Some firsts and other things

I don't really have a cohesive theme for this post, just a few odds and ends - some of these things are "firsts" for us, others just seem important for me to remember.

I've been working on making my own version of an iced caramel macchiato brewing extra-strong pour-over

Henry adding jewels to his treasure box

Setting up the rocket Henry got last week

Getting ready to blast off - it is reusable with baking soda & vinegar!

Starting seeds indoors for the first time with my little makeshift "greenhouse"

With Henry's hoodie complete, it's time to start a new project!

Winding the yarn for Felix's new sweater, using this pattern (thanks Beth!)

Our first visit to Irvine Nature Center. They have an amazing outdoor play area that the boys loved. We played outside for 2 hours with friends despite the chilly weather Friday afternoon!

Henry has really embraced springtime!

Palm Sunday artwork

And one more. I think I am going to frame these and hang them every year for Holy Week. Seriously, I know I'm his mom and therefore biased, but this kid's talent is amazing.

And finally, the first (and hopefully last!) snow in springtime!

Spring Equinox & Henry's Rainbow Hoodie

One of the reasons I've chosen homeschooling is to allow us more time to be aware of and observe the changing of the seasons. We had a wonderful, simple "celebration" today.

Probably the most exciting part of today was that I finally finished Henry's rainbow hoodie that was promised to him first at Christmas, then his birthday...but now it's done, just in time for spring!

In the end, today wasn't all that different from any other - we went to the chiropractor, then gymnastics, back home for quiet time, and then played outside until dinner - except in our mindfulness and awareness that this marks the first day of a new season. Henry was so excited and made cards for everyone.

Henry posing with Felix & his newly completed hoodie

I felt rather like the mother bunny in Goodnight Moon, whispering "hush" and knitting in Henry's room last night as he went to sleep

Henry helps Jude open the card he made for him

Playing with a neighbor friend this afternoon

After our friend from across the street went inside, Henry made a "path" that I think was part of a map or secret something-or-other. Everyone watched hm with great fascination.

 And then...the moment we'd all been waiting for! We planted our flower seeds. (We picked up the seed packet yesterday at our local hardware store, just a traditional flower mix.)  I've heard you can start seeds in egg cartons, so I decided to give it a try. We'll see how it goes!

I just had to include these pictures of Felix...after dinner, when his brothers were running around, he was meticulously coloring in all the eyes, noses, and mouths of the people in these pictures. It was amazing how long he sat there - at least 20 minutes, to be sure.

knitting cowls

During the week after Christmas, I knit Dan and Henry the cowls they had requested. I like cowls so much better than scarves because they are so much quicker to make (and economical as they use so much less yarn!). I was introduced to the cowl a few years ago when the mother of one of the boys I work with gave me one as a Christmas present. I came to love how warm it kept my whole neck without the bulk of a scarf.

I made Henry's first, with some brown Malabrigo.

 Turns out it was too small. Here he is trying to take it off and it got stuck. Oops.

Then I made Dan's, plenty big as you can see, using the same yarn but a double strand. I like how it turned out - nice and thick and warm for all those days biking to GW.

Meanwhile, Felix was enjoying himself during all of this cowl photography.

Here's Jude shortly afterwards, checking out one of the camels from the Creche. 

 I made Henry a new cowl using some bulky yarn I got at the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival (which is coming up again this weekend!). This one turned out great and he wore it the rest of the winter.

Christmas Vest

This vest was supposed to be a birthday present for Felix, but I couldn't get it done in time. I finished it on Christmas Eve instead. In other news, he is inseparable from his blanket these days. Makes a knitting mama happy!