Adorable Acorns and Creepy Crawlers

This past weekend brought lots of sunshine our way. I saw it as the perfect opportunity to get out my felting basin and enjoy some fun soapy, wet activity with the boys. Muffy didn't show much interest in the project! Chi-Chi, however, was right there beside me as we worked on a set of felted acorns for our fall decorating efforts. I was so excited to finally get to this project, which has been on my wish list for quite some time. I wasn't really sure of the best way to approach it, until I found this excellent tutorial! I followed the steps outlined in the video with great success, including the use of both dry and wet felting methods. We even got a little creative as Chi-Chi wanted to create a planet earth. So much fun!





I'm really pleased with the results. In fact, I really need to get out and collect more acorn caps, as I have grand visions of these little beauties dangling from the limbs of my Christmas tree! I think they make such a nice addition to our fall nature table. It was time to pack away the seashore/summer themed decorations in favor of items inspired by autumn. I really enjoy the process of completely refreshing the seasonable table and digging through my tucked away stash of trinkets. It's nice to pull out something that we have not admired in almost a year. The children are always drawn to the new display, and it was not long before I found Muffy adding a touch of colored leaves he collected outdoors. I keep a child-sized chair pulled up to the table so both Chi-Chi and Muffy can spend time admiring and rearranging the items when they see fit.

Our sunny weekend also offered lots of opportunity for backyard exploring. Check out what Muffy carted home from our tiny pond! Ok, I have to admit, I was glad to see it was dead. In fact, I confirmed it was dead before I let it enter our home. Yikes! What is this thing? Big Sister, is this one of those predacious diving beetles???? My bug-lovin' boy was pretty proud of this discovery!

Hoping everyone had a wonderful weekend!

Studio Time

After a busy week of appointments, I carved out a bit of studio time for myself this morning. I'm gearing up for a full weekend with the family, so it was nice to spend some quiet time, picking away on a few little creative projects and puttering a bit.

I've been tinkering with a few ideas this week. I managed to get started on a fall-themed banner for our dining room. It is still a work in progress, but it will say "THANKFUL" when complete. Once again, I found myself digging through that rug hooking wool stash of mine. I'm pleased that I scrounged up enough scraps to create the project from existing materials. I like using bits of fabric that appear in other areas of our lives - the apple fabric from Chi-Chi and Muffy's aprons, the old yellow sheeting from a grocery bag project, the hens and chicks print from the boys' quilts. It seems to tie all aspects of our family life together.

I've had rainbows on my mind lately, thanks to Muffy's rainbow/hose science experiment this week. I dropped by The Loop on Barrington Street in Halifax yesterday. I was in the city for an appointment, and decided to treat myself to a bit of wool. I picked up a some lovely raw fleece in a rainbow of colors. I'm hoping to make some felted acorns very soon!

Last night I found my hands feeling restless, and in need of a quick, mindless little project. I've been wanting to make a set of rainbow gnomes for the boys for quite a long time. Once again, I was so happy to have all the necessary materials on hand. It was a great use of leftover yarn scraps. I was able to crochet the little suits quite quickly and easily. I love quick little projects like this and find them so satisfying. This morning I topped each gnome off with an acorn cap. My husband laughed when he saw them! He commented thatthey look like they're wearing French berets! I guess this is appropriate since the boys are learning French. They can practise their French colors with them! I may give them to Muffy for his birthday, or I may just pull them out as a fun surprise to brighten up a rainy day.

I also crocheted a cuddly rainbow ball for a friend's baby. I have not made one of these balls in a very long time. They are really ideal for toddlers as they are easy to grasp and so warm and soft. A great quick and easy project to satisfy a creative urge.

Anyone else feeling creative these days? Maybe there is something in that fall air (:

Keeping the Spirit Alive

My sweet baby Muffy attended primary orientation at "big school" last week. Mama's poor heart is aching at the thought of her littlest boarding the big yellow bus in the fall. My emotions, of course, are purely selfish in nature, as I know this boy is so ready to embark on a new journey, face new challenges and make new friends. I will get over it, but for the time being I am savoring the sweet and special one-on-one time we share together.

Muffy currently attends the most wonderful, amazing and inspiring Montessori preschool twice a week. When both boys were still in diapers, I became fascinated with the Montessori approach and felt a deep connection with the philosophies and teaching methods used. I was THRILLED to have the opportunity to send both boys to this special school. I've seen both boys blossom and flourish in the environment and I feel both were so well prepared to enter primary with both the social and academic skills they acquired. It's also been a growing experience for me, as I've been able to develop a deeper understanding and appreciation for the approach. I've also found great friendship and camaraderie in my now dear friend who runs the school, and the ladies who teach with her. So, it is also with a heavy heart that our family winds up our last days at the school.

That being said, I am committed to carrying on with the approach and lifestyle in our home. Although Chi-Chi is in French Immersion this year, we have continued our Montessori language work at home. I haven't attempted it in French yet as it was getting too complicated. It's so fascinating watching him switch from one language to the other, putting on his "English Hat" for the mat work we do together. I've been doing a fair amount of beginning sound work with Muffy these past few weeks. I spent so much time compiling these materials last spring for Chi-Chi, it was very satisfying to have everything ready and set to go when Muffy started showing some readiness in this area. The small objects we use to match with sounds really do perk his interest in the work. He is super keen to spend that quiet one-on-one time with me and the pride shines through in that dimpled smile of his each time we work together.

With all the butterfly action in these parts, I also created a fun matching game for Muffy to work on his math skills. The game helps him recognize the number of items visually, without having to count them out individually. By simply changing the pattern of the butterflies, it adds some interest and challenge. Four in a row and four in a square are a match!

I may find myself back-peddling on this comment, but I'm really looking forward for classes to end and summer holidays to begin! There are so many fun and interesting projects I'd like to delve into with the boys this summer. I've been cleaning and organizing my craft and science materials in anticipation of the end of the school year. This morning, while the kiddies were in school, I set up this little magnetic study and exploration centre. The boys will have fun "fishing" for magnetic items, and I'm betting they will be a bit surprised about the catch of the day. I know I was! There's always something new for mommy to learn (:

So, although our family's days of formal Montessori schooling are drawing to a close, I will take the wealth of information I have learned and continue on, keeping the Montessori spirit in my mind and heart each day. (and yes Ms. M, I will be coming to visit the classroom for ideas and inspiration next year....and maybe a few ducks and chicks will tag along with me!!)

A Royally Good Time!

We are all coming back to earth after a wonderful birthday weekend. There is certainly a stillness that washes over the household after such an exciting event. With both boys deeply consumed in exploring some of the presents Chi-Chi received, Mommy actually had time to put her feet up and relax.
I think the party was a hit and everyone truly had a wonderful time. Blue skies and sunshine most certainly have that effect on people. The party was short and sweet and was wrapped up in about an hour and a half. Everyone had a chance to spend lots of time outdoors, running, laughing and just being boys. Good old Uncle P deserves a big thank you for playing the part of the evil dragon on the knight's quest. Allowing himself to be attacked by eleven little boys yielding swords was self-sacrificing and truly appreciated!

For anyone who might be interested, here is the link for the dragon cake instructions. I served it with sparklers flaming from the nostrils, which the children really enjoyed. It might look complicated and impressive, but when you break it down, it's super simple and easy. The key is freezing before frosting! I'm imagining major frustration trying to decorate the small crumbling parts otherwise. The only "roadblock" I encountered was trying to figure out how to create a cool set of wings. Thanks to my good friend Ms. M. for her fruit roll up suggestion. I simply cut the wing shapes out with scissors, wrapped them around skewers and...voila!

The knight costumes were also a bit hit with the littles one! My husband played The King, and knighted each child before setting off on the treasure hunt adventure. I imagine the costumes added a element of magic and fantasy to the event for the children. Once again, this was much simpler than a first glance might reveal. The tunics were made from cheap pillowcases. I snipped arm and head holes and they were done. This took about 15 minutes in total. The belts are just strips of read fabric cut on my rotary cutter. The helmets were the most complicated, but also very simple. I used a Spiderman hood that came with PJ's as a template, quickly sewing up the seems and leaving the rest unhemmed. The shimmery fabric gives them a pretty realistic chain mail look.

Well, back to lunch boxes and laundry with Monday rolling around. Hoping everyone had a great weekend!

Toys for Big Boys...and Little Boys

This morning I woke to the sound of rain hammering on the rooftop. As the days grow shorter, darkness lingers longer in those early morning hours. The rain this morning made the bed just a bit cozier and I had to give myself a pep talk before peeling the quilts off.

Muffy and I occupied ourselves in the kitchen this gray morning. I worked up a batch of pumpkin muffins and he worked on a huge batch of play dough with his mini excavator. There is much interest in construction equipment of all sorts in these parts. We've got a huge machine working in our backyard - literally. It has been providing a great deal of entertainment all week for my two captivated boys. We are STILL working away at cleaning up the devastation to our property from Hurricane Juan back in 2003.

Luckily for us, the rain clouds made way for blue skies. Muffy and I decided to take a walk-about to assess the work being done and take in some fresh air. I have to admit, I'm getting pretty excited for the snow to fly after checking out the new "sliding hill". This entire area was impassable with twisted stumps and fallen debris. The space may also serve as a grazing area for potential animals (think baaaa, baaaa) in the future! It's great to see how enthusiastic both children are about the new outdoor space and the grand plans they are dreaming up.

With the crisp autumn winds blowing, Muffy took the opportunity to try out one of his birthday gifts. My sweet little boy turned four this past weekend. As the boys grow older, it is getting a little trickier to hand make their gifts. A homemade hockey stick is not likely going to cut it on the rink! I did feel compelled to come up with at least one small gift made with my own two hands. I created this "magic wand" for my costume-loving boy. I had a long play silk scarf on hand that I dyed in a sea-inspired color scheme. The handle is made from a piece of driftwood I lightly sanded and waxed. My favorite part is the moon snail shell! I glued it to the top of the wand to help secure the scarf and to add a whimsical feel to the wand.


Oh, and check out our boots! Last night's showers certainly mucked up the path ways. I swear, no toy could make a little boy happier than good old fashioned mud!

Freewheeling and Cosmic Adventures

There is a definite shift taking place. Spring IS in the air. Hubby chuckled this morning when I declared I had begun my spring cleaning. I spent most of yesterday washing curtains, quilts and sheets, hanging them to dry in the fresh spring air. He reminded me that it is still winter. Yes, Old Man Winter is sure to make a few more appearances in Nova Scotia, but on days like today, I will revel in the blue sky and sunshine.

I made an executive decision to skip our regular gymnastics class and hit the skate park. Any guilt I was feeling for shirking on our commitment evaporated the moment the boys sped away on their bicycles, wind and sun rosying their cheeks. I am fortunate to have access to this skate park with a glorious ocean view. We usually schedule our visits in the morning when the "big kids" are in school. It does sadden me, however, to see this community park scarred by vandalism and graffiti. On the bright side, it opened up a conversation on the matter......always something to learn with little ones around.

We also took our crafting and learning activities al fresco today. Sheltered by the cool ocean breeze, we tucked ourselves into a cozy corner of the deck and dug out the wool. There has been a great deal of interest in the solar system these days. Chi-Chi's upcoming space-themed birthday party is likely the root of it. While Chi-Chi set to work on his personal wet felting projects, Muffy assisted me with our latest science project while eating snack #3 (he's a growing boy!) I grabbed a felting needle and set to work creating a simple set of felted planets. An old piece of driftwood I had on hand served as a frame for our solar system mobile. Muffy helped me organize the cosmic creations using our reference book, a 69 cent thrift store find. Though far from scientifically accurate, the new mobile is a fun addition to our play space. If nothing else, it serves as inspiration for my dreamy boys as they contemplate space voyages and scientific discoveries of their own.

With the sun warming up his back, Chi-Chi could not resist a quick dip in the felting bucket! He invited me to give it a try and how good it felt. The grass tickling my toes, the warm sun on my face....yes, Spring IS here (almost!).

The Procrastination Game

It seems I've been practising the fine art of procrastination over the past month. The holiday season found me scrambling to complete a long list of handmade gifts and Christmas crafts. The procrastination game was played right up to the eleventh hour. Hubby and I spent Christmas Eve in Santa's workshop, making a dollhouse for the boys. I considered bailing on the project, but I had worked so hard on the look-a-like family dolls that I didn't want to leave them homeless. I'd also slaved away at a Santa play set for each of the boys including a Santa bendy doll, wooden sleigh, sack and reindeer. Where would the poor guy land his sleigh? The dollhouse simply had to be completed!

I have to admit I've been feeling a little zapped of creative energy following this flurry of activity. My New Year's Resolutions this year are pretty standard - exercise more, eat a more healthy diet and be more frugal. Boosting time spent in the kitchen and pounding pavement in my running shoes means less time for obsessive crafting. Frugality also puts a bit of a dent in that wool budget! Completely drained by all the crafting and creating, I vowed to put such efforts aside for at least the month of January. My creative writing on this blog was also included this category. So much for resolutions. We have not yet made it through the first week of January and I have already knit myself a hat and started a Valentine banner, and of course, here I am stringing words together.

On the bright side, I've been trying out some great new recipes and cooking up a storm this past week. I'm enjoying the opportunity to take full advantage of the beautiful food we receive each week in our CSA food basket with Taproot Farms. Who knew cabbage and kale could taste so darn good? I've also been exercising quite faithfully, fitting in my runs around the winter Nor'easter storms - no small feat! So you may see a little less of me in this space over the next while as I take a breather from my creative efforts and focus on a wee bit more balance!

Ok, I'll take the break AFTER I finish the Valentine banner.....

The Stockings Were Hung...

Yes, it is most definitely too early to be hanging one's stocking! That being said, I hung a whopping twenty four of them this morning. I've been eagerly awaiting December 1st which marks the beginning of Advent. For the past month and a half I've been chipping away at an Advent calendar for our family. This is not something we had in my home growing up, but I am anticipating it will be a fun and warm tradition in the years to come.

Anyone who knows Chi-Chi and Muffy personally might be chuckling a little. Hubby actually laughed out loud when he saw I had hung it within reach of the wee ones. My own dear mother also had a good laugh at the thought of my two little co-conspirators patiently waiting to discover each treasure day by day. I'm hoping they will be able to restrain themselves and demonstrate respect for our special calendar. I'm also fully aware that the temptation might just be too much for my 3 and 4 year old monkeys to bear. As a result, I will stuff the pockets one day at a time. We are getting things rolling with a set of new toothbrushes, a rather appropriate item for the treats this month will bring!

The idea for this project came from various sources including Martha Stewart and Uncommon Grace. It didn't take me long to gather the supplies as most of them were on hand. The stockings were cut from recycled wool cloth compliments of my rug hooking stash and a great old thrifted wool blanket. Embellishments included everything from vintage buttons to ribbon scraps to wool felt. The most intimidating aspect of the project was the embroidery work it entailed. A quick demo from my mom and a book loaned from a friend got me started. Since this was my first attempt at embroidery, it is far from perfect. Even Chi-Chi got in on the creative action. His sweet little hands sewed together two of the stockings in a lovely whip stitch. Those two stockings are by far my favorite and the most meaningful. I think it is wonderful that he left his personal mark on this special family tradition.

I've been both gathering and creating little treasures to include in the pockets each day. I've made an effort to include some "non material" items such as coupons for "Family Cookie Baking Day" and "Nighttime Ride to See Christmas Lights". I don't want it to focus too heavily on "getting something". There will definitely be the odd chocolate or candy cane in there as well as some handmade trinkets and ornaments. I'm a little short of twenty four so any good ideas would be welcome!

The little monkeys will be home in less than an hour. Any bets on how long it stays hung? (:

My Anti-Aging Solution

Despite the fact I've got a holiday crafting list that might even give "Martha" a fright, I simply can't stop myself these days. It's often the spontaneous "in the moment" ideas that are the most fun and rewarding. As the boys grow older, it is fascinating to sit back and quietly observe the creative play scenarios as they evolve and take shape.

On a chilly afternoon last week I found my two very rambunctious monkeys quietly cuddled up with all the "babies" they could get their hands on, playing the game of family. Well, my heart melted of course! With a ball of yarn and crochet hook in hand, I found myself fiddling away until I came up with this simple little set of itty bitty babies to add to the clan. I dug out these tiny baskets I had picked up at the thrift store to provide the new babies with a spot to nap. It always amazes me that a few plain and simple items can unlock their imaginations. What fun the babies had that day, travelling by boat to Singapore, as well as participating in some serious potty training.

Another recent project was inspired by Muffy. Ever since my birthday a few weeks ago, the little guy has been throwing elaborate parties for me several times a day. While doing some on-line Xmas browsing, I stumbled on this wooden cake set and immediately knew Muffy would adore it. A bit of tinkering in the workshop lead to the creation of a festive little wooden cake for the play kitchen. I realize I probably should have waited until Christmas to give this gift, but I couldn't resist. Besides, it always seems these special handmade items are most appreciated when the distractions of a holiday are not present. It seemed the perfect gift for an ordinary Saturday morning with the family.

Although it is very rewarding to witness the enjoyment my children experience with my hand-made creations, it is more satisfying to see the skills I'm handing down to them. Last week I heard some squealing going on and discovered two very excited little boys digging through our kindling box. What I had considered woodworking scraps were apparently undiscovered treasures. Who knew there was a leaf blower and a power drill hiding among the sawdust and wood chips? Some glue, sequins and a bit of sandpaper quickly transformed some bits of wood into some of the best homemade toys around here. Hubby will soon be getting in on the action. He signed up for a very ambitious Christmas project...though I'm not sure he knows what he's in for!

The most brilliant aspect of the birthday cake? It possesses an anit-aging agent! It has a four year age restriction designed into it...how perfect is that?

Fun with Felt

We've been so blessed with a streak of gorgeous, sun-filled fall days this past week. As I enjoy my morning cup of peppermint tea at the picnic table, the boys are enjoying a chance to stretch their limbs and voices in the warm sun. It's so wonderful to witness lots of creative action unfolding in our much-loved sandbox.

In preparation for the much cooler weather that awaits us, my brainstorming sessions these days have focused on indoor activities for the wee ones. A recent crafting adventure lead me to the creation of a felt "story board". This was a simple twenty minute project which involved glueing a large piece of craft felt to a prepared blank canvas from the art-supply store. The real fun began, of course, once I started creating felt pieces to stick to the board. Wow! The possibilities are endless! I started out with the "Itsy Bitsy Spider" and quickly moved on to "The Gruffulo" and "The Very Hungry Caterpillar". The kids are having a ball telling their own verions of these tales with lots of interesting and quirky twists. Armed with a good pair of scissors and my felt stash, Chi-Chi went to work creating his very own characters and objects. It certainly adds a touch of visual fun to story time and it also serves as a useful interactive learning tool.

For anyone interested in trying this out, I purchased acrylic felt from my local craft store. The Wool Fariy desparately wanted to use wool felt for the project, but sadly it seemed too heavy to stick to the board. I was, however, able to find some eco-felt made from post-consumer plastic bottles and was very pleased with the results.

My blogging these days has fallen down a few rungs on my list of priorities. With the holiday season fast approaching, I've got a project wish list that seems to be growing by the hour. I've been rotating my precious free time between the scroll saw, sewing machine and knitting needles. It looks like this Christmas elf has some serious overtime hours ahead of her over the next month!

A Gift for my Cuddle Bug

This weekend, our family will be gathering to celebrate sweet Muffy’s third birthday! The festivities will be fun yet simple. My bug lovin’ boy’s only request is a stinkbug cake! Yes, there is going to be some creative baking going on this weekend. I’ll likely whip up my favorite chocolate zucchini cake recipe and do a bit of dissecting. He’s pretty particular about his bugs so I better get it right!

I’ve been chipping away at a very special gift for my little cuddle bug. With the cooler weather creeping in on us, I thought he could use his very own “cuddle kit” to keep him cozy and warm this winter. I set to work on creating a wool comforter/duvet and I’m so pleased with the results, I want one for myself! I used this tutorial as a starting point for the project. My goal was to source as much of it as possible from used materials. I purchased a bat of wool for the lining and sandwiched it between two repurposed bed sheets. I tied yarn at regular intervals to keep the wool from shifting and bunching. Because my little stinkbug can actually be little on the “stinky” side, a washable cover was an absolute must! I still had some sheeting left over from my curtain project so I paired it up with some new velvety soft flannel to create a cover. I’ve fallen in love with this quilt! It’s so soft and cozy and has an incredible weight and warmth to it. It measures 60" by 60", which seems just about perfect. I picture many hours of snuggling and cuddling under this blanket over the years, curled up with a few good books and a comforting serving of milk. To complete the “cuddle kit”, we purchased Muffy his own sheepskin rug. Chi-Chi received one a few years ago and it’s been a favorite spot to play or read. Since these rugs really only fit one child at a time, I though Muffy deserved his own.

I’m well aware that a handmade blanket does not classify as the most exciting gift for a three-year-old boy! I little birdie told me a shiny, new garbage truck just might be Muffy’s near future. Certainly, he’ll be over the moon about that truck! Though the cuddle kit lacks in the fun and flashy department, I know it will have lasting value and provide endless hours of comfort and love to my boy for a long time to come. My childhood blanket, “Ticky Bing-Bing”, is with me to this day! Ticky is now a mere ball of threads, but I still pull him out now and then and give him a hug. I may not tote him around like I used to, but the fond memories of him remain with me forever. He was a constant source of comfort for me as a child. The night I went into labour with Chi-Chi, I actually pulled out dear Ticky for a little dose of soothing

So, I hope my little stinkbug loves his special gift. If he doesn’t, I know someone who’d be happy to call it her own!!!

Colorful Creativity

This morning I pulled out a brand new set of crayons from my art supply stash to add a little excitement to the morning drawing ritual. The metallic shimmering shades of this particular set intrigued the wee ones instantly. Chi-Chi snatched up the gold and silver and immediately set to work scribbling and experimenting with the colors. Before too long, his lines began to take shape and form. Soon he was drawing a family of golden slugs with silvery trails shimmering in the moonlight. (One look at my raggedy garden and it’s not hard to tell where he sought his inspiration for this masterpiece). I always find it fascinating to sit back and quietly observe my little artists at work. Sometimes the color of paint or pencil they choose is irrelevant as they set out with a specific idea or image in their minds. Other times, the color itself initiates the creative process, as was the case with the slugs.

I’ve been busy playing with color myself these last few days, dyeing up a set of rich and vivid skeins that will soon be on its way to Deanne Fitzpatrick's rug hooking studio and shop. My hope is that, just like the brand new box of crayons, the vibrant hues of my skeins will serve as inspiration to others. I’d be curious to see how different people interpret the colors and incorporate my textured yarns into their creations!

My skeins destined for the hooks and hands of rug hookers are most often inspired by the nature that surrounds me – stormy skeins, churning oceans, sunlit fields, autumn leaves. When it comes to dye jobs for little ones, I tend to turn things up a notch in the color department. Rainbows yarn is just plain fun to create and work with. This colorful little pouch resulted from my latest rainbow skein. I couldn’t resist the playful colors as I grabbed my crochet hook and set to work. It stitched up quite quickly and easily. I was careful not to refer to it as a “purse” around dear Hubby, though it would certainly make an adorable purse for a little girl! In our house it serves as a market tote in the play kitchen/store area, as well as a treasure pouch to store bits of nature on our outdoor walks.

Digging through my wool stash, I stumbled on a bland old scratchy skein that was screaming for a makeover. These little rainbow balls of yarn are headed for the sewing basket at Chi-Chi and Muffy’s preschool. I’m assuming the children will find them as attractive and inviting as I do!

You cant' blame this poor girl for craving a little color around here. Being tightly wrapped in a big blanket of coastal fog just might have something to do with it!

Gameboy - A Traditional Perspective

Summer is definitely a time when our family falls out of sync with our regular routine. I suppose this is how it should be. These precious days of extended day light hours are definitely to be enjoyed and appreciated! We are certainly falling off the rails with our traditional 7pm bedtime. Muffy usually crashes by this time, but little Chi-Chi is turning into a bit of a night owl. The little guy was up so late last night that he slept in until 9 am this morning. Is this a flash forward of what is to come in those teenage years?!

A later bed time means a bit more time in the evenings to participate in family activities such as campfires, stories and our newest family pastime, board games! Since we've been having such a damp and soggy summer, I've been wracking my brain for some fun indoor activities. I have fond memories of playing checkers and crocono at the cottage each summer (anyone else share my love of this traditional Canadian game?). I thought perhaps it was time to introduce the wee ones to a little board game fun.

Inspired by this sweet game on Etsy, I came up with what I call "Help Bunny Home". The idea of the game is to help little bunny find his way home to the forest by moving to the appropriate spot with each roll of the dice. If you roll the bee, you get a nasty sting and have to go back to the start line. I cut the board itself from pine on my scroll saw and wood burned the lines. Digging through my rubber stamp collection, I came up with some cute nature designs to add a little fun. I finished things off with some watercolor paints and a yummy coat of beeswax (of course!).

Our family gathered around the coffee table as I proudly pulled out my creation. I imagined a wonderful bonding experience as we all sat around and shared in the fun over a tasty bowl of popcorn. It did not take long for Chi-Chi to become fully engaged in the fast paced action of the game. He was having a ball.......until he rolled the dreaded bee. Wow! I was taken aback by his reaction. He went a little crazy, game pieces flying in all directions. At first I didn't know what had happened. I thought perhaps he was actually stung by a bee or was in some kind of physical pain. We managed to calm him down and continue on with the game. We decided to stick to the rules, but emphasized the hilarious fun of rolling the bee. Oh well, he will get used to it I suppose. He's still LOVING the game, though I have noticed he's using suspicious dice rolling techniques that seem to help him avoid getting stung.

Ah, nothing like promoting even more competitiveness between these two little monkeys. Hmmmm......what was mama thinking? All in good fun (: It certainly beats video games, that's for SURE!

A For Effort

I did a little “spring cleaning” on our family’s nature table this week. Ever since we set up this special little spot in our home, I’ve been pretty adamant that Chi-Chi and Muffy take ownership for it. They are welcome to add and remove objects and I encourage them to interact with the items, exploring and analyzing them at their leisure. Certainly, the table includes a few fragile pieces (i.e. pottery vases, glass bottles). Both wee ones have displayed a fair amount of respect with the items that require a gentle touch. At two and a half, Muffy in particular has impressed me with his delicate handling of his treasures.

That being said, our collection of spring themed items was looking a little on the scruffy side. A certain wooden birdie had pecked a few seedpods to a pulp and some rather stinky rotten seaweed was starting to take my breath away. It was time to freshen things up a little and make room for some new discoveries!

Chi-Chi came home from preschool on Tuesday and proudly presented his project on the life cycle of the butterfly. He immediately placed his handmade pamphlet on the nature table and informed me I needed to get to work on my own butterfly project. I was instructed to re-create the lifecycle in wood and I had a five-minute deadline! The keen student that I am, I set to work right away and enlisted the help of my young budding entomologist. I missed the deadline, but was still granted an A for effort. I realize my wooden interpretations of the egg, caterpillar, pupa and butterfly are not exactly anatomically correct. I had to use my artistic license on this project. Regardless, the wee ones are enjoying the interaction and learning possibilities with these tangible objects. Chi-Chi, the great older brother that he is, has been teaching Muffy all about the life of the butterfly and has been making good use of these little “props”.

I’ve been in heaven this past week, enjoying the sunny spring weather with the boys and digging away in the garden as much as possible. The nature table has been a wonderful way to bring the outside in during those times when we simply must be indoors! I do have my limits however! Muffy decided his family of earth worms would make a lovely addition to the nature table. I feel another assignment coming on. He'll have to settle for the wooden version (:

Happy Friday everyone!

Adverse Effects of Excessive Crafting?

A couple of weeks ago I sat down and had a “chicken chat” with Dear Old Dad. Our family has been busy putting the final touches on our chicken coop in anticipation of the upcoming arrival of our feathered friends! I enjoyed his reminiscing about his first two hens, Blondie and Speck. He was even able to dig out an old photograph of his dear little hens dating back about 66 years ago. When I first set eyes on the photo, I was struck by the simplicity of the life he lived in the bush of Northern Ontario. The chicken coop is that tiny little dog house structure in front of the garage doors. Though he grew up in a remote area with few of the luxuries we consider necessities (like running water!), his childhood tales are filled with joy, boyhood adventure and enthusiasm.

Our chicken chat got me thinking about the degree of excess in our own lives. A simple comparison of Blondie and Speck’s first home and our own chickens’ accommodations says it all. My goodness! I came to the realization that our hens will be residing in a luxury suite compared to their “ancestors”.

Though I make a conscious effort to control the clutter, commercialism and excess of toys in our home, who am I kidding? The contrast between Chi-Chi’s and Muffy’s childhoods and that of their grandfather is really quite striking. It seems my children are always receiving something “new” and I fear they will grow to expect it. I admit that a lot of this relates to the fact that I’m a craft-obsessed mom who continues to churn out toys and other playthings on a weekly basis. Whether it is a little wooden birdie or a woolly green asparagus, I’m always working on some sort of project and Chi-Chi and Muffy are most often the benefactors.

I’m confused about the message I’m relaying. On one hand, I feel the boys are constantly on the receiving end of more stuff. Even though these items are handmade by The Wool Fairy herself, they still classify as stuff! On the other hand, I’m of the opinion the little ones are learning the value of a “do it yourself” mindset. I often make the toys in collaboration with Chi-Chi and Muffy, so they are involved in the process. Sometimes they help me sand the wooden creations. Other times they just sit and snuggle with a ball of wool in hand while I knit. I rarely hear the phrase, “Buy me this”. The attitude seems to be, “Make me this mommy!” I would appreciate a "please" in there! Sometimes the orders are a little out of my league, but we do the best we can. Their ideas are quite often the inspiration for my crafting projects.

So the jury is out on this one. I’d love to hear from other crafty mamas struggling with the same dilemma. Are we instilling an appreciation and love for handmade items and laying the foundation for the acquisition of skills, or are we feeding the expectation that the ‘mommy toy factory” will keep producing at such a high yield?!

What would Blondie and Speck think of all this? Likely not something to get one's feathers too ruffled over (: