Happy Birthday J

Yesterday my first baby 

turned ten.  Yes, ten years old.  

Sigh.....

We had a few surprises in store for him.  I secretly asked a friend of J's mom to bring her son over to spend the afternoon with J  and to have pizza and cake.  For his gift this year, The Husband and I picked up a new basketball hoop with the help of Nana and Poppy.  The Husband spent the day putting it together while J thought he was busy "cleaning the garage".


He was so surprised when we brought him outside to show him.

After pizza we had what the children like to call "Nana's Famous Chocolate Cake"

J has not changed much in the past year besides growing and looking a bit more "grown up"


He's still:

• lovable
• sweet
• kind
• sensitive
• a good friend
• a great brother
• a reader
• likes to draw
• loves video games and T.V.
• loves animals
• a good student
• still a goof ball! 

Some things that have changed:

• wants to be outside all the time
• has become more confidant with some things and less with others (I'm guessing this is part of being 10??)
• although he has always liked sports, he's really into football this season

Happy Birthday my sweet boy.

Puzzles

Lately it's been all about puzzles.
Puzzles all over my dining room floor.
Small puzzles, floor puzzles, puzzles with a few pieces, puzzles with hundreds of pieces.
The puzzles are broken and put back together several times a day.
They want more puzzles.
They're having fun with these puzzles.

Now I wonder how long it will be before I can sweep in there again???

Preschool Inspiration

While perusing Pinterest this week I came across some new (to me) Early Childhood/Preschool blogs and sites.  I am now, well, pretty much "in love" with them and they have proven to be an excellent source of inspiration, as I have been feeling stale in the creativity department lately.  These sites are so good I had to share them. (Jamie I was thinking of you because many have Valentine projects in the works!)  


Here are the "newbies":
Tinkerlab
Chocolate Muffin Tree
The Imagination Tree
Childhood 101
Paint on the Ceiling (link is there but I couldn't high-light it for some strange reason.  One of those blogger things I don't get!)

and


Here are some of my "old" favorites:
Pink and Green Mama
Crafty Crow
The Artful Parent
Preschool Daze


Checking out the sites above got me thinking, maybe I could make some of the activities and projects I would use if I were teaching today?  It may be years before I work again but I like the idea of assembling and putting away projects for "someday".  I do have a cabinet that houses all my teaching "things" in our basement, which is mainly books.  I can store the projects in there.  Although, I have been thinking about purchasing a new book shelf to place all my wonderful and inspiring Early Childhood books on.  I would like to get them out of hiding! Seeing them would remind me of the work I have done, miss, and look forward to someday being a part of again. There is some room in our playroom, hmmm.....I could put my new projects in some cute handmade containers on the shelves along with my books!  


But I digress.....


Here is the list of projects I've come across on-line that I would like to make:
(all projects are great for both traditional preschool and Montessori programs)

• A set of wooden alphabet tiles found via Nicola at Whichname 

image from Nicola at Whichname with permission

• Art Dice from TinkerLab
• Scavenger Hunt Cards via Saltwater-Kids (although this is not necessarily an ECE blog, I like the activity and will make at least one so when the time comes I'll have a set and will be able to make as many as I need)
• Shapes and Color Memory Game via dandee designs (again not an ECE blog) but like that these are hand made and easy enough to construct myself!
• Story Stones via Paint on the Ceiling

this image is copied from pinterest

I think this is a good beginning, but oh all the wonderful things to make.....

If you know of any inspiring Early Childhood blogs/site or projects you would like to share, I would love to hear about them.

Some Days are Perfect

*written yesterday


Today is one of those days.   My favorite days are when we're all here at home together.  There was no running around, no errands needing to be done.  We're sitting here by a warm fire while oatmeal muffins bake and a lentil soup simmers on the stove (because it's a soup makin kind of day).  And of course my boys are watching football.  I am no sports fan, in fact I've despised watching sports most of my adult life, but now with three "men" in the house, there is something comforting about hearing a ball game playing in the background while you cook a comforting Sunday meal.  My girl crafts away working on her window art clings which have begun to adorn our front entryway.  

Days like today comfort me to my core.  

My New Goodies

Look at what I won!  I entered A Stitch in Time's giveaway and won!  I was in shock.  I enter giveaways on blogs almost everyday and never win, until now that is!

When I opened this box on Friday afternoon it was Christmas morning all over again (and not just because it's Christmas products!)  I found 12x12 paper, 8x8 paper, chipboard pieces, tags of all sizes, rub-ons, envelopes, and goodies from Tim Holtz, October Afternoon, Jenni Bowlin and Making Memories to name a few.  Marie did such a nice job putting it all together.

I do believe I have enough Christmas themed paper and embellishments to get me through a few years of scrapbooking.  (Because not only do I have all these goodies, remember I also have all of this too.)

I'm off to play with my new goodies.  It's a perfect snowy day to stay inside and play with paper.

In Memory Of Julian

My friend's gorgeous, precious, baby boy died one year ago today.  She has such sorrow.  Please send her your prayers and peaceful thoughts to get her through not only today, but the rest of her life.


Rest in peace sweet Julian.......

Blah

Lately I've had an "overwhelming sense of ickiness" (name that movie). Although last week I tried to get back into the swing of things with my poor little blog, I've lost the motivation again.    Maybe it's the awesomeness of the blogs I read?  The pretty headers, the intelligent and thoughtful writing?  Maybe I don't feel up to par?  I don't know?


I have been reminding myself why I blog day after day.  Reminding myself when the guilt was settling in for not posting. ("Why do I feel guilt???)  Anyway, besides blogging for my family and friends (especially family who do not get to see the kids all the time) I blog to keep a sort of diary of my interests and projects, I blog to support those blogs I really enjoy and their owners.  When I like a blog, or site, I often share it in a post.  I like the blogging "community"  I feel it connects people with similar interests.  I live in New England and can "talk" with a mom in New Zealand.  How else would I ever get the chance to "meet" someone from New Zealand?  It's not likely in my everyday life.  I also have met people close to home.  By joining Heather's 30 Day Vegan community last August I "met" Jamie.  We have much in common.  She lives a town over and we plan to meet in person soon.  What are the chances I would have met Jamie if it weren't for blogging?


Because of blogs, I became interested in Montessori Education and now have a diploma and can teach in a Montessori Preschool/Kindergarten program.  When I wrote about my experiences while working on my diploma, maybe someone who read about it became interested too?


These are the reasons why I love to blog. I know the passion will come back. I know I do not want to give up on my wee blog.  I know I will probably keep posting sporadically.


But for now, maybe a little break is necessary.










*The movie: Clueless

My Owl Calendar

I couldn't resist taking advantage of this free Owl Calendar again this year.  The best part is you can choose the art for each month.  If I remember correctly there are 44 choices!   

Click on the badge/button and it will take you to the post at My Owl Barn where you too can make your own!

Here are the twelve I chose:

Here is where I keep them, next to the computer (where I spend waaay too much time!).
I enjoy glancing at this sweet owl during the day.

If you love these adorable and sweet owls, go for it and make your own! I used white cardstock I had in my scrapbook stash and my handy dandy printer. 

Easy as pie! Oh yeah, and don't forget it's free!

River of Stones #6

January 6, 2012

A call from an old friend.

It's been 25 years.

Memories flood my brain and my heart.

Right Now Outside My Window

River of Stones 3 - 5

As many of you know I love journals.  Remember this post and this one? ( Yes, it's an obsession!)

I write often, sometimes pages, sometimes just a few words.  This is why when I came upon A River of Stones article in Sparrow Magazine I knew I would participate.  Any reason to use my journals I tell you.


I began writing my small stones here, and in my journal, and then realized I really should have explained what it is all about.  As the whole point of recording them here was to share the experience with those of you who may like to participate over at Writing Your Way Home.

Simply, a small stone is:  a very short piece of writing that precisely captures a fully-engaged moment.  

Here's a more detailed excerpt from the article:

A small stone is a very short piece of writing which describes something as precisely as possible. It can be in verse (like a poem), or it can simply be a sentence or two. You might keep a small notebook in your purse or by your bedside table to begin collecting the small stones you notice throughout your day.

There are three simple steps to creating a small stone.

1. Keep your ears, eyes, nose, fingers, taste-buds and mind open.
2. Observe something closely.
3. Write it down.

A small stone might be a description of a pink sunset, or the noise of your cat’s rumbling purr. It might be the sheen of a bright green apple under your fingertips, or an overheard snippet of conversation about rock-climbing.

The most important part of writing small stones is noticing them in the first place. They encourage us to look outside ourselves, and to notice what’s around us. If we can remember to pause in the middle of our busy days, small stones will appear to us.

My small stones for the past couple days:


January 5, 2012

He's home.  It's just the two of us.  
This never happens with three children.  

He may be sick but we're together and alone.  

Everyone deserves some quiet time with their mom. 

January 4, 2012

Today laundry and the small of Tide,  

the smell reminds me of Liz.  

The same smell brings her memories of her baby. 

Sadness falls upon my heart.

She is always in my prayers.

January 3, 2012

Early morning, snowflakes fall.

It's cold.

It finally feels like winter.

What would your small stone be for today?

Santa Was Good to Me

YAY! New dishes! The first new set in 14 years!!

Thank you Santa (The Husband!!)

River of Stones #2

January 2, 2012

Steam rises from my mug

Thee cups of hot green tea

Soothes and heals me today

River Of Stones

January 1, 2012:

Together they play Harry Potter using what's on hand for wands and capes. 

Imagination, and cooperation at it's best.  

Christmas Break from H. E. Double Hockey Sticks

Well my friends I didn't intend to be away so long but the Monday after Christmas the puking began. First A, then C, then The Husband had a horrific stomach ache and dizziness.  He slept for three days straight. And lastly myself.  I was sick for about 24 hours with what I can only describe as "flu like".  Headache from hell, stomach ache, and muscle soreness.  J was sick before Christmas, he did not puke but had some sickness in his tummy and the "other end". (I'm sure he'll appreciate me writing about that to be out there in the world wide web forever)  Anyway, we are on the mend.  Thank goodness.  


I have to admit I am a bit disappointed that we all had to be sick during Christmas break.  The only week we are all home together.  The kids had sleepovers planned and some other things I wanted to do with them, which thankfully they didn't know about (lessens the sadness).  All had to be canceled.  A huge bummer.  


The Husband also had a list of things to do around the house which I was also excited about getting done. Alas, they too could not be completed. 


Although we were sick and had some disappointed between us all, it was nice to be here together. We all huddled under out blankets in the family room.  We watched the last Harry Potter movie, the children drew pictures and played some card games.  There was a lot of reading. It was peaceful and quiet and most importantly for me, we were here together.  


In the years past we would have several friends over with their children and my mom and her husband would come over too.  We eat and drink, talk and laugh.  It's always been fun even though no one has ever stayed till midnight!  Isn't that funny for a New Years party?   Obviously since we have just recovered from the pukes from hell, we've decided to skip the small gathering for this year.  


I know it's only January 1st, but I already have my fingers crossed and I'm sending out some "no sicky" vibes to the universe and maybe, just maybe, next year will be sick free.  

Friends!