Sunday, February 26, 2012

leap toad over

When I showed Eoghan how to cast off his washcloth, I wanted to give him a rhyme to help him remember. I have had this book: First Book of Knitting for Children, and I knew it contained some of these knitting rhymes. I told Eoghan one of these, and we modified it for casting off. About three summers ago, Eoghan found some tadpoles in a pond and these to his delight turned into bumpy toads. He hasn't found any since, but we will continue to look. Their window of time for coming out must be very small and must always be different according to conditions here in Alaska. The knitting rhyme was based on this, and it goes:

Swim yourself over,
invite a friend too, 
leap toad over,
to the bottom of the slough.


Some modeling from a while ago:

 a little beeswax man named Dun Dun by J
a wee clay snail by E


knitters day in

As I have been missing Knitters Night Out, I decided to have a Knitters Day In. As my friend Kris says, "All it takes is one person, to have a knitters night out.", but it is always better with two, so...

Eoghan has been knitting on a washcloth, and it has been taking quite a long time; as he usually only completes one row maybe two per sitting. I was thinking a little incentive would be nice. I know that this just doesn't sound right does it? An incentive to knit?!?! However, I thought we could have fun with this. 

Eoghan loves animals and I happened to have some stashed away for his upcoming birthday, and using one isn't going to hurt. 
I began to wrap and wrap and wrap...
 ...and added some notes for even more fun (this one happens to say "give mama a hug"), okay so it's fun for me too, but...
 it worked!
 And guess what? He loved every minute of it! 

It took him two afternoons, and it was a good thing to keep him a bit still; as we both have been trying to get over bronchitis. While we knitted I had tea and we listened to this: The Tale of Briar Bank (The Cottage Tales of Beatrix P). If you love Beatrix Potter and her works, you will love this series of books, named The Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter by Susan Wittig Albert. There are eight books all together, and I would suggest starting with number one: The Tale of Hill Top Farm (The Cottage Tales of Beatrix P), but you don't have to. You will be able to catch on from anywhere in the series. The writer has a way of pulling you in and and letting you think you are right there in the English countryside, among very likable and intriguing little animals, very like Beatrix herself. You want to be sitting there listening to the gossip of the town folk and that of the animals. Also the narrator has a voice that loves to tell stories, and these mysteries are okay to listen to while kids are around. Listen to them with a cup of tea, a scone, and your knitting of course.

Afternoons very well spent.

Thursday, February 16, 2012

my boyfriend

Sometimes it is a good thing to have something a little later than you expected. Today this man (Isn't he handsome?)

  arrived home with this:

Inside was this book: Whimsical Little Knits 3 and this book: Saturday Treat. He said it was from my boyfriend, and that it was meant for Valentine's Day; but he had received a call today from this sweet shop (The Net Loft ) that they had just arrived. Oh Colleen, you are full of shenanigans. So fun to receive a gift unexpectedly from someone so unexpected!

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Buglandia

J was having a good time this morning with his Power Rangers and clay. He put the ranger inside and then makes a mold over them, so that they may morph into something else. This guy morphed into some sort of superhero from another planet.

.
This fellow observing the other in the picture above, and he was actually made by my mom as she came over to play with J this morning. She was very proud as she says she has no creative bone in her body. He is Prince Bug from Buglandia, come to offer aid to the people of earth in their time of need. Ummm okay...




Tuesday, February 14, 2012

heart day

Jonas busy at work.
 We made pretzels yesterday, some of them came out to be hearts. The sweetest looking pretzels however were the snails.
Eoghan's valentine (stuffed with catnip) for his furry girl.


Friday, February 10, 2012

grampa


I couldn't help but to take a picture of this sweet drawing by Jonas. It is his grampa walking with his cane.

Thursday, February 9, 2012

To grandmother's house they...


...go, all on there own. It is only up two hills, yet I was quite nervous about this. Even though I trust E. to care for his little brother, it is J. who is the wild and dangerous one; and who knows what kind of shenanigans he could get up two in two hills worth of time. So, I explained all the rules about three times and sent them on their merry excited way. Within 15 minutes I got the call that yes they were okay and very exhilarated about the whole ordeal.

It is hard enough getting up the stairs (I climb on my knees on the way up, and scoot on my bottom on the way down), but then I also have to face Mittens Baby who always thinks that it is an opportune moment to play slash mama's arms (or whatever else she can swipe). Naughty kitty!

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

lucky

This is what I get to wake up to in the morning. My, I am a lucky girl! 

A wee snowman who decided to sit and have a rest.

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

outside

J on the buoy swing

Even though I cannot be outside, they are everyday. When papa is at work I am keeping my eye on them from my bedroom window.


 retaliation after being buried in snow