pottery glazing en plein air

the younger sibling contingent

she loved mimicking the chicken sounds

mmm-hm, finally feels like spring

Happy belated Earth Day!

*nature collages
*moss terrariums
*tie-dying

These are some of the nature-inspired crafts my girls were able to make at the Kickapoo Earth Day celebration last weekend.  (For non-Wisconsinites, the Kickapoo River valley is a region of WI with lovely hills and a high concentration of organic farms).  There are many pictures from the actual event here.  (These photos are posted on my facebook photo album, but I believe you can get to it from this public link even if you are not on facebook.  Please correct me if I'm wrong :)

um, OK, back to packing

 In all of the sorting and packing, Camille rediscovered her balloon twisting kit.  The house is filling up again with balloon creations of many different kinds.

Sylvia defended Ayla and I against imaginary attackers with her balloon sword and sword-belt and said, "My work here is done.  I have defeated my foes."

until we meet again...

 I've been a bit scattered lately with planning for the move and packing and also keeping the kids lives full of fun and learning opportunities, but I need to prioritize a bit from here on out.  We have less than 6 weeks 'til the move (!) and so much to do.  So, I'm taking a bit of a blog break for now (though I might occasionally pop on with some photos or brief thoughts if I can't help myself :)  I really appreciate all of you who take the time to read here.  See you on the flipside...

here

there

pixie ballerina

Ayla applauds Sylvia's last ballet class at the Y

birthday hippo

 Camille and I have been sharing the knitting on this hippo for quite some time now, with Sylvia helping us stuff it with fluffed wool.  We finished it one day late for Ayla's birthday, but I don't think she minds terribly much.

One year ago...

this good-natured little soul made her way into this world and into our family.  She is a go-with-the flow, quick-to-smile, thrill-me-to-my-toes-when-she-giggles kind of love.  Happy birthday, Ayla Fern.  Thank you for the light you shine

strawberry shortcake with fresh whipped cream

birthday jam session

tasty new leg warmers

showin' off her new kicks

~

More Birthday Love

 lunch at Crema Cafe

 last minute hippo knittin'

 and an enchanted castle cake conceived of and created by Camille and Sylvia

*and lest you worry about our baby's diet, we did not feed her marshmallows and gum drops.  She had just the gluten-free cake with organic fruit spread filling and a bit of whipped cream, which is plenty extravagant all on its own :)