Obsessing

As a maker of things I am often drawn to the repetition part. As much as I love love starting a project over finishing a lobor of love, I think I more adore the quick project that I can repeat, memorize and improve in my own mind- which is typically just understanding it better therefore improving the end product b/c I actually was able to follow the instructions.

Oh I love this wee balaclava. Asher was pretty quick to lose his blue one and so I just had to knit him another. The yarn is one I dyed and I love the results. A olive dye with essentially no stirring as I was too afraid that I would end up with something impossible to ball up. The varigation is something I hope that I can repeat.

And I had almost enought for River's with his wallaby left overs and am quite pleased with the yellow edgeing that came to my rescue when I realized there was just quite not enough.

Number five is currently on my needles and hopefully number four will be in the mail soon.

FOUR!!

It is an amazing time of year here. I love that we have both of the boys birthdays in February, it helps the grayest, blah-est month of the year for me so much more fun. And I love that my boys love their birthdays. Birthdays really are such an amazing time. Time to reflect on growing, changing, cherishing and all the things that we love about life and the birthday person. My favorite thing about Asher these days is that he says at some point during every day typically to River, sometimes to Papa and sometimes Mama, "Isn't this the best day ever?" He isn't so much asking as looking for confirmation that this is the best day. And even on those days when I really want to say that this day blows, his face and lit up expression, pulls me out of any funk and helps me see that yes, today is the best day ever. He constantly pulls us back into our moments of living. He looks out the window on numerous occasions and states how beautiful it is. He sees the world in such a wonderful, innocent way and I am so grateful to experience that along side him.He is growing up fast. And is thrilled that his Papa put together a fly rod for him with the promise to take him fishing this year. Oh, the look on his face.Asher had two simple requests this year, a piñata at his party along with a bad sugar cake- as in ones like some other kids have gotten that come from the store with lots of iced decorations.
The piñata was easy really, I refused to load it with candy and luckily had enough of the organic lollipops left over from Halloween for each child and then stocked it with home made crayons, stickers and tatoos. I tried very hard to simplify his birthday this year, to make it all about him. We had it on a weekday to avoid the over-population of adults and I limited the guest list to 3 & 4 year old friends. I am pretty sure next year will be the jump to as many kids as you are turning- I had hoped to do that this year, but A being A was so excited that he seemed to be inviting everyone that he saw.
We served some lunch, mini sloppy joes (meat and veggie)
Tried our best to make a "bad sugar" cake. Devils food cake with butter-cream. My first time making the butter cream, so satisfying without much sugar, and the colored decorations satisfied the birthday boys request adequately.


He was a little shyer this year compared to last year but still happy to hear everyone sing.
Little boy of mine you are an incredible little person. I don't know that I know anyone else who can ask as many questions in a row, name as many animals and what families they are part of, or get more excited about snuggling up to read a book.

Into the Woods:: 2/13 & 23

We had our first walk in the woods without snow, then in snow again and then no snow.
I kinda think that we are done with measurable amounts of snow for the year and we are all happy that more time outside of our house is coming (just not tomorrow as there will be sleet).




I think my boys could be entertained for hours with water and sticks. Ice just adds to the joy. Where R stands now is full of water as the ephemeral ponds have returned to our woods... I can already smell the spring woods!



A is getting the itch to climb... he is a little frustrated trying to climb trees in boots and can't wait to get back to his barefoot tree climbing.

We are excited for this seasonal transition.

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.

Thawing Out

Thank goodness we have had some nice weather around here and getting our time outside without so much layering! The snow is all gone now. We have another week of birthday plans and celebrations to attend to. Asher will be 4 on Friday!!

TWO

Our little one turned two last week! It is so hard to believe, yet he is all about being two. It is a delight to see who he is becomming. He and Asher have so much in common mostly energy wise, nap fighting and love of eating, but their interestes couldn't be more different. Asher is all animal, all the time. River is all trucks. Asher likes to move his body all the time except for reading books, looking at books, or listening to books. River likes to try anything that his brother does, but stops a lot to draw, paint and dance.

We had a wonderful birthday celebration. River was thrilled to blow out the candles (finally after all those friday night candles he can't blow out) and instinctively knew to pull out the candle to lick off the frosting- he is a constant observer.

Adding Color

As any DIY fly tier would be inclined to do, we kept one of our "retired" chickens from this past fall and skinned her, dried out the skin and then dyed the feathers. I should say Ben did this as I don't tie flies, but I still got in on the dying action and through some playsilks and yarn in the pot.

New Years Resolution

I have been keeping busy here with things other than feeling sorry for myself that is takes too long to get my kids out the door with layers and I don't have any motivation... trying to keep up with my new years resolution- Make all of my own bath products. Ben and I started thinking of little ways to cut costs and I started adding up toothpaste, face cleanser, soap, shampoo and thought maybe we could make a little savings. We have been using only my soap for about 4 months for hands and bodies. I used to have to supplement with some of Dr. b's but I think I will be able to stay strong this year and make another batch before the current one runs out. In December I dove into making our own toothpaste, it isn't the prettiest, I think I will switch to the white stevia powder for the next round.

And this past weekend I conquered deodorant- not originally on the list as for the most part I couldn't find anything that was worth the $8. Who knew that with some shea butter, cocoa butter, baking soda, arrowroot powder and some E.O., I could conquer the arm pit dilemma so easily?

Next leap, baking soda for the hair with apple cider vinegar rinses and facial toners! Looking forward to this switch over.

Working Boy

As work at home parents it is hard to keep "work" out of our kids lives. At least when River want to do "work" it is making a list?

As Asher wasn't one to enjoy in the delights of coloring or drawing or anything - (he would still rather stick markers, pencils and crayons through the ringed binding and explain that they are deer going through a tunnel, or across a bridge) River is quite the opposite and requests to color numerous times a day.

I started watching him a little bit more closely over the last month and was shocked at how accurately he holds his writing utensils, and what close writing he does, lots of w's around here.

I think that was about the lamest post ever... what can I say, things are slow going around here. Luckily our first birthday week will be kicking off to spice things up in our home - we sure are feeling the winter grays here big time.

Enjoying the Storm

While we aren't going to get hit with the biggest part of the storm snow wise, I am sure we won't be disappointed with the cold or wind around here.

Yesterdays ice/snow/hail was aweseme. It was so loud and when shoveled was like sand as every piece kept its shape.

Hope everyone stays warm.