3 - 2 - 1

Ezra had a birthday this month, so we now have the fun of telling people, when they ask how old our kids are, that they're three, two, one!

All of these ages have their fun and challenges, but I think one of my favorite things about being a parent is seeing all of them play together.  Ezra is old enough now that he is very interested in being involved in everything the other kids are doing, and, thankfully, they are great about playing with him!

Our Art Center

I am a huge fan of encouraging creativity and imagination in our kids.  A great way to do this, I think, is by allowing them to have the ability to do art whenever they want.  For quite some time now, I have been planning on making the kids a little art center, and I'm so happy that I've finally been able to do it!

It's pretty simple, just baskets on the wall containing basic art supplies: paper, crayons, colored pencils, etc.  There's enough space to allow them some different options without becoming overwhelming for them or me (with the mess!)  Every once in a  while I'll rotate different things through, like stickers, punches, collage materials, etc.  When Ezra gets a little older, I'll include things like scissors and string.

In a small house, every room serves double (or triple) duty!

I absolutely love how our little art center has turned out!  The kids do, too, which is evident by its daily use!

My Garden

My completed garden - for this year, anyway!

One of my priorities since buying our own home was to plant a garden!  Since our yard didn't have one, I had to start from scratch.  I put it right at the back of the house, since that's the spot that gets the most sun.  I originally planned to dig half the garden this year, then finish it next summer, but it went quicker than I expected, and I am so happy I was able to do it all!  I was able to plant a variety of different things, including several things I've never tried before.  I'm considering this my "experimental" year, since it's a new garden, and since many of the things I planted are new to me.  I have already learned that I'll have to do some things differently next year; for example, my spinach hasn't grown well, and my radishes have been infected with rust fly (I think that's what it's called).  I do have a good gardening book, though, that I'll be referring to for more help!

One very happy success:  after planting this rhubard (my second try), the plant died, only for me to discover some days later that there were new leaves!  It was saved and is now doing very well!  (You can still see one of the original dead stalks in the middle of it.)

Making this garden has been so fun and satisfying.  The kiddos have enjoyed it thoroughly, as well; we spent a lot of time while digging "looking for worms"!  And Ezra added dirt as a main staple to his diet.  For some reason he enjoys it enough to keep going back for more!

A New (old) Sewing Machine (Or Two)

Seth found this 1956 sewing machine at a salvage shop for just $15 and bought it for me for Mother's Day.  It is so darling!  It is currently brightening up my laundry room, although I do want to try it out to see if it will actually sew something.  Wouldn't that be a fun machine to sew on?

The guy at the salvage shop said he had another one at home that we could have if we wanted it, so when we went back so I could check out the shop, we brought that one home, too, for just $5!  It's the same brand, a Morse, but newer, probably from the 60s.  I cleaned it up and have been trying to get it to sew.  It's in good shape and seems to work, except that I can't get the upper and bobbin thread to connect, so it won't actually make stitches.  I've been trying to look for possible solutions but haven't figured out what the problem is yet.  Hopefully I can get it to work!  =)

My Helper

I love that using just vinegar and dish soap to clean means that it's safe for my baby to join in on the fun!

On the Line...

I've been loving the warm sunny days we've had lately, and even just the non-raining days, since they all allow me to dry some laundry the good old fashioned way!  There is something so satisfying about clean laundry hanging on the clothesline - I love bringing in the fresh-smelling dry clothes, and knowing they were dried for free!  =)  After a few days of using the line, I realized that taking several trips into the house to bring out a few more things to hang was just a bit impractical.  Fortunately, I thought to check our local thrift shop first and scored with a like-new laundry basket for just $5!

Not only does it make my laundry-hanging duties even easier, but somehow it is more fun to fold laundry out of a cute basket, than from a big pile on the couch.  Although by far my favorite way to see it is like this:

Easter...