Homework

Patrick has been busying working on a print for Art from the Fourth Chakra The girls were missing their papa so he brought the studio home one night, and he got a lot of work done.



Claire was busy watching papa do all the hard work, and really wanted to help. But unfortunately block printing is not that best medium for baby artist, so she gets to watch from behind the gate.

Resting

So today I was really struggling with where my rhythm was taking me. I just couldn't get into the groove. I just couldn't find the piece that was "missing". I had a to do list, but none of it seemed important. Then I realized, what it was that I needed today. I needed to rest. Claire has been either up late or up early, our sleep schedule is really off. Today was a day to put it back together, and hopefully be a jump start for tomorrow. The girls even took much need quiet times to themselves.


It is hard to remember with all the hustle and bustle that days of rest are just as important as days of doing.

New Hat

I just finished Claire's new hat. It still needs ties to keep it on her but I love it. Nothing like a new hat to keep a head warm in the winter. I foresee many of these hats being made they are fun, cute, and quick.

Trying to Simplify More

Today was busy and overwhelming and I get home and the house is cluttered and disorganized. I know what the rest of the week has entailed for me simplifying!
Here is the list:

1- Environment:
visual clutter
toys
books
general stuff
cleaning products, after shave, perfumes

2- Sustenance:
choice of food
meal times
bed times
other

3- Schedule:
parents daily rhythms
transitions
child's daily rhythms
car jorneys
child in busy and noisy environment (including background radio, music etc)
other

4- Information and Involvement
screen media
exposure to adult conversation
exposure to older siblings conversation
choices
other

5- Discipline
unrealistic requests
requests not followed through
"if...then" statements
other

Grateful for quiet moments,



and building fun.
Grateful for a bib with dual cape purpose.






And most of all grateful for calm dinners lit only by candles, spending time with the family reflecting on our day.

A Moment of Silence

Please take this time to honor your children and the children of Haiti by:

■turning off the news- TV and radio
■telling your young children simple tales of security and love
■giving your children extra warmth, physical and emotional
■lighting a candle
■sending positive thoughts, prayers, energy to Haiti and her people, full of light and love and hope
■being thankful for all that you have been blessed with

Namaste my friends.

WIP Wednesday

So this week I have been working on more bendy dolls. Patrick's mother is hosting a bridal shower and has requested a small bride for each guest. Right now they are naked, but are slowly coming together.

Daddy's Art

Patrick was fortunate to get a break from work during the holiday, and so he used that time to get some studio work done. He is trying to do as much as he can at his residency, but he is pulled in so many directions. Occasionally he takes Emma with him to his studio, and I love how they come back giggling. Emma covered in paint with more pictures than we have wall space, and stories of how Daddy lets her use ALL of the paint. Claire is too young to go to the studio with Daddy so she helps him when he works at home.



Patrick is a really efficient woodcarver, he can tend a baby and carve at the same time. That is something they don't teach you in art school.

Emma

Emma made salt dough ornaments for the family and used googly eyes for decorations. This was one of my favorites, and it is going with Eric when he moves.



Emma and the ball popper, she loves this thing regardless of the 9mth+ age on this toy. Maybe we should have gotten it for her a bit sooner...



Really I was just proud of myself for getting the ball in mid air shot, so that's why you get to see the ball popper again.

Demolition

We love our old house, but we do not love what they did when they flipped our bathroom. They glass blocked up the window, the place I am guessing vented our shower. Well with no vent our lovely plaster ceiling started to mold. We thought of our options to deal with the mold but decided it was best to get rid of it. So Patrick and Grandpa decided the ceiling must come down, and so it did.









It has been a chore for Patrick, but he is a trooper and is enjoying the lesson behind the project. Emma isn't sure about the "scary fan" that daddy has installed. It is a good thing she is too young for showers, and hopefully by the time she is old enough she isn't scared of the vent anymore.

Warehouse Tour

Uncle Matt wanted to show us his warehouse. He is a food distributor, and it was interesting to see what he did.
I think the highlight of the trip were the hair nets though. Maybe we should skip the tour next year and just give all the kids hair nets....

Family Christmas

Kerry treated the ladies to a pedicure. It was such a special treat to get to sit and chat and to have a bit of down time away from the younger children.


Waiting for the chairs to open up, and learning that if you stick your tongue to the roof of your mouth it will slim your neck for the perfect photo.


Trying to pick out colors, and I have not seen that many shades of red in my life.


Great Grandma really loved the pampering.


The men of the family know how to tend to children while the women are away; drink beer and put the kids in the basement.