Weekly Flutters

{from anotherfeather's instagram} I want to wrap my bathroom mirrors in greenery now.

Jan of Poppytalk {a blogging hero of mine!} shares a fabric printing DIY

This Anthropology-inspired yarn stitched rug DIY would look great in my kitchen.

This Washi tape cross-stitched pattern {I don't have a source for this pic} would look cute in my laundry room!

I've been craving some fun/ inexpensive ways to spruce my space.  Something listed here will be happening this weekend {maybe more than one thing... we shall see}...

Happy weekend to all!!

P.S.-- links are included for all of these... I just can't seem to change the color of my font {probably a "doi!" moment that I will eventually figure out}.  Just hover around and you'll see where to click.

Weekly Flutters

 

via Fashion Nautical Style

learn how to fold a paper boat with Jenny Doh

 

FREE printable anchor gift tags and wrapping paper? Yes, please!
 

underwater photography by Bruce Mozart

a lonely little mermaid


Wishing you a week full of smooth sailing!

Homeschool Diaries: Favorite Books

Jayden's Picks:

{left top to bottom right} The Poky Little Puppy// Little Monster {learn to read book} //  Mater Tales Little Golden Books // Sesame Street: Grover Takes Care of Baby // The Berenstein Bears and The Messy Room // I Am a Bunny

Titus' Picks:

{left top to bottom right} The Golden Book Encyclopedia // Mr. Peabody's Apples //The Book of Australian Nursery Rhyme //Just One More Swim //Before I go to Sleep // Wreck it Ralph

 I think that the books they decided to share are such perfect examples of how they learn.  Jayden likes simple books... that are not too long.  His attention span is much shorter, but he does enjoy picking out letters and small words.  We have had to read "The Messy Room" book many times. ;)

Titus, on the other hand, likes to sit and read.  He really loves pictures, particularly of nature, trains, and engines.  But I can read him longer books, or more than one, without him getting bored.

One thing I found helped the interest level in reading for fun was finding books they had seen the movies of.  They get really excited about Disney cartoon books, because they already know the story and can pretend to read it on their own.

//

We have been spending a good hour most days simply tracing, writing, and painting. I have been keeping it simple just so that I don't get overwhelmed. I find creativity as a homeschool mom hits me in spurts, and when it hits I run with it. But when it's gone, I have a tendency to become despondent and not put the effort into teaching them that I should. Like most things, it is easy to view our children as a competition and we are trying to turn out the best "product". But truthfully, they are so much more than the sum of lessons learned. Even though some other mom out there has probably turned out a four-year-old who is reading Tolstoy while we're over here tracing circles... it is the time together practicing life essentials that is important to me. Each day I teach them something... their world becomes a little bigger, and they learn to trust me a little more. And I learn how to be more patient and gentle. We're growing together, always.  If anyone was to ask me what I personally thought was the most satisfying thing about having a family, I would say this is it.

tidbits

 

//1. We went to a farm with my in-laws and met some really sweet animals.  This is Willy the horse. 
// 2. I can't remember this cow's name, so I shall call him "diva"  because he wanted the camera's attention that day. 
// 3. Ummm... It's the size of my dog. 
// 4. Miniature donkey.
// 5. Soy is looking a little angelic here, wouldn't you say?
// 6. The splash pad is pretty much our life these days. 
// 7. And I am always armed with plenty of water, coconut oil, and reading material. 
//8.9. I have had a smoothie obsession lately.  Some are super healthy.  Others or sort of healthy, but really good like this little blend: 1 frozen banana, 2 c frozen peaches, 1 c coconut milk, 1 1/2 c baby romaine, and a sprinkle of white chocolate chips.  Mmmm.... my taste buds were dancing.

I Am...

~ Loving a mild winter, flowy skirts, and short hair.  It's funny how the smallest things can make such a  difference in the day-to-day... a sense of freedom, of being fuss-free, or ready for anything.  It is a glorious feeling that I wish I could bottle to spritz on stressful moments like lysol.

~ Learning balance {always}.  Right now it is a mind-over-body thing.  For the past year, I struggled with some severely uncomfortable health issues.  I think I am-- as of this past month--- free of them.  Queue the internal sigh of relief, my entire inner body is rejoicing.  Still, I have not yet learned when I can push it, and when to chill out.  There are times when I vigorously test my limits only to curse my stars all the next day, etc. On the same note, am contemplating a juice or vegetable cleanse of some sort.  Still, don't want to do anything that will harsh on my system, or leave me drained of energy.  The thought of a good cleansing of the left-over toxins is very appealing though.

~Still weepy after watching Mrs Palfrey at The Claremont on netflix streaming.  If you haven't watched it, DO.  It is sweet, pretty clean, and is just one of those movies that leaves you feeling good about life.

~Planning a small party for the end of next month to celebrate the twins fourth birthday.  I can't believe it every year.  They've grown so much/ it feels like yesterday.

~ Living more simply.  A lot less processed foods, less clutter, TV, less sporadic spending.  It feels good.

~Reading The Musician's Daughter by Susanne Dunlap

~Learning to be a single mom.  I say that I am not at all anxious about Matt's deployment in July, but I would be crazy not to be just a little.  As he trains, there have been longer days and nights, and I have had to schedule accordingly.  I don't always do it great, but I am getting there.

~Longing for a road trip.  I don't care where.  I just want to get away for a little while... with the sunshine and my short hair and a suitcase full of skirts and ...

be free.

What We Do Lately: Vol. 1

 ...  I am enjoying living close to home for the first time in my married life.  It was fun being away... and there are other parts of this country Matt and I consider home.  But there is nothing like being near family, especially when you have little ones.  I love the bond between the generations, and how it gives the boys confidence.  Love really works wonders.  I am so glad the home I came from is in no way broken, and pray daily for strength and wisdom that we can keep this family strong.  I read something last night... a poem about forming clay, and how the mistakes that are left once the clay hardens are stuck forever.  I know plenty of wonderful people who walked through hardship as children.  I don't think tragedy will keep you from being wonderful, but I do think it gets stuck on a child until his dying days.  If I could just impress upon these little ones now what it is to be good, and humble, and wise... I only hope that those will be the things they carry through this life with them.

 ... The Jedi {Jayden {Jay} and Titus {Ti}.} are going through what I assume is normal toddler angst. The competitive edge is exhausting. I know they love each other, but the amount of unhappiness we go through daily because "Bubba did it," is a bit out of proportion.

... Matt is becoming a regular gym fanatic.  If you know him, you are wearing the same baffled expression I am.  It is an incredible change that inspires me.  I love that he wants to eat healthy food, and his idea of togetherness is broader than piling on the couch in front of the television.  I love that I didn't nag him into this change.  By the way, change that happens because of nagging is never really that enjoyable, is it?

... I am consuming entirely too much iced coffee. It is the conflicted blessing of having a barista at a local coffee shop for a sister. She showers me with new flavors of coffee beans, and other such delicious samples. I believe a purge will be my goal for 2014. Or perhaps 2015...

... Matt and I finally had a date night.  It happens maybe twice a year, which I recognize is probably average for a lower-income family of four, two of them still being in pull-ups.  We went to see an eight p.m. showing of The Hobbit.  Matt, being a semi-popular jock/ musician back in the day that I was sporting taped-up glasses and an overflowing book bag, did not have much of an opinion while I was a little disappointed.  The book is always better, always.  But it was still an enjoyable time.