a field trip

We took a little trip yesterday with our favorite little friends. A field trip to the Museum of Science in Boston to see the Mammoth exhibit...none left disappointed.

Well, honestly when you are a 12 year old girl, posing in front of the saber tooth with a bunch of boys isn't the most exciting thing...right?

Everyone jumped into a design challenge!  What a fun activity for these kiddos to do.  We didn't even hit the entire museum (a return trip is in the making)before everyone was ready to have lunch and continue on our journey.

After lunch there was a stop at the Lego store to use up some holiday gift cards, and of course a bit of shopping for my girl (the biggest reason she wanted to come).  These boys were quite patient while she browsed and tried on clothes.  Sitting and reading every Lego package, every detail, and planning the building that would follow. 

It was a great day all around, tired kiddos and two mamas that got to have some quality time together.  What more can we ask for?

Have you been on any field trips lately?

This Moment

joining Soulemama for {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.

Happy New Year

It seems hard to believe that we are spending our last day in 2012!  So much has happened, and so much is yet to come...We are off to Dragonfly Farm for some festivities in the snow, but to all of you from all of us Have the Happiest of New Years and we'll see you in 2013!

btw: amazing photo above taken by Erin of A Love Supreme Photography and Bluebirdbaby.
Everything about this woman is amazing! 

The Weekend

This past weekend was a fun one around our house, busy as it may be sometimes:

 We got our holiday tree.  Something I truly love about this season, it's in the stand, getting used to the environment, but we had to throw some sweet beads in to get it started.

 This may be my favoritest tree ever!  I love this curve half way up its trunk.  Of course no matter what we do it looks crooked somehow, but I love it.

An early birthday present for this sweet boy of mine.  He turns 11 tomorrow!  But since the gift was the Star Wars Lego advent calender it only felt right to give it to him on the 1st.  Nothing beats seeing his smile in the morning when he opens up a new tiny Lego to build.  This is the second year with one of these and it's been great so far.

Extra gymnastics practice as we near meet season.
There was also a very girly sleepover involving make-overs and many giggles throughout the night.
There was a first basketball game of the season won!
A viewing of Elf with the kiddos...this movie makes me laugh out loud every time I watch it!
I snuck in some knitting, Greg had a gig and here we are Monday morning ready for another week.

How was your weekend?

This Moment

Once again joining Soulemama for {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.

The Finger Puppets Started It

That's right, the finger puppets started it all.  Last week the boy and I started discussing what to make for friends and loved ones this holiday season.  There are several little cousins now and we thought that a set of finger puppets would be a perfect gift; I quickly hit pinterest for some tutorials and of course was not let down.

All by himself that sweet boy whipped up these 3 finger puppets along w/ a little pouch to store them in complete with an embroidered heart.  I found the owl here and the frog and elephant here.  He used the basic owl body on all three to make things simpler, as well as googly eyes...seriously can you stand the cuteness.
So next he informs me that we need more wool felt, apparently the stock is low.  Well being that I am trying to use materials that are already overflowing the craffice I dug up the bin of felted wool sweaters and before long and idea was born:

All these sleeves, perfect base for a hand puppet!

 

As often happens around here, when one person starts making, it's not long before others join in!  So these two spent a good portion of the afternoon yesterday making puppets,  I'm thinking a pattern and tutorial is in order, cuz these cuties are oh so easy and fun!  So far there is a monkey, frog and unicorn.  A giraffe is almost finished and I'm sure there will be more today.  I have no doubt that these gifts will be loved by all who receive them.

What are you working on for holiday crafts?

And Here We Are

It's been a month since I've visited this site!  Amazing how life can just keep you so busy from wake until sleep.  I've thought about posting often, but then something else would come up and another day would go by.  Then I started worrying that I needed an explanation here in these words...a valid reason why I haven't been here...However, a dear friend pointed out recently that I don't need an excuse, I'm a mom who is busy, as are we all.  So there it is; the truth that I'm sure most can relate to.  Trying to find balance in life with this blog world when it is not your "job". 

We have been plotting right along through this wonderful autumn season we have been blessed with:
A first snow that has come and gone.
12 years celebrated for our sweet girl (who as you may have noticed isn't wanting to be in pictures on the blog right now).
Enjoying a little nature corner again in our home, something we haven't done in the last couple of years.
School is harder this year with a bit of a heavier middle school load, but both kids are doing well.
Soccer season came and went.
The hubs is busy coaching basketball for the 6th year.
We've had a slight gymnastics injury and a girl looking forward to getting back to practice soon.
A bit of house painting.
Some boardgames.
The usual busy life of a family.  I'll be back hopefully soon with more of what we've been up to.  Wish me luck as I try to learn to balance all of this.