Elfing

Christmas time has rolled around again. And while most years we find ourselves making the majority of the gifts we give, this year, with a new baby, we decided that we would save ourselves the extra work and just buy gifts... Holy cow! Now I see why so many people complain about the cost of Christmas. It is a good thing Papa has a better job now, than in years past. Even still, I put my foot down when it came to Baby Mousey's first Christmas ornament. I found one that I loved for her on amazon... For $23! Sorry, but that is not going to fly with me. Then I found one on zulily, but it would not be here in time for Christmas... Finally, I said to myself, "Self, how hard could it be to just make an ornament?" So that is what I set out to do. 

I searched Pinterest and came up with a few ideas. Most involved felt. Super cute, but i did not have the supplies on hand and didn't want to wait to get them. When the crafting waves hits, you have to ride it now. 

Then a link to a link to a link led me to some youtube tutorials. Boom! There is was. The perfect little mouse for my perfect little mouse. So I grabbed some clay (I had just seen some when mom was cleaning out some boxes) and made this little critter in a few minutes. 

I was psyched at how it turned out, so i cranked out two more little critters.

Later, I added eye hooks (I made them with jewelry wire) and baked them. Then I added some details with a couple of sharpies. I tied on some pink ribbon, and was done. Ornaments for my three girls, in no more than a half hour total, with only supplies I already had laying around. I call that a win.

Tails!

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual, inspired by SouleMama, capturing a moment from the week.  A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see. 

Three

Three weeks ago today, after 42 weeks and 5 days of pregnancy, our sweet Miss Mousey finally decided to make her entrance. It was an epic birth and I will write out the full story some time, hopefully soon. For now I will just say that we are both happy and healthy. She is wonderful and oh so very loved.

Miss Mousey. Born on the morning of October 26, 2014. 7lbs 8oz. 20 inches long. Perfect.

She came out hungry and had a strong latch, right away. She was pretty fussy until my milk fully came in, two days later. However, she has been a very happy baby ever since. We rested pretty much all of her first week, and have been slowly easing back into things since then. She is a major mama's girl, but is warming up to other family members as well.

She loves the moby wrap, which is such a blessing because I need my hands free as much as possible to keep up with Bunny and Squirrel. They, by the way, are thrilled to have a sweet baby sister to love on. Squirrel has been very sweet and gentle with her. Something I didn't expect to come so easily to a two year old. Bunny is all about her role as the biggest sister. She is very proud that, at four and a half, she is big enough to hold Mousey (while sitting on the couch or the bed) by herself. 

Three weeks in, with three girls, and things are going great. 

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual, inspired by SouleMama, capturing a moment from the week.  A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see. 

born, at home, on October 26th 

perfection

Fall Fun

Out to play on a wet fall day.

Still pregnant by the way.

Forty one and one.

Climbing trees and raking leaves...

This kid is a worker.

This is the way we rake the leaves...

And make a pile for jumping... 

Oh what fun things!

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual, inspired by SouleMama, capturing a moment from the week.  A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see. 

the moment she made her own swing 

from ropes she had her papa tie in the tree

she is a crazy knot tying girl

she could probably give lessons to the boyscouts

ready

set

swing!

Enchanted Childhood Preschool ~ Colors

Colors was the theme of our second week of preschool!

First the children learned about Primary Colors.

They counted Primary Colors.

Made Primary Colors Collages

Ate Primary Colors Snacks. 

Painted Primary Colors pages for a "Colors" book.

  

And played Primary Colors Hide and Seek.

Then they learned about Secondary Colors.

After reading Mouse Paint. the children mixed Primary Colors to make their own Secondary Colors.

Ate Secondary Colors snacks.

 And had lots of colorful classroom fun!

Isn't is amazing how we can find all the colors in nature!!

It was a good week at preschool!

Each week I join several linky parties! What a fun way to share and learn!

Mama Reads Monday, Craft & Activity Share, Monday Sharing Day on Facebook, Thoughtful Spot, Natural Living Monday, Montessori Monday, Homemade Mondays, Mama Moments Monday {Link Up}, The Gathering Spot, Little Wonders' Days, Mom's Monday Mingle, Mommy Moments, Frugal, Crafty Home, Hip Homeschool Hop, Mom's Library, Tuesday Tots, Keep Calm Craft On {crafting on}, Tuned in Tuesday, Teach Me Tuesday, Backyard Farming Connection Hop, Tuned in Tuesday, Tuesday Tutorials, Life Created Tuesdays, Kids in the Kitchen,  It's Playtime, We Made That Linky, What I Learned Wednesday, Kids Co-Op, Artsy Play Wednesday, Healthy 2Day Wednesday, Wildcrafting Wednesday, Adorned From Above , Frugal Days, Sustainable Ways, Kids Crafts, Link and Learn, needle and thREAD, Made U Look, Tender Moments with Toddlers and Preschoolers, Natural Living Link-Up, Small Footprint Friday, Our Days Homeschool Link-Up, For the Kids Friday, FarmGirl Friday Blog Hop, Kitchen Fun and Crafty Friday, Read. Explore. Learn., Creative Learning on Friday, Preschool and Kindergarten Corner,The Friday Baby Shower, TGIF Linky Party, Family Fun Friday, Creative Friday, Friday Flair Link Party, Shine on Fridays, Friday Favs, Outdoor Play Party, Do Something Crafty, Weekend Whatever, Saturday Show and Tell, Tot School Gathering Place, Sharing Saturday, Share It Saturday, Country Kids, Link and Learn, Show and Share Saturday, Stress Free Sunday, Sunday Parenting Pointers, The Sunday Showcase, The Sunday Parenting Party, The Homesteaders' Blog Hop, Making Boys Men, Made with Love, Raising Memories