)

Auntie Summer brought Heidi a delightful dress from Africa (I think Kenya) when she came to visit. It fits her perfectly, but was a little cool for fall and winter here so I sewed an under dress for her from the same pattern as her nightgown out of brown cotton. She loves it and wants to wear it everywhere, church, the doctor's office, the grocery store...

She doesn't exactly look African, but I think it's pretty cute on her anyway.

Meet Dandelion

Since she's lasted for more than a week, I decided it's time to introduce her.
People of Blogland, meet our new kitty Dandelion. Her name was an issue of hot debate around here. Heidi wanted "Miriam" like the last kitty who disappeared after a few days (Miriam, apparently, is the perfect name, as in, "I wish you would have named me Miriam, didn't you even think of it?!") while Hannah was set on "Baby" ("She a baby kitty, Momma" being her very reasonable explanation). One day Heidi suddenly suggested Dandelion and Hannah said "O-tay, Dani-lion", so Dandelion it is.

As much as Heidi likes her, I think it's Hannah who will become our critter girl. Every time she's outside the cat is either following her around...

or she's carrying it.

I'm really hoping she makes a difference in our prolific rodent population.

Levi: 3 Months

New Nightgowns

Heidi is into all things dresses. preferably gowns, everything she wears of her own volition includes a skirt. Everything she does, Hannah wants to do too. This was a bit of a problem at night because the weather's turning chilly and the only nightgowns owned were short sleeved. I pulled some flannel out of my stash and somehow squeezed in time to make the girls some cozy nightwear. I think I'll have to find time to make another set, these are being well loved!

One Man's Junk...

Want to see my latest treasure? Karl found it on a recent trip to the dump.

A good scrub and some air in the tires later and I have new stroller.

Hooray for a scavenger husband!

Hazzard #36 Of Having Big Sisters

They make jewelry and dress you in it before you're big enough to protest.