Building forts and memories

One of my favorite things about childhood (and there are a lot) was that we had unrestricted access to the wood pile, cans of nails and lots of my dad's tools. We always had amazing visions of what we were going to build. The forts were going to be architectural masterpieces, the gifts for mom were going to be of unforgettable craftsmanship, and the weapons were going to cause siblings to run for cover.

Well, the forts were unique. I'm sure the gifts for mom were unforgettable, and the wooden swords were very successful. All in all, we had a wonderful time building what ever our little hearts desired. Most of the time my dad would lend a hand to make sure our tree houses weren't going to fall out of the tree and our swords didn't have nails sticking out of them. I loved building with dad!

The other day, my little boy decided he needed to build something. I had things to do so I suggested he start by building a prototype out of Popsicle sticks and toothpicks. He was OK with that until his little brother smashed his prototype. That's when he bagged the model and headed to the garage. A few minutes later I heard the sweet sound of a hammer hitting a nail. (He had grabbed some scrap lumber, some nails and a small hammer to build his "fort.") The sound brought all those fun memories back and I chuckled every time I checked his progress.

After ten minutes of hammering, the nail he'd been working on was still in the same position. I told him he was doing great when he asked for help. (He had kindergarten in an hour and I didn't want to start something we couldn't finish). Unsatisfied with my answer, he said, "I'm going to ask Dennis." (Our neighbors are a retired couple who our children adore. The husband can fix ANYTHING). So Dennis came over to "play." Forty minutes later, after following my son's directions and only applying a little advice for safety sake, they had a fort.

It was so hard for my little man to quit building to go to school! I helped him a little after school, the neighbor came back and my husband helped him add more over the weekend. For a six-year-old architect, it was a pretty cool fort! I loved watching my little boy and his daddy out there together with their hammers.

Spring + cleaning

I really don't enjoy spring cleaning! Its like finding out that your house, that you thought was clean.... isn't.
But, it does feel good to look back at the room that I totally tore apart to clean all the nooks and crannies (that no one looks at anyway) and although it looks almost the same as when I started... at least I know it's really clean. (I'm trying to convince myself).

Actually this is probably the most I have enjoyed spring cleaning in a long time because my friend and I are doing it together. We both have the same house plan and are similar in our cleaning habits so this is working out to be fun. We are secure enough in our friendship that we are letting each other scrub those nasty corners and baseboards. Now that is a good friend!

I have talked about doing this with a lot of friends... but this is the first time I have followed through. We have    already spent a day at each house. Things are starting to shine and we are pooped... but it's like everyone's grandma says, "Many hands make light work."

Happy Spring cleaning!

Green

I am not a fan of food coloring in food other than frosting. It has something to do with my brother playing jokes on us when we were little. I still do add colors to make things fun for my kids... I just don't relish eating them.

My darling daughter made sunday morning breakfast for us on St. Patricks day. It was delicious... But very GREEN!!!! This is the syrup. Mmmm.... Doesn't that look appetizing?!

Shopping cart scoping

Do you ever inadvertently scope out what other people put in their shopping carts? When you see a cart full of nothing but of veggies, fresh fruit and tofu, do you think, "Wow, health nut on isle two!" Or how about those carts full of junk food, candy and ice cream... I know what I'm thinking... "Ooo, you can follow us home."

Actually I don't scope carts... Not usually. When I'm shopping I am either counting the heads of my offspring, to make sure none have been left behind while drawing pictures with their fingers on the freezer doors of the ice cream isle... or I am in a mad dash to make some quick purchases before someone has to be picked up, dropped off or practice starts.

But the other day, I was checking out and the cashier commented about the ENORMOUS amount of flour I was buying. (I usually go through a 25 lb bag of flour in one month and was just picking up two bags). He went on and on about all the baking I must be doing. Funny that he didn't say anything about the case of instant soup (for school lunches) I was purchasing.

Interesting that junk food is so common in the average diet that a cart FULL of instant, nasty, unhealthy junk is not even glanced at twice, but when I  walk by with a cart full of stuff to make healthy, good old fashioned food... people's eyes bug.

Seuss at school

We had two cats in the hat, one Cindy Lou Who and a lot of fun getting ready!!!

Gratitude

I was at the grocery store this afternoon. (The kiddos were home with the daddy). People were bustling up and down isles filling shopping carts. I was trying to get the months shopping done as quickly as I could. While I was picking through some of the largest, red tomatoes I have ever seen... I had to pause.

I stopped, tomato in hand and just took a moment to look around. I was surrounded by piles of beautiful. fresh fruits and vegetables and mountains of packaged food. All this was right at my finger tips. It may sound silly, but my heart was full with gratitude for all the bounty that we have! We are incredibly blessed to have so much available to us.

Next time you are at the store... take a look around. I hope you have the same feeling.

Crazy hair

Crazy hair day at school inspired serious creativity!