Then I head to the knitting store and start many knew projects, I get busy at night with chores and whatnot, and lately, I have been plain tired. Chris and I are both somewhat confused and frustrated by our fatigue lately.

Are we getting old? Have we lost our endurance? He and I are both pretty productive people and a lack of energy just doesn’t work with out lifestyles.

I have about 100 too many things that I want to accomplish this fall. I feel like I spent this year shedding every extra-curricular thing I was involved in only so I could start it up again.

At least I do so with fresh ideas, renewed vigor and enthusiasm instead of a feeling of dread and resentment. Maybe I just needed some time off.

Keep checking back because i have like 5 other blog posts sitting in my head just waiting for me to have the time to get them out.

Oh, and I the above project was a vest for my Mom. Well, sadly, I have almost finished the front part and it doesn’t fit her. I am new to knitting clothing and I understand that there are a lot of tricks and know-how and experience that go into making a knitted fitted garment. So, I guess I am just getting started there. On the upside, it looks like that vest will fit me perfectly. Wow, I am making something for myself - what a novel idea!!

The other afternoon we were hanging at home and the kids were starting to get a little riled up and so I asked them if they wanted to draw. Tyler asked me who was going to draw. I told him all of us. He then asks Daddy, “Do you draw, Daddy?” Oh yeah, we all needed to draw - they need to see Daddy being artistic too. It was really nice and I think I am going to try to make it more of a habit especially when we are all needed a little downtime.

It was really nice as we all sat around peacefully creating. I also got a change to try out the kids new Lyra pencils. They are beautiful. I agree with what Soulemama espouses about quality art materials for kids - it really heightens the experience.

I also feel that if the materials are treated with reverence, the will be handled with it. Well, for the most part, I do have a two year-old.  I made these pencil cases for their new pencils and we all really like them. The case has room for 26 pencils; right now the kids have 12. It will be fun to fill them slowly over the next few years as they receive a new pencil here and there across the various holidays and festivals. Oh and Mama has a pencil case too…it is almost done.

We placed all of our pictures on the fridge. I drew a place, “where I want to go soon”, Daddy drew a farm with cows in the pasture (and my apologies to him for hanging it upside down…oops), Tyler drew “day and then night” - his recent drawing obsession, and ya know, I don’t know that I asked Quinn what she drew. She was quite pleased with it though, I know that.

So wanted to change up a table for a bit for the equinox. I have a few more changes planned. I want to keep the table fresh since summer sometimes seems to drag on in Texas. Keep things fresh and growing.The beehive was made by pinning jute rope around styrofoam (would prefer a more eco-friendly material, but was short on time).

The bees were made with brown roving, thread and tissue paper. The pitcher of water is meant to reflect light around the wall and ceiling.

The cuttings are from our Mexican Honeysuckle plant in the front yard. This bush is drought resistant and amazing. What does it do in weeks of 100 heat without much water? It blooms and blooms! A true Southern plant - bring on the heat!

Some days around here are not stellar and I do muddle through. It isn’t always elegant how we get through the day, but we get there. As I review the day, I will pat myself on my back for not giving up or checking out. That has been one big change for me - if things are starting to go downhill, I remain engaged and shift directions. Kids throwing books/toys? Build them a cave on the couch which eventually leads to jumping on the couch (which is totally fine). Downstairs getting old, move upstairs. I am feeling hungry and grumpy, think the kids might as well - make a quick batch of always-pleasing popcorn.

Typically a Cave or Tunnel, but today we were climbing up a mountain…

I am starting to slowly build my arsenal. I got this great idea from a class I took at Blossom Family Center on 3 year-olds about using a lot more imaginary stuff and visual scenery. One day I couldn’t get Tyler on the potty, so I told him to go get on his tractor. I sat in the hallway with him, got on my tractor and took Tyler all over my farm - we fed the horses, checked on the sheep, got some eggs from the hens. And he loved it. Now he tells ME to go get on my tractor while he is on the potty and tells me where we are going. This morning he asked me if I had pigs on my farm…I guess I need to add some.

I am working on doing a better job of setting the stage for play. When I do that and get them engaged, I can usually pull away and get things done while in the same room/area. And I find that as I use my creativity more, the ideas are starting to flow more.

The last two days we have all been in a slump. Maybe I have been preoccupied or just out of sync with the kids. We have our Summer Blossom class starting tomorrow, so that will be fun for all of us. I find that going to that class really helps “reset” me and get me back on track.

Setting the stage for play..I started building bridges creating “loads” and before long Tyler had grabbed his forklift and was hard at work….

Finally, those rhythms and anchors are so necessary. There are certain parts of the day that are always the same. Even when I don’t want to do what is next, I make myself sing the song and get a move on. The continuity really helps all of us settle in to our day. We have a pretty solid morning routine, lunch and rest time routine and then after Quinn wakes up. I even drew a visual aid and Tyler loves it. One day we were out of order and Tyler had to check it and let me know! Things just flow.

Our morning routine: wake, breakfast, dress/brush teeth and hair, and out the door - either to walk the dog, head to our local park or into the car for an adventure

This home stuff is all starting to come together so beautifully. I found a calendar from 1.5 years ago and the way I planned my days were AM - out, then nap, then PM - out. I never wanted to be home. And slowly, this is where I want to be. There is so much fun to be had right here. The days aren’t all perfect, but they aren’t horrible either. Even today, I decided to just clean the house and the kids were fine. They kind of did there own thing, made their own messes, and I got a ton done.

With that the kids are home and it is bath time….

Update:

It is midnight and after futzing with a broken sewing machine for an hour, I fixed it and stayed up late to finish sewing our birthday flags! I will post pics tomorrow! They will be used to celebrate each family members’ birthday.

Tomorrow I start making Quinn’s birthday crown - it is so cute and I am so excited! Tyler already asked me if he was getting his own crown (since I told him the flags were for all of us) and I told him that “yes, he gets his very own special crown”. Oh, this is such fun!!

Birthday Flags!

It has been a crazy week and I stayed up far to late last night getting some tasks completed, but it was TOTALLY worth it! We had a fantastic May Day! All week we had been slowly delivering May Day baskets to our friends and we spent the entire morning delivering the last few. The kids also got a little surprise when they woke up this morning - two new Spring books, (from a great list compiled by Soulemama), and some delicious flower cookies! The seasonal table had reflections of the holiday with colored cloths, fresh flowers and its very own Maypole.

Some days I think that I do this more for myself than the kids, but they today Tyler asked, “why didn’t we do anything for Easter?” I told him we did the egg hunt with our friends and we had a bunny cake from Grandma H and easter baskets from Grandma W, etc. He said, “no…” and meant our seasonal table!?! I was way behind on Easter and the table didn’t have anything special…and he noticed. He even suggested “a Christmas tree with bunnies and chicks and eggs” for next year! I told him I thought it was a great idea and we would do it.

Those moments make the late nights getting everything just right so worth it! Here out some pics from our special day.

Our May Day table!	May Day baskets for our friends - full of flowers, cookies and an invitation to our spring Beltane celebration!
Surprises for the kids!	Tyler checking out his new books - he LOVED “The Sun Egg”

We have been busy as bees around here and perhaps that is why I feel a bit winded this morning. I have much I want to accomplish while Chris is off with the kids, but I will take a cue from my body and lay-low. My biggest goal last week was to get my seasonal table back in shape. Wow, is it full of Spring now!! We have fresh flowers, a wonderful branch from our crepe myrtle, butterfliers that Tyler helped me make, some fabric eggs made by Kristy that we were lucky enough to get in an egg hunt and finally some cute little bunnies that I knitted this past week. They aren’t perfect, but full of love - I really enjoyed making them. If time allows, I would love to learn to needle felt next week and add some tiny carrots to their picnic of greens!

The butterflies and bunnies came from the spring edition of Living Crafts - a most amazing magazine that I would recommend for any crafter or someone wanting inspiration!

I really love the seasonal table - it is something I look forward to and it puts such a smile on my face. And I am most excited that I actually sat down and planned the next 4 months of the table incorporating festivals such as May Day, Pentecost and Whitesun, and St. JOhns’ Tide (Summer Equinox). The table is a mix of seasonal and Christian and Goddess traditions. I am learning to make the little and big changes quietly and not point them out to the kids instead letting them discover the mysteries and fun happenings for themselves.

The Spring Table!!	Georgous flowers from our garden!
Butterflies and Eggs hanging about	Bunnies munching on some greens

It is definitely spring! I have of course been busy with projects and haven’t had as much time to blog, so I will give you a photo montage of some of our spring activities and fun happenings! I will try and post more details on some of the fun projects soon!