Dollhouse!

So we got the lumber :) And I've got my plans.

Now to make it happen!

Reconnecting with Brother Onion

Woah. Simply, woah.

Today, while cleaning up our kitchen area, I decided to check on my onions and potatoes. This is what I found.



So- I don't know what to do with it, but N is very proud of her onion!



I also found another onion that had a very small sprout at the top, so I put bMoth onions in cups of water next to the windowsill. No idea where to go from here, so our onions are just on display!

Spring has Sprung!

Aah.. it is wonderful to finally hear birds chirping, squirrels scurrying about.. I sense springtime, as I usually do about a month before the actual equinox or solstice. The vernal equinox isn't until March 20th, so I'm right on schedule.

Today I took M to the post office, I had to mail out some things that I had sold online. I had her wrapped in the Moby with my coat zipped over, so only her little head popped out. I suppose she was quite the sight because people would not.stop.staring! It wasn't terribly cold out, it was around 40 according to my desktop temp thingamabob.

Our morning verse is going over wonderfully with N. She loves to sing the good morning song, but she made up her own version and sings "good morning baby, good morning mama, good morning N, good morning daddy", while I sing. She's adorable :) I'm still looking for a bedtime verse/song and would greatly appreciate some help!

And as for the bit about the toys..
I have no idea why I can't seem to part with N's Melissa and Doug play food. I need the motivation to sell it. I don't want to rid everything.. I'll keep a few pieces that she likes (the milk, the slices of bread, the cheese), but will really need to sell off the rest. Same goes for the wooden blocks we got at Target- they don't get any use anymore. When M is big enough for blocks I'll probably get some more from someone on Etsy, but for now, they're a no-go in our house :(

I'd also *love* to get some playsilks, but I can't make up my mind. I might buy blank silks and dye them with koolaid or actual food for a more natural approach.

Also, a photo :)


The Ikea Leka play gym went over really well with M!

Edited to add: I ended up getting two silks from Syrndell on Etsy.. Hoping the girls will love them! I also found a meal song :)

Earth who gives us all our food
Sun who makes it ripe and good
Dear Earth Dear Sun
Our thanks we give
For this food that helps us live.

Working on our Verses

So, I've decided to transition into a Waldorfy lifestyle with the kids. I'm starting by trying to create rhythm. I've got our morning verse down, it goes as follows:


Good morning dear Earth,
Good morning dear Sun,
Good morning to the trees,
and flowers, everyone.
Good morning dear animals,
and the birds in the trees,
Good morning to you,
and good morning to me.

I'm still searching for that perfect nighttime verse.

Toy Vent!!!

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah.

I've seriously HAD IT with N's toys. She LOVES (emphasis on "loves") her play food. I make a huge effort not to buy anything plastic. Her play food is wooden, and it is of the Melissa and Doug brand. I'm tremendously unhappy with them.. They were opened up on Christmas Day, 2009. Numerous pieces have nicks in them, paint chipping, etc. N plays with these ALOT. But the quality just isn't there and with the recent Canadian recalls on other M&D products, I'm feeling a bit uneasy. I also have a M&D fish rattle for M, and I'm thinking of nixing that as well. Same goes for the blocks from Target. I guess quality toys can't be found anymore! *sigh* I've just had it with Melissa and Doug toys.

So here I go, off to check out stuff on Etsy.

Does anyone know if fallen branches from the Illinois Forest Preserves are okay to take home? I mean.. from a legal standpoint. I know that the animals are their property because of wildlife conservation issues.. but if a limb has fallen, I would think it is ours for the taking. Going to research this :)

And I really need to work on my knitting skills. I feel way more comfortable with wool play food than wooden play food. Who the heck knows what's in the wood? The US customs fume the crates when the come into the country, and Melissa & Doug toys are Made in China. Same with big-box stores like home depot.. if the wood is imported. If the wood isn't imported, it is still usually pesticide and herbicide laden, but lesser if it is grown in a cold climate. Wool comes from sheep, which graze on pesticide treated pastures. I still feel more comfy with the wool... or better grown wood.

Fun & Games

I haven't blogged in a bit, I'm trying to limit my internet time and unfortunately my alotted time has been spent playing Zoo World and FarmVille on Facebook. Oy. So, sorry for neglecting you, ol' blog.

Anyways. Yesterday, we all made the trip out to Ikea. It was alot of fun. We got M the Leka play gym, which all of us are in love with. It is so nice to see M actually interacting with something, to see her play. We also bought two chairs for a kitchen project we're starting in our non-kitchen but might abandon that idea and return the chairs because we can't find a tabletop we like, and don't want to spring the moolah for it that ikea charges.


a stock photo of the Leka play gym


N enjoying her ride in the shopping cart

And some other photos...
I got my weird contact lenses, so now I'm green eyed and strange looking...



chubalub

Finally fitting into her Goodmamas..

You Don't Gno-ME!

A little humor there ;]

We got our hat from Kris at SweetNettle today and we love it!! Sent along were two beautiful postcards.

Here is M in her hat.






Again with the camera shyness!