a long time away...

...which isn't to say 

that I haven't missed 

sharing things here.

So, here are some photographs

from our lovely Spring day.

~ liv and lela climbing the small backyard maple ~

~ laurels' tiny toes on the swingset ~

~ lela ~

~ stump* play on a massive scale ~

~ dandelion bracelet - from lela to liv ~

Happy Spring!  

I'm glad that you've finally arrived.

Looking forward to (hopefully)

posting more regularly

now that my laptop 

is functioning again.

Peace and Joy,

Carrie

* a lovely willow oak that our neighbors recently cut down

lela's birthday: part 2 of ?

All pictures are by my sister, Rebecca T. Jones.  

She had just gotten her new indoor lens, and the pictures turned out great!

~ that smile ~

 The birthday girl is FIVE!

~ the sweetest gift ever

 a miniature snowman 

gran and pop brought from virginia ~

A very simple sweet celebration with our friends from down the street.

~ a few of the girls, sitting on stacks on flooring! ~

~ lela and grace ~

note: there was a much better version of this photograph 

but food in the birthday girl's mouth does not a good picture make

And of course Gran, Pop, Grana and Aunt Bec were there!

~ lela and gran ~

~ make a wish ~ 

There was so many thoughtful gifts from friends and family. 

~ what is it pop? ~

~ a very sweet and amazing gift - a handmade plant field guide! ~

I plan to make a separate post on this one.

Here is the collaborative effort between Pop (my dad) and me.  

He made for Marina, Lela's Waldorf doll, a beautiful cherry bed.

I made the pillow, mattress and quilt.

Thank you for making Lela's 5th birthday so special!

~ spinning frosty ~

And thank you to Rebecca, for taking such awesome pictures!  I have more to share soon.

Peace,

Carrie

safety first!

I couldn't resist sharing these funny pictures with you.  

Aren't my children so safety-conscious?

In Peace and (more) Laughter,

Carrie

this is my last post....

.....during the waking hours of the children!

Today, in my preparation for co-op tomorrow, 

looking up a verse on the computer, 

my sweet Liv and Lela decided to paint.....

with FOOD COLORING.....

.....their hands.....

.....and feet......

So this is it, my friends, no more computer for me during the day.  

(Unless truly necessary of course.)  

This has far reaching implication, to be sure!  

Help me stay honest....

Peace and LAUGHTER,

Carrie

WiP - gratifying birthday gift

This is going to be a birthday gift for someone, 

so I don't want to tell what it is or whom it is for.  

 

It is so gratifying because it is crochet and going along quite quickly, 

decreasing with each row.  

And just *must* slip in a picture of our new-to-us loveseat.  

I do believe that I will have to make one of these for 

myself and the girls though.  

 Are you finding your handwork rhythm?

Peace,

Carrie

feeling grateful

Today I'm grateful for so many things! 

Grateful for warm (nearly 70 degrees F!) sun-shiny weather,

and meeting friends at the nature preserve for a small walk and big play.

 

Grateful for babies who are finally feeling well enough to explore.

  

 

 Grateful that dear friends are also feeling well enough to explore. 

Grateful for the gift of tall, tall grass.  I'm a firm believer that this is a very important play space.

~ finding a grassy field ~

Grateful for hide and spy, little nests and hide-y places. 

 

 Grateful for beautiful women I love.

  

Grateful for dirty babies.

photo credit: Olivia

  

Grateful our dining room finally is back in order after home improvement projects, 

and celebrating the first peaceful meal together in a week

 

Lastly, I'm very grateful for this little transformation stirring that I can feel in my heart. 

What are you grateful for?

Peace,
Carrie

today - missing Waldorf co-op

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My family has been afflicted with a mild version of the stomach flu.  Other of my dear friends have not be so lucky, and we hope they are well soon. 

And because I love all my dear friends so much, I could not in good conscience expose them to the 24-hour tummy bug.  There were tears this morning at not being able to play, so we spent as much time outside as possible.

Here are a few pictures from our day!

~ sheets and BDUs flapping the breeze ~

 

~ the first flowers of the Spring - NOT weeds! ~ 

 

~ two chairs and a loveseat replace our leather furniture, on our new floors ~

My sister sent me some great pictures from Lela's birthday party that I will put up soon!  

Peace,

Carrie

p.s. Can you spot Lucas in the last picture?  

lela's birthday: part 1 of ?

Oh my sweet baby, I love you so much!  

These are pictures from Friday, her actual birthday.  This was the first year she anticipated her birthday.  When she woke that morning, she rushed into the room, beckoning me to watch how much higher she could just now that she was FIVE!  And checking to see how tall she was on her growth chart - she had really "shot up", as she says.  Five is BIG!

 

~ birthday nook ~

x

~ seeing how fast she can run as a five year old ~

~ tired from all that running ~

~ posing in her extra twirly, Momma-made skirt ~

~ graduating to a big bike! ~

~ off she goes! ~

Friday is also our day for Waldorf co-op, so Lela got the extra treat of being able to spend the day with her friends.  

~ a gift from dear friends Clover, Indigo, Willow and Nova - a crystal and smooth stone ~ 

~ Laurel and Nova sitting together - what is this World coming to!  :) ~

x

And there was copious amounts of pizza, as Lela requested a dinner out at a local pizza place.  Though there were also copious amounts of belly-aching that night and the next few days, Lela says it was worth it. 

~ sweet picture of Lela and Daddy ~

Pictures from Saturday, the birthday party and family visit, to come.  (As soon as my sister/photographer Rebecca shares them with me.)

Peace,

Carrie