"hey baby it's cold outside"

http://youtu.be/pjYUzpdKMZs

The first time I break out a scarf this song starts playing in my head and doesn't stop until spring.  I really don't mind, it's a pretty great song.

Elves dance around in my head to the tune, a friend told me that the movie Elf is worth seeing.  Zooey Deschanel is one of my favorite actresses, so I'm not sure why I haven't seen it yet... i do know why, it is very rare that I can sit through an entire Comedy.  But it's on the list to watch this Holiday season, I'll let you all know what I think about it.


Meanwhile, let me introduce you to my latest visitors.  This is Pepperton and Sperry the Christmas Elves.  They even have little elf ears.  When I gave them the socks and hat they were not pointy at all, it must have something to do with elf magic.

The first night they were here I caught them sneaking into a stocking!  They thought there might be treats left from last year.  FAT CHANCE!  If there is chocolate in this house, it surely doesn't last long.

Then they spent the rest of the evening looking at their Ornament Collections, I didn't ask where they got all of the Ornaments from.  They loved showing them off and even traded a few.

This is Pepperton, he goes by Pep for short.

And this is Sperry, Pep's best elf ever.

dragons and mer-babies!

 Naplets, Naplets, Naplets!  It's all I can think about lately!  I really love making them... here are my two latest.  The mer-baby is Finley of course.  I can't tell if it is a merman or a mermaid?  The dragon is named Caleb.  The ideas are swimming though my head and filling my notebook.  Expect to see plenty more Naplets and Naplings.  I even have some pink in the works :)

proud!

I voted for Marriage Equality in my state!  Why?  Simple... I believe that LOVE IS LOVE!  I am so proud of my fellow Marylanders who have overcome the years of hate speech and prejudices that we have all experienced, most of us have grown up hearing 'gay' as a pejorative.  My children will not know that world, my children will know an accepting and loving world.  I could not be happier, I have been bursting with pride since I heard the news!

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This is Aris.  He loves politics...  he didn't actually vote himself but he is proud that his state voted to accept Marriage Equality.  Aris plans on running for School President once he gets to middle school.  For now he listens to C-span in his spare time (he really does!)  His favorite color is green.

foxes, angels and Cleary's new baby.

My three year old son loves to "do the work."  More than anything he wants to help his mommy and do what mommy is doing.  I'm sure you all have your own little helpers.  When Sandy rolled in and Cleary couldn't sleep he really wanted to help me finish the newest Naplet Angel.  I thought this would be a great chance for him to make a Naplet of his own.

We used a plain white sock that he hadn't grown into yet.  First Cleary had a lot of fun stuffing the sock with wool, after he was fully stuffed (and hugged)  I rolled the bottom in and Cleary helped tie off two feet and a head.  We used embroidery thread and a yarn needle for the eyes and nose.  I poked the needle through and Cleary happily pulled it out, he kept his hand on mine as we embroidered and as far as he is concerned he made this doll all by himself.  His name is Baby Soren just like his little brother and Cleary holds him up next to the real Soren to show me how much they look alike.  I had to sneak him out of bed to get a picture that is in focus.

The fox is named Mason and he has already found a home with a sweet new baby who needed a fox best friend.  I thought Mason might like a little sleeping bag to keep cozy and after he made his way to his new home I was told that his best friend has a matching blanket!  

The Angel was inspired by my Me-maw, she has always called all of our new babies "Sweet baby angels."  I like to brag about my Me-maw and since I've mentioned her I will tell y'all; she had 5 kids of her own, 12 grandkids and now she has 24 and counting great-grandkids!!!!  My expecting sister will make 25 if I have counted right.   

Peace and Love -Nikki

*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."  Soule Mama

*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."  Soule Mama

Treading water.

"Promise me you will not spend so much time treading water and trying to keep your head above the waves that you forget, truly forget, how much you have always loved to swim."  Tyler Knott

The cartoon depicted frazzled mom.  That's me.  Someone I swore I would never be, I talk about poop.  I mean seriously, like it is actually a topic for conversation.  Today, I wore sweatpants and a sweatshirt all day long,  as a matter of fact I am still wearing them.

But despite the frazzle I know, know that I am lucky.  I have a good life (at least my sweatshirt says so,) I am blessed with healthy beautiful children and a supportive husband.  I am living the good life, the dream.  The never-ending poop, laundry and a new type of crying that has been honed with a great amount of talent to start off with an ear piercing shrill sometimes make me forget how lucky I am.

Today was going to be a better day, today is the day that I will turn the past three weeks of colds, potty training, whining and sleepless nights into a beautiful day.  Today I will swim.  My three year old climbs into bed to wake me up, "cheep, cheep... that's the mommy bird" he say's.  I think yes, today will be the day.   "Mommy, I just peed in your bed."  So I forget about swimming and start on the laundry.

 It's fall anyway, who wants to think about swimming. 

 

Introducing Naplets!

What is a Naplet?  A Naplet is a Naptown Boys lovey, they are approximately 5 inches tall and made out of squishy soft wool interlock bodies, organic cotton interlock on their sleepy little faces and stuffed with eco-friendly wool.  Their big floppy ears (or tails, I can't wait to show you who is coming next!) are perfect for snuggling and teething.

I was inspired to make a smaller, pocket sized, baby friendly version of my Naplings.  Where did I come up with the names Naplets and Naplings?  The first little creature I made was an owl, the terms for a baby Owl are Fledgeling and Owlet.  Well of course a baby Naptown Boy would have to be a Napling or a Naplet.  I couldn't decide on just one name so I made both.

Naplets and Naplings are Zoomorphic little boys;  Zoomorphism is the exact opposite of Anthropomorphic.  My guys are all boy, they just happen to have a little bit of their animal nature peeking through to the outside.

And here is the very first Naplet!  His name is Hoppel. 

He is a very sleepy guy.  Hoppel can just cuddle up with his floppy ears and fall asleep anywhere.

When he isn't sleeping he likes to search for four leaf clovers!

All that hopping around has gotten Hoppel tired out.  Time for another nap.

*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."  Soule Mama

fall walk

raising revolutionaries

That's what I say, every time I'm asked 'why?' or 'what difference does it make?' (natural, organic, cloth)  It's the right choice to make, but more than that I am raising revolutionaries, they will change the world.  My job is to teach them right from wrong and it will be their job to make the changes.  Hopefully in my lifetime.

To me the problems seem so big, unmanageable, intangible.  My hope is that my children (and yours) will see the answers clearly and know what to do.

Tonight I watched the first part of Half the Sky.  http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/half-the-sky/  I was inspired to say the least!  Amazing people out there changing the world, this documentary shares the stories of people all over the world who dedicate their lives to giving women a better chance, and inspiring stories of women who are striving despite difficulties.  Don't miss the second half, it's on tomorrow night.

On another note... we have been doing a lot of bug spying lately.

The boys were really excited about this one.

If I had to pick a favorite bug it would be the Praying Mantis, this one was inspecting us as much as we were spying on him.