Budding Artist

I have recently transformed our Art Cart into a flours/starches cart, moving our art supplies out to the dining room shelf. The new location has really caught the kids' attention, as more and more often they are the ones who request to do art, rather than waiting for me to suggest it.

The other day May was at school and I explained to James that he would need to occupy himself while I cleaned the kitchen. He asked if he could paint.
We got out some blue paints that he could mix and blend together and a large piece of cardboard. James set to work.

By the time he had finished this masterpiece, I had finished my chores.

But James was not interested in playing with me at all, instead he requested another art project: salt painting. He had fun squirting the glue, shaking out the salt, and dropping watercolor on his salt lines.

As he finished up one, he would ask to start another.

Until we had used every scrap of cardstock in our recycle bin.

By the time he had run out of supplies it was time to go pick May up from school. I was so touched to see James spend (literally!) hours on creating art and exploring shape and color. The best days are definitely when the kids themselves are the ones who come up with the activity.

Weekend Dough Play

This tiny lady can not get enough of that squishy stuff.

Valentine's Day 2012

The kids and I had a fun, laid back Valentine Day. James was off of school, but May had her class party. She requested "fancy hair," and thanks to Pinterest, I was able to find the inspiration for this gem. (The original website is here.) May was very excited for heart hair, and immediately asked me to send it out via cellphone to all her friends.
For lunch we enjoyed a sweet meal of red punch, tomato soup, goldfish crackers, fruit snacks, and heart-shaped cheese quesadilla.
Finally it was time to give them their Valentine gifts. Last year they received books, this year puzzles. I never want to go overboard, but I still want to show them that it's a special day. Hope you all had a special day, too!

Business As Usual

I really feel as though the kids and I have settled in nicely to our new gluten-free home. We have even reinstated such rituals as the post-outdoor-play hot cocoa and cookie treat. (Let's face it, as unseasonably nice as it's been, it still gets a bit nippy after 4pm!) We are approaching meals with much less apprehension on the eaters' part and confusion on the cook's part. Best of all we are in this together and making a team effort always helps us feel closer as a family.

When Who Should Appear But . . .

. . . Darth Vader . . . with his trusty pet triceratops. They were on some sort of mission having to do with Easter eggs. To tell you the truth, I'm not sure I understood fully.

Mini Foodie

May loves putting together lunch menus and helping to prepare food. Often if I have nothing in particular planned for lunch, I'll ask her for suggestions and she always comes up with a well-rounded meal. Two examples: above is her suggested lunch of macaroni and cheese, pear slices, and a lemon shortbread cookie. Below is a lunch she dreamed up on a day she and I were on our own - scrambled eggs, apple "circles," cheese stars, and chocolate chips. I absolutely adore that she never forgets to include a fruit and a sweet. I'm looking forward to many, many years of cooking together!