Butterflies

Well, here we go--first post of the week on the last day of the (work) week. Of course I fully intended to post sooner, but it's been an impossible week--the husband has had some long work days and I've been hit hard with seasonal allergies. This week has been mostly sneezing, wheezing, coughing, and sniffing with a few headaches and sleepless nights thrown in the mix. A grim week indeed.

There was one good thing about this week though...

...our visit to the butterfly atrium. My mom had discovered this place and, thinking that it would be something the girls would enjoy, she and my dad offered to take us there.

It was such a treat to go--the girls and I absolutely loved this place! I initially thought there was going to be some kind of barrier up between us and the butterflies--but no! You walk through this garden area with some butterflies busy fluttering from plant to plant, others diving in front of you (rather shocking at first!) and still others landing on you and happily staying put for some time.

Not only was it fascinating, but it was also very beautiful. My only regret is that I didn't think to have the girls bring any sketchbooks. I think they really would have loved drawing some of their favorites. Another time!

And so our week draws to end with the promise of better things to come. There is a book sale (which I have been anxiously anticipating for weeks), very warm weather, a little vacation for me, and hopefully some beach trips all coming up this week. And seeing as my allergies seem to be improving it looks like I'll be able to really enjoy all that!

A happy weekend to all of you!

Recovering...

Easter was beautiful (although a bit chilly) and, unfortunately, mostly picture-less. As usual there was just a bit too much going on (dying Easter eggs, making sure all the tights were washed, dresses were ironed, making a blackberry roulade for dessert, eating way too much chocolate etc., etc.) and consequently the thought of taking any pictures just never crossed my mind. Okay, well wait, actually I did think of pictures just once--the family Easter photo. Oh my, getting a decent picture of all five of us is almost impossible these days (and I say "almost" because I think one out of ten photos might be okay.)

So now we're halfway through our post holiday week. It's been a rough week. Up too late, up too early, too much travel, too much chocolate, too much post-holiday clean-up--we're having a tough time getting back into a comfortable routine and as a result crankiness levels are at an all time high.

To try and snap us out of our foul moods I suggested to the girls that we go birdwatching. This was met with much enthusiasm as it meant a real opportunity to use binoculars (something the girls have been dying to do.)

I had high hopes for this outing. Last time we'd taken this same walk we had spotted not only the usual birds (sparrows, chickadees), but had also seen a woodpecker and a cardinal. So I brought along my camera and told the girls we could start a bird book with the pictures we took.

Well, wouldn't you know it, but we couldn't spot a single bird. We heard a few (waaaaay far off somewhere), but didn't see a single one! Thankfully, though it is early spring, we spotted a few other things the girls enjoyed. For example this butterfly-

a Mourning Cloak. Which gave us the great opportunity to discuss camouflage. Now you see it...

now you don't.

And the girls thought these very tiny flowers...

...were pretty cool. They're the only flowers, besides dandelions, out at this time of year. They're called Whitlow Grass and are very, very, tiny. Size did not prevent the girls from trying to pick a whole boquet of them though!

And that was the extent of our nature walk . No birds and, much to Pookie's disappointment, no beetles or caterpillars either. I'm thinking I'll print off these pics and help the girls start a nature journal. Something we'll start....maybe next week when we are all (hopefully!) feeling a bit better!

Spring

Suddenly, after all that rain, cloudiness, and cold, it feels like spring again. Almost warm, partially sunny, a little bit more color every day--so nice! The girls are thrilled, especially as this means that shoes are now...

...optional.

Rethinking a dress

As Easter is fast approaching I thought I'd better try that smocked dress on Little P. again and see if the fit had improved any. Sadly, no. In fact, if anything, I'd say the dress was looking worse than before. Although we seem to have our very own little girl version of the Very Hungry Caterpillar living here (really, she eats all day), all that nutritious goodness must be going straight towards vertical growth and not horizontal. So yes, she's taller, but not fatter, and was seriously disappearing in all that fabric. Frustrating to say the least.

On a whim, I thought I'd see if the dress would fit Pookie. And what do you know...

...it actually looks alright on her. Pookie hated it, that is until I curled her hair and suggested she try singing "On the Good Ship Lollipop." Then of course it was a big hit--she thought she looked just like Shirley Temple and lot's of dancing and "Animal Crackers in my Soup" singing followed. So now I'm debating about exactly what to do. Should I put more time into trying to make it work for Little P. or just finish it up and let the older girls wear it?? Guess it will go back in the "almost finished" project pile for bit, while I think it over some more...

Rain and Things

We're indoors again, our noses firmly pressed against the windows watching the rain come down. Lots of rain. Lots and lots of rain.

And as we watch the girls talk about worms and rain and how worms don't like rain or mud. They're concerned about the worms. They're going to rescue them all from watery deaths just as soon as the rain stops. So we're watching and waiting for the rain to stop. It may be a rather long wait.

I've just started working on a doll quilt for Flossie (to be followed by one for Mimi) which was intended for Easter, but has quickly become a birthday (August) present instead and, you never know, may just show up in a Christmas post come December.

Something to help pass the time, while I too wait for the rain to stop.

Lots of Love

I love antiquing. And I really love it when I'm antiquing and I find something I love that is at a price I love. Which is why the girls now have a second lamp for their room......because, at only five dollars, you know they needed another lamp for their room. And really it was a great purchase--you wouldn't believe how excited the girls were about it. They actually screamed "Yeah Mommy! You bought us a lamp! We love it!" *happy sigh* Girls after my own heart. Love that.And at just $4.50 this large bowl (which I really need in order to put...something in) just had to come home with me. Love it.
Other good finds not pictured here--some bookends for my husband (which we have spent well over a year looking for) and, at long last, some art to put on our walls (which up until now have only featured mirrors.) Both were well worth the wait--they're exactly what we were looking for. Love them.
And loving this week which is currently perfectly spring like--a little sunny, a little rainy and a little bit greener every day. Perfect!