coming and going

We're all about teeth here these days. Eleanor's are coming in like a flood, and I expect by her first birthday- in a month- she'll have four new ones on the top. You can just barely see them peeking out in perfect hillbilly fashion.

On the other end of the spectrum, this girl smiles a little bigger so as to show off the gaping (at least in her mind) hole in her mouth. One Morning in Maine declares her a big girl now that she's lost this first tooth. I'd have to agree.

first snow

My sister, Molly, is here for a visit and this was just what she was hoping for! It is beautiful, but I am content to take pictures, make hot tea, keep the fire going, and hold the baby at the window so she can watch some of the fun.

I'm not sure Warren loves the thick, wet, snow, but he loves making his kids happy

Coming in for a warmer pair of gloves

Cowboy pants

I am blissfully aware of what a carefree season of life we are in with preschoolers and babies. No school= no hard and fast schedule or any "must do" lists for our days. Play, memory work, chores, more play, naps, and meals consume our time. It's a sweet life. Coop is asking for more "school" so I have been working towards more consistency with Five In a Row. This week's book is Miss Rumphius, a sweet tale of a woman who sets out to do three things in her life: 1) see the world 2) have a house by the sea, and 3) make the world a more beautiful place. We will add "glorify God and enjoy Him forever" while doing all those things, but the book has prompted some good conversations about our calling in life...Coop is fairly certain God told him to be a fireman. One with a yellow hat, because they get to drive the firetrucks. (?)

Other activities filling our days...

• Coop sporting his new cowboy pajama pants. The rest of this adorable fabric is in the shop.

• Speaking of fabric- I'm carrying clearance fabric in my shop...hoping to pass on some good deals to those who enjoy sewing. Check it out.

• Heard the boys laughing hysterically one morning before I went in to wake them up. This is what I found:

They've discovered they can play with each other and pass things from bed to bed. The game is more fun now that Baby T is standing.

• I started staying on a consistent haircut schedule by naming the Monday after our monthly church supper Haircut Day. This week, even Baby T got in on the action. He had his first haircut with the clippers (albeit his 5th! haircut). Do you know how hard it is to get a 9-month old to be still for the clippers?

• Lastly, I'm teaching my first card-making class since the move. Here's a sample of what we'll be making...

The joy of toilet brushes

Now that we're working with more natural cleaning supplies, I don't hesitate to let these monkeys do their share of the work, especially when they come begging to "spray" and use sponges. I'm savoring the Every New Job is So Fun attitude they have at this young age. Baby T doesn't clean bathrooms, he's more into deconstruction and recycling these days.

Next I think I'll get Coop to start menu planning and grocery shopping. That would be a huge help.

And we're off...

Later today I'll be flying the friendly skies with my sister and Baby T. We'll be back on Monday and WH will be here with the older two until then. I think they have big plans to eat all kinds of fun foods and watch Pink Panther cartoons on Netflix. Sounds wild and crazy. I hate to miss it but I'm sure Baby T and I will have some fun of our own. Here are a few highlights from the last weeks...

Some general craziness- this just about sums up our days:

Playing with Aunt Molly

Molly instigating all kinds of new games with the family (sorry dear):

Coop took a turn doing Sweet A's hair:

General trouble-making by a fast crawling, climbing 8-month old:

Molly's prize possession- her embroidered quilt:

An inexpensive gift bag turned embossed bridal shower gift (finding new uses for stamps every day!):

Have a great weekend!