Real Snow and a little Valentines

A view of our school room, Seasonal tree, and the gifts the kid's received today.  

Finally it seems winter is here... or was at least! We had a lovely little dusting this past Saturday (the same day as my son's 2nd birthday party).  Altogether that makes for a great day. Especially since, two years ago, it snowed on the day he was born too. What sweet memories that snow brought back to me. Plus we got to play in the snow before it melted away on Sunday. It was bliss for my kids! 

I will post later on more about Jonas' actual party and why we choose to do parties. When each birthday and holiday pops up I find myself reflecting of our Waldorf journey a bit more than usual, mainly due to the gifts and materialism issue. This time around all of that went well and I'd eventually like to share about that. Thank you for your wishes also. Jonas felt quite loved in blogland! 

Today was also Valentines day here for us. I find it very funny that my daughter and my son (and this baby) are all/will be born quite close to big holiday (Christmas, Valentines, and possibly Easter respectively).- but I digress. Our little family tradition is giving some small presents right when the kids wake up. They always have been a book and little toy. This year both kids got a book and a silk toy. Then we go somewhere fun together and make a special dinner. Crafts are usually involved, but today we did not craft any since we will be having a nice big co-op Valentine's day party later this week. I also made gnomes for all the kids, so I held off on giving my kids their gnomes until then. I also plan of wet felting hearts with the kids that day- oh I am just so excited! I also am excited about exploring with them who Saint Valentine really was as well as a better idea of what this extremely commercial holiday is truly about. 

Today was overall a pretty good day. My son was pretty fussy, much more than usual, so just my daughter and I went out at lunch time to a frozen yogurt place. While Jonas and Daddy played outside and hunted for worms to put in our compost. 

DD and I had a sweet Mommy-Daughter time together. She, in her 4 year old wisdom, opened up to me about how her friend just got her ears pierced and she liked it. I was really happy with how the conversation went, I asked lots of questions and listened a lot. Then, by herself, Deirdre concluded that she doesn't need her ears pierced yet and that she wants to talk about it again when she is 10. I thought that was a great idea. 

So I hope you all had a sweet and relaxing Valentine's day with your little sweeties! I can't wait to see all the fun crafting we all will be up to this week! 

Always, Nicole 

{this moment}... and a happy birthday to my son

Minutes old

 Dear Sweet Emil Jonas, 

Two years ago you came into this world with your eyes wide open. What a blessing you were and still are to this day. You helped me become a better stronger mother to not only you, but also to your older sister too. You showed me just how great my capacity for love was and how a mother's love really knows no bounds. 

All my worry about how I could love another child as much as I loved my first vanished when I held you in my arms. Now as we all get ready to welcome another new baby into our family, I have no fears or worries because of what you have taught me. 

Oh sweet Jonas, we are just so so thankful to have you!! You brighten all of our lives. And boy are you so much fun, so brave, yet so tender. I am very excited to see where you go in this life.  It is a true privilege to be your mother. 

Love you to the moon and back, 

Mama

6 months- and his first non-breast-milk food

One Year Old at his first birthday party

a little over 18 months old

Sick Babies and No Sleep

I do not have the energy to blog tonight. I was going to write about our family's Eco-friendly and Waldorf journey, but I seriously am about to pass out.

Jonas is sick -or- he is teething so badly that he is making himself sick. My heart literally shatters into pieces when my children are hurt or sick. It is even worse when I cannot make it better, and that is where Jonas is tonight (and has been for 2 days now).

So I am going to try to sleep while he is asleep for the first time in more than 24 hours. However I must say that even though I am cranky, tired, and weary as well- I would not trade this for the world. Never.

Also let me just put this out here but this does not make me want to never have anymore children either. It really unnerves when people say this to me when my children act like well...children. Each child is different, a glorious gift, and a blessing all their own. I mean I am not always pleasant to be around, heck I am downright mean when I am sick. Why should I expect a child who just leaned to speak, to act more pleasantly than a grown man when they are sick? Shesssh. (Can you tell that I am weary?)

At any rate, I covet your prayers tonight. Pray for us and for wisdom. We are going to the doctor's tomorrow to see what this might be and hopefully get some answers! In the meantime enjoy some newborn Jonas photos.

Bonne Nuit!

Busy busy boys

Today was a glorious at home busy day. I am finding that all my animals (5 chickens, 3 rabbits, 2 ducks, and 2 geese) are taking up a large chunk of my free time as well as my big garden and compost. Who knew, right?

When Craig was working less, he helped and primarily took care of the compost and garden, but now that is all on me. Today I timed it all and I spend 2 hours and 15 minutes outside just working on the above mentioned things. Phew. Really I do not mind, but having two kids in tow behind me makes things creep a little slower. So now I do the heavy animal stuff before the kids wake up and during nap time. When they're awake I take them out and we all do the garden and compost together. Even though this is 'work' I am happy to be outside and we are just starting to reap some rewards (lots of raspberries, blueberries, and tomatoes from the garden!)

These are some of our yellow cherry tomatoes that I used in tonight's tomato sauce! 

But on to the topic I really wanted to share about, my busy busy boy. Jonas, my baby, is growing up- much to my chagrin!! He is full into toddler mode, talking-signing-walking-running-rough housing and all! He is a very busy boy too. 

Deirdre was a busy toddler, but in a different way. Jonas has to be inspecting everything. His curiosity is endless and is something that I encourage. His favorite things are to be held by Ma-ma, to look at books but preferably to be read to by Ma-ma, to play in the recycling, to help Ma-ma doing whatever she is doing, and to be outside close to Ma-ma. See the trend?

When I am not around, he is happy to use Deirdre as a Ma-ma substitute for awhile. Recently though, he has begun venturing off on his own in the yard to play in our playhouse while I water the garden. Jonas is spunky too. He knows exactly where the watering can is and once we get outside he immediately bee-lines for it and then heads for the faucet with the can-that is about as tall as him! It really is a funny sight to see. Another favorite is the compost pile where he picks up the scoop and tries to reach in and turn it over like Da-da does. Seriously his modeling and mimicking is phenomenal. I just love him and find his milestones endlessly interesting and entertaining. 

Jonas also loves to help me cook. Deirdre too, and she can actually help me now. She could win first prize for cracking eggs perfectly. Jonas now can stand on the stool which gives him more access to whatever I am cooking. He knows that Mommy pokes the pan with the spoon, so when I pull him up, he grabs the spoon and pokes the pan too- without my prompting. Then he glares up at me, grins and claps his hands. Precious. 

It was this weekend 2 years ago that we first told our family and friends that we were pregnant with Emil Jonas. I remember it because the day was Father's Day, and we told my father-in-law by putting an ultrasound photo in his card. Jonas is also about the age Deirdre was when I got pregnant with him (16 months). So today has been a busy day, with a busy sweet boy, reflecting on my blessed life and future. Have a great weekend, and I will be back tomorrow! 

The Jonas tornado 

On the prowl for recycling- I just cleared it out- so he is upset. 

Success! 

All done and off to check on Deirdre

Ok I am back Ma-ma, pick me "up"

Daily verse or quote:

Philippians 2:14-16

Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain.

{this moment}

This week I was inspired to do this by Amanda Soule. She writes a daily blog and is an author of two of my favorite books. Visit her at soulemama.com .

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - 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.