An Ode to Sunny on Her Birthday (May 8th)

She's a spunky, happy girl
she has long blond hair with lots of curl
she loves to sing, dance, and twirl
with a spark in her eye
and a skip in her step
I can't tell a lie...
I feel so blessed to call her mine.

If only you could see
the way she bounces into school
always a smile on her face
eager to make new friends
any time, any place.

She's one smart cookie
with a million dollar smile
she finally lost her first tooth
though it took a long while!

She has a love for nature and playing outside
she still loves her fairies, oh my!
she waits and waits
just for the chance to see them fly
there's no doubt that she believes
it's there, the magic in her eyes
the way that they twinkle
the way that they shine.

She's sweet, she's funny
she's one of a kind
she's creative, competitive, and confident
stubborn, with a strong mind
she's sassy with a sprinkle of spice
she tries really, really hard to be nice

She loves her friends
there's no doubt about that
she's a leader through and through
she's always there to help
to put a smile on their face
she is beautiful, thoughtful, and filled with grace.

She is the love of our lives
the reason for the sun, moon, and stars
our cup runneth over...
we feel so blessed to call her ours.

Today I will snuggle my five year old girl
I will squeeze her, tease her, tickle her
and hope for a kiss.
I will forever remember
what makes her who she is today...

for tomorrow our baby girl
is finally turning SIX!!!

Happy Birthday Sunny!

Love and kisses
Mom & Dad


Note: So I know that I'm not a poet but that's kinda not the point. I'm sharing my love for my daughter with you...even more importantly, I'm sharing it with her. I'm forming new traditions with a poem and photo each year (remember last years?) I just happen to believe that if it might put a smile on someone's face, why not share it with the world? 

XO

 

Just in time for her B-day in a few days!!! :)

When I dropped S off at school yesterday, these flowers greeted the entrance to her school. By the time that I picked her up at the end of the day, they appeared to be gone already. As it turns out, the flowers were installed by a local artist who likes to "flower bomb" unexpected areas of town. I think it is wonderful the happiness that he spreads!

 Such a great way to start our day :)

Those cheeky little leprechauns were up to their mischievous ways again this year!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Arboretum

 

We went to the Arboretum yesterday with friends to see the fairy garden displays and to hike the paths. I was a little bummed that there was still so much snow on the paths but the kids didn't seem to mind too much. We can't wait to go back when the grass is green and everything starts to bloom. Spring is on it's way!

 

I was cleaning Sunny's drawing area and I found this gem. "How to watch where you're going." A little girl and her shadow. I don't know when she drew this but I know that no one helped her spell that. 

The idea behind the shadow I think is simple fabulous :)

Spring Fever

She stayed home sick yesterday partly because she had a horrible nights sleep and partly because I thought she might be coming down with something. She actually did rest for a few hours but since she finally figured out how warm it is outside, she was excited to go out and enjoy the beautiful day!

Spring has arrived in the fairy village :)

Hanging felt fairy house. S decided it needed a ladder I guess :)

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss! 

 S is dressing as Thing 1 tomorrow for school :)

 

I'm a day late but I hope that each one of you lovely people had a very Happy Valentines Day! I also hope that your day was filled with plenty of chocolate, candy hearts and so much love that your hearts simply over flowed! ♡

We had a wonderful day. I visited Sunny's classroom in the morning and got to enjoy her Valentines Day party with her. She had so much fun! The hubby has Fridays off anyways, so we were able to spend the day at home together. He surprised us with these beautiful roses, red for me and one yellow for the kiddo. While he was out running errand he came across some orange roses that he knew S would love so he ended up getting those for as well. So she got her own dozen roses from her daddy! We ended the evening with a bottle of chilled white wine to go with our lobster tail dinner. It was a lovely day for us...no complaints here!

XO

Mama & Daughter Painting

"Eventually I discovered for myself the utterly simple prescription for creativity: be intensely yourself. Don't try to be outstanding; don't try to be a success; don't try to do pictures for others to look at - just please yourself." - Ralph Steiner

 

If S looks a bit crabby in this photo it is because this was taken right before she had to clean the playroom up. 

It is true, she wasn't very pleased with me!

Our mama & daughter painting is finally finished! Just so you know, this wasn't about making a great piece of art. It was something for me and Sunny to do together that happened to be fun AND a learning exercise. Sunny put down the colors/paint for the sails but wanted me to paint the rest. I took plenty of direction from her though, which is the way I wanted it to be. This was more her painting than mine. She drew most of the sea creatures, the castle in the sky and had final say on color, placement, and even the quote that we used. I simply painted what she drew on the board (we used an old small door.) I think it was fun for her to see that with just a bit of color what her line drawings can look like. I would definitely try this again sometime with her!
 

This might be my favorite part of mine and Sunny's painting so far! 

She drew both the octopus and turtle and I painted them : )

And yes, I bet you are wondering about that hair! S had crazy hair day at school :)

Dream Big!

Sunny and I are working on a painting together! We started it this morning and I can't wait to see how it looks when it is finally finished. Mommy and daughter painting is so much fun! :)

Also, please don't forget to click on the link below this post to read a little bit about Charlie. 

He really does need some help in the healing process!

Please Help Charlie!

I haven't put up a post in a while but if you have a moment please click on this link and read about Charlie. He is a completely blind 20 year old appaloosa gelding that needs your help to get well and live a happy life. My niece is trying to help Charlie and I'm hoping maybe you can help also. Thanks so much!

http://www.gofundme.com/6k8jqc

 

I saw this merry-go-round online a while back and I knew that S would love it. I also knew that I could probably make one of my own. So, I know this may not be perfect but that's not really the point. I felt the need to try it and I did it! I'm happy that it even spins :) Most importantly though, and the reason that I bother making things at all (besides, well, it's just fun) is that I try hard to teach S that it's not always necessary to run to the store and buy what you think looks cool. Pretty much if someone else can make it, you can too. Unless, of course you don't have the tools. 

The imagination, it's a wonderful thing! ;)

Wood Peg Dolls and Felt Village

 

 

I stayed up way too late the other night to work on this just to surprise Sunny in the morning. It was so worth it to see her smile! I had made the pink flower, tree, and three figures. When she saw them she loved it but asked me if she drew another flower would I make it for her. So, the lotus flower and lily pad are Sunny's design! I simply looked at her drawing and worked from there! The next day, I made more felt toys for S. I added a mushroom home for her gnome, a cottage, a little Dutch girl, and an Aussie boy just for kicks. So happy with how these turned out!

I found all of these ideas on Pinterest (check out my Pinterest board Wood Peg Dolls for links.) Some look just like the pegs that I found, others are only similar to them. Of course the lily pad and lotus flower are Sunny's ideas! :)

The Magic of Christmas Brings Wonder to the World

 

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas from our home to yours!!

 

 

Sunny started her own tradition a few years ago all on her own, and with just a tiny reminder, has kept it up again this year. This will be the third year that she has written Christmas letters (with a drawing of course) and tucked them into the tree. It's a sweet tradition that I hope she keeps up as the years go by!

 This is my letter from her that she pulled from our tree on Christmas eve and handed to me. Sunny she wrote it 100% on her own. I know because I was in the room when she wrote it and she wouldn't let me have a peek! It makes me smile so, so much. In case you can't read it, it says "the magic of the Christmas brings wonder to the world." 

xo

It's ridiculous how awesome I think this is!

Our fairy house village made from toilet paper rolls :)

Breast Cancer Awareness

Right before Thanksgiving a friend approached me and asked if I could make two necklaces for her with a pink ribbon to represent breast cancer awareness. She asked for one to have the word hope on it, and the other to have the word believe on it. I'm pleased with the way they turned out! I hope she likes them :)