Butterflies in winter....

For years we didn't have a full length mirror in the house.  I didn't expect how much fun it would be!  Mainly watching my sweet girls adore themselves - each in their own very different ways.  Today we brought out the face paint and transformed them into butterflies........

See those painted nails?  Yes we were busy today :)  Guilt-free - or should I say non-toxic nail polish was discovered at our local health food store this past week.  It has *no odour* seriously.  I was so pleased!  I wouldn't buy it for the longest time, and then I bought it, but wouldn't let anyone use it in the house, so it was a summertime only sort of thing - that still left me worrying about the chemicals I'd just painted directly onto their little bodies.   This stuff is water based, easy to get off - it peels.  It's called Suncoat Girl - I'm assuming that is the kids' version, tho I've got some on right now, and it's not so shabby ;)  It seems to come off easier tho.  The adult version is just called Suncoat.  It appears to be made in Canada too :)  There is something deeply satisfying about painting one's nails, with no stink!

This is my oldest girl who had me paint her face like a butterfly *every day* for months.  I once met someone who remembered me from years before *because* of the butterfly paintings - and well the overall constant body art in general lol - that girl liked to decorate herself ;)  Now she's 16 and wants a tattoo.  Oh my!

She did the art work here, so I'm guessing that the butterfly girl tradition will be carried on...

this moment

Inspired by Soulemama - {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.

A Tiny Tea Leaves Cardigan for Little Miss A

This is Tiny Tea Leaves, by Melissa Labarre

I've been on a mission to use up my stash - which is a little ridiculous in size.   I bought this wool         (O-wool Classic in Thistle - I can't recall the color names for the stripes)  when I first started knitting, with plans for a sweater for Little Miss A - that was 2 years ago ;)  The pattern I'd intended it for is miles too small.  I also didn't have quite enough of the pink, so I added in the stripes, just in case.  

 I love this pattern.  It's very very easy, but still beautiful.  The only part I don't care for is picking up stitches for the button panel.  I like it when the panel is just knit at the end of the row as you go, but that's ok - I still love it ;)

 Mainly tho this pattern is just interesting enough that I didn't get too bored, but not so complicated that I can't knit and chat, or knit and watch a movie ;)  That's my favorite kind of knitting.  Some day when my kids are grown, I'll knit the more complicated stuff for my grandchildren ;)

The painted wooden buttons are from Peace Fleece - another thing from my stash.  These buttons are so beautiful - hand painted from Russia.  I had to take the sweater off my lovely model to get a shot from the front  - she got tired of posing and thought it much more fun to run away ;)

There's still some wool left in all the colors.......I'm thinking a hat?

Painting the snow

Everyone is starting to get restless around here, as we tend to, come February.  Surrounded by snow, the house is feeling small, and little bodies just need to get outside.

Yesterday I remembered the painting snow idea - we've done it in the past using koolaid, or food coloring.  This year I used tempera paint and found it to be quite effective.  I just fill a spray bottle with water, and add a good long squirt of tempera.  Give it a good shake and you're good to go :)

  It's actually really satisfying - I think we'll have to get out and do some more decorating soon.  Look at that tongue tho! - The concentration ;)  Our driveway is lonnnnnng and is plowed, so there is a perfect blank canvas for them to work on - no way will they be running out of painting space any time soon.

I think we'll have to add in some more colors soon - I think a rainbow would be nice :)

I heart faces - "Red"

This is my entry for this week's challenge over at I heart faces.  I hadn't planned to enter this week, but then this morning my little one just happened to be wearing her red dress, and the roses on the table... well it was an irresistible  combination.

Be sure to head on over and check out all the amazing entries...

Someone is 5 years old!

This baby girl used to make women spontaneously ovulate all over town.  Seriously - I'm quite sure there were babies born as a result of hormonal mushiness over her sweet adorable face ;)

She's ever so proud to be turning 5 years old, and I'm wondering - as I *always* do on birthdays - where did the time go???????  You'd think that after 16 years of parenting, and 5 children, that I'd have gotten used to it, but I'm afraid the effect is getting stronger instead of lessening....

Things are pinkified, and I borrowed some hot air from the boys for the balloons.... 

The gifts have been adorned with their silk wrappings, and her special birthday crown is waiting next to the birthday throne.

Won't she be surprised when she finds out that mama was pulling her leg, and I was actually able to locate the toy store, and the coveted tea set after my long long search through every ridiculous store I could think of for it.  I do love pulling little legs ;)  I wish I'd had a recorder running while she tried her very best to explain to me where exactly the toy store was in town ;)  Nope - no tea sets at the underwear store ;)

there's a birthday coming up.......

Someone's getting a tutu.....

snapshot