Clean Playroom

Many years ago I bought this toy box for Mark.  I remember thinking that if he ever had more toys than filled this box we were doing something wrong.  Well, then he grew up some and I got more tired and it turns out that toys are cheap at yard sales.  There have been moments- more that I would like to admit to- that I have been willing to buy anything for them to get a few moments of peace.  But, the reality is, pretty much no toy buys more than a few minutes of peace and they clog up the playroom so that the kids don't want to be there.  

Over the last year I have been whittling away at the toys in there.  Sorting and taking out 1/3 to a 1/2 at a time.  I have been moving the toys into storage in the basement.  They haven't asked for a single one of them back.  So about a week ago Tim and I bagged up most of the last of it.

So what's left?  The original toy box- mostly full of dress up stuff.  The Book case- very full of books.  The train table- with just the wooden train set in it.  The kitchen, the doll house and the table.  In the closet is the fire engine, rocking horse, and bouncy ball along with art box and musical instruments.  It still feels like a lot.

Mark's new toy

Made by me, decorated by the kids

I made this table and chairs from the Ana White website.  I brought them in for a specific reason (which now I can't recall) even though I hadn't finished sanding and hadn't painted it.  Within minutes Mark had colored and written his name on it.  I had a second of high frustration and was considering being angry about it.  But on second thought- I made it for them so they should be able to decorate it as they see fit.  So we got out some paint.  

Our favorite park

It was so warm the other day that we went for a walk at our favorite park.  

 Both the kids got in the water.  They were pretty happy to have their first stream trip of the year.  Mark spent a lot of time playing fishing games.  

Zoo - take, umm, 12?

Mark is generally sure that he would like to be in the stroller being pushed around to see things.  (even though we have come to the zoo without the stroller and he has no problems walking the whole thing with us- and we would like him to get the energy out).  Lilly is generally sure she should be out walking.  (she is not great at going in a particular direction or not walking into other people).  But I did manage to get a happy stroller photo- so here it is.  (we love the new to us BOB stroller I got on craigs list)

This is the more common situation.  With Tim saying "this way Lilly"

The Hippo was out walking around for us this trip.  It is so large it is hard to imagine it moving fast enough to be a danger to anything or anyone- and I hope I never get the chance to see it.

Walking together through the bird house.  I just love when the walk together.  

This zoo outing included a trip on the carousel for Fiona.  She really did seem to enjoy it, even though she looks a little like she is hanging on for dear life in this photo.  It is hard to take a photo of someone moving around and up and down.

Waiting in line for the train.

Giving their tokens to the conductor.

Sitting together on the train.

Lilly and I sat together on the seat behind Mark and Fiona.  Thankfully the ride was short because Lilly started trying to get off after a few minutes- but she was still happy here.

Then a little climb into the covered wagon for the kids and it was time to go home.  (Luckily when I download the camera there were two zoo trips on it so there will be more zoo photos tomorrow)

You can't see me

Going anywhere with the kids includes a constant rotation of who is riding where.  Josie doesn't spend much time in the stroller, but was willing for a short part of the walk to hang out there with Lilly.  Lilly did not think I needed to be taking a photo of it.

Just peeking to see if mom is still there with the camera.

Going to the Zoo

Some places we go I tend to take more photos than others.  This usually has to do with them being still enough to get a photo- and also with me remembering to bring the camera.

Happy Mom and Baby (Lisa made this Mai Tie baby carrier)

And later with a sleeping baby.

My kids taking a turn in our friends wagon.

The Kids piled in the stroller.

Fruit Smoothies for Breakfast

Some days I get up and actually make something for breakfast rather than cereal or toast.  Usually these are weekend days.  My mom sent me Angie's pancake mix for my birthday and we have been having that most sundays.  (we are almost out- you could send some home with Lisa).  This morning I made fruit smoothies.  You can see the outcome:

Happy  Clean Kid

Happy Clean Kid

Very Happy Not Clean Kid

Josie is getting stong

Josie is really starting to get up on her arms and take a look around.  She also tries to pull her knees under her body and then scoots forward a little when they stretch back out.  I wouldn't really call it "inching" yet, because I don't think her main effort it to move, but it won't be long until she figures out she can do it purposefully.

Some more of Lilly and her baby

"hey cousin, I can touch your hand"

"If you touch my hand I will hold your hand"

"Maybe you should lay down next to me"

"I will touch you softly on your head"

MY baby

Lilly is really sure that Josie should be her baby and is so pleased when she gets to play with her.  Josie is pretty willing too, some of the time.

Just playing

I don't have too much to say about this set.  This is just the little guys playing on the bed.   I love to watch them with all the things they like, and sometimes don't like, to do together.

Fiona Turns 7

One fun thing about having extra people staying at your house is more occasions to celebrate.  Last week was Fiona's seventh birthday.  We finally got a chance to celebrate tonight.

 I asked her to give me a big smile for the camera- so I got one :)

 She wanted rootbeer floats- so that  is what we had- she was pretty happy to get to have hers in the special glass.

 Unfortunately, Buffy seems to have gotten the crud we had for a weeks while they were not here.  She made it up for the singing and opening presents- but wasn't at her best.   (I had a photo here, but I decided I wouldn't have been happy if she posted a photo of me looking ragged so I decided not to publish it )

Another things I made post

I got this great knitting book called Itty- Bitty Toys.  I have made these two things so far.  The patterns are easy to follow even for a beginner like me.  But, I do have to admit that she uses a stitch called Make 1 to do increases.  I followed the directions so carefully I thought.   I hadn't done this stitch before and so I didn't know I was doing it wrong until I was a few rows on and could really see that it left a little a hole ever time I did the stitch.  I took it out and tried again, following even more carefully- but still with the holes.  So I gave up and did an increase I knew how to do.  I need to have Loretta over to show me how I did it wrong.

Since I did so much taking out and redoing, and putting aside because I was frustrated with doing it wrong the Hippo took me a while.  So I selected this next pattern for some quick gratification.  The book has 5 patterns that flip inside out- this one is an egg into a bird.  It has a nest pattern too- but I haven't gotten to that.