California Babe

This is the latest little project that I recently finished. It's now in California for Steve's newest niece.

This also makes it sound like I'm completing a lot of projects lately which isn't true. The thing about baby quilts is that they come together so quickly it's practically instant gratification, which is nice on the project front every once in a while.

The colors aren't showing as well as I'd hoped - that's the whole point of fabric, right? Putting colors together to push boundaries, evoke feelings, honor a memory or a future...  Anyway, it's girly but not too pink. Bright and sunny, but with cool greens to keep it refreshing (the purple is the back and the binding) - perfect for a little California girl, I think!

Put it on the floor and the CANNOT stay away!

Cool and Cloudy

What do you do when it's August, the temperature is climbing rapidly, and you're a complete wimp when it comes to anything over 75 degrees?  Head to the Washington coast where it MIGHT be sunny, but more likely foggy, the "breeze" is cool, and sweatshirts are so essential that you'll buy one at the tourist trap shop because you forgot to bring one with you. (Not me, the other adult in the equation...) We spent a delightfully cool weekend in Long Beach and then came back to a stifling house which wasn't quite so fun.

Delighted, yet unsure about the sand.
With much suspicion she decided that sitting was just the safer option.

Delighted and ready to get as dirty as quickly as possible.

August on the coast. Hats, coats, boots.
And a hot chocolate run when everyone started shivering uncontrollably.

Wind!
The Princess holds on for dear life, Sweetpea tries to shield herself from the sandblasting.

One of two lighthouses visited.
Discovery Pass for the win, again!

Infestation

One of my more brilliant craft ideas for the Princess and I to do together. Although, the togetherness ended up being her telling me what to make and in what colors. Perhaps more of a dictorial collaboration...  Oh well, we were bonding over it at least!

Now we have a lovely flock/swarm/family/group of colorful insects traipsing around the house and settling in odd little corners over tea cups and princesses (or being sacrificed as the actual meal for more deserving animals!)

A Girl in a Box

As this is one of the Princess' quiet time boxes perhaps she's contemplating a new role in the daily activities...

Strength

You’re so little, sitting on the bench beside me, absorbed in the books scattered around as I talk to the doctor and learn what all of the potential problems may be.

So cute as you smirk, your secret smile of satisfaction at seeing the doctor at work. She listens to your heart and lungs, looks at your eyes, checks your mouth and teeth.

Unsure as you lay down on your back and then your tummy and cold hands gently poke and prod and discover things that answer questions and cause a whole new list to cascade through my mind. We pretend to blow out candles, long slow exhales that relax and distract as I encourage and hold your hand.

Nervous as we trace veins in my arm and then in yours. I marvel at the pure white of your skin, the delicate translucence with a map of tiny blue lines.

Brave when the needle pokes. You cry into my neck but are still as the statue I asked you to be. And then you turn your head to look again, unable to conquer your curiosity of all things medical even while it makes you scream.

We hug in the hallway, your arms around my neck, me on my knees. Comforting you is the most important thing and I will extend this moment for as long as you need it. This is a different kind of strength I have to have.

Dinner Negotiations

This is the dinner I served the other night to the girls. The Princess flatly refused it until I told her that she didn't have to eat the offending potato. Then she scarfed everything else down happily. Yes, more evidence that she's a very strange child. I happily ate the potatoes instead and they were delicious!

Black beans, broccoli, carrots and a potato with Parmesan cheese.
Yes, the POTATO is the offending item on the plate...

Ladybug Hiker x2

The thing with the second child is that they clue into what's happening around them much sooner. I mean, if the older sister gets something why on earth shouldn't she get it too? So we had two ladybug hikers today...until the small one decided that ladybugs should just be carried during a hike...