Weekend Loves

Sophia has been walking a little bit here and there for awhile now, but over the past week she's really started to take off. I'm bordering between excited and afraid.

Now, onto some lovely links...

: : John Holt's Growing Without Schooling magazine is archived here! Finding that out was the highlight of my week. I remember sitting in my parents' old living room flicking through the issues way back when. Good stuff.

: : Levi and I could easily become addicted to these apple chips.

: : The Purl Bee's latest knitted owl pattern is too cute.

: : Speaking of knitting, someone in this big, wide world sat around knitting barnacles, and just knowing that makes me happy.

: : Did you know that you can make your own glitter? I did not, but now I do. And, you do too. (Although, I have my suspicions about whether or not that photo is actually homemade glitter. Call me a skeptic.)

: : Levi is wavering between being a dinosaur or a dragon for Halloween. I'm currently inspired by this, this, this, and this.

: : Sweet Fia is going as an owl. I'm thinking this hat in pink and purple with an altered onesie.

Happy Weekend, Y'all!

A Growing Web

"Me The Spider is building a web." That's what Levi told me as he took pipe cleaners and began twisting them onto the laundry basket this morning...

The web morphed as the day progressed, and by the end of it all it had sucked in a ladybug...

My mom came over during part of the spider madness. She made Levi a set of antennae and wings. He was no longer "me the spider". Instead he was "me the ladybug" and "me the wasp"...depending on when you spoke to him. I believe I went for a walk with "me the wasp."...

He's rough on wings....

I do believe we need to buy stock in pipe cleaners. There's not an unused one in the house now.

Mama-Made

So here's that cardigan I finished awhile back. Told you it looked way cuter on her...

I do love a baby in knitted goodness. Don't you?

The pattern is a freebie on Ravelry. It's a top down, seamless little cardi. If you're a newbie knitter, don't let that scare you. It's really a simple knit.

Everyday Blessings

A few blessings...

: : We've been enjoying Stephan's time off. I might just be able to get used to his week on week off schedule now that he's not working a part time job in between. 

: : The other day we ran out of pull ups. Here's the conversation that followed:

"Levi, we need to run to the store."

"I don't want to."

"But, you're wearing your last pull up."

"I want to stay home."

"If we don't go get more pull ups, you'll have to start using the potty."

"Okay."

Silence as I try to figure out what to say.

"Um. Did you understand? You'll have to use the potty....you know actually sit on it and everything."

"Okay."

"Well, alrighty then."

He's been using it ever since with only a few small accidents. I've been waiting a long time for this. It's so nice. We were truly beginning to think that Sophia was going to have to teach him.

: : We're heading out to (hopefully) pick out counter tops today. Fingers crossed. I'm grateful that my house will be looking a little less like a renovation zone soon.

: : I'm knitting the Gramps Cardigan for Levi. It's a fun knit. And, yes, knitting totally counts as something to be thankful for!

: : I'm also grateful for these....

Spider lilies....naked ladies....whatever you want to call them. For me they are the bringers in of Fall.

What are you grateful for today?

Sunday

"For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love." 
~Galatians 5:13

Field Trippin'

Today, I'm especially grateful that Stephan quit that second job. Since he has more days off we feel so relaxed, and we're able to do more fun, family stuff. This morning we picked my mom up and headed to Landrum's Homestead in Laurel. We've been meaning to do this since last summer, but we never could squeeze it in. We made a day of it and ate out, wandered through the "homestead", drove around Laurel's beautiful historic district, and played in their park.

The kids had so much fun.

The Mystery House at Landrum's was Levi's favorite part. He dubbed it the "Wobbly House". It's built at a steep angle, so you walk funny and are pulled toward the wall. You can even walk on the wall. Personally, it made my head spin, but I'm glad he enjoyed it.

Sophia liked the grass. I think it might have been her first time to actually explore grass. I know. Crazy. But, until recently she shoveled everything within reach into her mouth, so putting her down near dirt and choking hazards wasn't on the to do list. Thankfully, she's kind of over that stage.

Day trips with kids are fun. They're like mini-vacations, but you get to sleep in your own bed.
Do y'all have any favorite day trip spots?

Snuggles

Just some moments that I'd like to hang on to...

Ignore the laundry on the couch and the unmade bed. We live here.

Pumpkin

Last year's pumpkin picking made quite the impression on Levi. He's been asking to go back ever since. When pumpkins appeared at a local fruit stand it was all over. The boy neeeeeeeded one.

Pumpkin carving is not one of my talents. Thankfully, children don't notice such things. It was perfect in his eyes.
Later, he begged me to turn it into a pie. I told him we'd have to wait for the pie pumpkins to come out, so he settled for roasting the seeds.

He practiced patience while they cooked...

Then he ate them all before I could snap a photo. I did manage to grab a few for myself though.

Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

We kept ours pretty simple. Rinse the seeds. You can also use other winter squash seeds such as butternut and acorn. Pick out the pulp (as Levi calls it the "cobwebs". The whole time I was cleaning the pumpkin we had a running story going about the spider who lived in the pumpkin and made all the cobwebs.) Some people dry their seeds overnight. We aren't so patient, and it works out fine. Coat the seeds lightly in oil. Spread in a single layer on a baking sheet. Sprinkle on some salt, and bake at 325 F until toasted (about 25 minutes), stirring halfway through. Yummo!

Sunday

Levi chasing a butterfly.

People were also bringing babies to Jesus for him to place his hands on them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them. But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”

~Luke 18: 15-17

Best Day Of His Life...So Far

A few days ago we met up with friends at the fire station. Levi thought he'd landed in heaven. After a little talk on fire safety, the kids all got hats and badges. Levi was a fireman. Seriously. There was no addressing him as anything but.

The firemen were incredibly sweet to the kids. They let them climb all over their truck and patiently answered at least 500 million questions. At one point, Levi cornered this one and talked his ears off.

I swear he's shy, but you would not have known it that day...

After about an hour of kiddo bliss, the firemen got a call. We whisked the kids off to the sidelines where they got to watch the firemen jump into their trucks and drive away.

As we were leaving, Levi announced that he was a 'fire hazard'. Ha!

Weekend Loves

A few fun and lovely things...

: : Fabric sun prints?!! Oh. my. stars. Why aren't there more hours in the day? I'm definitely doing this with the kids when they're a bit older.

: : Since winter is on it's way, how about sewing up some heat packs...filled with corn? It's supposed to stay warm longer than other natural fillers. I need to test this theory.

: :  Cardboard weaving has my wheels turning.

: : This kindling would be fun to make with Levi, and would smell heavenly. Now we just need to get our fireplace fixed.

: : Speaking of things that would be fun to make with Levi...a tinker toy Christmas tree. You know you want to make one too!

So, what fabulousness have you happened upon this week?

A Bearwearer

Yesterday, Nanno gave Levi his very own, special bear with "cowboy pants" (otherwise known as overalls). When we got home he insisted that we find his baby carrier. You might remember that from here.

Have I ever mentioned what a big and gentle heart he has? He so does. He makes mine bigger and gentler too.

Flamingos

Last week we took a trip to the zoo. Levi was riveted by the flamingos. He's talked a lot about them since...

Today my mom came over to watch the kids while Stephan and I went out for lunch....1st official date in over a year! While we were out my mom texted this to me....

It's a flamingo! Levi drew it all by himself. Sometimes he scribbles, looks at his picture, and then decides what it looks like. This was the very first time that he sat down and intentionally drew something!!! Eek! I'm glad my mom snapped a pic.

When we got home Levi was still on a flamingo kick, so he drew one for me again. I hope he draws one on real paper soon instead of just on the magna-doodle. I fully intend to frame it if he does. :-)

P.S. Mom, could you comment, please? I know you said something about him starting out drawing a rooster or an owl, and then changing it partway through to make a flamingo. I want it in writing! Thanks!!

Hello Again....And Some Everyday Blessings

It seems that I forgot to blog for an entire week! Okay, so I didn't really forget. I just couldn't make it to the computer. You have those weeks too, right....you know the ones where walking all the way to the back of your house just isn't even possible. No? Okay. Just pretend then, so I'll feel better.

This was Stephan's part time job week, which is the hardest week of the month for us. Our schedule gets turned on it's head. The kids get grouchy. The mama gets grouchy. The papa is gone at hours when he's normally here. You get the picture. A whole lot of not fun. On top of that, one of our cars appeared to have kicked the bucket, and Sophia has been teething....at least that's what I'm blaming her grouchiness and sudden inability to sleep on. Despite all of that this has been a week of incredible blessings....really incredible. I almost feel bad having just complained considering all the good that has come from this one itty bitty week.

So, onto the blessings...

: : The biggest, most wonderful blessing this week is that Stephan finally quit his second job. Can you hear the sigh of relief coming out of your screen? We are officially poor, but oh so happy. I say poor, but bills are covered. We can still eat and stay clothed. Extras are no more (except for yarn...that's not really an extra, right?). Anyway, the extras are nice, but we'd so much rather have Stephan around more.

: : As if that wasn't enough, do you see that beautiful Maya Wrap ring sling up there. An incredibly sweet friend of mine sent that to me. I am so in love. Sophia is not what I would classify as a cuddly baby, but when she gets in this thing she cuddles up like never before. It's the only carrier that she does that in. I can't get enough! And, neither can she. When I take her out of it she tries to get back in!!

: : Some other super sweet friends of ours blessed us with a riding horse. Levi has been a cowboy for most of today. That and a farmer. Sophia thinks she's just as big as Levi, so she had to have a turn...

I promise Stephan was standing very close to her. You just can't see him.

: : We were ready to hit the used car dealerships and Craigslist ads to replace the car that we were positive could not be resuscitated. Ahem. It cost $35 to fix. I was shocked....in a good way. I highly, highly recommend The Service Station.

: : The kids and I spent a few days at my parents house, so we wouldn't be stranded at the house while Stephan used the truck. We had such a good time. I'm so grateful that my parents live close enough for us to do that.

: : Phew...so that's just the big stuff. There were tons of "small" blessings along the way as well...like a fun trip to the zoo, Levi's ever blossoming imagination, getting to listen to the kids and Stephan playing while I cooked, new yarn for Levi's sweater. 

It's been a good week. How about y'all?

Sunday

"Commit everything you do to the Lord.

Trust him, and he will help you."

Psalm 37:5

Weekend Loves

In an effort to keep up with Levi she brushes her 6 teeth twice a day.

A few fabulous links...

: : Stephan, are you reading? I want one of these....in pale blue. M'kay?

: : For a few years now, I've been debating about what kind of Advent calendar to make. The inspiration list has been narrowed down to these. Number 1 and Number 4 are especially lovely.

: : This has made my mornings simpler lately.

: : Some cute printable lacing cards.

: : Ten great ideas for those days (or months) when you feel too tired to play with your kids.

: : In previous years we've just painted our pumpkins. I'm not sure I'm ready for knife wielding and seed scooping this year, buuuuut if I was, I'd do this.

Happened upon any good links lately?

A Whole, Entire Year

A year has passed since Sophia graced us with her arrival.

2:55 pm
7 lbs 13 oz
20 in

If you're into birth stories (especially the homebirth vbac kind) you can read hers here.

The day before her birth we went to the park feeling like we had all the time in the world.

But, not even a whole 24 hours later and she was in our arms...

Those first weeks were so sweet. I can say that now since the memories of milk blisters and afterbirth pains have faded into the background. It's moments like these that have made their way to the forefront...

And, now she's a year old. A whole, entire year. Goodness.

She's independent and spirited.
She's not so into cuddling, but she loves kisses....a lot.
Mama's milk is still her favorite, but she's also pretty crazy about watermelon.
She thinks she's big.
She wrestles with Levi and calls him "Bwu-bwu".
She's such a little daddy's girl.

What can I say? We're totally in love with her.

Happy First Birthday, Sweet Sophia!