Little treckers

We went through the Woods today to the hike and bike trail in the sunshine. It was beautiful. Ofcourse at the end we rested a lot:)

Making salves and lotion

I love making salves and lotions. Projects of late:)

Loving littles who no longer nap

Days can be long with two very busy little ones. We have tried many variations of rest time. I am currently writing and drinking a coffee behind the steering wheel, parked in the February sunshine, with my 3 year asleep in his car seat, and my 41/2 year old soaking up the sunshine in the passenger seat.

This is not a normal rest for us, but today being 15 degrees and a short outside playtime we needed more sun. We also needed to return library books, put valentines in mailbox, and get coffee.

Sometimes we have no rest and fall in the snow in our afternoon adventures.

And sometimes we just crash on the couch when our body needs it.

But the best rest times by far are the three of us cozy under a thick blanket on the couch reading a good book.

Some favorites are spindrift and Grimm fairy tales. But we recently bought some of Reg Downs books and they are perfect! They are filled with excellent language, magical creatures, and enough excitement to keep mama awake and little guys enthralled.

Recalibrating

Oh winter I love you so!
I love when it is so cold you need extra sets of mittens and cheeks get so cold they are rosy.  I love the texture of the snow and the magical element of the ice as well as the thaws and refreezing in between.
But really my favorite part of winter is the hibernation.  The slow days to play, make bread and soup and enjoy each other.
After the daily dose of chocolate or peppermints in the Advent Calendar (not my original plan, but you can only make so many little gifts and gift so many rocks), we needed a serious recalibration.  Lately, we have done that.  We have been making, painting, eating wholesome food, and playing. It feels good.

Cardboard Rocket Ships

Painting with homemade chalky watercolor

Jump start on Valentines while at Grandma and Grandpa's

meaningful work

making steps in ice mountain.

We had our first 4 egg day!

Deep in play with the farm mat I worked long to make for them.

What Santa Brings Us.

There is a constant sorting of knowledge I go through as a parent.  The wisdom my parents passed down doesn't always come to the surface right away.  Then these little epiphanies emerge, and I say, "Hmm, my parents were so wise".
They did Santa really well!

They may have gone a little overboard on the rest of Christmas, but that wasn't from Santa. And thus my point.
As I encountered Santa conversations this year. I realized other people do not see Santa the way my family did.
A neighbor brought several wrapped packages to my boys and said they were from Santa.  I told the boys they were not.  An 8 year old told me what she asked for from Santa.  She listed 8 things and expected them all.
These two experiences made my heart sad.  It made me think of all the other times that I encountered a package labeled "From Santa". I actually recall in my childhood reading a gift from one grandparent to the other and was confused why Santa's package had already arrived.... It also made me think about how materialistic our children's wishes can be.  My boys wanted everything in every catalog for Christmas. They are still pretty young to decide on something, but wishes are just that something you wish for.

I do not take my boys to the mall to talk with "Santa".
I think that there are some things that if you see them they are not as magical.
Our imaginations usually create much more interesting scenarios and pictures than real life.

In my parents home and in ours the presents from Santa are not wrapped.  They sit under the tree and therefore they are the first thing you see on Christmas Morning. Of course, the early bird must wait for everyone else in this scenario.  I covered little guys eyes this Christmas morning as we passed the tree into the kitchen and he helped me make our Holiday Challah until brother awoke.

I agonized over the Santa gift.  My eldest saw a bright yellow plastic crane in some catalog with a remote. I knew it would get broken and the batteries would be lost.  But he continued to ask for a Crane.  I looked at the big Bruder trucks and then considered their size.

Then one day little brother, (after asking for weeks for a car that made music and could ride on the road, then asking for a live duckling to live in the bathtub...) he asked for a boat with cars in it.  And Viola, an Etsy seller made a beautiful Ferry Boat with cars and a Crane with trailer.

The way the Santa Present is presented helps to keep the magic of Santa Present (No pun intended).  Many people do not realize that their actions and words create doubt in children's beliefs.

Here are some rules of Santa Presents passed down in my family, but not previously written down:
1. A Santa gift is really special.
2. There is only one per child.
3. The really special gifts must be somewhat equal in the special category.
4. They can not be made by Mama or Papa, or Grandpa or Grandma.
5. They are not wrapped. How could Santa use the same paper as Mama?
6. It is helpful if a child sends Santa a Christmas letter in late November stating what they really wish for.

If you read this and have small children or gift things to children.  Help me out here.
Let's keep the magic going as long as possible.  Together let them believe in Santa, Beauty, The Spirit of Christmas, and that Love Endures all things.

* I never intend to pass judgement.  My intention is really to keep Santa alive and Special as long a possible.  Please know this is written with some humor and much sincerity.

Your Toes are like Ice Cubes

 

At some time in the night my 4year old placed himself in my arms.
I did not hear the creak of a bed, his little footsteps coming near, or the depression in the mattress.  He was in my arms cozy and snug.  But I awoke when he pressed his little feet into my legs to get them warm.
The voice in my head said, "Your toes are like Ice Cubes". I didn't say in out loud because I was a human taco.  One little guy pressed to my back, one big brother cradled in my arms, peacefully, quietly...
And then I smiled, and thought of my Dad.
The words,"Your toes are like ice cubes", took me back to my own childhood, cradled in my Daddy's arms.
I remember exactly how it felt to walk across the hall, having awoken by a dream or a chill. Then to crawl into my parents bed and be enveloped in my Dad's strong arms, kind words, and warmth. Every time he would say the same words, "Your toes are like ice cubes!", then follow it with a giggle. And after that giggle I would usually fall back into a deep sleep.
It is a fond memory, being engulfed in warmth and welcoming.

In the night I thought of how blessed I am.
To have always been welcomed, cradled in love, and offered kind words.
A gesture, a way of life, a giving to the next generation.
And I get to pass this gesture down to my little men.


Thank you Dad!

The First Snow of 2013

The day before we were raking leaves.  I got so warm I took off my coat and laid it on the bench.
And then one thing led to another and the night brought us our first snow cover.

 Pride Captured in a photo...