painting

One of my favorite things about motherhood is "getting to know" my daughter. As Maren grows, I have fun discovering what she loves and what she doesn't seem to care for. Maren is very creative and social and prefers doing things like building a fort out of sofa cushions, role playing with salt and pepper shakers while we wait for our meal at a restaurant, making a mess with me in the kitchen, or dancing to Spanish polka music in her room. I am learning that a new toy doesn't always entertain her as well as some of the simple objects around the house or, even better, mom's attention. Tonight, we dug out all the paint supplies (which we haven't done in a while) and had fun making a mess.

A Mermaid named Maren

Disney Princess Polly Pockets are a favorite around here. Little Mermaid is queen of the bunch and lately Maren has a little obsession with all things mermaid. It's one of those few toys that gets played with every day...and taken in the car and in the bath and to bed. And most nights before bed, Maren requests the story "Mermaid named Maren" which goes something like this...

Mom: Once upon a time there was a little mermaid.
Maren (whispering while tightly closing her eyes): Named May (Maren)
Mom: And she lived in the sea with her mommy and daddy. She had a little friend name...
Maren: Flowher (Flounder)
Mom: Maren Mermaid and Flounder liked to explore and find treasures.
Maren: fork
Mom: And then mermaid swims to her little bed under the sea and falls asleep. The End.
Maren: More. More stories.

Getting her beauty rest.

(Speaking of The Little Mermaid, Chris likes to make me laugh by misquoting King Triton, "I consider myself to be a reasonable Mormon.")

Dish Scrubbers

A few months ago, I took a beginner's crochet class. I have been wanting to make dish scrubbers since I saw it on Design*Sponge and was pretty pleased when I finished them last night. I have loved my nights of crocheting while watching The Good Wife, but I have decided to try something new...I took my first knitting lesson yesterday! Hopefully, I will be able to post something I knitted.

And, a little Maren moment.

Terrariums

"Having nature close has made all the difference. It has colored and calmed my life throughout the most difficult times. Nature has an uncanny ability to spread tranquility wherever it reigns. No matter where you dwell, no matter what you do, there's something about plants and nature that is relaxing."

-Tovah Martin, The New Terrarium

I have wanted to build a terrarium for a while now, probably since I saw Martha do it. I figure the dead of winter would be a good time to start and would add a little life to the house. Mine is a little over a week old and seems to need no attention. (My kinda plant.) I didn't really follow any directions; I didn't buy charcoal or moss and I just picked plants at Home Depot that all required similar water and light needs. Time will tell if my creation survives. Either way, I like seeing my triceratops family eating their lunch.

Need a little inspiration? Visit:

CBS Sunday Morning

Martha Stewart
Two Straight Lines
The New Terrarium

Moving: Day 1

The day may have started off a little frantic, but much was accomplish. Maren was a trooper and waited patiently while mom, slowly but surely, got her act together. We knew a huge snow storm was on its way, so we hurried! Three loads were delivered and I feel like another has been taken from my shoulders. (By the way, hoodies are great for keeping little girl's hands warm and busy.)

After our busy day, we relaxed with a popcorn picnic while watching Babies. Such a happy movie...I laughed. A lot. The beginning showed many pregnant bellies and I asked Maren, "What's in that mommy's tummy?" She starred very intently at the TV and whispered, "Baby." After a while turned her interest from babies to baggies, which she put on her feet and called "flip flop." Soon the couch became the beach and she was instructing me to make sand castles and people (while I wore "flip flops" also).

blue chair

A few months ago I posted about a few things I found at the thrift store, including this Conant Bell chair. This weekend, we decided on a color (using these Crate & Barrel chairs as inspiration). Chris patched and painted, glued and sanded all evening. I love my happy new chair!

Tea Party

One of Maren's favorite past times is playing "food" and she is becoming the perfect little hostess at our tea parties. She keeps my cup full of hot chocolate (with marshmallows and honey) and heaps my plate with mini cakes. I like the cakes better than her egg/pickle salad, but don't tell her that.