Explosive!

Saturday was a day for just Carl, Willow and me. Usually we try and plan an outing for at least the AM part of the day. Truth is last week was so busy with work that I just didn't look ahead and quite honestly I just felt like staying in. Okay, so the weather influenced it some too.

Still, we managed to find ways to amuse ourselves and get some necessary movement. There was dancing, running around, jumping, a little bowling, more running around and then some quiet times reading and "snuggying". There is usually very little down time. As they get older they both need more stimulation and I find it more interesting when we have lots of things to choose from. Sometimes there will be a moment when one is doing their own thing... but usually one or the other is demanding of attention. And actually, as full as it is, it is nice to feel the desire to be desired and to play. I know I work from home, but I am actually working at home, and though when really needed can help out, I am usually pretty focused in the office and don't get any quality time with the kids or Brian during those days.

Okay, so there was some dancing, running around, jumping...
And then there was the plan of an explosion...
Recently Carl's class built a volcano in school. It was a kit but I thought, "I bet I can come up with something..." I did go to art school after all. So, we started with homemade playdough. First we made purple, then orange and then grayish brown.
They played with the purple and orange while I built a volcano base of paper and aluminum foil.


Then it was Carl's turn to get to work covering the base with the playdough.

I helped him a bit and then suggested they add some color. Painting is usually a well received idea... especially with the potential of getting more messy. They really got into it. I mean, they were really focused on painting this thing, and not on painting themselves.

We let it dry while they napped and then waited for Brian to come home before raising the lava. This was good as it gave me some time to research homemade lava while they napped. I was okay with making up the base but I wanted to make sure the science was correct. Nobody wants a failed volocano leak!
We added dinosaurs, I made a mix with some of my own additions (like color) and Carl got ready to pour.

It was very exciting and of course, fast. So we did it a couple of times. We probably would have done it more but ran out of baking soda.

It was a really great day.

Why do we do this?

When I said I wanted to update my blog last night Brian said he wasn't sure why he updated his. "I could just as easily send our Mom's the photo's."
But I think this is more than just the sharing of images for others. This is a way to take a few moments and just reflect, for ourselves. And those who choose to share the moment with us get to witness some of our insights and experiences. We don't get to see our loved ones every day... And the truth is, even when you do, there are things that are missed, things that don't get shared. I enjoy seeing Brian's photo's, but I also enjoy reading about the experiences and adventures shared with our children.

Of course I am a few days late with posting the monthly picture. It has felt very busy. Seems I have been working a lot lately with balancing life and various projects, preparing for my presentation and a few different shoots. I've had a hard time keeping my brain straight with everything. Nothing overwhelming just very full.

Okay, onto the photos:
And 20 months later... our little girl is growing fast!
Daddy stretches, so Willow stretches. She loves her Daddy.
On one of our days last week we decided to go to the Mall before the stores open. It is a good place to walk and see a lot. Pablo was a big hit.
We've been reading a lot lately. Carl has rediscovered his Captain Underpants book (thank you Uncle Wilson) and we have been reading it every day. The book is not that long so reading it every day means reading it over and over. I think it is time to check the library for another one. He is just so darn handsome!

Happy Spring!

Last year, or maybe the year before, Carl and I made a snow girl out front. He named her Bianca and was very sad when she melted.
Over the weekend we got a beautiful Spring snow. And though I am ready for a spring that is flowers and warm weather, I really enjoyed the brightness the snow brought. And yesterday was just lovely... sunny and warm. So Carl, Willow and I went out to play. (Brian had a day away, working.)This is Bianca II. It was perfect snow for snow people, snow balls and snow cones.


By the end of the time we had very wet clothes and chilly hands. Though I have to say, if one keeps their hands out of the water running from the gutters they tend to stay dry (at last a little bit longer.) Too bad water calls to Carl and calls loudly.
It was a lot of fun. Carl made wishes that his Bianca would come alive like Frosty and made it known that as she melted he would be sad.
Willow ate lots of snow (none yellow... some a little speckled and not with vanilla.) And she brought us snow for packing and rocks for eyes, nose and mouth.
It was a great day to connect and just play.
We all need that!