Cupiding

Valentine's Day is kind of a big deal around here... I heart all the hearts!

We are not into all the commercialized craziness, but it is still near the top of my favorite holidays.

This year marks Papa's and my TENTH Valentine's Day together!

The girls and I baked peanut butter chocolate chip cookies for Papa...

this recipe plus dark chocolate chips

And made strawberries and chocolate dip.

dip recipe here (buttercream frosting actually)

We don't do a lot of wheat, but it was in the house, and grilled cheese is an easy to Valentine food.

And now Papa has a lovely lovey little lunch to take to work.

I am sure all the other guys will be sooooo jealous ;)

I got 10 red roses... There were a dozen, but Bunny got one. And well, if Bunny gets something Squirrely thinks she should get one too. They were both de-petaled ( I made up that word) in minutes.

So we had rose petals in our bath that night... Which was nice too.

All this Valentine fun has been brought to you by a day off from daycare due to snow...

Lots of snow.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Each week I join several linky parties! What a fun way to share and learn!

Natural Living Monday, Hey Mom, Look What I Did!, Montessori Monday, Made by Little Hands, Homemade Mondays, Mama Moments Monday {Link Up}, The Gathering Spot, Little Wonders' Days, Mom's Monday Mingle, Mommy Moments, Frugal, Crafty Home, Hip Homeschool Hop, Mom's Library, Tuesday Tots, The Tuesday Baby Link-Up, Keep Calm Craft On {crafting on}, Tuned in Tuesday, Teach Me Tuesday, TOO Cute Tuesday, Open Call Tuesday, Backyard Farming Connection Hop, Tuned in Tuesday, Kids in the Kitchen,  It's Playtime, We Made That Linky, What I Learned Wednesday, Kids Co-Op, Artsy Play Wednesday, Healthy 2Day Wednesday, Wildcrafting Wednesday, Adorned From Above, Frugal Days, Sustainable Ways, Kids Crafts, Link and Learn, Thrifty Thursday, Hearts for Home, needle and thREAD,Made U Look, Tender Moments with Toddlers and Preschoolers, Natural Living Link-Up, Small Footprint Friday, Our Days Homeschool Link-Up, For the Kids Friday, FarmGirl Friday Blog Hop, Kitchen Fun and Crafty Friday, Read. Explore. Learn., Creative Learning on Friday, Preschool and Kindergarten Corner,Friday's Nature Table, The Friday Baby Shower, TGIF Linky Party, Family Fun Friday, Creative Friday,Friday Flair Link Party, Shine on Fridays, Friday Favs, Outdoor Play Party, Do Something Crafty,Weekend Whatever, Saturday Show and Tell, Tot School Gathering Place, Sharing Saturday, Share It Saturday, Country Kids, Link and Learn, Show and Share Saturday,Stress Free Sunday, The Sunday Showcase, The Sunday Parenting Party, The Homesteaders' Blog Hop, Making Boys Men, Made with Love,Raising Memories

Papa's Little Pal

Bunny, who is normally a Mama's girl, has been all about her Papa these days.

It all started when we bought a new family vehicle, Papa's dream truck.

Bunny was all about it and insisted on helping him work on it.

She was a faithful little helper and they made many tune ups on Gretchen (the truck's name).

Now that everything is running the way Papa wants it, Bunny has decided that it is great fun to hang out together and wants to go with him everywhere.

I am a homebody, so they often take off on their own for an afternoon.

Their current go to getaway is fishing.

One night she asked to sleep beside Papa... While that didn't last more than a few hours, if I happen to get up, she no longer has to get up with me and follow me to the bathroom at 3am. She can just migrate his way a little to feel safe and secure.

It is pretty awesome... Especially for a Mama who has been very needed for the last 3+ years...

Amazingly, this has come at the same time that Squirrely (who has favored Papa from day one) has started being a bit of a Mama's girl.

Funny how life works out that way. :)

Each week I join several linky parties!  What a fun way to share and learn! 

Natural Living Monday,  The Children's Bookshelf,  Monday's Kid Corner, Hey Mom, Look What I Did!, Montessori Monday, Made by Little Hands, Homemade Mondays, Mama Moments Monday {Link Up}, The Gathering Spot,  Little Wonders' Days,  Mom's Monday Mingle, Mommy Moments, Frugal, Crafty Home,  Hip Homeschool Hop, Mom's Library,  Tuesday Tots, (tot school tuesday), The Tuesday Baby Link-Up, Keep Calm Craft On {crafting on}, Tuned in Tuesday, Teach Me Tuesday, TOO Cute Tuesday, Open Call Tuesday, Backyard Farming Connection Hop, Tuned in Tuesday, Kids in the Kitchen,  Waldorf Wednesday,  It's Playtime, We Made That Linky, What I Learned Wednesday, Super Link Party, Kids Co-Op,  Artsy Play Wednesday, Healthy 2Day Wednesday, Wildcrafting Wednesday, Adorned From Above, Frugal Days, Sustainable Ways, Kids Crafts, Link and Learn, Thrifty Thursday,  Hearts for Home,  needle and thREAD, Made U Look, Tender Moments with Toddlers and Preschoolers,  Natural Living Link-Up, Small Footprint Friday,  Our Days Homeschool Link-Up,  For the Kids Friday, FarmGirl Friday Blog Hop,  Kitchen Fun and Crafty Friday, Read. Explore. Learn., Creative Learning on Friday,  Preschool and Kindergarten Corner, Friday's Nature Table, The Friday Baby Shower,  TGIF Linky Party, Family Fun Friday,  Creative Friday, Friday Flair Link Party, Shine on Fridays, Friday Favs, Outdoor Play Party,  Do Something Crafty, Weekend Whatever,  Saturday Show and Tell,  Tot School Gathering Place,  Sharing Saturday, Share It Saturday, Country Kids, Link and Learn, sharing creative, ideas {all weekend}, Show and Share Saturday, Stress Free Sunday,  The Sunday Showcase, The Preschool Prekinder Nook, Fun Sparks, The Sunday Parenting Party, Making Boys Men, Spring Carnival, Made with Love, Raising Memories

And each week I co-host Eco-Kids Tuesday Link-Up!

 

Rhythm of the Home--Nana's Get Well Box

Rhythm of the Home is a wonderful online magazine celebrating LIFE!  We have enjoyed it since its very 1st edition! ROTH has encouraged us to live a simple, intentional. yet very full life!  So it is very exciting (an honor really) that "we" have an article in the Summer edition, just released this morning!!  When I say "we", I really mean "me" NanaKerri, but it is all about those grandbabies, so "we" it is!


Hope you take a moment to go read my submission,  Nana's Get Well Box, as well as take a little time to read the others.  There is so much food for thought and encouragement found there!

While there be sure to visit the Rhythm of the Home blog and enter the Rhythm of the Home Give-Away!  Hannah is giving away a gorgeous playsilk from her little shop: Enchanted Childhood Playthings! 

Hope, as you read through the articles,  you find encouragement and a sense of simple beauty.

These Girls

These girls...

When I was first pregnant with Squirrely, I thought for sure she would be a boy.

I had it in my head and all planned out.

We had our ultrasound at 17 weeks, and SURPRISE! It's a GIRL!

To be honest, it took me a minute to wrap my head around it.

I wasn't upset, just in total shock.

It wasn't until the drive home that I all of a sudden realized what having two little girls would mean.

"The Adventures of Bunny and Squirrel!", I shouted.

Papa looked at me like I was crazy.

But then it clicked for him too.

Every day is a new adventure with these two.

I cannot wait to see what the future holds.

Something enchanted, I am sure.

I am so blessed by these girls.

Miss Independent

 

People who think that attachment parenting makes children that never learn to be independent,

have never met Bunny.

At 3 years old, though she still breastfeeds, still co-sleeps, still spends all day long with her mama, still gets a lot of attention, and is still very attached, she is somehow also so very independent.

A free thinking, free spirited, passion filled, loving, kind, happy, smart, healthy, amazing girl.

She is capable and confident.

Fearless and sometimes finicky.

Every day she does something new.

Always dreaming bigger dreams. Always pushing her own limits.

And if she ever does get stuck, she knows I am not far away.

And maybe that is what attachment parenting morphs into as children get older.

Maybe it becomes available parenting.

A here for you, trusting, safe, shoulder to cry on, hand to help guide, soft place to land kind of thing.

Because when they know there is a soft place to land, they are not afraid to fly.

I am in constant awe of my little fledgling.

She has completely changed so much of what I thought I knew. 

I have been around and taken care of children for most of my life.

I thought I knew kids.

But as it turns out, that would be like saying I know teens, or the middle aged, or the elderly.

There is no way I can, because they are not a group.

They are each a person.

And she is quite an exceptional one.

I am so enjoying getting to know her.

We have taught each other so much, and we have so much left to learn.

Each week I joined several linky parties!  What a fun way to share and learn! 

Mindful Mothering Mondays, Mommy Moments,  frugal, crafty, home blog hop, Natural Living Monday,  The Children's Bookshelf,  Monday's Kid Corner, Hey Mom, Look What I Did!, Montessori Monday, Made by Little Hands, Homemade Mondays, Mama Moments Monday {Link Up}, The Gathering Spot,  Little Wonders' Days,  Mom's Monday Mingle,  Hip Homeschool Hop, Mom's Library,  Tuesday Tots, (tot school tuesday), The Tuesday Baby Link-Up, Keep Calm Craft On {crafting on}, Tuned in Tuesday, Teach Me Tuesday, TOO Cute Tuesday, Open Call Tuesday, Backyard Farming Connection Hop, Tuned in Tuesday, Kids in the Kitchen,  Waldorf Wednesday,  It's Playtime, We Made That Linky, What I Learned Wednesday, Super Link Party, Kids Co-Op,  Artsy Play Wednesday, Healthy 2Day Wednesday, Wildcrafting Wednesday, Adorned From Above, Frugal Days, Sustainable Ways, Kids Crafts, Link and Learn, Thrifty Thursday,  Hearts for Home,  needle and thREAD, Made U Look, Tender Moments with Toddlers and Preschoolers,  Natural Living Link-Up, Small Footprint Friday,  Our Days Homeschool Link-Up,  For the Kids Friday, Kitchen Fun and Crafty Friday, Read. Explore. Learn., Creative Learning on Friday,  Preschool and Kindergarten Corner, Friday's Nature Table, The Friday Baby Shower,  TGIF Linky Party, Family Fun Friday,  Creative Friday, Friday Flair Link Party, Shine on Fridays, Friday Favs, Outdoor Play Party,  Do Something Crafty, Tot School Gathering Place,  Sharing Saturday, Share It Saturday, Country Kids, Link and Learn, sharing creative, ideas {all weekend}, Show and Share Saturday, The Sunday Showcase, The Preschool Prekinder Nook, Fun Sparks, The Sunday Parenting Party, Making Boys Men, Spring Carnival, Made with Love

And each week I co-host Eco-Kids Tuesday Link-Up!

{these moments}

These precious moments of the past three years. 

Happy Birthday, Bunny! 

1st Birthday

2nd Birthday

  

A Friday ritual inspired by SouleMama.

Beautiful Mess

When I write, I try to focus on the good. The happy, wonderful, enchanted times are pulled out of my day to day life, and brought here to share and remember. I feel it is my way of finding the beauty in things. But recently, I have been trying to look at beauty with a broader vision. Just because something does not look like what you think it should look like does not mean it is not beautiful.

It might just mean you are not looking at it the right way.

"Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it." ~Confucius

This is me after being up half the night with a sick baby, no make up, hair not fixed.

Not a situation that I would normally consider beautiful.

"Our hearts are drunk with a beauty our eyes could never see."

~George W. Russell

But look a little closer and you might find the beauty of it all.

"There is a kind of beauty in imperfection." ~Conrad Hall

It is a beautiful thing. The love and bond between mother and babe.

The "we can make it, together" mentality that disproves the very idea of impossible.

I have read that so much of motherhood is basic survival. I am sure that is true.

But it is during these times that we forge the bonds that make up a family.

"Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us or we find it not." ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

I think one of the most important things I have learned as a mama (and re-learn all the time), is to do the very best you can with both the good times and the bad times, for as long as they endure. 

This makes the good stay longer and the bad go by faster.

She Takes My Breath Away

Her pure, sweet beauty. Inside and out.

I inhale it deeply and it soaks into every part of me.

 I am so very blessed!