About a year ago my stunningly amazing husband Joshie left town for the never-ending-business-trip (he was gone off and on for more than four months) and I sat down with my laptop and started up my little blog.  It was just what I needed and the connections I made with my readers (as though anyone [...]

I use clothespins for everything.  I’m still working off a shoeboxfull that came with our vintage fifties ranch so I haven’t had to buy any for a long, long time.  That said, I was getting a little tired of the old, not so cute ones so we decided to pretty some up with buttons snatched [...]

I love those little sugary conversation hearts that you find at Valentine’s Day — they’re sweet and tasty (in a delightfully chalky way) and bring me right back to childhood. We made giant ones out of home-mixed playdough.
Best Homemade Playdough
1 c flour1/4 c salt2 tsp cream of tartar2 Tbsp oil1 c waterfood coloring1 tsp [...]

A couple of months ago I shared a list of some of my favorite activities for keeping toddlers occupied for a bit when you need to cook dinner, check your email, or (goodness me!) take a break on the couch for a few minutes.  Well, it was such a hit that I thought I’d better [...]

So I’ve been trying various things with Jasper since school started for his sister and some have worked great (smashing playdough, for one) while others, well, not so much (anything drawing-related). With this one I’ve really hit it. I have one word.
Rockets.
Seriously, it seems like boys are generally very transportation-oriented, and rockets seem [...]

I LOVE these. Check them out at plum pudding!(image via plum pudding)
(we’re still traveling, but we’ll be home soon and I’ll have so much to share!)

Josie’s really been into making pop-up cards. She’s always creating bits of love for each member of the family but this has really caught her fancy, and I can see why. It is just such a simple and effective little project; so easy a five year old can do it!
First fold your paper in [...]

Jasper’s nature picture, with maple leaf, maple seeds (samaras), pine needles, pine twig, pinecone, bark, and a tiny flowerOver the weekend we had a ton of work to get taken care of so we were outside most of the day (except when our neighbors were celebrating something with an outdoor karaoke party). [...]

I just have a minute, but wanted to share a picture of the puppet theater that I helped Josie and Jasper with this week. We’re going to make another so I’ll plan to share a tutorial next week! (p.s. Jasper would want me to tell you that *he* made the kelp.)

Having a girl is easy. Glitter and sparkly pink sequins are appealing to most, drawing flowers is girly, dress-up clothes are usually dresses (have yet to find a ‘prince charming’ costume in the Disney aisle at Target). Socially, my dress-wearing, pink-loving, flower-picking boy may grow up to be an outcast if we keep [...]