A little birdie told me

During our recent 'ice-olation' - one of the 'get busy' activities we did was to feed the birds.  We were sitting at the table eating breakfast and talked about how the little birds must be so cold.  I remembered that I had some birdseed in the garage left over and decided to scatter it around the iced over yard.  We also put seed on the patio to lure the birds in closer so we could watch from the window.  We then parked our chairs up against the windows and back glass door and waited.  As soon as the birds realized there was birdseed here they began to come in large groups.  I was so happy to see that this was not the typical 'grackle' or black bird (not sure if grackle is right - that comes from a texas guy that used to live here and he had odd pronounciation sometimes - ha).  Anyways, it was nice to see more of the song birds and small finches...very pretty to watch and entertaining for the kids.  I grabbed my camera and shot these pictures thru the window...

 Katherine drawing hearts and flowers in the fog she created having her nose pressed up against the window!!  Priceless.

 Dove

 Is this a sparrow?

 

 

I believe these birds were very grateful for our boredom today!

They stayed around a long time, came up close where we could watch them, they looked towards the camera and gave great poses...I believe these little birdies were saying THANK YOU!!

And I am thankful for them today too.  The memories of these moments are treasures in my heart.

Feeling the Love

Our recent 4 day snow in meant time to get creative.  Not only was I getting creative in the kitchen, but also working my mind on reorganizing my pantry, suggesting activities for the kids to do and getting 'crafty'. 

I have always said I am CREATIVE not crafty.  And this particular day was requiring both.  First off I decided to get the kids up and moving around...working as a team.  (They had bickered a time too many for Mama and it was teamwork time).  So I looked around at things that I seemed to have a lot of and decided we would walk the entire house and see how many of these items we could find.  With Valentines coming...Hearts were on my mind.  My photography business is HEARTSTORIES, my heart collection is large...but I never realized I was really even collecting them.  So we went around room by room and found hearts in each room. 

 (wow - need to clean that mirror!)

It was a lot of fun for the kids and we noticed that my love for hearts has carried over into Katherine's room too...

The kids noticed the smallest heart shape in the designs of iron, baskets, artwork and jewelry. 

Doing this little 'scavenger hunt' got our bodies moving and our minds working.  The kids were very aware of all the little details and how much Mama loves LOVE.  :)  I decided our next project would be to DECORATE for Valentines Day!!!  Normally we only decorate for Halloween, Christmas and Easter.  While I try to make a big deal out Valentines Day - being one of my top 3 holidays...I haven't decorated for it?!?!  Maybe its because I have hearts all over and am not sure how much more I can do.  ha

So Connor decided some heart beads should line the mantle...and Katherine and I made a chain of hearts to hang from the light over the table.  Then I was inpired to frame the Valentine card I created for family with a fun background.  I used a gift bag that I loved as the matting and attached ribbon.  It turned out pretty good.  (sorry about the heart 'wreath' photo...was taken with a cell phone for quick posting to share on facebook).

I started to think that maybe I enjoy CRAFTY!!!  So today we had ANOTHER snow day...and we worked on Valentines gifts. We put together gifts for friends, teachers and each other.

It was a great time off with the kids.  Looking back now at the end of the day...I believe we all NEEDED to slow down, reconnect and spend some time together.  I LOVED IT!!!

Teachers Make a Difference

Ran across these items from Connor's first grade teacher...
It was a hard year for Connor as his Mom and Dad were separated, Kindergarten was very different from FIRST grade (so were the teachers).  Everything felt like a struggle for him this particular year...but he overcame it.
Remembering where we've been so we can see where we are going!!!  Yay Connor!!!

several hard months lead up to this special note congratulating him on a good month - which led to many many many more!!

Fairy Godmother and Godfather

Still makes me giggle - Katherine was actually a fairy but she kept adding 'godmother' to it when people asked what she was going to be for Halloween.  Turned out great because Connor was a Gangster.  So we had the Fairy Godmother and The Godfather too!!

Mama was just a witch - with a W!

Good News!

Cinderella

When I was pregnant with Katherine I spent hours and hours and hours on her name.  It seemed nothing was a perfect as I expected that she would be.  I wanted her name to represent everything amazing.  I joked with my friend Velena about naming her Cinderella Christmas.  Now I see that may have been the best name for her.  Every day feels like Christmas with this girl - she brings joy to me that can not possible be described. 

On this day she decided to come in and help me with the dishes...She was adorable in her princess crown and Dora the Explorer garden gloves.

Luckily Cinderella Christmas has finished her chores and is now allowed to go to the ball with her handsome Prince.

       

Worked out great that her name means PURE GRACE 

Nice to Be Close

I am so happy that my Mom lives nearby.  We are close in proximity but also have a connection that is very close emotionally.  I can't tell you how often she and I are thinking the same thoughts, cooking the same dinner or thinking about the same random person.  In September the kids invited Grandma to school to have lunch on Grandparents Day...luckily she was close enough to come and share a special day.

Miss Dolly Designs

I have an amazing girlfriend, Dolly - she is all heart and talent.  Here are a few things she has created for Missy May recently...
She has also monogrammed backpacks and towels that I can't put my hands on the photos just now.

Dolly has a way of making us all feel very special.  Her kindness and thoughtfulness EVERYDAY is touching.  Thanks Miss Dolly - We love you!!

Silly Kids

Cleaning photos off my computer today - came across these silly memories from 2010.  My kids bring such joy to my days and nights.  Can't imagine life without them...

The girl in the hood - going to the pah-tay!

 Car Wash Day - Mommy got the full detail job and Katherine is SOOOOO done.  Nothing more to do than just flop down.

 Headed to bed after midnight and found these guys surrounding my bed and in random places throughout my room...My protectors.  Thank you Connor!!

 This poor Barbie only came with a swimsuit but she needed to go to the store.  So Katherine insisted we make her some clothes to put on.  Here is what we came up with - on the fly.