wishing

image from http://blog.zerodean.com/2012/motivational-images/dont-wish-away-your-days/

we have been in full throttle mode. there never seems to be time to slow down as there is nothing i want to miss out on. i almost think that this feeling is 10x worse for a kid. we have been busy visiting the farm, riding bikes, having playdates, visiting the other gramma and grampa, getting used to daddy's new schedule, playing tractors, riding in tractors...... there is so much that i wish for. most importantly happiness and contentedness. i need to know that my kids are happy, paul and i are happy, and that what we do and are doing will only add to that.

all are now sporting new superhero capes. i found a tutorial from Lara here. i tweaked it a little to make them wider at the top and bottom. their superpowers have not totally gone to their heads! not totally!

there are plenty of big wheels to ride in and to spy from.

that sneaky bunny seemed to pop up lots of places and was able to find us even though we were not home. he even left us surprises at the nursing home with great gramma. a won the second prize and now has a new pink bunny.

just wishing and playing and loving. need i say more.

you're so fine

spring!! you're so fine. you blow my mind!!! hey, spring!

can you believe this weather and all the gorgeous days we have had. technically, the calendar says that it is still winter but the thermometer is reading in the 80s.  i kind of have the feeling that wisconsin likes to skip spring and fall and go right to the hots and colds of the next season.

h has been doing his fair share of digging and i am sure that i will see lots of these wiggly creatures coming my way all summer long. he has also found a frog already and we can hear the peepers in the fields. h is big on the where?? so, i need to explain that i hear them. i do not see them. he definitely likes visuals. he also likes to make plans. 'that's my plan!'

after our trip, we headed to gramma and grampa's for the weekend. i will definitely be playing catch-up for longer than anticipated. the kids got all the costumes out and we found squirt bottles for all....because when one has something, they all need one. they hid them really well for a moment and then bursted out with joy that uncle was coming closer but still way out of range and started squirting away.

the cousins enjoyed having all the attention.

of course, there was some work involved in the visit. grampa wanted help pulling line fence out on the new farm. we did get "some" work done but we also took the time to fly kites in the warm sun and wind.

i am thinking that this might just be in the lamb of march. ummmm.

ready, set, dig

finally!! we got the chance to dig in the garden. whew! dirt on our shoes, dirt in our shoes, dirt in our fingernails, dirt on our hands.... we did good and hopefully all that fresh air and sunshine will grant us a good night's rest.

 this little man is never without a tool.

 in go the sunflower seeds. we can't wait until they tower over us.

of course, we planted the usuals and some new finds that ava found at the garden center....sunflowers, cucumbers, peppers, pumpkins, watermelon, cantaloupe, heirloom tomatoes, squash, rosemary, fairy tale eggplant, parsley, beans.....yummy, i can't wait.


next time you head to the library, check out this book. grow it, cook it. simple gardening projects and delicious recipes. i have been hogging it for quite some time and i promise to return it soon!! and, check out this. how cool would that be!

what do you like to plant?

oh no! ohhhh no!

it is official. there is mud everywhere and this little boy knows how to find it. i swear i only turned around for a second to answer ava and with his hands in his pockets this little man hit the floor! drama for a second, laughs all around.

nothing but blue skies and sunshine

cold and dreary is just not my thing and almost as a joke there were slight flurries yesterday in some of our neighboring towns.
but today.....today was perfect. ava may have jumped the gun a little. she was running barefoot through the grass.....but, at least she wasn't bare bummed as i would somtimes find her in the middle of winter strutting around the house. i will remind her of this someday.

this little lady is all set to explore.....sunglasses--check, camera--check

everything is starting to turn green....such a fresh and clean color

this little guy means business...he will not let the mud get the best of him

and now, a few favorite quotes. enjoy.

"The important thing is this: To be able at any moment to sacrifice what we are for what we could become." {Charles Dubois}

"If we knew what it was we were doing, it would not be called research, would it?" {Albert Einstein}

Spring Spring!

I am doing my little happy dance. My kids may think I am nuts but, they do join in. I am so excited that it is spring. The bikes and balls, chalk and stroller that have crowded my garage all winter can finally come out and my kids and I can enjoy some fresh air and sunshine without loads of layers to hinder our every move. Here are some things that I am hearting this month.

How adorable is this whale chalkbord. There are busy busy days ahead between the beach, the picnics, parks, and everything else use this hand-cut, hand-painted whale chalkboard to write reminders, notes, or quotes.

I am so in love with all the fun fabrics and prints available for spring and summer. I will be filling my etsy shop with many soon. I am also slowly gaining the courage needed to sew an actual dress for my daughter. This sweet little top from sweet tea clothier gives me great inspiration.










Check out this piece of jewelry. Instead of a corsage what mom or prom goer wouldn't love to wear this. It is from SecondSister Jewelry.





Last but not least......A great book for your little citizen of the world and hopes that their confidence will bloom and shine!

PreSchool-Grade 2—Peep is a baby chick who follows his mother and sisters along the sidewalk, but when his sisters jump confidently off the edge, Peep hesitates. His reactions run the gamut from nervous to angry to terrified, and when he finally gulps and takes that leap, he's overjoyed at his own prowess. But new challenges always await; for Peep, it's the curb that he must climb next. Every child, or adult for that matter, has trouble overcoming fears of one sort of another and needs encouragement from someone who will uplift their spirit so they can go on. This book has a very heavy message to impart to all its readers, young or old.


As if you needed a reason to shop....here are some days you just may want to celebrate!

April Calendar
Keep America Beautiful Month
Celebrate Diversity Month
National Humor Month
4/1 April Fool's Day
4/2 World Autism Day
4/4 Easter
4/7 No Housework Day
4/10 Baby Massage Day
4/16 National Wear Your Pajamas to Work Day
4/19 TV Turnoff Week
4/22 Earth Day
4/23 William Shakespeare's Birthday
4/24 Eeyore's Birthday