A Day In The Life

Our days really are that simple.  Full of creating, playing, discovering, and loving.  We don't always know where our days will take us (even if we do create a to-do list at our family morning meeting each morning). Regardless of if we go on big adventures or stay closer to home (or at home in our jammies all day) our days are full of wonder and love.  And really now, in the end, isn't that all that really matters?



Skippy's Home

Our elf, Skippy, has been finding lots of good hiding spots around our house lately.  I do believe though he finds it a little tricky to find a different spot that is up high each day, out of the reach of little hands.  The day after we decorated the tree he found a perfect spot right near the angel.  The girls were thrilled and loved to check on him all day.  "That's a good spot for Skippy, mama!" was echoed throughout Tuesday.

This morning we came downstairs and right away Emma was sad to notice that Skippy was not in the tree anymore.  She looked around for a bit and then discovered him in her stocking.  "Hey!" said the littlest and off she went to get her trusty stool.

She climbed up on her stool and was still slightly too short to reach.  She pointed at Skippy and said "My hoho" extending her arms as if to indicate that she wanted to hold him.  Knowing full well she wanted him back in the tree I handed him to her and off she ran.  I scooped her up and she put him back in "his spot". 

And it has been decided that there he shall remain.  It seems as if we have a new part of the tradition now.  And I love that it was started by the girls.  From now on, as soon as the tree is decorated, he will find his "home" in it and remain there until Christmas Eve night.  Sounds good to me, sweet girls.  Sounds good to me. 

Let the Decorating Begin!

It was Em's year to put the angel on top. 

I wish my camera had a candlelight setting. It has everything else except for that one, and try as I might I just cannot capture the beauty and wonder of candles or Christmas tree lights.  Maybe someday...

The beautiful stockings my Aunt Gail made for us last year.

Someday when we have a house with a (real) fireplace we'll hang our stockings there, for now however we use the built-ins as their spot.  It's probably better though.  This way they don't get played with and carried around as would most likely happen if two sweet littles were to get their hands on them. 

The girls were so into the decorating this year.  There was such joy and wonder as each one was handed an ornament and went to find the perfect spot on the tree for it.  Every year the holidays have always been magical, but something tells me that this may be the best year yet!

Halloween Wonder

This evening after we finished dinner, the girls had gone to go play and I went to light the jack-o-lanterns.  It was a beautiful, peaceful evening and the sun was just beginning to set.  No sooner did I light the first candle when Emma showed up by my side.  Her little hand gently tugged at my shirt and she said:  "pretty, mama!"  A moment later, Grace appeared.  Their eyes grew wide with wonder as they watched me light the candle inside of each jack-o-lantern.  It was a fabulous moment.  One that I will indeed treasure forever. 

I so wish I had tried the sunset setting first!

On this holiday and always, may the magic and wonder of childhood be a blessing to all of us!

Boots and Bean Sprouts

This morning I woke up to discover this:

How I missed this last night I am not so sure, 

but it was rather sweet to discover it first thing this morning.

And later on we discovered this:

Our beans are sprouting!

The girls made these a couple of Saturdays ago when we went to the Children's Museum.

We've been checking every day, and today they had sprouted!

It's very exciting, and clearly required much investigation. 

The people at the Children's Museum had the girls spray their piece of paper towel with water. 

Then we placed it in the ziploc bag and the staff member stapled it. 

She then had the girls place their beans in each bag above the staples. 

We zipped it closed, and she told us to keep the paper towel moist and 

to tape it to a sunny window.  

We hope your day was full of  surprises, wonder and magic!

As always, we'll see you tomorrow.