A Story By Emma

A pictograph story in the tradition of the Native Americans as Emma finishes up her Native American block! xo

Scout Sunday Acolytes

Happy Scout Sunday, friends! xo

Harvesting Snow, Boiling Sap

 With the unseasonably warm/record breaking temps we've had we needed some way to keep the ten gallons of sap that has been collected cold. The girls grabbed their sled and shovels and went down to the cul-de-sac to harvest some snow yesterday morning. 

Returning from trip number one. 

Harvesting trip number two. 

Late afternoon snow harvest. 

This morning, before Dave and the girls left for skiing, he got everything set up so that I could begin the boiling process! Day one went very well and one bucket of sap is now in the boiling pot. Here's to hoping that the colder temps that are on the way will allow the sap to start flowing again so that we can collect a few more buckets before the season is over. xo

{This Moment} Nine Trips Around The Sun

{This Moment} A Friday ritual. A single photo -no words- capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you are inspired to do the same leave a link to your moment in the comments section for all to find and see. Wishing you a lovely last weekend of February! xo

A Surprise For Emma

 A surprise arrived in the mail today! 

She quickly opened the package and discovered this very long box inside.

 "It's like my other mouse, mama!" 

 "Oh! They are grandparents! I must get their granddaughter mouse!" 

 Such a very sweet set. And yes, that is a mustache you see on the grandpa mouse!

 All together. 

 "Thank you, Grandma Joan and Grandpa Ron for my grandparent mice! I love them and their very long bed!" 

All tucked in.

"Mama, but we don't have a Grace mouse or a mama mouse or daddy mouse."
"All in good time, sweet girl. All in good time." xo

Reading To Lydia The Library Dog

This evening we went to the library so that the girls could read to the library dogs! They had not done this before, but after tonight I have no doubt that it won't be the last time they participate! Lydia was super sweet, and clearly very comfortable with them. They each brought their reading books with them, but when we arrived we learned that they were running behind due to the program being one dog short this evening. Hearing this news, and not knowing how many kids were after them, a plan was hatched to find their favorite Elephant and Piggie book and read that to her instead.  As kids finished up and left, and it got closer to Grace and Emma's turn, it became evident that they might be the last to read to her (or at least one of the last). Emma asked to  read a few pages out of her reading book to Lydia before she and Grace finished up by reading all of Elephant and Piggie 'Waiting is Not Easy' (our favorite of the Elephant and Piggie books) to her together. The girls did a great job and Lydia seemed to really like the stories they read to her!They are looking forward to the next ime they can read to the library dogs already!  xo

Nine Is...

This is nine. 

Nine is Wonder Woman dolls. 

And tools. 

And wishes come true. 

Nine is a wonderful sense of humor. 

And a love of googily eyes. 

Nine is red dresses (with pockets!) that twirl! 

It's beautiful birthday greetings from family and friends. 

 It's rainbows and horses (and rainbow horses), 

It's best friend necklaces. 

Nine is hikes in the woods. 

And hot chocolate with friends. 

Nine is a Barn Owl carved by your Grandpa Gene. 

 It's birthday wishes from daddy (and mama and Grace). 

And lighting candles as you remember each trip around the sun. 

 This is nine. 

 It's sweetness and light and magic and wonder. 

 Nine is Emma, and we couldn't be more proud of the young lady she has become!

Happy 9th birthday, Emma Faith! We love you to the moon and stars and back again, and cannot wait to see all that this next trip around the sun has waiting for you! We have no doubt it will be another amazing year! xo