Ferry Bluff State Natural Area

We really have landed ourselves somewhere very special, which I guess was kind of the point in moving, we wanted our kids to be able to run and explore a creek close to their home, to grow up with a sense of awe to bodies of water, land shaped by a river, rises in the earths surface. A respect for the land that is hard to get in an area of the planet where so much of it's spaces have been made worse by human interaction.

With the help of a new friend, we found ourselves at Ferry Bluff, which just happens to be right across the river from the natural area closest to our home, Mazomanie Bottomlands. It was awesome to climb up on that bluff look across at the sandbars (I love sandbars!) and think of all the adventures to come for us on the banks of this river. To see kingfishers, bald eagles and sandhill cranes all so close to this place we now call home, witness the nocturnal activity of the beavers as we explore, it all makes the heartache of leaving a place that is familiar a bit more bearable.

To let my boys just play, thought staying out of the water isn't their best skill, was refreshing. They quickly took to being beavers with their new friends. Hauling branches into the river to float downstream. Gnawing branches (sometimes too literally), packing sand into their lodge, putting food stores by for winter... the natural world is amazing as is role playing with your kids.

I also felt on this day that River started to understand a bit of his name. We didn't have river in our vocabulary much, but now River lives by a river and will be able to explore his namesake. I don't know what he thinks of this revelation, but he knows that his name is something we call something else and it isn't another boy like Big Asher. It is all spinning in there.

These Days

I am really enjoying the deliberate way my youngest is with his art. As his older brother never seems to stop moving and turns any art supply he gets his hands on into some animal the idea that young kids spend more than 5 minutes coloring or painting is new. River is an incredibly intentional kid. He thinks before he does, attempts to color in the lines, or paint shapes.

We are loving these summer days, strolling along at this slower rhythm that has us enjoying our immediate environment so much. Lots of time splashing in water, digging in the sand, and painting sprinkled with minutes spent in the blazing sun harvesting berries.

I really can't remember a more pleasant beginning to the summer. The shade of our yard is much appreciated. As a family we are trying to remember to focus on our days and the right now. With a possible move and uproot we are having a hard time not being consumed with the what is to be. Luckily we have two members of the family here to remind us to live everyday with intention and living in the present moment.

Off in Time

I think as soon as I finished Asher's wallaby I was dreaming of River's, alright as a lover of starting projects I am sure I thought of it before hand, but I waited patiently to order the yarn until I could cast it on. I absolutely love this sweater. Easy to knit and so easy for kids to wear.

I used washable merino wool again as these boys of mine can't seem to keep anything too clean. We have used these sweaters all winter as their outer layer when running out. River just got the next size up.

It makes me so happy to make things for them. They are at an age where they can show bits of appreciation that really pulls the heart strings. Everything that is mama made around here that they wear or cuddle with is known as "mama hugs." I love hearing River asking for his mama hugs whether it be when getting his layers out of the "warms basket" or needing his blanket to cuddle with.

I hope to continue this knitting momentum. I am already dreaming of all the things the boys will need for the next cold season and the summer knitting basket.

Learning the Ropes

It didn't take too long and with the raspberries and currants right on the tail of the service berries, this little bear is set to feed himself.

I have a pretty strong feeling about kids being able to provide for themselves. Gardening and foraging seem like such survival skills that we need to teach our children. I love the look on my boys faces when they are able to pick and eat something. Though we need to be careful as everything is not edible, they amaze me with their attention and pleasure when they are given the okay to fill their belly.

He is a pleased little boy. New to the vocab this week: Berry. And whenever he sees them he cries our more while signing please. Such fun.

River's Audition Video

River has taken to the harmonica. And of course as him mama I am so very proud. I have to say of all the noises kids can choose to make, the harmonica is one of my favorite. A pleasant, volume regulated (he can only blow and suck so hard) music. He can also multi task and use a shaker as well. this kid has got some good musical instinct.

Springy Love

I am loving so much how ready this littlest boy of mine is ready to be outside all of the time. He begs to go out at the door like a little puppy and knows that when the shoes are on, it is time. He is forming the critical bond with nature that I aspire to bring to my children, and am honored to witness as a mama.

I can just see all the joy in his heart as he makes connections and explores on his own. The textures, sounds, the warmth of the sun, the feel of mud, moss like carpet, walking on uneven ground in hard soled shoes, days full of newness and first experiences. It is a magical thing.

Oh and forest floors covered in ramps... one of springs finest wild edibles.

River's Birthday Party

It has taken me forever to find the time to write this post. River's birthday was so monumental to us as a family. To say that the past year has been challenging doesn't seem to quite do it justice. We survived and had a lot of fun and wow, it feels like such an accomplishment to have made it to this birthday stronger as a family then we ever have been.
River continues to amaze us daily. He simply is so much fun. He love, loves to laugh. Loves to hide and be found and loves to chase after his brother in the well worn circle around our home. He is now running, still wobbles a bit from time to time, but walking and moving like a champion. He is signing more and singing a lot. He continues to put sounds together with such inflection that I swear he is speaking in sentences.
He loves all food and wants to be part of everything. With Asher being such an outgoing fella, I was preparing to have a second child that was different, but River is following in A's footsteps, loving people and lots of kids. We don't have much stranger anxiety around these parts and our home is always loud.
River's party was nice, quiet full of lovely people. I overheard someone recently at another B-day party saying that the first year party is really for the parents and then the following years are more for the kids. So Ben and I needed a good celebration to close our first year as parents to two active boys.
We had a lovely party with brunch and an even more wonderful family dinner. It was a lovely day, smashed in a month of utter chaos for us.
River, we love you and look forward to this next years adventure. You growing as an integral part of this family.

ONE!!

We're in the midst of birthday celebrations.So much fun celebrating one.

Anticipation

While spring doesn't feel any closer with the snow expected tonight. Buds getting ready to bloom provide just the right amount around here.
Hoping for a burst of yellow for someone specials birthday on Thursday.

11 Months!!

The youngest member of our family is getting ready for a pretty special celebration. We are really looking forward to all of our family coming into town, but for now we are trying to focus on what this little guy is up to at 11 months.

Walking, walking, walking... he is all over the place though he will crawl if he needs to make a beeline for anything in particular. He also is standing himself up in the middle of the room.

Most interesting is his new obsession with the alphabet song. Ben always signs it to him, and for the past couple of weeks I swear I heard him say "H, I, J, K" now he does that tune while moving his fingers trying to sign the letters. I am shocked with how recognizable the tune is for me, as I feel Asher is just now really carrying a tune well.

He signs for more, is pointing more and more, saying hi-when he feels like it, bye as well. Is finally discovering his fondness for books. Loves things with wheels, nursing and food.

Fun with One Kid

We were so lucky again this year to have some Asher free time. We love him, really, but we can't get all that much done with an active two year old tagging along. Plus River really needed some center stage attention of his own. This sequence of pictures was almost to much for us. He loved the spinach soup that the Food Nanny whipped up last week.

He also mastered walking without his brother around to "accidentally" knock him over.

Plus the signing and saying, "hi." Oh he is a ball of fun. And we are counting down: 6 weeks until the number one birthday! This final picture, really just a babe? He looks like an aging man.

River:: 9 Months!!

Our little R, whose not so little passed the 9 month mark and is edging in on 10 months now. We don't go in for the weigh in until the 17th of this month but I am pretty sure he has exceeded 25lbs. Atleast that is what my new buff mama arms are telling me.And oh the fun this one has. He is pure sunshine, and a bit of fire. He has given Asher a few pushes now and is letting him know that he is part of the family and will not be forgotten.

He is quite proud of his new skill set. Climbing stairs, free hand standing (steps are right on the way), making music with his hand, signing more, up, still grunting to poop every day in the potty, greeting his PaPa, with just a bit of a "B" sound.Every day just keeps getting more fun. I love the boys interacting, they are such a hoot. you can already tell they are brothers and I can foresee all the trouble they will get into and hopefully all the love and cuddles.