Art in the Genes

Some families have soccer games or dance recitals.  We make stuff.

Markers on the floor.  Scrapes of paper everywhere.  This is what they do.  And the tape... don't get me started on the tape.

My mom knits nearly every day and my dad is an architect and a painter so I'm pretty sure my genes play a roll in this.  Right now it is a free-for-all but I'd like to plan some structured art activities and get some of their awesome artwork up on the wall.

Pictures of the craft room coming soon.

Eggs and Easter Bunnies

Saturday we prepped for Easter by coloring eggs.  After looking through all the wonderful possibilities on the internet the girls opted for the good old color with crayons and dunk method.

My favorite part of the whole activity was that they shared a chair.  Without a word the two snuggled up on the same seat, side by side, and decorated eggs.

We had a mix of brown and white eggs.  They came out speckled and beautiful, almost too pretty to eat.

Sunday we had two little Easter Bunnies hopping around the house collecting eggs.

I like to keep Easter simple.  I pull out the same ears, baskets and plastic eggs every year.  The girls get excited about their chocolate bunnies and a few pieces of candy and that's it.  We spent the day together making brunch, planning the garden, taking a walk to the park.  Quiet, family time is the best.

Although it is a little early to start planting outside we did put together a terraium for the living room.  The girls were so into it.

Their animals liked it too.

A Change of Plans

 We are seven days into our spring break with no exciting pictures to share.  I purposefully planned on doing nothing.  Well, cleaning out closets and stocking the freezer isn't nothing, but it does't make for  interesting pictures to post.  I thought the girls might be bored but they have been very happy to have time to just play.

Yesterday I thought it would be fun to get out and go somewhere so we headed to the zoo.  The problem was everyone else in Denver was thinking the same thing.  After we parked over a mile away the girls and I opted for the playground instend.  When we talked about what to do next they wanted to go home to make something (are they my kids or what?).

Baking Soda "Play Clay"

2 cups baking soda
1 cup cornstarch
1 1/4 cup cold water

Heat on the stove for 10-15 minutes, add food coloring and cool.

They spent a few hours making little sweets and toys for their Pet Shops.  It was so much fun I'm thinking it might be a good activity for Erin's birthday party coming up.

Part of me feels guilty for not doing anything "big" with our time off but then I see pictures like these and I remember that "little" memories are important too.

Like Tuesday when I made mini pancakes for their American Girl dolls.

The girls are so into small things these days.  It reminds me so much of when I was their age.

The craft room is almost organized.  The girls have been in there so much that I really haven't had time to find a home for everything yet.  I think Erin is having a craft party for her birthday so I need to get serious about planning so activities.  These cans I started collecting may come in handy.

Oooh the possibilities.

Snowflake Bentley

 We started to get snow flurries Friday afternoon as I was driving home from work.  Eight inches of snow was not exactly what I had in mind as we were starting our week off for spring break.

Saturday Jeff shoveled the drive way and drove the girls to a sleepover as I scrolled through Facebook looking at all the pictures of my friends from Arizona in 80 degree weather.  Despite having to put the trip to the zoo on hold I still love the snow.  In fact Erin and I read a book last week that made me love it even more.

I'm not sure where we got this book.  I've seen it on our bookshelf before but the girls stick to their favorites when picking out books.  One night Erin grabbed this, although not the chapter books she's now reading, I was glad it was something new.

The book tells the life story of William Bentley, a man who lived in Vermont in 1865.  He was fascinated by the snow.  When he was a boy he asked for a camera so he could take pictures of snowflakes.  Day after day, month after month, year after year he would take pictures of the snow crystals.  He would give the pictures to friends and family and sold them to travelers from out of town.  Eventually his collection of pictures were published in a books.

I decided to check the library catalog and was so excited when I found they had a copy of his book.

Over 2400 plates of beautiful, unique snow crystals.  They are amazing.  I know that no two snowflakes are alike but I had no idea how diverse they were.

Not quite what we see when we look out the window but it sure is incredible to think about.  Warmer temperatures are on the way.  There won't be many more snowy days until next year.

Nerd Day

Friday was a spirit day at the girls school.  The theme was "nerd day".  Of course they reminded me at 7:30 the Thursday night.  I wanted to take them to the thrift shop to find some sweet digs but they were closed so we hit the dollar store.  We picked up some glasses and popped the lenses out.  Jeff pointed out that kids who wear glasses might take offense.  I wear glasses and I happen to think nerdy is cool.

My sweet little nerds.

Green and Pink

Happy St. Patty's Day.  

Spring is on the way and it's sent me into a little health kick.  I've been reading 100 Days of Real Food and it has inspired me to clean up our food choices.  I'd love to stop everything, empty our pantry/fridge and totally revamp our kitchen but I realize that this change will need to be a gradual one.  It is going to take some time to switch up my shopping list and learn some new recipes.  This morning I made some poached eggs and whole wheat biscuits.   Shamrock shapes and a little honey for dipping were my way of selling it to the girls.  They were a hit and I will surely make them again.

Yesterday we celebrated St. Patricks Day with friends and their new baby girl.  It was a great party.

I made this sweater for her a few weeks ago and whipped up a little hat Friday night to go with it.  I love the color and softness of the yarn and the pattern is just perfect to keep little ones cozy but not too hot.  Thanks Erin for helping with the pictures.

Pattern details on Ravelry.