Playing in the wind

After supper last night, the kids seemed to have a bit more energy than usual, so I sent them to play outside.  They immediately got busy chasing bubbles, and that lasted about half an hour.  After that, they were ready to move on to something else.... but what?

Over the weekend, I finished making a bunch of ribbon hand kites, as my other ones all sold quickly (which was rather unexpected).  I had made one for my daughter for Easter, but didn't for my son, as he had instructed me not to.  (He has since changed his mind ;)

But then I thought... why play with just one, when you can hold one in each hand?

And that's when the real fun began.

They got busy.

They got twirly.

And they got crazy and dancy.

You'd think they had music to play/dance to, but no.  Just a bit of wind, a simple toy and their imaginations!

It was awesome to watch!

Here is a glimpse at some of the new ones I made:

A vibrant green and orange, and "Fire" (below) is my new favourite one!

I plan on putting them in my Etsy shop, but I don't know that I'll have time.  Turns out I might get a table at a local town event this weekend, called Wacky Saturday.  If I have any left, I'll upload them to my shop though.

And I'll have to make a couple extra ones for my kids as well, because it seems that 2, truly is better than one :)

A place of our own { the yard }

When my hubby and I were talking about what we wanted for this house, the word acreage always came into the conversation.  We wanted an acreage.  No doubt about it!  Wide open spaces, the fresh country air, plans for a big garden, freedom to do what you want and not bother or be bothered by neighbours... yes.  We wanted an acreage.

But the reality of things, is that when we were ready to buy, they had pretty much all sold.  We were not interested in buying a house "for now" until we found what we really wanted.  We would only buy the right one and that was it.  To my surprise, my hubby said he'd be willing to buy a house in town, but only if the place was right.  I knew what his wants were: large yard and a garage.  The rest, he wasn't fussy about.  My wants were mostly just a decent kitchen and a large yard as well.  The rest, I would figure out when I'd see the place, if it was a right fit for us.

We didn't end up buying an acreage after all, but today, almost a month after moving into our house, I can tell you that we did find the right place.  It might not be an acreage, but we DO have a large yard.  And the house feels so right, I can't believe we've only been here for less than a month.  It feels like we've been here our whole lives.  Yes, it does feel right indeed.

I have to say, for our town, our yard is rather large.

Some mature trees on each sides, a fire pit at the back, and a big open area in the middle.

So big in fact, that the kids have been riding their bikes non stop in the backyard, lol.  We've been enjoying the openness to bike, trow footballs, kick soccer balls, practice lacrosse with my son, or just use some hand kites.

I don't have any plans for the open area of the yard for now, I do, however, have a plan for this particular tree.  Since I promised my daughter a fairy garden this year, we decided this tree would be the perfect place fairies to live at.  She now refers to it, as "her tree".  (And we also have plans for a sandbox, as I promised my son :)

I have no idea what kind of tree it is, but it's always covered in ladybugs... which just makes it more magical if you ask me ;)

I am constantly discovering new flowers and plants as they grow around the house in the landscaped area.  I am realizing I have no clue when it comes to plants and flowers, but I am also lucky enough to have a very knowledgeable friend about the subject, and she's been a great help!  She even found 2 raspberry bushes in the front that I will be transplanting to give them a chance to grow, and hopefully we will have raspberries in a few years :)

And last but not least, here is my garden.  Right now, I call it the disaster area.  It's full of weeds and mostly quack grass.  And I've been informed that it's extremely difficult to kill quack grass.  I tried already and failed miserably.  So I came to the unfortunate conclusion that I will not be able to grow much of my own produce this year.  But that's ok, I have a plan.  It involves planting some veggies in pots, regular visits to local farms with the kids to collect our own produce (which will still be a great experience for the kids and I), and me working all summer at clearing this area to make sure that it's nice and ready next spring for planting.

Though the garden is just a mess of weeds, there's something you can't quite see in this picture... a nice thriving rhubarb plant in the back!  And even if it's all that I can pick this year, I'll be happy.  It's something.

I have my own piece of nature.
A place of our own.
A place where I can enjoy the sun, shining on my face, as I watch the kids play so happily.
A place where we can observe nature at work, bees collecting pollen, ladybugs and others doing their work, birds (robins, crows, magpies, dove and others)  visiting, plants growing, the earth changing with the seasons.

Oh how I am happy to have a place of our own!

How I introduced natural toys to my children and a product review

A couple years ago, I bought plastic toys without too much thought as to where it came from, let alone how it was made, as long as I thought my kids would play with it, and my kids would completely ignore a toy who's batteries went dead, because it "didn't work anymore".  So basically, we were a typical family.  Oh how things have changed around here!

When I first discovered Waldorf toys, they took my breath away.   I had never heard of Waldorf anything, toys or education.  I knew immediately I wanted to introduce some elements to our lives, especially the toys for my kids.

But how to you introduce natural, open ended toys to kids who've been playing with plastic their whole lives?  Is it even possible to get them interested in these things or would it be too late?

Well, as it turned out, it wasn't too late.  My daughter was about 3 at the time, and it was so easy with her.  There was no resistance on her part.  She saw wood blocks, a gnome, and she just went to play.  It came naturally for her.   My son, on the other hand, almost 5 at the time, was very attached to his battery operated and plastic toys.  He'd see a pile of wood blocks and just didn't know what to do with them.  I think it was easier for my daughter, as maybe her natural instinct hadn't been corrupted by as many years of "false" play with toys that leave not much space for imagination.

It was a slow transition, and yes, they still own some plastic toys, but truth be told, they barely get played with.

I remember at first, I'd go on Etsy, and look up Waldorf toys.  And when I'd find things that I thought would appeal to my kids, I would show them the pictures on the computer.  And I would let them direct me and have them show me the natural toys they were attracted to as well.

I ordered some catalogues from Waldorf inspired toys and leave them on the coffee table for the kids to look at.

Slowly, as I began crafting, and participated in some exchanges, our gnome, fairies and wooden peg collection began to grow.  Though the kids toys have always been in their rooms, I put the natural toys in a basket in the living room.  That seemed to help an awful lot.  It was there, available and convenient.  They didn't need to drag them from their rooms to have access to play in the main living area, therefor they played with them more and more.  Also, it seemed to help that all these toys were colourful at first.  And slowly, they would see the beauty in natural wood finish as well.

I also talked to my kids about how wooden toys are more durable.  Told them these toys are not likely to break and will last their entire lives and could even be passed down to their own kids someday.  I showed them how to use their imagination at first, by leading the way.  I'd sit on the floor, and just start setting up a play silk, a gnome... and next thing I knew, I was being pushed to the side and they took over.

Now,  a couple of years later, my son gets completely excited when he sees a wood toy at the store.  I'll hear: "Look mom, it's made of wood!"  It makes me so happy to see their excitement over these things!

A couple of months ago, I was lucky enough to win a giveaway from The Enchanted Cupboard via Natural Suburbia.


I was very familiar with her work, but didn't own any of her toys.  We received these two beautiful Pegasus, Mama and baby,

two lovely dinosaurs and a green play silk along with a green one.  I adore all of it, and most importantly, my kids do as well!

These items are so well made!  The details in the play silks are beautiful, truly reminiscent of grass and water.  The animals beautifully painted and finished for durability.  And best of all, they all promote imagination and I know my children are playing with toys that are non-toxic as well.  It doesn't get much better than that!

Her toys are definitely some of my kids favourite open ended toys... they keep popping up in just about every game and story they make up!

You can find Beccijo and her beautiful work at The Enchanted Cupboard on her Website and Etsy.
You can even follow her on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

Her work is truly beautiful!

Sunshine food at it's best and simplest

Since moving to our new home, I have found myself, over the course of these past few weeks, with a renewed passion for preparing healthy foods for my family and playing in the kitchen.

To be completely honest here, I had completely lost cravings for fruits, let alone veggies.  I was still offering fruits and veggies to my kids, but for myself, unless it was a banana, or cooked veggies for supper, these past few months, I have not exactly been good to myself... until now.

Not sure if it's the happiness of finally being out of the apartment and into our house, or the ease of preparing foods in a great kitchen compared to a kitchenette, or just the time of year with all the warmth and sunshine... or perhaps it's all of the above.  But something, has sent me back into the right direction again.  And I love it!!!

Last week, I bought an entire case of mangoes, as it was on sale and I could tell, they would be just delicious!  Now that they are ripe, instead of freezing them all, I am finding myself eating a mango a day.  Though this morning, mango was added to my green smoothie, pretty much every other day I have been enjoying it in a fruit salad.  I made it up one day, as I was craving a sweet and healthy snack.

And I thought I'd share with you this Oh! So! simple recipe with you, since it taste so good!  It literally tastes like sweet sunshine!

Sunshine Fruit Salad

• 1 mango, cut in chunks
• 1 banana, halved lengthwise, then sliced
• a good handful of strawberries, cut into pieces
• a handful of raspberries.

Toss gently to mix and enjoy!  

Yep, fruity heaven can taste this good and be that simple!  

I am having some girlfriends over tomorrow, for a girls day (aka chat and eat all day) while some of our kids are at school, and I'm planning on making a large batch of this for them.  Can't think of a yummier thing to share with the girls, than this sweet tasting salad AND get to share it in my new home!

Hope you are enjoying the sunshine wherever you are!

Linking to:

Lifeologia

Happy Mother's day!

 I woke up in the best possible way this morning... it was cool in the house, and so both kids came to snuggle in my warm bed when they woke up.  We laid there, snuggling, talking and giggling for just about an hour.  I can't think of a better way to start the day!

Then, my little guy ran to his room and came back with a gift bag.  I got the best handmade card with a picture of him and I, with a golden hand print, which were both made in class.  I  plan on framing it in a shadow box, I think it will look perfect!

As if the day couldn't get any better, the temperatures have warmed up and the sun shining, making it impossible to stay inside.  I just had to have a picnic!  So I dug out this patio table left under the deck by the previous owners, cleaned it up, set it under a tree and whipped up a quick and nutritious lunch, followed by my favourite fruit salad (I'll share the recipe this week :)

It's just been a great day so far, and I feel so blessed right now, to have such wonderful children to share my life with, and for us to have this wonderful home, where we are creating so many wonderful memories already.

Wishing all the moms out there, a wonderful Mother's Day!  May your day be filled with love, happiness and sunshine!

{this moment}

Jake and Molly

{this moment} - (inspired by Soule Mama) A Friday ritual. A single photo - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

We are home

We've been in our new home for a little over a week now, and I'm still playing catch up it seems.  Between trying to finish unpacking, setting up the house, my part-time job, Ashton's lacrosse practices, games and driving him to school, and everything else that might needs to be done, it's been a bit crazy around here.

But this morning, I am enjoying a nice warm cup of coffee and am feeling fully relaxed, especially at the thought of having no real plans for the day.  Just being home and catching up on whatever I feel like catching up on.  Before I head outside in the sunshine and start working on the yard, I thought I'd stop by and sort of put you up to speed as to how things have been lately...

First, I have to share this adorable picture of my daughter (I just love her sleep mask!).  She turned 5 exactly a week before the move... Boy does she seem so grown up now!

For her birthday, we gave her a couple extra outfits and the adorable pair of glasses for her Waldorf doll (from here) she got last Christmas.  Since she got the new clothes for her doll, she finally decided to name her.  So I guess I should now formally introduce you to Bethany ;)  She is getting way more attention now that she has extra outfits, and my daughter loves her more than ever now.

I also had my first trade show, and it was awesome!  I didn't sell crazy amounts or anything, but my goal was to get my name out there, and to see the reaction of the kids walking by was worth everything!  I even met new people and got to catch up with lots of friends who stopped by that day.  It was great!

Then last week, we moved in to our house.  The kids had a blast looking into every nook and crannies before all the furniture was in!  And the yard....  Ah! the yard!  That will be a post in itself!  Lets just say they are enjoying all that space and freedom and sunshine and fresh air, and I can't wait to start a few projects in it, such as planting flowers, starting the garden and making a fairy garden around a beautiful flowering tree that stands quite tall in the corner of the yard, not too far from the garden.

I promise to show you around the yard soon :)

There has been so much happiness and silliness...

And now, a week later, life seems to be slowly returning to normal.  The natural toys are starting to be played with again, good wholesome foods will be made in the kitchen today, a walk is to be had, perhaps with some friends that are now very close neighbours of ours, and maybe some yard work too, along side of the kids playing.

We definitely feel very at home already, and I have to pinch myself on a daily basis to make sure I am not dreaming.  Happiness has made its way to us in the form on a home.  Not a house, but a home.  We are finally home :)