Butterflies everywhere!

Since the littlest of the family has learned the word "butterfly" we have been finding that there are butterflies everywhere. That could be because she calls every kind of bug a butterfly now but I like to chalk it up to something else, namely our inspired creativity.

We got busy making another butterfly craft yesterday and it turned out super cute. Basically, you just give the kids a piece of craft paper, tell them to draw on it then you fold it in half and cut out a butterfly. Cut the outline of the butterfly out from that and put the outline on a piece of contact paper. Then I cut up some ribbons from spools that only had a little length left anyway and let them go hog wild designing their butterfly's wings (but you could use any fabric, tissue paper or other scraps on hand too).

I love how their little personalities shine through their art and the art making experience. Gi's is the top one in this picture and she was very concerned about getting straight lines and filling in as much space as possible even adding to her artwork long after she said she was done just because we were waiting for Noa to finish and it was giving her time to revisit her design. If that's not the hallmark of an high achiever, type A I don't know what is! But that's not a bad a thing either. I love her pensive perfectionist ways. She's going to go far in life applying herself with such dedication. Noa, on the other hand, didn't strictly adhere to the idea of putting the ribbons inside the butterfly design but that's the beauty of this age. I love that there is only one ribbon "off the canvas" too, quite the little thumb in the face of rules. She loves to test the boundaries right now. If I say don't touch something she goes right up next to it and puts her chubby little hand as close as she can to it without actually touching it. Stinker! I like to think she's going to be a great teacher for Gi about how to be a little wild and free-spirited, bending the rules every once in awhile.

 Noa pointing out which one is hers.

Art on canvas, bags that is!

Gi and Noa and I had a blast painting hands and feet to do these grocery bags for some special family members last month. I have to admit, my original intention was to do the butterflies pictured at the top but when I got busy corraling the kids and trying to save the deck and furniture from acrylic paint I ended up with regular footprints (the second picture) but I think they all look adorable anyway. And it turns out three bags in one afternoon is all the girls could handle. I'm just a little sad I have to give these away! Maybe if I plead and beg and offer lots of chocolate they'll let me do at least one more for a keepsake of my own. I could definitely see how these bags would make great Christmas presents too. If you're on Santa's nice list you may see one in your mailbox this December!

June Garden

I keep thinking the summer has just begun because 1. We are so busy time is flying by. 2. The summer heat has only hit us a few days so far and we've remained unseasonably cool, and 3. The strawberries are caput, done, sending out their runners. But after a week of solid temps over 85 the garden has really shot up elsewhere and I am now the proud owner of six corn stalks that are "as high as an elephant's eye". Seriously, they are too tall. The one on the lower deck is only 8 inches from the top railing on the upper deck. And after being told corn has to be planted in tight rows set specifically so many inches apart I can now officially refute such testimony. Our corn was planted in two round containers much the same size as we use for our tomatoes (which are also giant and turning that perfect shade of cherry red) and the corn is obviously doing fine. What it takes is a ton of water though! Corn, as it turns out, is the perfect thing to plant in the garden where toddlers and preschoolers will be watering the plants. You simply cannot give too much water to corn. My kids do their darndest and I still come up behind them and top those containers off every day and every morning they are dry again. I love how easy it is and I can't wait for those silky strands I see peeking out already to grow just a little more and be ready to pick. So far we have 6 ears growing and I'm sure we'll see more. I have to say, growing your own grain is mighty prideful even if you're only growing enough for one BBQ.

A view from above, looking down to the tomatoes, zucchini, corn and fire pit.

Here are the rest of the photos of our garden and a shot of me and the girls going blueberry picking.  We've been to this blueberry farm twice already and collected 6lbs of berries, not to mention all the ones that end up in our bellies each time we go. See! I told you we've been busy! I hope to be on here more often with even more updates as the summer progresses. We have a trip to the old Sea World, a romantic night away to celebrate our anniversary in South Lake Tahoe, swim lessons for the girls and a camping trip to the redwoods plus a visit to my favorite uncle's house up in the far north of the state coming up this month. Lots to get ready for!