Spring Inspiration

Are you ready for spring?  I am so ready!  
For the sunshine and all the beauty that comes with it.
These photos from the past couple of Spring seasons were a nice reminder to me..
 So I thought I would share some.

I hope you enjoy them.  :)

Smelling fresh flowers and herbs:

Getting dirty hands in the garden:

Marveling at how quickly strawberries grow:

Having impromptu 'Car Washes':

Watching the Littles when they don't know anyone is paying attention:

Doing messy projects outside:

Laying in the yard soaking up the sunshine:

Enjoying Nature:

Searching for treasures:

Trimming the Grass:

Admiring Sidewalk Artwork:

 Climbing Trees:

Playing Make Believe:

What do you love most about Spring?

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Is The Glass Half Full or Half Empty?

Alex brought me a half filled glass of water to take some ibuprofen this afternoon. For some reason it struck me that he always brings me a half full glass...maybe so he won't spill it on the way.  I asked him if the glass was half empty or half full. He was clueless as to the meaning behind the question and said matter-of-factly, "It's half full". 

I asked, "What do you think it will look like when it's half empty?" 

He looked at the glass...started to draw a line half way down from the top of where the water came to and the bottom of the glass...paused...then looked at me with a funny expression. "Mom, it's the same thing! Why would you even ask that???" 

So I dutifully explained the meaning behind the age old "half full/half empty" question.

This optimistic versus pessimistic philosophy was almost lost on him, being that he's only 10 and his version of the world is still so sheltered, so I pointed to his knees.

"See your muddy knees?" I said. "Ya" he grinned. 

"Well, I choose to look at those muddy knees as an indication that we are blessed with an active, athletic boy who doesn't waste a single moment of recess or play time, but instead runs straight out to the wet, muddy field to play sports with his buddies, keeping healthy and strong, and staying out of trouble ~INSTEAD~ of just seeing the soiled laundry I will have to do and the cost of jeans and tennis shoes you go through so quickly." 

"Ah" he said with a big goofy grin..."just as long as I don't get mud all over the house!" 

Seriously.  

Hahaha!!!!

And yeah, I'd appreciate it if you kept the mud outside :)

(photo taken by our friend Julie.)

Hanging with:
http://www.sixsistersstuff.com
http://acatlikecuriosity.blogspot.com

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Playroom Sensory Table

Who needs a coffee table, anyway?

We bought our tray top coffee table many years ago, when we lived in our previous home.  Actually, it was the first time we bought furniture together as a married couple.  Sweet, I know.  :)  So this table felt special to us.  It just never seemed to fit right in this house.  The rooms are narrower.  We need space to move around in.  Put our feet up.  Children have to do somersaults and dance and such!
 
So last Christmas I gave myself a gift.  An ottoman who's lid flips over to become a tray.  

But what would I do with the "old" coffee table???

Yeah, don't pick on the Boys...this was taken last Thanksgiving...it's football and nap time!

Pictured here is my dad, my son and my brother in law.  Everybody else (I swear) was in my tiny kitchen...I think about 15 of them, to be exact.

Then inspiration struck!

I'd been dreaming of a nice sensory table for my playroom. The kids were playing with sand and water inside big bins that I would just place on the floor. But my playroom is not huge. There really isn't a lot of room for larger furniture and accessories or the kids don't have space to spread out and really PLAY. So, without boring you with too many details...here is what we did with our beloved old tray table.

This one you have to see!!!

Scott sprayed the table with a creamy white enamel...

I added one of my favorite Dr. Seuss quotes.  I cut these out of sticky-backed vinyl using my Cricut.

I couldn't leave the little chippy chairs out, now could I?

This one's for Thing One!

And this one's for Thing Two!

The table top is so shiny because it's a piece of scrap acrylic cut to fit inside the tray top...smart, huh? 
(This was my idea but we'll let Scott think it was his, k?)

Perfect for dry erase artwork!! 

These are dry erase CRAYONS!  They are AWESOME!  You can wipe them off with a little mitten that comes with them. They wash off of EVERYTHING with a little bit of soapy water.  Genius, I tell you.

But that is not all, no that is not all...

The acrylic table top lifts off to reveal an endless supply of playtime possibilities...

My darling, amazing, handy, creative, generous, willing, smart, hard-working husband (yes, all of those and more!) cut a hole just the right size for my sensory bins to fit into! 

So the children play with sand (Moon Sand is pictured here)...and they play with water...and ice...and colored rice...and cotton balls...and bubbles...
Oh yes, the possibilites are ENDLESS...Just like their imaginations!

Sometimes they like to bring the dishes from the kitchen and make birthday cakes with Popsicle sticks for the candles.  It's always my birthday for some reason.  Do you think that means I seem really old to them???  Haha!

I hope you like what you see!  If you haven't already done so, please become a follower.  There is so much more that we want to share with you, if you are willing!  You can follow us on Facebook too.

And remember:

"A person's a person, no matter how small."

I hope each and every one of you is able to enjoy your holiday with loved ones.  May you be filled with the Spirit of Christmas!

Sherry

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