A Little Welsh Fun

It turns out we completely missed Saint David’s Day yesterday, but I found this blog post full of Welsh crafts from Filth Wizardry so delightful that I had to pass it on anyway.

I’m in love with the easy paper leeks!

(Long-time readers also know that I’ll celebrate any excuse to have fun that involves sheep.) 

If you want to continue with the theme of St. David and Wales, here are some wonderful compilations of crafts and activities on DLTK (did you know that dragons are considered Wales’ national animal?!) and Activity Village (I love the dragon sock puppet!).

In any case, happy March, chickadees!  Spring is really coming.  Yay!

Look for a post on ways to make the day magical on Monday.  My husband’s recovery is coming along well and I think it’s time for us to start easing out of hibernation.   

Enjoy the rest of the weekend!

A Little Snowy Fun

Got snow?  Here’s a delightful way to use it!

Wouldn’t it be fun to sneak outside tonight and do this to the family car?  Or even all the cars in the parking lot?! 

Happy Sunday!

 

Singing in the Rain

I love this story!

A group of homeschoolers from Logos Public Charter School gave Rogue Valley Mall shoppers an early Halloween treat Saturday.

An flash-mob performance by more than 30 umbrella-wielding students — from third-graders through high-school seniors — drew an enthusiastic response that provoked an instant encore.

What fun!  Way to go, kiddos! 

 

10 Things That Make Me Happy

I have a lot to feel happy about right now.  I’m happy to be back to blogging and yapping with you lovely people!  I’m also happy that Victoria is doing so much better right now.  She’s recovered from the latest surgery very well and the pain has been much more manageable during the recovery.  Lovely people from all over have sent heartwarming little cards, letters, craft projects and pick-me-ups.  The rest of us are finally over our various illnesses and it really seems the clouds have lifted.  Victoria will have another round of tests in 3 months to check on the cancer but we’re optimistic, and we’re doing what we can to keep her super healthy in the meantime.

Here’s a few other things that are making me happy lately…

1. Baby feet. 
2. Siblings who still like to play together.  
3.  New herb gardens even though I didn’t get a chance to plant a veggie garden (yet) this year. 
4. Puppy kisses. 
5. Glamour photo shoots in the back yard. 
6. My bulletproof roses. 
7. Kombucha mother shared from a friend so we can start a new round of flavored concoctions. 
8. Kids who love nature and photography. 
9. New parks and places to explore together.        
10. You.  Thanks for all of the comments, well wishes, prayers and encouragement this month.  It really means a lot, and every bit was appreciated.

I’m hoping to be back in the swing of things soon. 

Now, who’s up for some fabulous messy fun?  I hear international Play in the Mud Day is coming soon…… 

 

For Your Viewing Pleasure….

I love this video of six year-old Ethan (who happens to be on the autism spectrum) playing “Piano Man”!  I smile like crazy every time I watch him.

“Sing it together!” 

What a super talented, super awesome kid!

 

Celebrate Pancake Day!

That’s right, it’s not just Mardis Gras tomorrow!  It’s also Pancake Day (also known as Shrove Tuesday). 

This historic holiday was once a tradition for families to use up ingredients like eggs and sugar that were restricted during Lent. 

When we found out about traditional pancake races a few years ago, we adapted the fun with some local homeschool friends.  I bought some cheap packaged pancakes for our races.  To do your own pancake races, you line up and run as fast as you can, flipping your pancake on a plate or paper plate holder as you run, then hand off your pancake to your partner on the opposite side to race back with.   You could also adapt it for just one or two participants too, of course!

Here’s some pictures of our fun…

Of course, you could also celebrate Pancake Day by just making a load of them and eating them for dinner (ooh, with a topping bar!) too!

Want more info about Pancake Day? 

There’s info on Wikipedia, the International Pancake Day site and the Irish Culture and Customs site.  This British site has lots of really fun information about pancake races and also lists some other traditional activities, like skipping and ” the world’s oldest, largest, longest and maddest football game.”

Happy Pancake Day!

Peace (with or without quiet!)

“Peace does not mean to be in a place
where there is no noise,
trouble, or hard work.
Peace means to be in the midst of all those things
and still be calm in your heart.”

~Marcel Morin

I love this picture I took last month at Magical Mama Tiffany’s house.  She was hosting an extra wacky mama (that would be me!), a baby and an extra boy for a week, along with her own (growing!!!) family.  She even had a couple of crazy birds on her shoulder who are fond of whistling “If you’re happy and you know it” and then pecking people in the head!   

Next time things are really zany at your house, do me a favor and picture a wacky bird or two on your shoulder, thank your lucky stars for people to fill your house with noise, and laugh.  It gets me through an awful lot of crazy days! 

Happy weekend!

Say Something Nice

I love this video!  The Say Something Nice Project…

Happy Sunday!

Meet Fiona Rose!

Fiona Rose was born Monday, October 10, 2011 at 7:41 a.m.  She was 8 pounds, 8 ounces and 20 1/4 inches long.  She has dark blue eyes, fuzzy blonde hair and the most lovable personality.  Though of course I’m biased. 

Her big sister Victoria (13) took photos and created her baby announcement (isn’t she talented?!) and I thought I’d share it here…

We are all over the moon in love with Fiona.

I’ll be back soon!

Good Signs

I love a good sign.  I keep wanting to paint up some fun ones around the house with the kids.  Being this pregnant with this many things I really ought to be doing more than making signs, I haven’t quite gotten to it yet. 

Somehow before the baby comes, I really want to make a sign or two around the house, though.

Here’s my current three favorites (click on the images to go to the original sources)…

I think I’ll invite the kids to help me think up some original signs of our own too.

Though judging by the time of night I’m writing this, perhaps I ought to start with one that says “Go to sleep.”   

Have a happy Friday!