Inspiration

Just because. =)



Our Snow Queen received a fabulous sleigh and reindeer underneath the tree! It was an exciting time for Her Highness.

Have you seen Molly's blog before? It feels absolutely magical. Her beeswax acorns are first on my list for crafting when we start up our morning lessons again!



Speaking of which, here is a picture of my Big Kid in his Star Boy hat for St. Lucia's day! Which I know was over two weeks ago, but apparently I'm moving rather slowly as far as uploading and editing pictures these days.

Long Winter's Nap

In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer.
Albert Camus



There is nothing like being all tuckered out after a nice, satisfying week of friends and family.

Wishing you a belated Merry Solstice!

Candy

Just look at these wonderful lollipops I found at Whole Foods--artificial color and flavor-free! My kids were in heaven.



As you can see.

Evolution

I feel as if our play room is growing more and more inspired by natural materials and our quieter rhythm in this season of our lives.



Likewise, I can't get over the light in this room...it's so white and bright in the winter! I love to discover new things about our home, making it feel truly more like ours.

My Boys (and my girl!)

The little one loves his window. And his curtains. And the ceiling fan! So very, very entertaining for the under 100 days old crowd.



The big one loves birthdays! And presents! And cake! And making wishes and blowing out candles! I can't say I blame him--all of those things are on my favorites list as well.



My girl loves nature and leaves and climbing. And me! (She says I love you too, mama at the end of the video.)

I don't think I could be more blessed.

Cheer

A preview of our holiday card, executed and designed by myself, and finally ordered last night!



Are you in the holiday spirit yet?

Advent

How is it December? This season of our life just seems to be flying by, without even a word or thought to acknowledge its passing.



My smallest boy is now three months old. I can scarcely believe it. It amazes me how much of his personality is already completely formed. I couldn't ask for a sweeter, more even-tempered third child.



My girl is almost two and she is definitely enjoying her freedom as the middle child and only other female. "Boys!" is one of her favorite exclamations, dare I say stated with quite a bit disdain. Oh, my dear. You have no idea.



Liam is very excited about the holidays. We are doing our advent activities with our morning home school work, in addition to two advent calendars. Since we celebrate St. Nick's Day, the Winter Solstice, and Christmas, we have quite a full month ahead of us! This weekend, we have a Holiday Faire to attend at the Cincinnati Waldorf School. I am so excited for him since this will be his first experience at the Waldorf school--the only school we would seriously consider if we decide homeschooling is not right for us.

This week is full of ornament making, holiday book reading, some baking and definitely a lot of singing. How about another round of "Deck the Halls" for everyone?

Thankful

There is nothing like hearing "I am thankful for Mommy" at a fabulous dinner table full of friends and family. I am thankful for you too, my dear boy.

Speeding Up

So many things are happening at this time of year that it sometimes feels as if we've been swept away and completely unable to adjust our course. Liam's birthday is next Tuesday and while my big four year old is excited my feelings are running more of the bittersweet variety. Then, we have a vegan Thanksgiving event here at our home with friends, then St. Nick's Day and the Solstice, followed by Christmas, the New Year and Isla's second birthday! Whew.

In these incredibly busy times, I have a tendency to shut down. I get overwhelmed at the noise, the amount of people invading my space, the needs and wants of my children magnified by their excitement and enthusiasm for what is to come. I need to remember to slow down, to not be swept away, to take a minute and celebrate the beauty of the coming winter, anticipate the return of light at the solstice and truly enjoy the wonder on my little ones' faces.

Leaves

This boy! He is quite tolerant, even of my obsession with sticking him in great piles of leaves.



I love his expressions! Watching him mature from my squishy newborn to this, this LITTLE PERSON is fantastic!

Marbles

I submitted our play room for the Small Kids, Big Color contest at Ohdeedoh. Fingers crossed!

Wow

Another great giveaway from Garden Mama. I draw so much inspiration from her blog I don't even know where to begin!

2 Months

As of Friday, Calum was two months old!



How do you pick the best one? It's definitely impossible for me.

Chub

Happy Halloween

We had a wonderful time tonight--not trick or treating, per se, but instead at an old fashioned All Hallow's Eve bonfire extravaganza! We had treat stations for all the kids to go around and fill up their small baskets and bags, caramel apples, popcorn balls, a spooky woods walk, hay rides and lots and lots of fun in the mud.



Earlier this morning we made our farmers' market trip and loaded up on lots of yummy fall veggies, all in costume. Isla is having a hard time right now and is not the most cooperative subject when it comes to anything other than completely candid photos. But! She's really cute so we forgive her.

Calum in the Leaves

Apple Picking

Leaf Stencils and Nature Journal

Inspired by the Usbourne Book of the Seasons I created a simple leaf stencil for Liam and I to practice coloring our fall leaves.



My demonstration leaf is on the left and his first attempt is on the right. I think his interpretation is much more true to the spirit of the season!



We placed these in his nature journal--a simple sketchbook we've been working on, adding any inspiration or fun nature-inspired activities as the mood strikes us.



These are leaf prints we made from collected leaves last week.

The Last

The last little bits of the garden have been harvested and the beds are being readied for winter.



I believe that this time of year is a time of reflection, of moving indoors, of slowing down and waiting and watching.



Calum agrees.

A Wonderful Giveaway

I've become enamored with Garden Mama's gorgeous blog and inspiring photos. Right now, she's hosting a giveaway for some really wonderful hand knits here.

Good luck everyone!

Quotable Sunday (a day early)

"The American president just won the Nobel Peace Prize. By any reasonable measure, all Americans should be proud."

-Rachel Maddow

Nature Walk

As a family, we're trying to be outdoors as much as possible before it becomes too cold to really enjoy it. A nature walk was the perfect excuse to get outside! 

Pumpkins and Apples

On Thursday, we took advantage of Ryan's vacation to visit a close pumpkin farm and apple house.

Needless to say, trying to get pictures of three wiggly children at once, in front of a festive stack of pumpkins was not happening. At least I got a picture of each of them individually!