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Ain’t nothin’ quite like a big jar filled with chocolate chip cookies. I took this picture yesterday and they’re half gone today. (It’s our favorite cookie recipe!)
Another treat has been that record player we picked up at the thrift a few weeks ago. After a minor repair (thanks, dad!), borrowing records from friends, and finding more records while thrifting, we’re pretty giddy about our new little player. And the dancing that goes on in this living room. Oh boy. Old bluegrass records seem to be the best for dancing, just in case anyone else felt like gettin’ groovy.
Here are some angels, as promised.
Sweet Charlotte. She loves her kitty shirt. And performing interpretive dances to The Oak Ridge Boys records.
If anyone has any ideas on how to teach children to sew (with a real, full-sized machine) I’d love to hear them. Ivy is ready, for sure. She and I stood in the thrift store today, and had a lengthy, serious, very grown-up conversation on what fabric we should choose for quilt-making. Her best friend is apparently going to “make a quilt”, and Ivy wants to give her some fabric to help. She knew exactly what kind would be good to use, and how much she would need to get. (And yes, it was a pretty great moment.)
Asher is trying to decide if he should be a cowboy or a pirate when he grows up.
He went to a rodeo while he was at Gramma and Grampa’s house, and now he wears his new cowboy hat all the time.
Pirate…cowboy…pirate?…cowboy?… Life can be tough, I know.
“Don’t worry, Mommy. I won’t be a bad pirate. Just a good pirate, who loves God and shoots bad men.”
A tiny superman at the end of a very long table.
He really loves his Superman pajamas. Especially the cape.
Not sure what’s going on here, but it looks like fun!
We’re pretty full swing into summer here, and with that comes one of our favorite parts of May in North Carolina:
Strawberries! (Not cats. Although this is our neighbor’s cat and we love her.)
Another big part of summer that we love is time outside. We love doing many of our family activities outside (eating, talking, exercising) but probably one of our favorites is reading.
We get out the big blanket, gather a pile of books, some pillows, and pick a shady spot.
Since another favorite summer past-time is thrifting and yard-saling for books, we feel pretty set with reading for the summer.
A little boy trying to finish his big breakfast.
Aunt Judi sent Ivy a purse for her birthday. She immediately stocked it with all the necessary purse things: lip gloss, tissues, a book, a pencil, and a notebook. Then she got on the phone.
We sure have been enjoying the outdoors lately. What a pretty spring we’ve had…a gift after such a long, cold winter. Seems like things have been just right all spring.
I moved out back to finish up a sewing project: a sweet blanket for a sweet baby girl born a couple weeks ago.
My rhubarb has really taken off this year. This thing is HUGE. I see strawberry-rhubarb pie in Scott’s future, and he is happy about that.
I’ve planted mostly herbs and flowers this year, in an effort to simplify and focus on things we enjoyed the most from our garden last year.
Bringing cut flowers inside is such a pleasant way to brighten up a room, no?
I found this in the garden, too.
He brightens a room when we bring him in.
A friend of the girls (a friend who’s a little older than my girls) has been learning to sew for a couple years, and she made these aprons for Ivy and Charlotte.
Didn’t she do a fantastic job? This picture will be on her website, and I think she’s going to start selling her wares. Maybe I’ll keep you updated, or you can send me a note for more information.
And now, for some viewing pleasure! Ivy and I have been “dueting” and it has been so much fun. She has worked really hard on her piano, and we are finally starting to see it pay off. Without further ado, here’s Miss Ivy June on the piano. Accompanied by Mommy.
Sweet Ivy June turns seven years old today.
Raise your hand if you cannot believe we have been at this for seven years. Really?
I feel as though I gave birth to this beautiful baby, and in many ways never looked back. Life changed almost instantly the moment she was born, and now look where we are!
Sometimes I look at her and can’t believe how much she’s changed, but other times I can still see her little baby face. (This picture was taken at about age 2.)
For some reason I feel more emotional about this milestone for her, and I think it’s because she’s doing so many big-girl things right now. Young-lady things is what I should say. Her first experience of standardized testing was this week (and all done without any help from mommy); spending time with books that she loves (Mrs. Piggle Wiggle, The Littles, The BoxCar Children, Betsy and Tacy, to name a few); having conversations with her friends, and thinking and talking about relationships and interactions with others, usually coming away with amazingly mature opinions.
Sometimes I watch her talking with her friends, playing with her siblings,
or I take notice of the things that are a part of her everyday life,
or just watch her reading a book
and am overwhelmed at how happy we are to have her here. I’m not sure I’ve ever been more aware of how easily life can change, and how each day with these children that we have been blessed with is an undeserved gift. Many things in my life are undeserved gifts. She is a particularly wonderful one.
She often leaves little notes for me, on my sewing machine (above), in the truck, on my bathroom counter or my desk.
She rarely mentions them; just leaves them in plain sight for me (or Scott) to find later. Such a sweet surprise.
Ivy, you are a precious gift to us. Such a delight to have in our home, always a pleasant little girl. We love you so much, and are really looking forward to seeing what this turning seven thing has in store for you.
Love,
Mommy
Boots. As in, I don’t know why I never thought of this before: galoshes for playing in the winter and spring mud.
They love them,
I love them,
and they clean up so much easier than sneakers.
Bring on the spring rain, and we will tromp through the garden and plant our seeds without fear.
We will also shuffle through the snow without getting our feet wet.
Next on the list: haircut for Asher.
I love a fresh-from-a-nap little boy. I gave him a big hug after this picture, and he asked to go take another nap.
Maybe we’ll hold off on the haircut a few more days. I think the curls are starting to show. Delicious!
A few weeks ago I introduced the idea of the Locks of Love program, when the girls and I were talking about cutting their hair. We looked at the website, saw the pictures, and talked about why some children are sick enough to not have any hair.
The girls’ hair was getting really long. Longer than we’ve ever let it grow before; “princess hair” is what we called it. Beautiful as it was, it was getting pretty hard for them to take care of it. Lots of tangles, that were hard to get out and took a long time to brush. I love to brush their hair, and didn’t mind doing it, but it’s helpful for them to have a sense of accomplishment with it. They weren’t really able to take care of their hair very well by themselves. And since we’re helping them learn to take care of themselves more and more (picking out clothes, brushing their teeth at a certain time each day, washing their face), I thought it would be helpful for them to be able to take care of their hair as well, and have it look nice after they’re done.
And so we went from this, to this:
They really love it.
I call them my pixie fairies.
There’s some winter weather on tap for the weekend: “significant ice and snow.” The kids are at grandparents’ for the week, so on tap for me is some sewing and thrifting. Probably afternoons with some friends, chatting over tea.
We sure do miss them when they’re gone.
We’ve been keeping warm around here, and moving along after the holidays. Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas season…!
We had a good Christmas, filled with family (that I didn’t get many pictures of, unfortunately) and rest. Fabulous food, too, which is always nice.
There’s something so nice about candles at Christmas, isn’t there?
Ivy had her very special Christmas piano recital, in which she flew through her songs fantastically (video to come, eventually…).
Her friend Jonathan also did very well…I happened to glance at them as we were waiting to start the recital. No nervousness here. Nope.
My mom made the girls some fancy dresses for the occasion, and they turned out great.
I’ve managed to carve out some time in the past few days to do a little sewing. Pretty fun, especially when the most perfect fabric is on the clearance rack in all its glory.
I’ve also had a chance to try some projects I’ve had on my mind for a few weeks. This one took just a few minutes to put together, and it’s destined for a sweet boy who’s turning 5 soon.
Post-holiday winter always tempts me to start thinking about Spring, and there are few things more wonderful than fresh summer-time dresses and nightgowns for some little girls, right? Just doing a little fabric dreaming…hopefully the dreaming will turn into a little fabric ordering soon.
The girls have been more and more interested in making little things with fabric and paper lately, too, which pleases their mother. I sorted through my scrap fabric basket and let them have at it with the leftovers, and they spend lots of time now creating little treasures. They have also requested empty paper towel and toilet paper tubes for making things.
I’ve picked up children’s craft books here and there over the years, while yard-saling and thrifting, and it’s finally paid off. So nice to have them reading above their age level and also able to comprehend instructions. If anyone has any children crafting/art book recommendations, I’d love to hear them!
And then we have our sweet boy. He became the proud owner of a can of Tinker Toys a few weeks ago, and when the pieces aren’t used as swords, guns, or drumsticks, he asks if we can make him a guitar. Then he plays it and sings about how much he loves his Mommy.
Right now little buddy is pretty sick, though. Poor guy…he’s a pretty pleasant patient, though.
Thanks so much everyone for all of your well-wishes, thoughts, and prayers. God always provides these things when we go through something terrible, doesn’t He?
Our days for the past week have mostly consisted of a lot reading together, resting in bed,watching tv, and talking. My girls have a lot of questions about everything that’s happened, and we’ve been trying to make sure we take the time to answer them. I’ve also had loads of time to do some hand embroidery, which has been a bit of an unexpected gift. (Can’t show any more pictures because some of these things will end up as Christmas gifts….!)
It struck me yesterday how fast Christmas is coming this year! We’ve tried to take the time to enjoy the little things, including the fact that our children are here with us today. A few decorations are up, we managed to get a tree, and we unearthed the christmas music from the CD pile. Things are feeling a little more normal, bit by bit.
For some of us around here, enjoying the “little things” means loving the scarf that Mommy picked up at the thrift store. A scarf complete with “puffy meatballs” is just what he needed, apparently.
Something else exciting has been happening besides Christmas coming…
At least we’re pretty confident we know what she wants for Christmas!
Our sweet Charlotte Rose is 5. (Tomorrow, if we’re trying to be official.)
I must admit, I don’t remember a lot of details about her newborn days, mostly because she was so much easier than her sister’s first few weeks. My girls are only 19 months apart, and although some things were hard those first few weeks, Charlotte was like a stroll in the park. A fast labor, and then the doctor handed us this beautiful, dark-haired, red-rose-lipped chubby baby.
We named her Charlotte Rose, and called her Blueberry for short.
Now, she is such a big girl and we enjoy her more than we ever imagined. She and her sister are attached at the hip (and the hands), but they are still so different from one another.
Charlotte is our sensible girl who loves math, counting, solving problems, and playing with her brother.
She’s a fantastic reader, and loves to sing with us at church especially. Her laugh is giggly, chubby, and contagious, and she still has a slight lisp which adds to the charm and sweetness. Always ready to serve her mommy and daddy, and she’s sure to check that she’s done her work thoroughly. She’s her daddy’s girl, for sure.
We can really tell she’s growing lately, and I’m sure that most of you know: there are few things more wonderful than watching your children grow and learn, and to watch their little personalities get bigger and bigger.
Happy, happy birthday, sweet Charlotte. You are a gift to our family, and we can’t wait to see what this year brings in your life.
Asher turned big-boy 3 on Sunday, and he couldn’t be happier. We call him our “short little man” and he is such a big boy now.
I can’t believe he is three.
He’s a big boy, but he’s not too old to snuggle with his mommy sometimes, and certainly not too old for sweet kisses and warm hugs.
We celebrated Sunday night with lots of friends, and as an extra-special treat we happened to be at the beach. Very fun.
Asher, you are a wonderful part of our family. The second year of your life was such a treat to share with you…we love you so very much. Having a dinosaur-loving-football-kickin’-rough-and-tumble little boy in our house is better than we ever thought it would be! I am so often reminded of what a privilege it is to have Asher as a gift, on loan to us for a short time. We are enjoying every minute.
Here’s to spending another year with the most delightful toddler we have ever met!
“Mommy, you are so boobishoo [beautiful]. Cuz you my fee-tee [sweetie].”
……………………..
Mommy: Asher, what treat would you like for your birthday?
Asher: ummmm….a grumdrop.
Mommy: okay….what else?
Asher: ummm…a lollipop. and a grumdrop.
Mommy: let’s pick something else! what about cake? strawberry cake with icing and sprinkles on it?
Asher: ummm…nope. a red grumdrop and a lollipop.
Mommy: okay. well, what would you like for the meal of your birthday? how about hot dogs and macaroni and cheese?
Asher: ummm….no….how about strawberry cake. with sprinkles?
……………………..
