A Mindful Life

As the family photographer, very few photos get taken of me, especially me and Claire. When my mother-in-law visited around the new year, she took a bunch of photos. (She is an avid photographer and quite good!) I asked her to send some of the images so that I could post them on Flickr, and [...]

This is how I spent my “me time” today — at the library, drawing the books I selected to read. (I’ve already begun Northanger Abbey.) It felt really good to draw. It’s prosaic subject matter, but this is my life.

I’m so happy to have my little girl healthy again. Husband took the video below this evening. He introduced her to Dave Brubeck, because she really like the jazz songs on her Music Together CDs. If the video doesn’t play, click this link to see the movie.

For my birthday, I’m getting a sewing machine! Does anybody have recommendations of books for beginners? My last encounter with machine sewing was in 7th grade, when I managed to sew through my thumb with the machine and couldn’t figure out patterns. I think I failed that unit; I certainly came out of the experience [...]

From this (playing in her pool and having pensive moment)…

…to this (silly with stickers).

This weekend I made a magic wand for Claire out of a wooden dowel and some pieces of wood my father gave me years ago. I painted it a light shade of purple and used a second coat of translucent silver paint to add shimmer. Then I coated the tip in silver glitter and used [...]

But still a little on the small side! I asked Claire’s Grandma to make an art smock for Claire that she could grow into. Claire is modeling it in the photo below. It’s wonderful and adorable, and it will be of use for many years!

Claire is beginning to show interest in dress-up and playing pretend. I wear headbands, and she calls them crowns. She has a little satin purple headband that she calls her crown. I have a large basket waiting for dress-up items. I bought her a tutu today (there is no way I have the skill or [...]

So many tidbits to share about Claire, who is such a marvelous and interesting little person. Without further ado:

She’s becoming more aware of feeling and articulation and is building a narrative. One say she fell down hard on her back at Little Gym after stepping on a ball. She was uninjured but scared. The next [...]

I have a list of the little things I plan to write about that Claire is doing, but it’s late and I’m wiped out. She is a busy, busy child! So loving and cheerful too (most of the time). So here is a video to provide a glimpse until I have the energy to write. [...]