Rainy day stuff. (butterflies and tree mural)

We had a rainy day here today, so I seized the opportunity to finish the mural in the girl’s playroom that I’ve been working on off and on this week, and the girls made coffee filter butterflies. (I got the idea from this tutorial…fun!!) We also found some crawlies.

So I’ll show you some pics.

And my tree mural pic…not professional, obviously, so don’t judge too harshly. I’m not exactly what you’d consider artistically gifted, but it works for our playroom. :O)
I painted on the body of the tree, then used different scrap fabrics I had lying around. If
you saturate them in ironing starch, you can stick them to the wall, and they’ll dry and stay put. They come off easily without any marks. Cool, eh?

Making pumpkin cheesecake

Essie got a new haircut recently that I’m pretty darn proud of, and Nomi is now rocking her usual (but newly trimmed) glam mullet. :OP

We made pumpkin cheesecake yesterday afternoon, in attempt to keep myself from behaving like a grouchy old witch. “Helping” usually involves eating most of the filling before it’s cooked and screaming “HOORAY!!” when the timer goes off on the over.

We also made some mason jar luminaries from fall colored construction paper and glue that Ess wants me to post a photo of later. Fun project (also designed to distract me from being a total grump, lol), but very, very gooey. It reminded me of my childhood hobby of covering my hands in paste and peeling it off. I *might* have done that yesterday, just for old time’s sake.

EDIT: Here are the luminaries. ) Essie really had a blast, and really enjoyed cutting the paper into bits..she’s not often allowed to use the scissors. I need to get new scissors for everyone; she doesn’t have kiddie scissors, so I sacrificed a pair of fabric shears. Anyway. Luminaries!

No TV, week #1

I was really surprised how much I enjoyed not having the t.v. on this week.

We actually carted the t.v. back to the office, and didn’t watch any! (excepting family movie time after dinner a couple of nights, and a few Sesame street skits turned on long enough for me to snag a quick one shower yesterday afternoon )

I was really bracing myself for horrific meltdowns and running around and chaos and the day dragging by s-l-o-w-l-y, but was surprised to find the exact opposite! The weather’s nice here, so we spent a good amount of time on the porch or at the park or walking trails. They’re both really like little forest elves…they adore being out in the dirt and trees and rocks and leaves. It’s *amazing* how quickly time seems to fly when it’s pretty outside.

I want to pause time and not let the freezing rain of winter come…this area is famous for it. I’ll have to get more creative, I guess, lol. This is an easy time of year to wean off the poop tube.

We did some fun little seasonal projects together: we made a bird feeder with peanut butter and pine cones, collected leaves, baked some muffins, made some apple-star-stamp cards to send to family and I think we’ll carve another jack-o-lantern tomorrow morning.

It probably helps that I tend to be obnoxiously in love with all things whimsical and creative. I have to remind myself to pace myself and not rush from one project to the next. Savoring. Being in the moment, and embracing the rhythm of work, play, and savoring. I need to work on that. E tends to cure that tenancy by digging in her heels when she feels pushed or rushed, which is good for me.

I’m also working on not being quite so much of a shutter-bug. *gasp* Still taking pictures, of course, but spending most of my time connecting and enjoying the moment…not missing out on it by trying so hard to capture it. Special moments with children remind me of butterflies: try to hard to capture them, and you’ll crush them. But, if you remain very still and approachable, they just might land on your fingers.

Mostly…I guess I’m trying to live more than survive, which is, of course, a lot easier now that both girls are out of the all-consuming infant phase.

I’m happy to have reclaimed a little bit of rhythm. <3

Bananas over Bento

When I was a kid, my mom used to make lunchtime fun.

It’s one of my favorite memories-sitting at the kitchen table munching away on some veggie/fruit/PB hybrid that had been transformed into “toad in a hole” or “ants on a log” or “ladybugs” or a “soccer ball”. She rocked and it was fun.

I struggle at making toddler lunches everyday, and had forgotten that little trick until I came across something the other day that sparked warm fuzzy memories. “Bento” is a the Japanese tradition of “cute cooking”, and now mom’s lunches have a official title, lol.

This totally appeals to my creative side that’s been pining away during the endless, repetitive nature of mommy chores. I just get bored. (I really struggle with 3 square meals a day, and have a rotten tenancy to let the day slide by on rice cakes and raisins. )

Here is excitement! Here is playful pizazz!! Here is something nostalgic that I can pass on to my girls, as goofy as it may be. Heh heh.

A gluten free muffin becomes a chocolate-banana flavored monkey!
Kiwis are served in silly muffin liners.
Hippos are invited to take a dip in the smoothie pond (Essie’s own unique spin on things, lol!)

Funny thing I’ve noticed is that E. is eating her food more slowly, and seems to be consuming and enjoying more. (score!) I’m more motivated to put a really decent lunch together, so it works out for everybody. It’s nice when needs and personality quirks collide.

So here’s to you, mom. <3