the thankful "tree"

Looking for a simple way to get into the spirit

 of Thanksgiving with your little one?

Make a thankful tree!

you'll need:

• a few branches with lots of good spots to hang "leaves"
• a flower pot or vase to hold the branches
• strips of construction paper with leaf outlines (I drew these)
• scissors and markers/colored pencils
• tiny clothespins for hanging the leaves (ours are in the cloth bag - fyi)

I prefaced the activity by asking Elise 

what she thought being thankful meant...

Her response?

It's when you REALLY like something!

This year, I'm especially thankful for

my two little daughters.

What are YOU feeling thankful for?

flower tea party

Things have been a little quite around here lately...

that's because we've spent the past few weeks waiting.

Waiting on a baby!

Which is not an easy thing to do.

She's here now, though - happy and healthy!  :)

But. before I introduce her,

I want to share something special Elise and I did together 

before the excruciating baby wait began.

A flower tea party!

 

We made lavender shortbread cookies

topped with lemon glaze and edible flower petals.

Elise kept our cups filled to the brim

with raspberry hibiscus tea.

We chatted and laughed,

ate our cookies and sipped our tea.

Oh - did I say the cookies were all topped with flowers?  

Well, some featured cherry tomatoes, too!

We also collected beans from the "Pea Fort" to plant next spring.

Oh my, I love this girl so much!!!!!

This little flower tea party will be a memory I'll always treasure.

Aaahh!!!  HORMONES!

Be sure to stop by next week to meet our new little one! 

Happy weekend, friends!

MT beach weather

The spring-like weather took us out on a little adventure this morning.

Instead of our usual loop through the park, we went a little further,

and explored a sandbar along the Yellowstone River.

Rosie went swimming!  

Wild dog - do you see the size of her stick?

Elise joyfully dug into the sand,

warm on top, cold underneath.

She told me she was "looking for creatures."

And me?

I sat back and soaked up the sunshine.

A perfect Friday activity.  :)

After our walk, I put together this invitation to create

with a few of the treasures we collected by the river,

 and a ball of fresh play dough.

You may not know, but we have recently switched to - gasp! - cooked play dough!

Yes, we ran out of cream of tarter one day, so we made a "no cream of tarter needed" recipe found on pinterest.  

The texture is comparable to the gooey Play Doh from the store.

Here's a link to the recipe we've been using:  Homemade Playdough (To the Moon and Back).

Anyway, I really want to put together more open ended art activities like this for Elise

- who has been creating like crazy lately!

This particular activity was inspired by this post from Happiness is here.

Do you read this blog?  I just discovered it a few days ago, and I can't get enough.

Check it out!

Happy weekend, friends!  

looking back at summer: the pea fort

 ^^ The Pea Fort - July 2014 ^^

I took a little blogging break over the summer, 

and I know there are A LOT of readers wondering 

What ever happened with The Pea Fort?  

For those of you who just started reading itty bitty love, 

The Pea Fort is a trellis-like structure we built 

and planted pea and bean seeds around 

- in hopes of creating an edible playhouse for Elise.  

You can read more about it here and here.

^^ Elise feasted on peas and beans all summer! ^^

I had plans of picking some to freeze and enjoy over the winter, 

but all were consumed immediately upon being picked, 

either inside or just outside of The Pea Fort.  :)

That makes more sense anyway,

don't you think?

^^ The Pea Fort The Snow Cave - November 2014 ^^

What will we plant next year?

Maybe more beans and a few less peas.

(The pea plants died-back once the weather got hot,

and it was tricky pulling them out from around the bean plants.)

I'd also like to try a climbing flower or two.

Morning glories?  Sweet peas?  Hmmmm...

We have all winter to dream!

the pea fort: part 2

Hi there!  I just wanted to pop in for a quick "Hello!" and to give you an update on the awesomeness known as The Pea Fort.  The peas and beans we planted a few weeks ago are up and climbing the walls!  Woo hoo!  It's turning into quite the magical little hangout for Elise - and for me, too!  Most days we'll bring out a blanket, a few pillows, a snack, and a basket of books, spending the entire morning lounging, listening to birds sing and other cheerful neighborhood sounds.  Another little addition that we've been loving is the bird feeder - can you see it hanging in the back?  A pair of American Goldfinches have become regulars, and I think they're the prettiest little birds I've ever seen. 

I hope all has been well with you lovely readers and that you've been enjoying Spring! xx.

happy mother's day!

Happy Mother's Day!

To all you mamas, 

soon-to-be-mamas, 

and teachers (because you're basically mamas, too - just without the benefits!)

- I hope you've had a splendid day!

We spent the day working out on the pea fort.

Elise and I just planted the last of the seeds...

we can't wait to see what happens next!  

Did you do anything special with your family today?

I hope so!  xx.

the pea fort: part 1

 ^^hard at work on the pea fort^^

Spring!  Spring!  Spring! 

I know it's been spring for over a month now, but around here, it's finally starting to feel like spring, too... and we just can't get enough of it!  We've been spending nearly all day, everyday outside - soaking up the warm air and watching the world wake up from its wintry sleep.  Ahhhhh!!!!

Elise's practical life skills have expanded to include digging, planting, weeding, watering - and building!  I've been drooling over pea trellis teepees and stick forts for some time now on pinterest, and we finally decided to combine the two ideas and build a pea fort.  Yay!  I am so excited for Elise to have her own nook to play in outside this summer, and to experience growing and eating her own food.  So far, it's just a frame, but soon we'll plant peas, beans, and some other climbing plants, and *hopefully* they will grow and cover Elise's little fort with leafy green goodness.

I promise to keep you all up-to-date!  ;)

some more pea fort inspiration:

1. Teebonacci Playhouse in the Garden (Organic Gardening)
2. Woodland Fort (dig this chick)
3. Bean Teepees (Lullbutton's Farm) 
4. How to grow your child a living den... (HubPages)

a beautiful mess

Recently, I've noticed  a few comments being made around the Montessori online community that bloggers only share "before"-type photos of pristine lessons and shelves.  So, if you are an itty bitty love reader who has been craving a little glimpse into our clutter and chaos, this post is for you!  Elise's friend Ezra came by to play this morning, and before I started tidying up, I took a few photos to document the aftermath their rollicking good time!

I also made a couple observations about our Montessori-inspired home:

1. Yes, it can get really messy around here when everything is taken out of its basket or tray.  That said, now that Elise is 20 months old, she usually only takes one or two things out at a time, and with a little encouragement, she's getting pretty good at putting it all back.  Our house really only looks like this when friends come over and explore.  Also, messes = fun, right?!
2. Although a Montessori home has the potential to get messy (What home doesn't, really?), they are easy to clean up because everything has its place.  Honestly, our house was back to normal within five minutes! 

hunkering down

The weather here has taken a turn for the cold and snowy, so Elise and I have been laying low, staying cozy.  We are giving Elise a play kitchen for Christmas this year, so I've been busy knitting fruits and veggies to go along with it.  

What are your thoughts on play kitchens?  Elise enjoys working in our real kitchen, so at first I wasn't sure if she would get much out of a play kitchen.  After watching how creatively she plays with her dolls and stuffed animals, I think she will have a lot of fun pretending in a play kitchen, too.  I'll keep you updated!  ;)  

I found all the fruit and veggie patterns (free!) on Ravelry.  Do you knit?  I haven't knit for awhile, but I'm getting back into it.  I'm clementine on Ravelry if you'd like to be knitting friends!

paper bag owls

This Halloween decoration was inspired by my 15-month-old daughter's love of owls.  I made these owls during her afternoon nap, and surprised her when she woke up!  Elise helps me with most projects, but this one seemed more appropriate for a slightly older child. 

materials

• paper bags (large owl is a leaf bag, small owls are gift bags with the handles cut off)
• leaves
• masking tape
• paint/markers
• glue
• wall bumpers (large owl eyes)
• ping pong balls (small owl eyes)
• sharpie 
• x-acto knife/scissors
• orange card stock

1. Fill bags with leaves, pressing down every so often to make compact.  (We live in a windy place, so I put large rocks in the bottoms of my bags first to keep them from blowing over.)
2. Tape the top of the bag closed, shaping the sides into "ears."  I used painter's tape, but masking tape would be ideal.  (see above photo)
3. If your bag has writing on it, you'll probably want to paint over it.  I used spray paint to paint the large owl I made from the leaf bag.  I didn't paint my small owls because I made them with plain bags.
4. Use paint or markers to add details like feathers, wings, etc.   I used a black sharpie for the details on the white owl.  I used white paint on the other two owls.
5. Draw pupils on wall bumper and ping pong ball eyes with a sharpie.  I used double-sided tape to attach wall bumper eyes to the large owl.  The ping pong ball eyes were a little trickier to attach.  First, I cut ping pong ball sized X's with an x-acto knife where I wanted the eyes to be on the owls.  Then, I applied glue to the backs of the ping pong balls and pressed them into the X's.  
6. Cut triangles out of orange card stock for the beaks, folding down the center to add dimension.  Use glue to attach beaks to the owls. 
7. Done!  Give your finished owls a kiss - that's what Elise does.  ;)

Hoo Hoo's excited for Halloween?!?!!!!

the book nook

 A little hideout,

tucked into a corner of the living room,

is the perfect place for... 

...reading books,

snuggling with stuffies,

or lounging in the sun.

It's just right for a little person

who's about to turn one!

a book, a craft, a task

A handful of happy activities to fill that precious free time I sometimes find here and there...

Book  I've been trying to read a little every day.  Right now I'm on an Ivan Doig kick - Prairie Nocturne is the fifth one of his books that I've read since February!  That's commitment. 

Craft  I started knitting a baby hedgehog last month from the pattern Smith by Ysolda Teague.  I've already knit the mama and the papa, so Elise's little hedgie family is nearly complete!

Task  I was going to work in the garden today because the weather has been so nice and springy, but we woke up to SNOW this morning!  Until tomorrow, dandelions?

What projects are you working on during your precious moments of free time?

well, hello there!

It sure has been awhile!  Have you missed me?  ;)  I have most definitely missed the blog world, and lately I've been feeling pretty inspired to give it a go again.  I'd like to introduce you to my biggest inspiration, my lovely new little friend and daughter, Elise.  She was born last July, and I am head over heals for her - sorry Hubs and Rosie, but you've kind of been replaced.  Ha, ha!  JK!  I still love my husband and dog -  having a sweet baby is just the icing on the cake.  Anyway, I've stopped teaching to stay at home with Elise.  I miss all my little pupils back at the Montessori preschool, but I am having lots of fun making materials and creating a Montessori environment for Elise here at home.  I've gotten many great ideas online (umm, pinterest is incredible!!!), and I'm ready to start sharing what Elise and I have been up to here on the blog.  There!  Now you're caught up with me, so what's new with you?    

Is your refrigerator running?

No?
Oh, well,
hmmm...

I woke up
on my 6th day of being sick
{I am totally over being sick!}
to discover that our dear old Kelvinator
had kicked the bucket during the night.
Water was everywhere.
It was gross.

R.I.P.
old frigidy friend

Montessori to come!
{promise}

Halloween recap

Hubs and I always make pumpkin people for our porch.
{The witch was my favorite this year!}

Ooooooo.... spooky!
Here's the porch at night.
{red lights - some with white paper globes, spider webs, and bats}

It was even spookier in the entryway!
{black light, tissue paper ghosts, orange flagging, and frightening portraits}

We nibbled on monster fingers and toes.
{Get the recipe here.}

Here I am dressed as Carmen Miranda, having a ball!
{One of my top 10 favorite costumes}

Overall, the evening was spook-tacular!
{I can't wait until next year!}

carnage

Hubs and I came home to this...

Heavy, wet snow had broken huge branches down all over town.
We were like, Holy Moly!
The big branch in the center is actually the top of that tree on the right.
I certainly felt sad, but I do love a good snow-adventure!



In other news:

You can't see it in the crazy tree photo, but there was a box on the porch addressed to yours truly.

The box carried precious cargo all the way from Illinois, through a blizzard, to our little ol' home sweet home.
{Precious because it contained the most crucial element of my Halloween costume.}

Hmmm... what could it be?

You're right! 2 1/2 pounds of vintage, fake fruit!

Any guesses on who or what I'm going to be?

it's beginning to look...

SPOOKY
around here...

I stayed home today because
I thought I had pink eye.
YIKES!
{Can you see the redness?}
It turned out to be something else;
something that starts with an "e."
{I can't quite remember.}
Since I can only wear a contact in my good eye,
everything feels a little strange.
{and dangerous!}
The good thing about staying home from school
was that I was able to get a start on my
Halloween decor.
{Hubs & I had pinky sworn that I would wait until October,
and today just so happened to be October 1st.}
I was feeling rather inspired
because my neighbor girls had stopped by yesterday
to ask if I we were going to do Halloween this year.
{and to sell magazines and cookie dough for their soccer team}
That means I officially have a neighborhood
Halloween reputation
to uphold.
{It's going to be awesome.}