a gentle giant

Elephants walking under juicy-leaf trees

Walking with their children under juicy-leaf trees

Elephants walking like time

Elephants bathing in the foam-floody river

Fountaining their children in the motherly river

Elephants elephants bathing like happiness

Strong and gentle elephants

Standing on the earth

Strong and gentle elephants

Like peace

Time is walking under the elephant trees

Happiness is bathing in the elephant river

Strong gentle peace is shining

All over the elephant earth

-Adrian Mitchell

What is strong? How does one become strong? Two questions that I have asked myself over and over in my life. I feel that this poem sums it up beautifully. Strength stems from confidence, stability and a healthy rhythm of life. But more importantly, what I believe makes a person strong is gentleness, empathy, and acceptance. A person will never be strong in an environment where they are constantly ridiculed or where ignorance exists.

My friends, strive to be "an elephant" and live life in perfect balance.  

we've been noticing...

Flocks of birds gathering in our trees for their annual reunion. Daffodils and crocuses peeking out from under the moist, dense soil. A hazy sun that greets us at the breakfast table and remains glowing longer into the evening. Magnificent camellias in pale pink, so welcoming and full of life. A new found love for pastels and linen. Days filled with outdoor play. Rebirth all around us and birthday celebrations aplenty.

You would think with all of this loveliness, I would have a photo that better depicts my interpretation of spring. Instead, I have the picture that I took early this morning (hence my lack of light) when I found that Samantha would be going with a friend to a birthday party after school. This was my only chance to capture a moment with this birthday crown before it went on it's merry way.

I do hope that spring is showing it's presence in your lives and that it's freshness and vibrance inspire true greatness. Breathe it in...

a date with my pirate

All right, I have to admit I really didn't want to expose my children to the world of pirates until they were at least 18! but this one just fell into our laps. Good ol' Captain Bogg and Salty, the pirate band from lovely Portland, OR. We first stumbled upon one of their shows 2 years ago at a local park and have been following them ever since.

These scullywagg's sing about everything from preventing scurvy (EAT A LIME!) to dancing the pegleg tango through fun, energetic "sea chanteys". When Samantha and I found that they would be playing in our neighborhood, we jumped at the opportunity to see them - as good groupies do.

The show was a blast. Samantha and I sang along with our hook fingers fully engage. Although, there were multiple times that we thought of dear Jasper, sick at home with Daddy. He is a huge fan too.

We did feel a little underdressed today as children and parents sailed into the theater in full pirate gear. It is so nice to see these local artists bringing a community together. So inspiring really. Sam and I came right home and started working on our pirate costumes for the next show. Maybe we'll see you there, Mateys!

samantha blogs: clay class

Hi, this is Samantha and I have been going to clay class. I have been making bowls, a plate, a cup, a dessert plate and magnets.

This is a corner of my big plate. I put a stamp into the clay to make a butterfly. Green and blue are two of my favorite colors.

After we did all of our lessons, I made magnets. I took a cookie cutter and cut them out. Then I put lace on them to make prints.

I made a cup. We cut a circle and a straight line. We rolled the straight line into a circle and we put "slip" on the circle. Then we attached the two circles and let them sit and dry. I decorated the straight line with sea stamps. I chose the color orange because it is my brother's most favorite color.

I love clay class. I get to make things that I get to bring home and use. I like taking clay class with my friends and I hope I can take the class again.

Love, Samantha

it's not fun to be...

I realize that I have not shown my presence here for a while. It seems after our eventful weekend, the little ones came down with the flu. Nothing to out of the ordinary for this time of the year. Fevers, sore throats, and coughs have been taunting them through their days and into the night. It is so heartbreaking to see these children who are usually full of spunk and adventure melt into my lap with blankets in tow. Although I would rather see them feeling well, I have to admit that I am beyond grateful that we are all home taking sick days together.

Our winter book basket is looking a little worn out this week. We have been spending our days snuggling, storytelling and reading.

These books are our favorites at the moment:

SNOW by Uri Shulevitz

THE STORY OF THE SNOW CHILDREN by Sibylle von Olfers

STOPPING BY THE WOODS ON A SNOWY EVENING by Robert Frost

THE MITTEN adapted by Jan Brett

We have also had brief moments of crafting time. Our valentines are officially done and we have found a new passion in popsicle stick art. There is nothing better than to place something random out on the craft table and allow the children to create to their hearts content. I give no guidelines but simply act as a facilitator. After nearly a dozen popsicle stick creations, Jasper chose one as his favorite {in which he entitled “hexamid”}. Samantha chose to make a fan for Tulip, beautifully adorned with a golden star, rick rack and hot pink ball fringe.

It is nice to see the children forget about their fiery throats and sweaty brows for just a moment and to see a hint of a smile and a spark of light in their eyes.

Be well, friends…

humbling moments

How blessed we are to have such an empowering influence around us. A group of friends and family that bring amazing warmth and acceptance. An email from a distant sister-in-law, dinner with good friends, an endearing call from my mom, and a birthday evening with a newly 6 year old and her family and friends. These moments make us humble and forever grateful of the beauty around us. In a world of chaos, this is what keeps our hearts pure.

Thank you all for the wonderful moments, whether big or small. You have touched us...   

Think Like a Tree

Soak up the sun

affirm life's magic

be graceful in the wind

stand tall after a storm

feel refreshed after it rains

grow strong without notice

be prepared for each season

provide shelter to strangers

hang tough through a cold spell

emerge renewed at the first signs of spring

stay deeply rooted while reaching for the sky

be still long enough to hear your own leaves rustling.

 ~Karen Shragg

Have a lovely weekend.

See you back here on Monday, if not sooner.