Out for a Jog

I've gotten back in the jogging groove. Today we headed to the library on foot - well Grace was in the jogging stroller. It's about six miles round trip so it's quite a workout. Along the way we saw too many birds and butterflies to count, heard the tigers roaring, watched the horses and saw abundant colorful "flowers". We enjoy our jogs together - Grace is happy listening to music and watching the passing scenery while I get some exercise.

Polka Dots

Grace often wants her clothing to "match" Dean's or mine. I use the word match very loosely - as in today's case. She decided to wear a dress with polka dots to school. Dean and I told her that we didn't have any polka dotted clothing in our wardrobe. Her response was "well you do Mudder" and indeed I do. So here's your comic relief for the day......We get to school and the first thing Grace tells Mrs Sally is "We match - Mama has polka dotted panties on". Oh how kids say the silliest things.

As a side note, her cookie from Publix this afternoon matched her dress too - it had "lots of polka dots".

A Little Tree

Grace has been requesting a tree for her nature table. After spending time on Etsy and other sites that sell natural toys we opted to make a little tree ourselves using materials we had on hand. Grace had a vision of what she wanted the tree to look like so before I got busy with the jigsaw I had her draw the image on paper. After the tree was cut and sanded, Grace painted it. So here's the finished product - the Daddy cardinal sitting on his nest adds the perfect touch!

Handmade Gifts

I have always enjoyed giving handmade gifts - there's something about creating an item with my own two hands that makes a gift seem more heartfelt to me. I have made quite a few little scrapbooks as gifts in the past but my current love is fabric, not paper. So, I was excited to learn that I can utilize fabric and my much loved photos together. My first photo/fabric project (inspiration came from "Stitched in Time" by Alicia Paulson) is shown above - it was made along with a batch of cookies for Meme's birthday. It paired a wonderful photo of Meme, Grace and I at the zoo with fabric that helps remind us of our special day together.

I look forward to creating more photo/fabric gifts in the future - well near future. I've had some ideas swimming in my head for Mother's Day so I'll keep you posted.

Meme's Birthday

We headed to Meme and Pop's house after Grace got out of school yesterday to celebrate Meme's birthday. Oh what fun we had - we filled our bellies full of pizza a Cece's, watched Meme open her cards and present, had breakfast a Perkins, helped Meme get ready for a luncheon and lastly we went to the park with Pop. What good times!

Have a Happy Birthday Mom/Meme!!!

That Smells Good

The day has been filled with yummy scents. It all started bright and early when Grace and I made a batch of oatmeal carrot cookies before school. The delicious smell of freshly baked cookies filled the house. Next up was the absolutely amazing smell of our jasmine in the backyard. It's in full bloom now and the sweet scent made a bit of weeding much more pleasurable. And now as I type this post a loaf of artisan bread is baking in the oven. Oh the smell of bread baking - my favorite!

Earth Day

Have you hugged a tree today?

Sowing Seeds

This past Saturday we spent the morning in our little garden sowing a variety of wee seeds. Grace had a great time not only sowing the seeds but also seeking out the inhabitants of the soil - worms and grubs to be exact. We're anxiously awaiting the seedlings to sprout from the soil - Grace checks on them each time we take the doggies outside. Hopefully soon the garden will be brimming with corn, lettuce, radishes and a variety of flowers. Oh, we can't wait!

The First Batch

We made our first batch of homemade ice cream with the Cuisinart ice cream maker my parents got us for our anniversary. We've had the ingredients on-hand for awhile now but decided today was the day to try it out. Grace even had to wear her new "popsicle" outfit - any other outfit simply wouldn't do. It was so easy to make and the end result was delicious - using only milk, cream, sugar and vanilla. I surely don't see any store bought ice cream in our future now that we can make it fresh at home!

Sophie's Birthday

Sophie turned seven this weekend so we had a little party for her. Grace selected squirrel cookies from the dog bakery for her birthday treat - they were perfect since one of Sophie's goals in life is to catch a squirrel for a tasty snack. Us humans had a delicious treat too. Grace and I recently saw these cute schnauzer cupcakes on the cover of a great book, "Hello Cupcake". We waited for this special day to make them. Ours looked a bit more like grey lions than schnauzers but it's the thought that counts right?

A Visit Downtown

Our morning started with a stop at Gymboree to redeem our GymBucks. Grace chose an adorable outfit that has none other than a giraffe on it - thanks to Meme we now have the correct size top! We then headed downtown - a favorite spot for Grace and I to stroll. Some treats were selected for the doggies at the dog bakery, much time was spent at Selby Library, pumpkin bread was eaten outside at Starbucks and many store windows were looked into. Good times I tell you.

As a side note - Did you notice that Grace is wearing a hair bow? It had a little bee on it - she said "the bee will eat all the sweet nectar from my flower dress". She kept it in her hair for hours, amazing!

Kitchen Fun

Who knew the dough hook to the mixer could turn Grace into Captain Hook or a corn husk could transform her into a sword wielding pirate. But it's true - here's some pictures to prove it.

Our conversation - "Tell me the hiding place of Peter Pan" said Captain Hook (aka Grace) while making the dough starter for our artisan bread. Tinker Bell (aka Mama) replies "Oh I have no idea where he is Captain Hook, but the dough certainly smells yummy".

A Busy Weekend

We're waking-up well rested after a busy weekend. The activity all started bright and early on Friday morning (when Grace and I met Meme and Pop in the hospital parking lot) and ended Sunday evening when our little family met each other back at home. There was so much fun to be had with family - time spent with Aunt Cathy, Uncle Steve and Brandon dying eggs and having an egg hunt, meeting Christie and her friends, going to the beach and fishing with Pop, the Easter bunny making a surprise visit to Meme and Pop's house, a yummy Easter dinner at Aunt Cathy, Uncle Dave and Christopher's house - just to name a few.

While Grace was being buckled into the car Friday morning she said, "This is going to be a great trip" and it surely was!

Backyard Picnic

The weather remained perfect today so Grace and I headed outdoors for lunch. We had a little picnic under the oak tree using the just finished birdie quilt as our blanket. After our yummy lunch we read some of the books that Grace had selected from our morning visit to the library. Afternoon well spent!

Special Friends

This is Grace with her best friend Megan. When I went to pick her up at school she was on the playground and simply said "I'm not ready to go yet". So I sat down on a picnic bench and enjoyed the moment - watching the two of them play together. They had such a great time - running, swinging, climbing and rolling in the sand. Oh how wonderful to have a sweet little friend!

Hop, Skip and Jump

We've been working in our little garden quite a bit over the past few days. The Easter bunny brought Grace packets of seeds so we're getting the soil prepared for their sowing. On a recent trip to Home Depot for soil we discovered these great stepping stones - for only $2.50 a piece! Needless to say we came home with a few. They have added character to the garden and a new element of fun for Grace - "Watch me jump Mama", "I can skip"......

Oh, if your wondering about the rolled jeans like I was - Grace said "Silly Mama, I jump better with them like that". Indeed, how silly of me to ask her.

Evening Exercise

The outdoors were calling for us after dinner. So we answered by getting some pre-bedtime exercise to enjoy the sudden drop in temperature. Daddy and Grace were on their bikes while Mama held up the rear on foot. The cool air and spring breeze were so refreshing - we didn't want to come back inside.

The Easter Bunny Visits

We celebrated Easter a bit early this year. Here are some of the pictures from our busy day:


......Eating a yummy egg shaped pancake for breakfast


......Surprised that the Easter bunny visited and left hidden eggs


......Finding eggs outside too - it made yard work much more fun


......Attempting to crack her egg pinata filled with treasures

We had a great day - we hope you have a wonderful Easter too!

Easter Eggs

Grace dyed her Easter eggs today. She waited until Daddy got home so he could partake in the fun too. He drew on an egg with a white crayon and showed her how the writing magically appeared when the egg was placed in the dye. She thought that was "pretty tricky" indeed. The eggs will be the centerpiece for our Easter breakfast this Saturday - a colorful reminder that spring is here!

Spring Nature Table

I finally got around to having Grace transition her nature table from winter to spring. Having a nature/seasonal table is one of the wonderful things we incorporate in our home back from our Parent-Child Circle days at the local Waldorf school. The table allows Grace to bring the little treasures she finds outdoors inside and makes her more aware of the seasons - or lack there of here in Florida. The table also encourages creative play and storytelling, two things she enjoys.

So here's to flowers, bunnies and root children - Happy Spring!