Enchanted Mama

A challenge::

It started last year...January 1, 2012.  My oldest girlie decided that she wanted to read 100 books for the year.  She missed it by seven books.  She was so close that she wanted to try again this year.  

On December 31st, 2012 at dinner my girl sat with pen and paper and planned her next year of reading.  Her set of self-imposed rules.  #1 Books must be new, as in never read before.  #2 If you have started a book you can not be more than one chapter into it or it doesn't count.  #3 Do school books count or not? That was her achilles heel last year.  She read so many for school but refused to count them towards her total.  Claiming that she only wanted to count books she actually wanted to read.  She would have well surpassed her goal if she had used them.  But, like I said, her rules man.  

As I sat listening to her I realized that I had read an abysmal amount of books in 2012.  My reading time now effectively taken up by my knitting time.  Sad but true.  So, I did what any reasonable, crazy mama would do and signed on.  

Our goal is 100 books each for the year.  My oldest boy decided that he wanted in on the action and set his goal for 50 books.  The big daddy thought it a brilliant idea and set his goal at 50 books as well.

Together that will be 300 books.  My daughter and I have long-term plans for this.  When there are more readers in the house the potential is great.  In fact, numbers like a thousand books for the year, "even when she's gone to college", were mentioned.  Optimistic perhaps?

So the lists have been posted.  Side by side on the wall downstairs.  Not that we are competing at all.  Of course we aren't!  Not really.  Though, I do need to go read and read since my girlie just posted her second book and let's face it...I'm not one to be beat by a thirteen year old.

Any books you recommend?  I'd love to know... 

 

 

Confession::

 

Camping has never been my favorite thing to do.  In fact, I avoid camping at all costs usually.  

I do have my reasons.  Since my honey and I have been married we have camped in temperatures below twenty degrees. We have camped in torrential rain.  We have camped in fifty mile an hour winds and had to sleep in the car because the tent kept blowing over.  We have camped at over ten thousand feet elevation and I spent the night with heart palpitations.  We have camped on an air mattress that popped at two o'clock a.m.  So you see why I might avoid the whole adventure no matter what.  

I love the "day" part of camping though.  The hiking through forests and star gazing.  The being in nature and sitting by the river or better yet on rocks in the middle of a river.  Roasting marshmallows for smores and telling stories by the campfire. Watching my children explore outside.  All that is great.   

So, having said all this you may wonder at my next admission.  We went camping this past weekend and I had a fabulous time!  Can you believe it?  I can't.  I also can't believe that I was the one who suggested we go.  While my oldest girlie is at sleep away camp for the first time, eeeekkk, it just seemed like the right thing to do for "the boys".  

Friday morning over lattes, we decided to go.  We were packed and off in the next hour and a half.  We had divine order in finding the BEST spot.  At the end of a loop right near the river.  As though it were just waiting for us.  Lots of room for the boys to run, throw balls, ride bikes and just be their exuberant selves.  

The sleeping divine.  The food creative. The weather perfection.  Nature gorgeous.  And, really the only thing I can think is wow.  I can't believe it.  

My four year old found some discarded fishing line along the river and proceeded to attach it to a long stick.  He sat for hours in the middle of the river "fishing for tuna".  Didn't have the heart to tell him that tuna may be hard to come by in these parts.  nope.  Instead I nodded and smiled when he told me that he wouldn't catch the baby fish because that would be mean.  But, when he did catch his tuna or rainbow fish that he would let the big daddy cook it up for dinner, thank goodness.  

 I sat knitting on a boulder in the middle of the river soaking it all in.  The river my new solace.  Camping rapidly redeeming itself.  

The big daddy said something interesting that I've been wondering about since.  On the last morning after packing up all the small things I went down to the river with the children.  He stayed to pack up the tent and shade.  He said, "That it doesn't take as long to take/tear down camp as it does to build it".  

As I watched the children play and immerse themselves in nature I pondered this statement.  That applies to life doesn't it?  It takes no time at all to tear something down and a lot of time to build it up.  So there...in nature you have epiphanies too.  And, lessons to live by.  

I do believe we will be camping again soon.  

Amazing.  

 

Celebrated::

we celebrated 

a BIG cake that required my sweet girl to stand on her chair to blow out the candles

such a vivid memory...eye squinched, cheeks puffed, blowing anywhere but at the candles

the cake was delicious and fresh and oh, I wish we still had more of it

my girl gobbled blueberries like they were going out of style

such a lovely day to honor her in the midst of a crazy week

three children in four camps with daily swim lessons and three evening cello performances 

yes, it was the busiest week of the summer

no other week will be that busy

I had not planned on it being that way either

and still don't quite know how that happened

 

this past weekend we spent outside sprucing the yard, sandbox, garage...

it felt great to be out in the sunshine while the children played in the water

the weather was glorious gratefully

and here we start a new week and all I can think is summer is speeding past

anyone else feel that way?

I hope for more moments to soak it all in 

as summer is rapidly becoming one of my favorite seasons

of course, fall is still first with the wool and knitting and brisk mornings and such

but since summer was always last until now I feel that its odds are looking up

 

what about you?  

 

It was messy::

Some of you may need to brace yourself for the whole of this post.  Others may need to avert your eyes as it's going to get quite messy from here on out.  

It's summer right?  It's supposed to be fun?  There's the list we started and all.  

The list is responsible for this next little piece.  I believe I could blame the list, only I did help make the list, so I'm sure that reasoning won't hold much water if you know what I mean.

It began in a simple way.  The big daddy received a pasta maker for his birthday in June.  He's been experimenting on us.  Filling us with all types of different shaped delicious pasta.  Thank goodness it's healthy right?  

 

Our adventure started out like this.  

Very civilized.  Plates and everything.  A lovely salad filled with all things farmer's market.  All of us seated outside.  The children kept bee-lining for the silverware drawer because "someone" had forgotten the silverware.  The oldest was tipped off to our evil plan when we asked everyone to throw on a swim suit before dinner.  Because lets face it who wants to try and get this mess about to happen out of clothing?  I don't!  

Suits doned we began.  Giggles happened as the big daddy served plates of homemade pasta and meatballs with his hands.  They looked around at me with questioning looks like "um, mommy did you see what daddy just did".  I stifled a giggle.  Four inquiring eyes widened as he did it again.  They hadn't imagined it.  

The children stared at both of us with their plates in front of them.  "Enjoy!" we said in stereo.   

Jaws dropped. 

 

It took them a little while to really dig in.  They kept tentatively scooping pasta up looking in our direction like we must be joking.  Secret smiles exchanged across the table to one another.  

Our goal for the meal other than "no utensils, just for fun, the messiest meal we could think of" was to have no "no's" at the table.  No "no's".  This was a challenge for me it seems.  It was on the tip of my tongue a few more times than I would like to admit.  But, I did it.  You know what?  They soaked it up.  

Then, when they realized we were in fact serious about this whole thing well...

 

...then they really got going.  Yes, this will scare many of you I'm sure.  It may have scared me when posting these pictures if I hadn't heard the echo of their laughter that night.  Amazing.  

How simple.  How fun. What a mess.  But, in the end...we will always remember that night.  

 

The suits?  Well, that was for the wash up afterwards.  Thank goodness it was a warm day.  Seriously, when they had finished with rubbing sauce on themselves, their hair, and one another it REQUIRED a large sponge, a bowl of soapy water and the hose!  

More giggles and wild screams.  More "did you see when I wrapped that pasta around my head?"  Or "did you see his legs with the sauce rubbed all over them?"  

Good stuff I tell you.  

Now, in no way am I saying you should do this.  It's not for the faint of heart.  It did require some serious hose spraying of the porch, and a few of the suits might very well be stained forever.  

But, I haven't laughed that hard for awhile.  They can't stop talking about it.  In the end, the mess is cleaned up and we all have the memory to tuck into our Summer Fun 2012 and that's pretty worth it in my book.  

You?  

 

 

 

Summer Fun::

As summer approached this year I thought it might be fun to try something new.

This year we would decide on a few FUN things that we all wanted to do.  From the smallest to the tallest.  Our list began to form and as we warmed up to the idea we became quite excited.  

Our Summer Fun 2012 list formed.  

In the past week we have knocked a few of these off the list already.  I'll tell you about them soon.

Today, I thought I might share our list in hopes that maybe you and your family would like to make a list of your own.  

It's fun I promise.  

 

Summer Fun 2012::

family art night

water sponge fight

*1,000 pc. puzzle*  done

write a circular story

water balloon baseball

*make sun tea* done

*popsicles* done

*bumper boats*  done

*water party*  done

finger paint with hands and feet

*star gazing on blankets*  done 

*eating a meal with no utensils*   done

family game night

*gratitude postcards*  done

*watermelon seed spitting contest*  done

*harvest our tomatoes*  done

*decorate bikes for 4th of july and have a parade*  done

blind-folded eating contest

*water park* done 

*chronicle the summer as a family* done

*hike up a mountain* done

*picnic at the park*  done

*hand-crank ice cream*  done

*camp with smores*  done

scavenger hunt

decorate t-shirts

solar yarn dyeing

*banana splits*  done

 

Yes, it's optimistic.  Yes, there's alot of eating going on.  Yes, we are up for the challenge.  

Yes, it's MOST definitely going to be FUN trying.  

 

What about you?  

 

 

 

By the beach::

We took long walks on our trip to the beach.  Heads looking out and up at the water and sky as much as they watched the water lap over toes and shells emmerge from under the sand.  

All week I was fascinated to find shells with natural holes.  Holes made by water and sand.  Holes that I was once told held magic if only you looked through them.  You could see faeries.  You could see gnomes.  You just had to believe.  

Without realizing, I ended up with a small collection of these shells by the end of the week.  

What to do...

 

To carry them with you would be a small bit of treasure wrapped around your neck.  

As my niece turns twenty one today, and she frolicked in the waves with all the cousins, I thought she would appreciate a bit of magic to carry with her on her journey into adulthood.  A reminder.  Love sent her way.   

What magic are you creating today?  

Do you find the beach inspiring?  

What are the things that inspire you most?  

I would love to know...

Until tomorrow, 

Kellen

 

 

Around here::

Yesterday was a busy one.  

One where you run as soon as your feet hit the ground.  I wasn't rested.  Neither was the big daddy.  We attended to our littlest ALL NIGHT LONG.  

She's not sick, well maybe a small cold nothing more.  She was fed.  Changed.  Read to.  I wonder if there is such a thing as baby insomnia because that may be what she was afflicted with last night.

 Around 2:30 a.m. she was fed again...banana to the rescue.  Finally about 4:45 a.m. she fell asleep.  My other children up and ready for action around 6:30 a.m..  The whole "it's light at six o'clock" doesn't help.  

Tired? yes.    

Plus, I've been attempting to "BE" a morning person.  Not working for me a self proclaimed night owl.  A workout at 6:00 a.m. just isn't getting more fun the more I do it.  I thought you were supposed to feel more rested when you exercise!!???! right?  

It's about forming new habits, I suppose, and those are never very fun. It gets easier? Yes? Say, yes.  

I literally stumbled from bed toward a latte.  The likes of which I hoped would have miraculous qualities.  After the second latte...yes two is what it took.  I felt better.  If not a bit jumpy.  So, I put it to good use and finished flip flopping my children's rooms.  Two were already moved, mostly.

The big daddy carried the tools and moved the heavy things while I cleared shelves, bedding, toys, etc. etc. etc.  

By 5:00 we were finished.  Or rather we were done for the day.  Two more children in their new spaces.  The two of us on the couch sipping Kombucha.  Legs elevated.  Wondering when the dinner fairy would arrive to make a scrumptious meal.  

She never came!

 

Typically, around here, I don't attempt to completely rip the house apart each day.  Just yesterday.  Which is good.  Exciting.  Exhausting.  Full of adventure.  

I look forward to having a day of writing and laundry today for it will, no doubt, seem easier than yesterday.    

How is your day going?

 

 

It's Official::

Yes.  It's official.  

I've figured out that by simplifying my life I might in fact be making it harder.  

I mean I'm sitting here sewing felt eggs...enough said.  Of course, they are felt eggs that have a secret little pouch inside for treasures so....

The intention was to move away from the plastic egg idea into something warmer and potentially more beneficial for mother earth.  Something we could use again and again.  Something fun and easy.  Easy.

Anyone going to step in here?  What I may need is an intervention.  Someone to pounce on my sewing machine and tell me to "slowly back away from the machine".  Alas, that has yet to happen.

 

And then, to make matters worse I decided on new bags.  

This seemingly innocent bag has been time consuming.  Yet, I continued.  I wanted something smaller to make the smaller gifts and treats seem bigger in the bag, you know.  Sitting next to the machine as we speak are three more bags cut out and ready to sew.  

Simple right?  Next year, it will seem easier/simpler.  At least that is what I say now....

So unless someone makes a move here I'm headed back to the studio to finish those other three bags.  

Yup...I am...I'm going now....I'm walking...I'm walking...  

Well, if you change your mind and have a moment in your day you know where to find me.  

I asked a friend of mine recently (A friend that I will NOT tell you is in the process of making the very same felt eggs) whether she ever felt that her life was harder because she was attempting to make it "more simplified"?  

Her response was...EVERYDAY.  

Anyone else out there? 

 

Hidden Messages::

We have a bit of construction going on at our house right now.  The old storeroom chocked full of stuff has now been emptied and is undergoing a transformation.  Walls are appearing and insulation soon to be applied.  A doorway and soon another room for one of our children.  

It's been quite an adventure already as construction invariably can be.

 

The other night we had a lot of fun though.  Our children were allowed to draw on the walls....oh my.  They were able to use crayon and write messages and this mama and the big daddy just smiled.  Can you imagine?  

So our children were all about the giggles and laughter while we covered every square inch of the walls with hidden messages.  Messages tucked into the walls that will bring forth the love in which they were drawn or written.

 

I remember doing this with my mom and three brothers in the new kitchen.  Things like great meals made here.  Love in the kitchen.  You know, important things.  

The intention being the biggest and most crucial element.

My love really is to see what each person decides is important.  I love that this is his.

 

 

And, his.

And, hers.

 

And, his.

It's made me wonder why is it that we don't draw on walls more often?  It's such a lot of fun!  

Except for that pesky "its-so-permanent" thing.  Oh well.  

 

Weekend Surprise::

A surprise trip into the city to see the Peter Pan ballet.  

There were four excited children.  A delicious meal at a retro modern diner.  A chance to dress-up.  Time to walk by moonlight in the city before heading home.  

A great time was had by all.