{ this moment }

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

We've Been

.: splashing in rain, squishing in mud

.: spending warm summer mornings in the shady backyard: buckets of water, cup of coffee, nowhere to go

.: painting, cleaning up, setting up, daydreaming in our classroom

.: stacking, knocking down, cracking up, stacking up, knocking down, cracking up...

.: watching carefully as these little ones emerge, learn, defy, grow, delight

Three Years Old

On Thursday we celebrated Neva's third birthday!  In keeping with previous birthdays (ok, there have only been two!), it turned out to be a really hot day!  In the morning our sweet friends Kristen and Liem came over for some fun in the backyard.  After a long afternoon nap we headed to the grocery store to pick out a balloon.  Neva even got a lollipop from the man at the wine store!  When we got home Mum Mum and Popeye arrived for a birthday dinner and a few very sweet gifts from family. 

Throughout the day there were many calls from family and friends wishing Neva well on her birthday.  I was so touched to realize what a loved little girl she is and what a gift that is for a child--to be surrounded by love!

I found myself thinking so much during the day of Neva's birth, and what a joy it was to meet her!  I remember so clearly holding her in my arms for the first time and just being amazed at how I could love this person so intensely without knowing anything about her!  Now I have known Neva for three years and she is still such a delight to my heart!  

 

on (and off) the needles

Remeber the Odette that was intended to be Frances' birthday present?  Well, after an insane amount of starting over, I finally finished it a few weeks ago.  Luckily the weather has been just chilly enough for her to wear it.  I must say, I'm so glad that I was a perfectionist on this one...it fits just right and is really precious. I epecially love the little pocket!  Sorry for the blurry pictures...this child will not be contained!



Thank goodness I had needles, yarn, and a simple pattern to work on during our epic capture in Chicago!  This little piggy family is the product of antsy hands...knit mostly on the floor of the O'Hare airport.  They will be great for our classroom this fall.

And lately I've been knitting for the newborns and not yet borns in my life, the tried and true patterns.  This pratically perfect baby hat could quite possibly be my favorite pattern ever.  And this sweet pullover I whipped up in just under five days, another staple in my baby shower treasury.

Although May usually is the beginning of my "off season" for knitting, of course I have to have a little somethin' something to work on!  We are really excited to have purchased the sweet kitchen to present to Neva on her third birthday, so I've been whipping up some simple "kitchen accessories"...dishcloths, knitted fruit and veggies, etc. Knitted grapes? Yes please! But these made me wish more than ever I could crochet!

w e e k e n d i n g

This weeknd was full but delightful!  On Saturday we headed off to school for the annual May Pole celebration.  Children in floral garlands prancing around singing and playinig violins...what more could you ask for?  Neva was especially excited to be able to participate in the May Pole dancing this year. 

(Frances entertained herself by going from blanket to blanket eating whatever food she could find.  That's not a joke)

On Sunday we headed down town to Franklin Square for our sweet friend Liem's second birthday!  The highlight for me was hot dogs and cupcakes.  The highlight for Neva was her first ride on a carousel!



On the Porch

How we love these days, when there is hardly ever a reason to not be outside.  With a yard for exploring, a porch for sitting, newly turned over dirt for digging, aand a swing for swinging, there's a bit of something for everyone.  You can usually find us sitting out first thing the morning, Neva pushing her baby in the stroller around the yard, France swinging while I sit nearby, coffee at my feet and needles in hand, taking a break between rows to give Frances a push.  In the afternoon, with the smells of dinner coming through the front door, we sit out on the porch waiting for Robb to come home to us. 

In our kitchen

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