Thank You Mother Nature!

65 degrees in January in New England is very rare.  In fact, this entire winter is not anywhere like our normal winter.  And while we do miss the snow, we are really loving this mild winter we are having too.  To get to be outside without jackets in January on Saturday just blew our minds!  What a gloriously amazing day Mother Nature blessed us with. And we were happy to take full advantage of it!

{This Moment}

{This Moment} - A SouleMama 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're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see. We hope that your 2012 is off to a sweet start!



The Best Gingerbread Cookie Recipe Ever

Last year, Stephanie at Ordinary Life Magic posted her recipe for gingerbread cookies and I am so glad that she did.  It is easily the best gingerbread cookie recipe ever! From the very first moment that we tasted the first cookie from the first batch last Christmas we knew that this was a recipe that we would be making and enjoying for years to come.  If you are on the hunt for a wicked good gingerbread cookie recipe then search no further.  In our families opinion the buck stops here (and I am glad that it does).  Thanks Stephanie for sharing this recipe with us last year.  It is simply the best!



An Instant Favorite

This was the Christmas of awesome gifts from the grandparents.  Between the puppet theater from my parents and this rocker board from Dave's parents the girls are set!  Both the puppet theater and the rocker board will easily become family heirlooms and enjoyed for years and years to come.  I stumbled upon the rocker board on the Bella Luna Toys site one night while trying to come up with ideas for the girls Christmas gifts.  I showed it to Dave (the Physical Therapist in him loved it from the first moment he first laid eyes on it) and we decided that we should see if his parents would be interested in giving it to the girls.  We were thrilled that they wanted to get it for them.  From the moment that it was taken out of the box it was a total hit!  The girls have used it to stand on, rock on, as a slide (for themselves and their toys), as a way to practice yoga, as a marble run, as a place to rest and a place to create.  The uses are truly as limitless as their imagination.  Such an awesome, awesome toy and definitely something that we surely need a second one of!  Thanks Grandma and Grandpa!  This thing rocks!

Take Two

Last year we attempted to grow an Amarylis.  The girls were super excited to get to see a flower grow during the winter.  We all waited and waited and waited for it to bloom.  Sadly, all our Amarylis did was grow one long leaf.  This year we thought we'd give it another try (and double our chances while we are at it).  Here's to hoping that something comes of at least one of these bulbs!



First Day of 2012

Yesterday was easily one of the most glorious New Year's Days ever!  We were absolutely over the moon about how amazing it was out, and we took full advantage of the beautiful weather and spent lots of time outdoors.  We dragged the Christmas tree (that still had lots of life left in it) into the backyard to become a home and food source for birds and other woodland creatures who may stop by.  The girls searched and explored and ran and dug and played.  I took a moment to enjoy the peace that comes with New Year's Day.  Have you ever noticed how peaceful the world seems on a Sunday morning?  Well, that is the type of peace that comes on New Year's Day but it usually lasts the entire day instead of just the morning.  The world just feels calmer.  Slower.  A little less hurried.  And it is this vibe that is my most favorite.  It was a treat to get to enjoy this wonderful feeling outside in the lovely sun on January first.  I do believe that it's a sure sign that 2012 is going to be a wonderful year!

Our Hopes for 2012

(Picture taken with Dave's iPhone)

Last night as we ate the requisite Chinese dinner on New Year's Eve we shared with each other our hopes for 2012. It was the first time we had done this as a family.  We felt that instead of choosing resolutions, which never seem to really happen, that we would share with each other some things that each of us hopes happens during the course of this year. 

Grace:

"My hope for the new year is that Emma and I can still share a bed."

"I hope to plant pretty flowers."

"I hope that we get to play with our friends lots."

"I hope that Gretchen will snuggle with me."

"I hope that Albert will be OK."

"I love to learn my letters."

"I hope the birdies get alot of food."

"I hope for we always get to be together as a team!"

Emma:

"I love to go to Crickets."

"I love to take care of Albert."

"I love to snuggle Mommy."

"I want to ride my bike."

"I want to bake a cake."

"I hope for other bike."

"I have hopes!"

Papa:

"This year my hope for 2012 is the one hope I have each year.  To make sure that I make you and the girls as happy as possible."

Mama:

In 2012 I hope that:

-we can continue to live this incredible life.

-our bond as a family grows even stronger than it already is.

-David and I can go out on one date night a month.

-I finally learn to knit.

-I get back into a normal yoga practice.

-we continue to enjoy the joy.

-we continue to learn together, love together and laugh together.

-we can (finally!) attend our first Unschoolers Rock the Campground!

-I find my tribe of much needed like minded mamas and unschooling families.

Our watchword for this year is harmony.  Last year was all about joy.  Enjoying the joy.  Finding the joy.  Embracing the joy.  As I thought about this year and what it' word should be I was honestly learning toward love.  Cause really, can you ever truly have enough love?  It's such a great watchword and one that is truly a big part of our world.  Love was the front runner until my friend Alissia said on Facebook: "harmony" comes to mind, when I think of a word to describe your family....love keeping in touch with you through FB....keep on doing your thing! You are an inspiration."  And just like that our word was changed to harmony.  Thank you Alissia for your sweet words and for your wonderful suggestion.  It truly is the perfect word for us! 

Happy 2012, dear friends!  We hope the new year is off to a great start!