Gifted

Emotional Honesty.

She comes by it all on her own.

She is strong. Passionate. Loud. All embracing. Full. True. Spirited. Emotionally Honest. They are some of the amazing characteristics she holds that I love about her. Truly, she is amazing in sharing how she feels. There is no holding her back.

Winter Birds

Today amid a very cold bitter wind we enjoyed our nature center program, which focused on winter birds. We began with a hike, binoculars and guides in hand. We spotting nuthatches (in the photo if you look closely), juncos, cardinals, chickadees, and downy woodpeckers in the first five minutes at the bird feeders. During the hike we learned about the habitats, and special adaptations of wintering birds in our region. Of course there was some feeding of the birds, a great running game and ending with a craft indoors.

Again, great program. The kids commented, that even on topics we know lots about (like birds), we always learn something when we go there.

A sweater so sweet

Before Christmas I came across a video on Martha Stewart Crafts which showed the most beautiful cardigans. I have absolutely fallen in love with the very sweet designs, and can imagine my four kids all running around in similar versions. I fell so in love with them and was easily motivated by Shai's first birthday to try my first creation. I originally began with the intention of crafting a vest, but along the way this changed into a cardigan.

I choose a sweater which was earthy tones and a blend of bulky yarns. I was pleased with the texture after I felted it in the washing machine. The cutting, assembling and sewing part was incredibly easy and really this is saying a lot coming from me. I am not really comfortable with sewing. It has been something I have always just muddled through, patterns require things I don't know what to do. If I am sewing I totally wing it and it usually turns out. So I was pleasantly (really!) surprised to have it turn out so well and with no problems along the way.

The needle felted designs seemed to take on a life of itself. The colours in the wool called for a nature scene and the colours of wool somewhat decided what type of nature. The tree, rocks and the sun seemed to be perfect, and even more so with the felted trim around the cuffs and collar.

I am thrilled with the result (did I mention the ease of this project?). I have another birthday for my not so little boy who is hoping for something similar....of course mama is already creating.

Handmade with Love

As I mentioned, Shai received some beautiful gifts for his birthday. I wanted to share some of the hand crafted ones he received. His godmother and her family worked hard to create a beautiful felted play mat. We have been drooling over this one that has been in this new magazine we have a subscription to.
The mum was the one who introduced us to the creative world of felting, and there has been no turning back since! This particular project was done by wet felting. When roving is combined with hot water and agitated the fibres bind together creating a solid form. While this isn't a type of felting I have a lot of experience with, there are so many beautiful creations I would love to try to make.
The play mat is loved by everyone. It has a yellow patch the kids call the golden rod field, a blue area that is the pond, the part with bits of colour is the meadow and when it is flipped over, it's because it has snowed! Shai loves to lay on it, probably because its nice and soft. All week the felted animals, combined with some blocks and twig blocks have been used with the mat. Thanks for the beautiful gift, all the love and hard work that goes into it. And thanks for introducing me to such a wonderful medium to create with.

A little of today for tommorrow

We invited our guests to join us in creating a time capsule for Shai to open when he turns 18, in the year 2025. A piece of today, our lives and the richness, for him when he can reflect on it.

It is beautiful! It is such a compilation of love! Everyone created and gathered such amazing gifts for him.

Elias, Ben and Aria put together a book of drawings and reflections on places and traditions they love that they are excited to share with Shai as he grows. They also included the prices of their favorite foods and photos of the past year. They each chose a favorite rock for him to add to an anticipated collection he will already have at 18 years.

Chris and I included letters, a journal and a selection of Emily Dickinson poems.

My sister's family included the poem my grandmother gave my nephew for his baptism before she died, and a three dollar coin.

My mum wrote about the qualities she sees in Shai and what she hopes for him and my Dad included a 2007 coin.

My in laws gathered information of his Chinese zodiac sign; the pig. Chris' brother and partner shared some of their trip to British Columbia and some beautiful quotes.

His god parent Molly and her family wrote their hopes for Shai and gathered some paper gifts. After reflecting on where books and newspapers will be in societies lives in 17 years, they included this years winners for the Governor General award and a newspaper.

His god parent Karen and her family, knowing how much my blog replaces a baby book and how it reflects our daily live, compiled the our life with Shai from my blog into print. Then she packaged it in a beautiful book she made. Gorgeous and so thoughtful.

Our friend R whittled a beautiful magic wand and sewed a case for it to go in. He worked very hard, crafting a wonderful gift.

The guests where each asked to write down their current age, how old they will be in 2025 (the year he turns 18), what they predict they will be doing then and what Shai will be doing. These were also included.

The party was completed with some beautiful handmade crowns by our friend C. Some special gifts were also shared (which will get another post!).

Words don't describe what the time capsule holds. Our Birthday wish; He knows everyday the love he feels on today.

Thanks everyone for out doing yourselves in your gifts, they are heartwarming. They you for loving him and us in your special way.

Feeling Full

The supreme happiness in life, is the conviction that we are loved.

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All the kids are sound asleep, the chinese take-out leftovers put away, dish washer loaded, guests gone home. Kettle on for tea. Feeling completely full. Not of take out (although super yummy) but of joy, love and gratitude.

We had Shai's party today. One is a special -extra special somehow, perhaps it marks the transitioning from baby. Its bittersweet, celebrating the past year and knowing how quickly the next will come. Also knowing how our physical relationship will change. While I am sure we still have lots of time close to mama in the sling, he is clearly ready and eager to test the world on his walking feet.

I love birthdays. I love celebrating the individual on their special day, all the greatness they bring into our lives. The rituals; a specific carrot cake, everyone blowing out the candle, god-parents and family gathering, a mew music box, lighting the blessing candle and a toast with champagne.

We are surrounded by loving families, who beautifully cradle my children. Today's celebration was as much about the love that surround's Shai, as it was about him.

ONE!

We had a wonderful day. We moved slowly, heading to a library new to use for some crawling time, lunch out (at Shai's request of course!) , coming home to a beautifully crafted gift of a crown, lots of loving words and songs sung on the answering machine, playtime in the tunnel, dessert of custard and fruit, a blessing candle lite.

His siblings dyed silk scarves for a gift. Some of them were tie dyed and others solid colors, all beautiful. He loved them (and they did as equally).

We are having a party with family on Sunday that we are preparing joyfully for. I really do love celebrations, creating ritual in the everyday and special events. How couldn't I, when I am so blessed, surrounded by such amazing reasons to celebrate.

Happy Birthday

Blessed Be

by Raffi

Baby dear, blessed be your shining light.
Baby dear, blessed be your morning smile.
Baby dear, blessed be your gleaming eyes.
Blessed be the precious child
Our beloved baby dear.


Baby dear, we will love with all our might.
Baby dear, we will comfort you at night.
Baby dear, with all the love we've got.
We'll be there for you
Oh blessed be our newborn babe.


So dream on, sweet dreams tonight
And we'll dream too a future clean and bright.
Dream on, soon you'll be standing strong and free
Oh blessed be our newborn babe.


Baby dear, blessed be your shining light
Baby dear, blessed be your morning smile
Baby dear, with all we've got to give.
We'll be there for you
Oh blessed be our newborn babe,
Blessed be the hopes and dreams of our baby.





Happy Birthday Shai, you are 1!!


The gift of you is such a joy to celebrate!

A Popcorn Party

I am a Willow. I can bend.

That has been my mantra for awhile now. It is something I have been saying when I am feeling rigid, which has been more often lately. I think it is partly coming over the holiday hump and adjusting to the new stage of a walking baby. That adjustment to change is taking a little longer than normal, or perhaps its just the ebb before the flow. Regardless, I like my mantra and am sticking with it. :P
That said, its wonderful when unexpected shifts cross your path.
Today we visited some friends, whom my boys love to play with. They are close in age and share many of the same interests. The mum's company I really enjoy. The visit was just what was needed for all of us, especially me. The kids played for awhile running around, followed by holding their family pets; tarantula, corn snakes and guinea pig. Next was one of the highlights. A popcorn party. Picture an old skillet like popcorn maker, without the bowl lid, a blanket(as a safety barrier from hot kernels) and six or so kids holding bowls to catch the flying popcorn. It was as fun as it sounds. After a few sessions of the crazy popping, the kids threw the popcorn around and ate it up! They then went outside to run off their energy.
Perhaps that sounds as though it would be a huge mess. It wasn't. Some sweeping and it was all good.
It was just what I needed. By it's very nature a popcorn party requires relaxation, going with the flow. I was a willow blowing in the wind. It was great to feel that shift and be in the flow again.
Thanks for the party.

and can you believe it was a day I didn't bring my camera...that's part of the whole I have a baby turning into a toddler adjustment too. one thing at a time. i know you can use your imagination and picture the popcorn flying!

Raining

We have gone from lots of snow....to rain. While I wouldn't choose rain over snow for January, it has been nice switching to the stroller for walking instead of the carrier. We have been doing lots of walking.

Special Details

One of the qualities I love about Aria is her attention to detail. When she draws, she pays close attention to detail. If she is drawing a dog, the nails, the collar with its name, the eye colour, sometimes even a flea all go unforgotten. On the last day of preschool before Christmas Aria made gifts not only for the teacher she adores, but made sure to include each of the children, even the one who visted once before and the teachers own children and husband! She decorated snowmen which had a magnet on the back of them. They weren't the run of the mill snowmen, these were each decorated as something that the person receiving them enjoyed. For example O got a monkey because he loves to play with animals, S got a ballerina because she loves to dance, L got a cowboy, J got a pirate, O got a skater, M got a real snowman, and so on.
I was amazed at the stories she told as she made each one, about that friend and how they play certain games together. She shared about what she liked about that person and how each was special to her.
What a gift she has, and what a blessing that she shares it.

*if I can find the pictures I would be excited to share them :)

Rock On!

Today was all about Rocks. We started by sorting through our collection of treasured rocks, gifted and discovered. We were sorting with the purpose of choosing two favorites to bring with us to the Kid's Rock and Mineral Club friends reminded us was happening today. It was our first time attending, although its been on our calendar many times. I spent most of the time running around after Shai. From what I gathered there was a talk which explained how rocks and minerals are identified. The second half was to apply what they learned, moving through stations to identify what types of rocks and minerals there were and what type of rocks the kids brought. Elias was thrilled to learn that his mystery rock was volcanic rock.

The theme of rock; well, rockin' continued at home. The kids had a blast doing air bands for a long time to lots of their favorite songs; Ben on drums, Elias on guitar, Aria lead vocals and Shai was the dancer! They even did a video with the video camera (which I think has sparked lots of new interest!). It was lots of fun!

Those Eyes!

Even if he is turning one in less than a week....he is still a baby!

On the hill

Friends.

Toboggans.

Snowboards.

A big Hill.

Hot Peppermint Tea.

Trains to join.

Standing in a snowsuit to master.

Gifts of a Magical Kind

What a treat! These are the photos from the magic show I received for a gift. To top off an already amazing show (which their invite promised!) they finished with an encore of singing Christmas carols.

Merry Christmas

There are still technically four days left of Christmas, so I figure I can still

post photos and the events of the season, right?!

We have had a wonderful holiday season. Advent, the days leading up, the actual day, New Year's, all wonderful. We have been relatively healthy and had an abundance of pj days. I got a new camera which I am thoroughly enjoying, a real treat having a toy to play with at this time of year. The computer however has been my arch rival, causing me nothing but grief. I think I may be able to post some photos....and I have my fingers crossed on a photo shop program, but until then what comes up- comes up. :)

So, Merry Merry Christmas Friends and Family :) Happy New Year!

Baking Buddies

They love to bake together, who could resist with such a fabulous outfit to wear ( a Christmas gift to Ben three years ago). I think maybe Dad might need one...hmm. I didn't get a chance to get a picture of the shortbread as it was eaten too quickly!