blocks and fiddlestix

when i say everyday- i mean it.


they dont stop.


i often think- we could survive in an isolation cube for years if we had craft supplies, fiddlestix and wooden blocks.


simple. soooooo simple.


their fancy expensive toys get pulled out weekly.... for sure...


but these basics continue to stimulate all three ages and stages for hours each day.

These pictures are from yesterday, and as i type this- they are spread out on the floor- drawing- in a circle of wooden blocks.....






and this was my most precious mama moment of the day- olive wanted to snuggle... and she grabbed on and passed OUT. she held to me like this as she slept for and hour straight. i finally had to readjust my arm as it was getting a cramp... but i cherished every nano second of it.

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what an everyday is lately...

campground playgrounds



crafts, tea and snacks....


fiddlestix.... they LOVE the fiddlestix


more drawing. always more drawing. send paper. its like gold here. i saw clearance paper at target and bought an entire bin. we recycle- we reuse- we build fire starter boxes... it never goes to waste. we are very careful.


send paper- even your used paper- we can use it. :)

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the baby. the dude.

he is my little man.

he plays fairies and dragons and dollhouse, he has a baby doll that he fiercly wears in a sling and backpack and he is also the chief engineer of all things construction.

he will sit and listen to any book- from novels im reading aloud to the girls or to construction and dinosaur themed board books.


he reads to himself if we are all busy.


he sings the theme songs to his favourite shows- and its heart melting.





and he is pretty much in endless hopeless love with his sisters.


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my middle

olive turned 4 in the spring.

she is inquisitive, sensitive, snuggly, loving, determined, STRONG, 2,000 steps ahead of you always, emotional, and seriously brilliant.



she is always on a mission. of her own. and you are lucky as hell if she asks you to join. and you always say yes. :)

he current loves are pokemon, my little ponies, magic pony carousel books, being a ballerina, wearing tutus and rain boots, singing, and hula hooping.

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eldest

Keira turned 7 this summer. She is exactly everything i thought and also exactly so much i couldnt have imagined. She grows more and more independent by the moment.




she is a free spirit, and artist, a writer, a producer and director. She is obsessed with all things ancient egypt and pokemon. She has a collection of littlest pet shops and squinkies that you wouldnt believe and she is my best friend. We hang out more than most BFFs i know. and its perfect.


this is a beeswax painting we made the other night- all from her imagination and curiosity- i did NO leading with this.



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the calm home

i have known for a very long time, that i need things to be organized to have a sense of peace about the day.


the one thing that has continuously tripped me up since becoming a mother, has been writing/drawing utensils....


they.



go.



everywhere.


a child cannot, seemingly, pick through a container- they need to dump it.



so, now, i bring you- jens sanity saver.


this clearance bucket

for only $3- its heavy enough to not be easily or accidentaly knocked over. and- the colored pencils, markers and pens are stood on end so they can see what they need. The crayons are in a big enough portion to be knocked around and sorted through.


and they still pull a bunch of stuff out and it ends up on the floor- but having a neatly organized home for all things makes clean up a 5minute or less thing.

best idea i have ever had.



I have said before- we are living in a serious nature immersion program. :) every morning, while walking the dogs- there are footprints and acorns and pinecones and leaves and flowers and horses and ocean waves crashing. Its also right next to a protected snowy plover (look it up- so interesting) nesting site- so the BIRDS! there are SO. MANY. BIRDS to watch.

we always end up bringing something home to examine.

these are keiras finds for her nature journal.



before and after.



and then, of course, the 100% humidity and mist makes for easy digging....


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around the home...

we have had quite the creative bug nipping at us lately...



Ive been knitting up things with the last of my yarn stash....



the kids have all been drawing, coloring, painting little elves....


and perfect yoginis....

and hula hoopers.....



cedric is the gluing champion. any craft involving glue and he will take it to the next level...

we are living in a little dream like place right near the ocean... surrounded by forests and deer, cougars, skunks, raccoons.... the kids love being outside- during the day :)






seriously, doesnt he look like a little architect here?

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Let's pretend this was posted last week :)

Let's pretend that I've been posting all along!

I'll never catch up!

So I'm just starting anew!

Yesterday, we celebrated "Not Back to School Day!"

For the past month, every commercial is "back to school!" this and "back to school" that.

So we decided to hit the sales and enjoy the empty places!

We went to office depot and picked up craft supplies, went to target and shopped the clearance back to school section, we went to the library and TWO parks, michaels- where there were huge $2 grab bags- and then came home and watches Harry Potter!!!


Good day!
















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