New

Spring has been full of lots of new for us. New friends, new adventures and new responsibilities.

We've ventured further from home than usual, through thunderstorms and chilli Michigan spring weather, to explore towns and cities we've never been to. It is so very wonderful to have adventurous new friends who don't let a little
(or a lot) of rain ruin our plans for exploring.

And, we've been exploring our own back yard in ways we never have before, thanks to those same amazing, adventurous new friends. (Who knew jack-o-lanterns make great pond scoops?) After a year and a half homeschooling and living in this home I feel like we are finally finding our community.

And finally, we've welcomed these little cuties into our home. My middle girl was so thrilled that, even the strangers at the feed store were excited for us and, thanks to these little gals and my girls enthusiasm, our circle of friends keeps growing. Strangers no more, they have been a source of advice and reassurance, on more than just raising chicks.

Living Outside the Comfort Zone

The chicks are ordered, the temporary housing is set up in the basement, the coop plans are being finalized and space being cleared in the garage for its construction.

My girl is giddy with excitement and I, well, I am taking lots of deep, calming breaths and throwing in a few extra tea breaks on the back porch. Following my kids interest forces me to stretch a little every day.

Fancy Towels

One of my favorite people to make stuff for is my sister-in-law. I think it's because she really seems to like getting the home made stuff, and doesn't seem to mind the small imperfections that happen when I try something new.

I started these towels for her a few years ago. It was new to me, sewing thicker fabrics to thin and slippery ones then, attaching the small strip of finicky fabric to an already finished piece.

I hit a road block and quit in frustration.

I stumbled onto the project while cleaning out and organizing my fabric stash after the holidays this year, and remembered the frustration these towels had caused. I set them aside and thought maybe, if there's time, I'll try finishing them for her birthday. I knew I wouldn't though.

Well, it kind of gnawed at me after that.

I pulled them out a few times, I inspected my work and, it was actually pretty good. I knew my skills were better now and it really didn't look so daunting anymore.

So, just before we were ready to head out the door for the birthday dinner, I decided to try and finish the set. I love when I leave a project that feels so difficult when I start and then, I'm able to come back and finish it with ease, to actually see and feel that i have grown and learned in the time that it was put away. I never would have thought, when I threw down this project so long ago, that it would be one of those gifts I finish as we're rushing out the door.

And, I think she liked them too.

Finding Winter!

We took out a seat, loaded the van, bungied the boards and squished in.

It took a couple hours heading north but eventually. . .we found snow!

There were lots of giggles, plenty of sunshine, delicious food and drinks, puzzles, sledding, a little shopping,  lots and lots of snowboarding (for all of us, yay!),

and a nice little snowstorm giving us some delicious powder for our last day on the slopes leading to. . .a bit of tree climbing? (oops!)

 No worries, she immediately popped up, hands in the air exclaiming, "I'm alright! That. Was. Awesome!" I realize one ending up in the tree is probably not the best way to illustrate it, but these girls of mine, and my sis, are becoming amazing little boarders and, with only this one trip, this one week each year, that's really saying something.

The boy loves his board too, of course, and is doing great as well. He likes trying to hop as he's speeding downhill. Oh how he wishes he was ready for those monster jumps his uncle likes to fly over. Not yet little man.

I realize there are some people who think kids shouldn't start off snowboarding but, if your littlest ones want to snowboard, there's really no reason for them to ski first. My four year old was able to stop herself and was running up and down the bunny hill unassisted by the end of our trip.

We all snowboard and, of the 6 of us, my husband is the only one who was ever a skier before learning to board.

This post is a few weeks late, I'm having trouble getting photos onto the computer right now. Issues with USB ports I believe. As I hit publish on this the frogs are making a ruckus in the pond and I woke this morning to the quacking of ducks. At least we were able to find a little winter before it arrived but, it's official, Spring is here!

Enjoy the Moment

I'm not sure where it came from, but there is a quiet business around here today.

The two who rarely find themselves working or playing alone together are pleasantly intense on a joint project, leaving tools, scraps and messes in their wake for the rest of us to discover and puzzle over, like clues to some great mystery.

The middle girl is off reading and dreaming of the chickens she plans to own one day soon, very soon. Did I really agree to welcome 2 no 3 maybe 4 egg bearing dinosaur descendents into my home? Oy.

And the littlest one is singing sweetly while she plays with her dolls and kitchen. Right now, she is "the princess of the world" and that, apparently, requires a wardrobe change. At least it's laundry day so there's already clothing strewn about all over the place, what's a few more outfits for the sake of make believe.

I think I need to find something to keep myself busy and out of their way today. I'm going try really hard to let go of my plans and expectations of what they should be doing, just let them be and enjoy the unexpected time for myself.

Technical Dificulties

Ugh, I've been having some computer issues. It's so frustrating to have things ready to go and not be able to get them posted. I'm working on it and hope to be back here very soon with some pics from our annual snowboarding trip, a Santa built playkitchen and maybe even some of those kid made gifts I mentioned so long ago.

Searching for Winter

Winter here in southern Michigan has not been all that we expected. It's not that we don't appreciate all the extra sunshine, it really is lovely. But, all this brown mush instead fluffy white?

 Oh we've had a few snowfalls, and we celebrate, thinking it's finally here!

And then, it all vanishes as quickly as it fell.

This calls for some drastic measures. I mean really, short sleeves and roller skating on January 31st!? I think we may just have to go out and hunt down winter this year.