this year’s roundup…
He came by plane
via parachute off a helicopter
and brought a penguin
Happy Holidays!
balance, kids | louisa | 
December 25, 2011 3:32 am | 
Comments (0)
giving thanks
Happiness is being thankful everyday. Today, we write, draw, and color turkey feathers for a thanksgiving centerpiece.
I’ll tuck these feathers away in a keepsake album. I hope they’ll look back and remember their turtles, sparkle boots, and how good it felt to play ball.
I am thankful for this moment. Sitting together, sharing the things we are grateful for, drawing and coloring, and sticking those feathers in a pine cone.
Happy Thanksgiving!
balance, kids | louisa | November 24, 2011 5:16 pm | Comments (0)
birthday traditions
Birthdays are pretty special at our house. It’s the only day of the year that is a specific celebration of that member of the family. We don’t get extravagant gifts for the kids. Most of the time, we don’t even throw a big party.
Instead, we have what has become a family tradition. On the night before the birthday, I head out to buy a balloon to place at their bedside. It can be a simple latex balloon or a huge Mylar shaped balloon. It doesn’t matter. The kids love waking up in the morning with a colorful reminder of their special day.
They also get a homemade birthday cake of their choice.
I have been experimenting with chocolate cake recipes for a few years. This year’s recipe might be a keeper.
The kids now look forward to their balloon and cake every birthday. They wonder what kind of balloon they’ll get. They go to bed early the night before so they can wake up early and have more time to celebrate the day. They light up when they get to blow out the candles. I hope they take that feeling with them as they grow older.
The best part of the day for me, and what makes it all worth it, came right before bedtime on Connor’s 10th birthday. He wrapped his arms around me and said, “Thank you, Mom. I had a great day.”
balance, kids | louisa | July 8, 2011 1:56 am | Comments (2)
10 paces and draw
Her brothers may be the nerf gun slinging type, but she’ll be ready for them when they have an old school western style shootout and yell, “Draw!”
{image via BobalooKids}
amuse, finds, kids | louisa | March 4, 2011 2:23 am | Comments (1)
wishful wednesday : ball pit goodness
I love the idea of jumping into a ball pit, but I could do without the awkward struggle to get back up on my feet. My kids would thoroughly enjoy a good ball pit fight or simply scooping armfuls of plastic balls into the air.
While we no longer have a ball pit in the house, I still like the idea of those colorful balls up in the air and around my feet. How about a felted wool version? Without the mess!
{images via 1. sqrl&bee studio and 2. yummi designs}
amuse, finds | louisa | March 3, 2011 2:26 am | Comments (1)
wishful wednesday : cozy
A single delicate pink flower blossoms on this gray rainy day.
I’d like a cozy spot and a bit of quiet right by my window. I’d like a moment to watch the squirrel scurry across the back wall in the yard and appreciate the lonely pink flower of the climbing vine swaying in the wind.
{1. nordstrom: pleated throw | 2. jenni bick bookbinding: leather journal | 3. the home centric: vintage romance throw pillow | 4. crate and barrel: pietre chair}
balance, finds | louisa | February 16, 2011 11:38 am | Comments (0)
one moment
the moment I met you, I knew…
My heart was already yours. Happy Valentine’s Day, my love.
***
design | louisa | February 14, 2011 12:31 pm | Comments (2)
my heart on a string
My niece was working on her school project celebrating 100 school days. She wanted to string 100 felt flowers together creating a pretty garland. Now I want to put everything on a string or ribbon and hang it from the ceiling or across the walls throughout the house. With Valentine’s Day coming up, this looks like the perfect project. See the felt heart chain tutorial at Craft.
finds | louisa | February 10, 2011 6:00 am | Comments (0)
wishful wednesday : ethereal
I love the colors in this photo from Grainne Photography. There’s an ethereal quality about it that I wish I could create in my own photos.
I promised myself that I would take more pictures of the kids, my work, life around me in general to collect a pictorial record of our lives. I’m happy to report that I’ve been snapping away with the camera, but I am honestly unhappy with the end results. So away I went looking for some help and found 20 Easy Ways to Improve Your Photography from Mocking Bird. This should help.
Um. It says I need to start by turning my camera off Auto.
Okay…. now what?
#3: Read your manual. Oh great! Where is it?!
Maybe if I figure my camera out, I can learn to create something that captures not only what’s happening but also a feeling that goes along with the memory.
balance | louisa | February 9, 2011 6:42 pm | Comments (0)
balance | louisa | January 28, 2011 3:33 pm | Comments (0)
