Hunting for Eggs

Though there are many things about our home that drive me CRaZY, I'm trying really hard to embrace and love it and one of the easily loveable parts is our garden.  I think the original owners had a great vision for the property and were able to create a lovely rhododendron garden with paths, a pond, and a bridge.  It's the most perfect place to have an egg hunt.  Last year we were lucky to have great weather and this year it was even better.

Hunting with baskets

Preparing for the party was more fun this year because Beansprout understood the plan: his friends were coming over, and they were going to find eggs, put them in their baskets, then go inside and see what they got.  We had 8 children and 16 adults here, so I was did the usual fretting over whether we had enough food (and eggs,) but thankfully, once everyone arrived and things were in full swing I was able to relax, snap some photos, and enjoy the gorgeous day!  I think everyone had a really nice time -- the kids enjoyed themselves in the playroom before the egg hunt, everyone seemed to have a great time soaking up the sunshine while searching for eggs, and the adults  kids even had time for an Easter craft.

Fun with bubbles!

"Let me see here . . . "

"Look what I got!"

Popping bubbles was a huge hit and I think the kids may have been more excited about finding out what was in their eggs than looking for them this year.  I'm calling it a success!

I clearly remember looking for eggs in our house as a kid, but don't remember ever going to an official egg hunt - did you?  And, did you see this!?!  Jordan, from Oh Happy Day, planned an egg hunt for her family (including her sister, Design Mom) at the Eiffel Tower!  What an incredible experience!

Party Preparations

Hanging poufs.

We have had a gorgeous Easter weekend!  I was thrilled to hear that the forecast for our egg hunt party was sunshine, and felt pretty lucky that it actually held true.  The kiddos had a great time and were pretty darn cute searching for all of the eggs and I had fun getting ready for the party and seeing everything come together.  However, this post is not about the egg hunt.  Last night was Matt's turn to put Beansprout to bed; and while I should have been organizing the photos and writing our Easter post, I chose to spend the time finishing a party decoration I never got to for Saturday's party.  Before you think I've lost my mind, I should mention that my home is the venue for a friend's baby shower in a few weeks, so I knew I wasn't wasting this precious time.  I pulled out the tissue paper, the scissors, some fishing line, and floral wire and got to work. You may have already noticed that I have had a slight love affair with banners for awhile, but they may have to move over for my new crush - the tissue POUF!  Why haven't I tried these before!?!  They're super easy to make, add such a great pop of color, and they hang.  It's love.

Hope you had a wonderful Easter weekend!  How did you spend your time? Stay tuned for more on our Easter Egg Hunt Party. Thanks for reading!

Month in Photos - March 2012

March Favorites

Capilano Suspension Bridge by day.

Aqua Bus Ride in False Creek

Playing with Duplos in the play room.

Tiny boy - Giant tree.

Granville Island docks.

Parking Garage play - can't believe he's so LONG!

Logging trucks at the Research Forest.

Thoughtful Thursday

Cliff Walk at Capilano Suspension Bridge

"Life is uncharted territory.  It reveals its story one moment at a time"

                                                           -- Leo Buscaglia

Marvelling this week at Beansprout's leap in communication, I realized how amazing it is that I am a mom now.  As a young person, I always wanted to be a mother, but there were many years as an adult when I just wasn't sure I was cut out for it or that I wanted to take on the enormity of motherhood.  Now I can't imagine my life any other way.  These moments help me remember that our paths are ever changing and therein lies the beauty in life -  in the fact that our stories are forming along the way.  

Happy Weekend!  Thanks for reading!

5-Year Plans

Hmmm . . . 

I’m starting to feel worried that I don’t have a solid 5-year plan.  I can hear myself saying to Matt everyone once-in-awhile, “Hey, we should really sit down and hash out a 5-year plan.”  The thing is, it never works.  The conversation usually ends before it begins with us telling ourselves that it’s too hard to plan that far ahead, as things will change anyway.  We seem to think in smaller chunks, usually working toward goals on a one-to-two year range.  Besides, as I mentioned before, four is apparently our number.  I’m coming to realize that the real reason I keep bringing it up is because of the pressure!  You hear it all the time – have a five-year plan.  What’s your five-year plan?  Pressure.  Pressure.  Pressure.  I was thrilled to find I’m not alone when a good friend told me she thinks 5-year plans are just conversation filler.  On the dating scene, she gets asked this question quite a bit when there’s not much else to talk about.  She was downright harassed by one date who felt that, “she must have a 5-year plan, doesn’t she have any GOALS?!?”  This, at a time when she had just returned from spending a year abroad, a life-time goal of hers. 

So I feel better that I’m not alone, but have to confess that I could barely admit it in writing when I started this post.  I have to learn to accept that it is something that is important for many people, but that doesn’t mean it has to be a must for me.   As we head into Beansprout’s preschool years, I see us forming some longer-term plans, goals that will have to be flexible.  Life has a way of surprising us sometimes.

What’s your take on the 5-year plan?  What works best for you?  Are there other things you feel like you should be doing in life but aren’t, you know, because of the pressure?

Thoughtful Thursday

Bellingham Daffodils

In the spring I have counted one hundred and thirty-six different kinds of weather inside of four and twenty hours.

                                                                                     --Mark Twain

As family and friends back home celebrate unseasonably warm weather, I have been holding on to the fact that the crocuses are blooming and that the daffodils and tulips aren't far behind.  The weather has been insane here lately!  Beansprout had never even heard the word "hail" before (ok, except when I have to break out into song while reading his University of Michigan book!) and this week we've had brief hail episodes almost every day.  Hail, followed by sunshine, followed by rain, followed by . . . you get the idea.  Insane.  I will look on the bright side and embrace the fact that Spring is unpredictable - a quality I usually appreciate, as it reminds me that I really do love the change in the seasons.

Are you celebrating the latest season?  Do you, too, find yourself complaining about the weather out of habit?  Sigh.

Happy Spring!

Boots ready for the trails.

We try to get Beansprout out of the house at least once a day, and by that I mean, OUTSIDE!  This usually involves going for a walk or bike ride around the neighborhood.  However, since we didn't make any big Spring Break plans, we decided to change things up on the first day of Spring and really get outside! 

 One of the things I definitely love about where we live is the accessibility to great walks and hikes.  In about 15 minutes we found ourselves in the middle of the forest breathing in the fresh, clean air.  Last summer we were thrilled to realize Beansprout really likes hiking, and made a concerted effort to get out to different trails in the area.  In our years hiking with a dog, some trails were off limits to us, so it was even more refreshing to get out for a hike on a new trail!  I'm still amazed at how great Beansprout does on the trails.  Hand-in-hand we walked the Red Trail at Malcolm Knapp Research Forest, and he didn't ask for a shoulder ride until we were more than half-way through.  Little trooper.

My favorite part of the trail - I love the way the trees are covered in lichen and how there is almost a uniformity to the way their branches turn toward the sky.

Ever since a trip to Alaska many years ago, Matt and I are always on the look-out for lichen hanging like hair on the trees.  It signals that the air quality is excellent, as the lichen are so sensitive to air pollution that the will only grow millimeters in polluted areas.

We saw a few trees that had been uprooted by the winds, but the wall that this particular tree created is unreal.

I only had my iPhone along, but found myself snapping away (read: photo overload!) because it was so interesting to see how the trees changed as you walked along the trail!  We even found the perfect spot to return to with a picnic when it warms up just a bit.

Though Beansprout enjoyed the hike, the dump truck and the two logging trucks coming off the mountain were the big highlights for him!

I would love to hear how you get yourselves outside.  Have you taken on any new trails lately?  Any new adventures in the great outdoors?
 

Thoughtful Thursday

"Once we believe in ourselves, we can risk curiosity, wonder, spontaneous delight, or any experience that reveals the human spirit."

                                                                                                                                                  -- e.e. cummings

Every Four Years

Every Four Years

It’s occurred to me recently that Matt and I have had significant changes happen every four years since we first met.  I don’t remember what triggered this thought in the first place, but it strikes me as rather strange. We dated for four years before getting married, moved to British Columbia four years later, and four years after that we had Beansprout.  Since coming to this realization, I just keep wondering what it all means.  Is there some significance to the number four?  What does this four-year trend mean for the future -- will the pattern continue?  And, if there is a continued pattern, what change is on the horizon for us?  I'm so intrigued. (And nervous!)

Am I the only one to think of such odd things?  Have you found any sort of pattern to events in your life?  Any other number patterns in your life?  

Month in Photos - February 2012

February Favorites

Practice using scissors

Playing guitar with Daddy

Biking to the river

Seed butter and Banana Lunch

Valentine's Day Playdate

Hail Storm

Mural Painting at Art Class

1st Lollipop!

It's wonderful that there are still so many 1st experiences to encounter with Beansprout.  We tend to keep him away from sugar as much as we can, so he was pretty pleased to have his first lollipop given to him by a friend in his art class!  We both marvelled at the crazy hail storm later in the month.  The hail looked like dot ice cream and lasted for quite awhile.  Beansprout and I had fun building mini snowmen on top of his sandbox.  Notice the crocuses!?!  I'm thrilled to see signs of Spring turning up everywhere.  It's so nice to be able to get outside more!

Thoughtful Thursday

Today is the day, your mountain is waiting.  So . . . get on your way!

                                                                                    -Dr. Seuss

(Almost) Daily Walk to View of Fraser River with Mt. Baker 

February Photo Challenge Week 3

My computer decided to bonk.  Remember the old days of dial-up speed?  That's pretty much what I was dealing with, that and "not responding" messages.  I forget how much easier things are now as far as speed and efficiency go.  Having only just bought it December, I was pretty frustrated to say the least.  I'm finding that even with all the other technology in my life, I'm pretty tied to my laptop.  Good news is I bought this laptop at Costco, which has a 90-day return policy - yea!!!  We took it back over the weekend and purchased a similar one for less money, so I'm back in business.

Week Three in Gray

Day 15: Music

Day 16: Your handwriting

Day 17: A memory

Day 18: Music

Day 19: Looking down

Day 20: Itsy-bitsy

Day 21: Architecture

Though I haven't been accomplishing many other photography tasks, I've managed to keep up with the February Photo Challenge on Facebook.  I'm still learning little tricks with iPhonography - an extra challenge within a challenge - I love that my phone is always around, lightweight, and that with the fabulous apps I'm able to turn an ordinary shot into something cool.  This week I was able to photograph my (second) favorite subject - TOYS!  I guess you can all guess who takes spot #1 :)  I've photographed these little trucks before - a gift from our friend, T., who made a special effort to get them for Beansprout while in Toronto.  I just love itsy-bitsy!

Have you taken on any challenges this month?  What are your thoughts on camera photography?  Hope you have a great start to the week - thanks for reading!

Thoughtful Thursday

"Let the rain kiss you. 

Let the rain beat upon your head with silver liquid drops. 

Let the rain sing you a lullaby."  

-- Langston Hughes

Playing in the rain

Thoughtful Thursday

"Hope is the thing with feathers, that perches in the soul, 

and sings the tune without words, and doesn't stop at all."

                                                    -- Emily Dickinson

February Photo Challenge: Week 2

I love photo challenges for their ability to motivate me to use my camera everyday!  This week I found myself taking even more pictures than usual and I've been experimenting with the hipstamtic app.  I bought a couple of add-on packs and have really enjoyed the effects.  I'm still getting the hang of putting all of the elements together well, but practice makes perfect, so they say.  Have you ever photographed a stranger?  Did you ask permission first?  Has anyone every ask to photograph you?  I felt intrusive even on the road!

Week Two

Day 8: Hands

Day 9: Junk Drawer

Day 10: Stranger

Day 11: Something Red

Day 12: Shadows

Day 13: Makes me laugh

Day 14: Heart

Celebrating Valentine's Day

I love Valentine's Day!  It can be schmaltzy and highly overrated at times, but I ignore that it's a created, "Hallmark" holiday and embrace the opportunity to celebrate the relationships in my life.  Knowing that Matt generally hates the hype of these occasions, I try to do something low-key to remind him how happy I am we found each other and then I focus on doing little things for my friends (and family.)  Here's how I tackled spreading a little love this year:

Red Valentines (February Photo Challenge)
1-4

1-3. Co-constructed different valentines for the grandparents and sent them off (way too late!)

4. Made valentines for the nephews and sent them off (way too late!)


5. Pulled together a Cupcake Party Package (inspired by ashleyannphotography.com) for a friend and her two boys.  I had sent one of these back home at Halloween, and thought it'd be fun to try it again.

6. Printed signs that I keep seeing in the blogosphere and hung them around the house for Hubby to find.

from Eighteen25

from Simple As That

via Pinterest

7. Printed this flyer from Kind Over Matter and taped them all around the high school where I teach.

from Kind Over Matter

8. Had a Valentine's playdate.  The kids made contact paper hearts and Beansprout gave out "You're Super Cool" Valentines with sunglasses attached.

Contact Paper Heart

You`re Super Cool Valentine

9. Made Friendship Tea gifts for good friends at work.  (More on this soon!)

10. Intended to write Love Letter of Friendship for close friends,who are far away.  May still accomplish this (way too late!)

So that's my way of bringing a little happiness to February!  Sometimes my ideas are bigger than I can manage, hence sending some things way too late, but it felt good getting those xoxoxoxo decorated envelopes in the mail and it made me smile to bring a Cupcake Party to my friend!

How do you celebrate Valentine's Day?  Any traditions you follow or boycott?

Last Year Today . . .

Train Table February 2011

Beansprout is sprouting independence.  Today he was running around the whole house laughing and giggling with his friends, having a grand time and barely needing anything from me.  This evening in the book store he meandered to different parts of the store on his own, comfortable with a safe distance knowing we were within reach.  It's funny how it feels so sudden, when it's actually been coming on for some time.  I remember looking at moms of older kids at the park last spring and thinking that would be me this spring and now that the moment has come I'm feeling oh so nostalgic.  So I decided to take a peek at what he was up to this time last year.  It's so fun to compare!  (And extra convenient that I actually took a picture of him on February 10th last year!)  The train table is now covered in tracks and bridges and I've put away those puzzles with the pegs to make more room for the "big boy" puzzles he loves completing now.  Even his hair is different!  Looking back, I'm reminded that the small moments get away from me quickly and I'm even more grateful that I keep challenging myself to capture them along the way.

Thoughtful Thursday

"That's the real trouble with the world, too many people grow up."

                                                                 -- Walt Disney

February Photo Challenge: Week 1

I was so happy to see February 1st roll around!  I hate to wish away any days, but I have to admit that I seriously struggle with January.  I think the combination of a lull after the holiday season and the cold absence of light leave me feeling less than my best.  Since moving to Beautiful British Columbia, February is the light at the end of the tunnel.  I also find that having something to focus my mind on helps tremendously!  Besides preparing a few things for Valentine's Day this year, I'm thrilled to be a part of the February Photo Challenge on Facebook.  My friend posted that she was participating, and I knew it was the perfect remedy for my winter blues.  Here's the first week along with a photo describing each day's challenge.  I decided doing the photos with instagram was the surest way to make sure I captured a photo everyday!

Week One

Day 1: Self portrait 

Day 2: View from your window

Day 3: Passion

Day 4: Something you ate

Day 5: Words

Day 6: Looking up

Day 7: Friendship

I have especially enjoyed seeing the way others in the group interpret and document the prompts.  Hope you enjoy my interpretations - I'm looking forward to sharing again next week!

Do any of you struggle with winter?  How do you keep your spirits up?

Pinterest-inspired Parking Garage

bhoomplay.wordpress.com

kinderpendent.blogspot.com

Beansprout loves playing with cars and cars paired with ramps?  well, that just makes his day!  I found a few ideas for garages out of cardboard and pinned them on Pinterest until I could get to making one for him.  I love them both -- the details on the one from bhoomplay's blog make me think it might last a little bit longer and who can resist the signage!?!  The many ramps of the garage from kinderpendent and the fact that this one was made with the help of the kiddos from cardboard scraps really caught my eye.

I decided to try for a combo of the two.  Hubby says I went a little overboard, but it was so fun.  Why didn't I have a child sooner - he's the perfect excuse to get out the glue gun, paints, and sticker paper!  

Park here!

Free parking!

I'm happy to say it has been a hit.  I don't know if he plays with it as much as other parking garages he's seen at friends' houses, but he has tried all sizes of cars and it has definitely been a part of the daily play circuit since I finished it.  Now Matt and I are pretty hooked on cardboard toys - we're already hoarding some cardboard in the garage, so hopefully we'll have some new projects in the works soon

Have you been doing any building?  Crafting?  Thanks for reading!