Tiered Twirly Skirt

I made this skirt using this tutorial. Clara loves skirts.

New Year's Resolutions

Have you made any New Year’s Resolutions? It’s never too late to set goals. I just finished mine.

When I was working outside the home we would do strategic planning each fall. I liked the reflection process we used to review the previous year, what we wanted from the new year, and how to bring that about.

It helps me think through things rather than just set a to do list or rather than recycling last years goals. It helps me develop a new vision for the new year.

Have a go at it!

What did I accomplish in 2009?
What are some disappointments?
What have I learned?

What are my limiting paradigms? (What is holding me back?)
New Paradigm (New Motto for 2010):

What do I want to have happen in 2010?
What steps can help me accomplish those things?

. . .What we did

Shortly after the previous post, 8 months ago, I decided that maybe we would have to just do away with naps. That’s not to say that they didn’t need them. So I would try to put them down for naps by reading them stories as usually, trying to select LONG books. If they fell asleep great! If, not, I would just let them out to play. “Quiet time” didn’t work because they would not stay quiet and would get into mischief as seen in the previous post. I was sad to give up naps but was glad to not have to clean up as many messes. They still pulled some of their usual tactics but it has been a good change for everyone.

So we continue to live, and learn, and love ‘em!

What would YOU do?

This is what happens if we don't or can't "read" these Munchkins to sleep and leave them awake in their room during nap or bedtime.


Originally we just had mattresses on the floor. We put theirs beds on frames hoping it would deter them. But it hasn't seemed to slow them down. We tried strapping the mattress, box spring, and frame together but that became a hazard when Owen slid under the strap. So we've separated the beds to opposite sides of the room hoping that will help. But as I type they are trying their hands at the new furniture configuration. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

How tall?

Last time with Munchkins-R-Us we were growing plants, but we are also growing little people. Owen and Clara helped unload the groceries and this incident reminded me of this Curious George episode.


Owen and Clara are 18 cans of chicken tall. Oh, the things they learn on PBS Kids.
You can play the Curious George game here.

little farmers

“When preschoolers watch a plant grow,
they see how it mirrors their own development,
from a seed or speck inside Mommy’s tummy
to something that gets bigger and stronger every day.”
– verybestkids.com



A few days ago I planted seeds with Owen and Clara. Today Owen noticed the green sprouts for the first time and exclaimed,
“Holy cow, look Mom!”

My little farmers

Spring is here!

A songbird chimes at the hint of dawn.
His friends join in one by one,
formulating an orchestra of melody.

Some nights, as was the case today, I awoke to the sound of my fussing baby and nursed her back to sleep (3:30 a.m.). By the time the feeding was over my mind was thinking about the things of the next day, this or that, and formulating an email or journal entry. I was unable sooth myself. I needed MY mother to cradle and rock ME back to sleep.

So after lying in bed awake for an hour I get up to write down some of the things that were drilling through my head so I don’t need to try to remember them. I fold laundry, I have a snack, and then I hear the birds’ announcement of the dawn. It’s 6:30 a.m., and though I’m tired and exhausted (and congested) I cannot settle down. My mind continues to race and think and think and think…

But in the early hours of the morning I savor the quiet, the peace, and the serene sounds of the awakening day. I think I’ll go lie down and try again to drift to dreamland.