Gratitude Friday

Happy May Day, eve!!!  
 


I am grateful for:

• The spring garden that is growing on our walls!
• Finding new parks
• Time apart...
• Talking to my Dad
• Seeing an email from my sister in my "inbox"
  
  
  
  
  

This Moment

{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...

This is a sweet weekly tradition in my blogging rhythm inspired byAmanda of SouleMama

Gratitude Friday

This week I am so so so sooo thankful for:

• Appreciation weeks at work...
• "Zen meetings" with my co-workers
• 3 days off in a row!
• Picking Maxx up from school
• The paper sale at the art store 
• The many pictures drawn for me...with such beauty and thought of our everyday adventures, they are so special
• The quiet sunsets in my kitchen 

This Moment

{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...

This is a sweet weekly tradition in my blogging rhythm inspired byAmanda of SouleMama

some Unplugged Play today

"When we allow our children space for their imaginations to flourish, they do." -D. Holzman

Here is Maxx after school at the park.  It was a little misty, the park all to himself...and Maxx wanted me to check and see if I had anything that could dry off the slides...in the Momma bag...
I had a cloth grocery bag...Maxx-"THAT'S PERFECT, MOM!!!"
So here is his grocery bag play.

Maxx driving a fast race car




The bunny


Mailman on his route

Baby in the "baby swing" 

Giving baby an "UNDER DOG!"

Potato sack race

 


At the end of our play at the park...a landscaper showed up with a lawn mower...the grass was like white and yellow polka dots on green...before the lawn was manicured...Maxx saved these flowers and made me a boutique...


What fun...so beautiful!!!

Cool article on open ended play... (sorry for all the marketing that surrounds this one)
One on TV Free

TV Free Week

The start of TV Free week is today and what a perfect week during Earth Week.

Time to slow down get out and hug those trees and get Spring dirty knees.

We are TV Free.  We do not own one and it has been years now since we did.  It is a big beef for me...I could go on...how it has molded our society and distracting us from what is really going on.

This week I am going to post some really cool articles and some findings from around our TV-Free Home.  Everyone when they find out we don't have a TV..."What?  What do you DOo? and I all of a sudden the way they look at me... you would think I have 4 heads and 17 purple eyes or something...lol  It is really easy, REALLY! 

Join in this TV Free Week and see what you do, what you find, start new weekly traditions as a family...who knows where this may lead you.  It is BEAUTIFUL!! Conserve energy this week as we celebrate Mother Earth...and enjoy the quiet and one less electric flashing light!!!  

I dare you! 

This is our nature corner.  We find natural treasures everyday, and here is the place they land and we reflect on our Spring 2010 so far.  I love how Maxx has added some of his toys and crafts in, to tell the story. 

As I flip through our Spring photos and find this one...how much Maxx really loves and expresses his time with nature.  Beautiful!

TV Free Article

Dreamy Spring Day

We had an action packed fun in the sun day...it could have not turned out more perfect if I had planned it.

Maxx picked Alberta Park to be "where it's at" today.  We sent a spontaneous invite to "Vitamin L & G" to join us for a picnic.  It was so nice.  We watched some hula hooping, not so tight, tight rope walkers, and other fun things through out the park as we soaked in the vitamin D and ate our lunch.

We threw the ball for "Vitamin S" for a bit, then it was time for them to head home.

We were off to play in the park and you know Maxx never meets a stranger... to meet another 5 year old (he's not 5 and a half yet, Mom)...who had watched Maxx hop across these pods like a frog on lily pads...and fast. Our new friend was a little afraid to try...so Maxx just started helping and holding and then, praising his new friend on a job well done.  "See there you did it! Great job!" *gush*


I was so proud...at how much Maxx's heart is open and how he jumped in with out any guidance to help his fellow in play.

Our new friend had cars!!!  I can only imagine what they are saying in this picture...then



Who is to have which car and which one will win... to the SLIDE!!!

Orange, Blue, then green came in last place.
After alot of races on all the slides and taking turns so well with the fastest car... our friend had to go.  It was one of those awesome play moments and I wish I had gotten the mother's number or email...I need to get calling cards.  I would love to meet them again to play. Who knows maybe we will.

Then a bit of patience was practiced...we did "the dance" right as we were next...just in time!

Within a minute Maxx had made friends with two others and..

We were chasing BUBBLES!!!

Playing Hide and Go Seek...tag, chase...

I actually heard..."Mom, I'm ready to go home now."

Then home we went for some one on one time, making bread for the week.

What a dreamy spring day!!!

This Moment

{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...

This is a sweet weekly tradition in my blogging rhythm inspired byAmanda of SouleMama

Gratitude Friday

Quick Gratitude Before I rest my eyes and call it a day (even though it is already tomorrow)...

• Hearing my friends tell stories of Maxx
• In our hectic-nest...had a nice coffee conversation with Kurt
• Hair cuts
• Riding my bike to work 
• Beautiful Spring Weather
• 
  

It has been a long week looking forward to my weekend of rest and a little play.

This moment

{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...

This is a sweet weekly tradition in my blogging rhythm inspired byAmanda of SouleMama

Gratiude Friday...on Saturday Due to an Action Packed Friday

We fit in two playdates yesterday with two new friends...and here I am today filled with much thankfulness.

• For the beautiful women that are in my life...sharing common threads
  
• Spring puddles and muddy boys
• For having moments to open our life window and share with someone and to see into their's
• Cooking with Maxx
• Spur of the moment playdate to fly remote controlled airplanes
• Beautiful wet and sunny spring days
• Time and space to practice 
• Exploring and little critters coming close to say, "Hi!"
• Dessert with Maxx
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Gratitude Friday

Each week is such a gift.

Here are some of the presents I am thankful for this week.

• Signs that speak volumes
• Kicking this cold together with Maxx, and still making and taking time to be in every moment
• Exploration
• Laughter
• Being inspired by the creative-sustainable heart in the commuinty we live
  
• Amazing foods, remedies, potions, and teas that were shared by friends in their experiences and wisdom to heal
• A son that is so full of joy
• Some extra time to rest and play
• Some extra hard work that physically reminds me I am alive
• Blogger's that inspire me to be better
• An amazing sunset after a stormy day

What are you thankful for?

This Moment

{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...

This is a sweet weekly tradition in my blogging rhythm inspired byAmanda of SouleMama

Welcome April With a Sight to Behold

Great things are done when men and mountains meet. This is not done by jostling in the street. ~William Blake

Today Maxx was on 10 with jokes...he found spiders in my hair, a horse in the bathroom and put legos down the drain...after every silly thing I heard "APRIL FOOLS!!!" and we cracked up laughing.

Maxx is on spring break for two weeks and we are resting to get over this cold while exploring our new home.

Check out this amazing space we explored today...AhhhMAZing!!!!!!!

We met Wakeenah Falls

...we met Larch Mountain and the serious Multnomah Falls

This is the second tallest year round water fall in the nation. It drops 620 feet.

This bridge was built in 1915 and the mist was so refreshing and powerful we stood on that bridge for at least 15 minutes just soaking in the power of this water.

Welcome April!