33 years - happy birthday to me!

Five days late but who is counting?! I am not (yet!), I feel very blessed at 33 and would not rewind or change a moment in my life. I am very reflective and an internal processor, but I also see the wisdom of embracing today and the path that brought me here. I am so thankful to my parents and the wonderful childhood I was given full of adventure, outdoors and love. I could not have chosen a better place to grow up. I had an amazing college experience, inspiring work experiences and am so thankful to Soren and my family for the time I have home now with the kids to be creative and give them as much of me as I can. I know I have so much growing to do and I will never stop learning but I am really content to sit here for a moment and enjoy 33. It has been a fantastic, joyful journey. Thank you to all of you who have helped me on my way (and dusted me off a few times!).

A little project

I have been meaning to share photos of our wonderful kitchen for awhile. I think we finished it in March?! Time flies! I bought a 8x4 piece of plywood and tried to use every inch to make a simple, functional play kitchen for AnaSofia and Kasper. Once I designed it, Soren cut it out and my Dad put it all together. I thrifted a stainless steel bowl for the sink - and bless my Mom for taking care of everything (and everyone!) in her life so carefully that she had her "old" kitchen faucet that was probably used for 15 years and still looks new. It was quite the family project and is really special to us all. The kids play with it a lot. AnaSofia likes to play "restaurant owner" and Kasper likes to get in her way!
We have very few toys in our house and try to make imagination a big part of life. I am trying to edit even further over these next few months over what we need and what we can do without. This blog has been a source of (unachievable!) inspiration for me.

Good days... SUNSHINE!

We are continually journeying away from our little nest to find a new home...

Thankfully it has been a happy journey...

Full of discovery...


And lots of joy.

Preschool goodbyes

Preschool officially ended for baby girl this week. There is so much bittersweet emotion when your child first leaves the house for even just the few hours AnaSofia left us each week this year. We could not have found a more perfect school for her (Thank you Heather!) and that was a wonderful comfort, but it was still hard to let her go. The first few weeks of school were marked by many tears, lot of hugs and missed days. And then she just blossomed and embraced school - the teachers and very slowly, friends. It was such an amazing transition for all of us - watching her grow, see her try out someone else's mannerisms and take on the big, scary world with such a brave attitude. AnaSofia would never say "no" if you asked her to do something, she shrugs off painful falls with an "I'm okay!" and is always so strong that I have trouble knowing how she feels and when I am pushing too much. The rides home from preschool were initially quiet with my words, "how did it go?" hanging in the air and my fear of being that parent who cannot connect bubbled up. But soon we were us again and she was verbalizing so much - bad days, good days and the funny things that happened. Kasper and I were lucky to be able to observe the classroom via a one way mirror anytime we wanted, although most days we enjoyed our alone time to be just two and embrace the quiet.
The teachers shared some photos with us that I devour - looking at this amazing, gorgeous girl who is out in the world - I am so excited to see where your path will lead...
You are such an "art project girl".

Always the entertainer...

Exploring and working...

Bravely trying new things (I was able to be Dr. Jenn, the marine biologist for a few days and bring organisms into the classroom)...

Yes, I am very excited to follow you on the path you will blaze. You are a wonder!

May Day

Hello May, such goodness comes my way this month! We will be dancing around the maypole next weekend to celebrate one of my favorite times of the year at the new school our children will likely attend when we move. Speaking of new - trying to keep up with our move I have been reading the Ellsworth American (the coastal town newspaper) to feel a little bit of the community where we will be heading later this summer. I found some yummy rhubarb recipes to try and we spent some time cutting rhubarb from our garden for the last time and made a celebration night.

First the kids and I made a wonderful rhubarb cake.

The recipe (from Ellsworth American) is (with my variations!):
3 c flour
1/2 t salt
1 1/2 c sugar
1/2 t baking soda
1 stick butter (room temperature)
2 eggs
1/2 c buttermilk
1 1/2 lbs. rhubarb, thinly sliced
light brown sugar.
Sift flour, salt, 3 T sugar and the baking soda together. Using hands, mix in butter. Beat 1 egg and add to mixture. Add buttermilk and blend until forms dough. Divide in four. Press 1/4 into 10 inch greased pie pan, add a good amount of rhubarb and 1 c of sugar. Make a round with another 1/4 and put on top. Brush 1/2 of second egg on top and sprinkle some white and brown sugar. Make another in the same manner. Cook at 350 until crust is golden (about 45 minutes or less). Immediately sprinkle with brown sugar and serve warm.

Next we made dough for mini grill pizzas. AnaSofia made one for each member of the family. Kasper helped by sampling everything including the peppers - so flavorful right now!



Then AnaSofia wrote up the menu and served it restaurant style to us all outside.

It was really lovely and we made enough to take to our neighbors who were away for a few weeks on a much needed break. I love seeing AnaSofia's proud shoulders carrying the food to them, knowing she is learning to give to others and what "community" means. And yes, May also begins nakedness time around here - the kids look for any opportunity to shed their clothes and it is 80 degrees so let the fun begin - hopefully the neighbors won't mind their food being cooked by little, naked chefs!

Happy May Day!