The Fire Pit

Last weekend we crossed something off our list from our "wish book". A notebook we started before we moved with ideas for our future house and life we were hoping to create. Les and our neighbor Jim built a fire pit in our back yard. I was away for some of the construction but I am told the girls were quite the helpers when it came to digging the hole. We are looking forward to many nights around the fire. Perhaps this weekend we need to get Les a new pair of boots.

Skyla's Poem/Letter/Blog Post

It has been a long week. We're trying to help relieve and find the cause of Jude's skin rashes. In the meantime, Skyla was inspired by a book series called, "The Cobble Street Cousins" and she wanted me to write down the following "poem".


I live in Marietta square, Skyla.
I love all the people's houses, especially mine and especially my cousins.
I love all the people and just because they are all so nice.
I love the trees, I love the sun. I love peace, especially you.
I think it's fun when Anna and Eryn and Skyla have American dolls.
Eryn and me are trying to plan another slumber party.
I'm trying to get Eryn to spend the night at my house.
I love the Cobble Street Cousin books so much.
My favorite girl is Rosie.
She loves beautiful stained glass and I do too.
I wish my hair was short just like Rosie's.
Rosie's hair is almost as short as my sisters.
My hair is blonde like Lily's.
Rosie and Lily are sisters.
Tess who loves to sing is their cousin.
But sorry, what I forgot to say is Lily likes to write poems.
I was trying to write a poem but my mama said it's becoming a letter.

Happy Valentine's Day

The girls were excited about Valentine's Day this year. They couldn't wait to wake up and see if there were any surprises on the table. My mom did this for my sister and I growing up. I remember anticipating the morning with excitement even as a teenager. Thanks mom! Speaking of surprises...my valentine planned one for me. Lester told me last night that he had scheduled a massage for me this morning. I went to the coffee shop to drink tea and read this morning before my massage. Thank you Lester for being so amazing and understanding how important an hour of relaxing silence can be!

Warm Weather Rocks!

We enjoyed a hike and picnic on Saturday. Skyla wanted to stop and work on a nature sketch. I don't have a picture of her drawing but I would like to note it was a picture of a pine cone and horse poop. We did see plenty of both. It was really fun to watch them play in the creek and be completely immersed in their own thoughts. Skyla loves to listen to different sounds like her boots sloshing around in the water. August was fishing for leaves most of the time. Even baby Jude was so happy to be outside. He lay on a blanket for a long time and just looked around.

Oh My!

I'm trying to clean up my computer and save pictures to discs. I do not enjoy this task. However, I just came across these pictures and they are so cute!! This is a curious little August wearing an adorable outfit her Aunt Sarah made her.

Warm Weather... Please Hurry!

I really have loved this winter. The holidays, enjoying the fire, warm food, reading, kids in PJ's all day, slowing down, drinking hot tea, etc. But now... I'm over it! I'm grumpy and cold and my family is so much happier when we can be outside! Luckily we live in a state where it can be 20 degrees one day and 60 degrees another in the same week. I can't wait to enjoy some time outside for the next few days. Otherwise, I'm calling you Stephanie... are you still available to go out for the beverage mentioned above?

Family Movie Night

We just enjoyed another family movie night. This time we wanted to try an animation. I found this Japanese animation by searching on line for family movie ideas. The animation was really beautiful and at a nice slow pace. The two main characters were sisters which I think the girls enjoyed. They also liked the concept of the woodland sprites that could only be seen by children. The girls were acting out scenes from the movie the next day. It was a hit for all of us.