11/52

eloise: tending to one of your favorite dolls (Pink Pink). A beautiful spring day, watching you play so gently and lovingly. A perfect afternoon.

10/52

eloise: And then we were done. Three and a half years of nursing seems to be over. You woke up one morning about three weeks ago and said, “Mama, I think I don’t want to drink your milk anymore.” And that, was that. I didn’t think you would wean on your own. You were so attached to milk, but something changed, you grew up all of a sudden and decided. It’s bittersweet, but I was ready for you to be done. We cuddle every morning now and I’m liking the new routine. You are growing up my dear. A whole new world awaits.

March’s bird is the Cliff Swallow. I chose the swallow because as a child I remember visiting the Mission San Juan Capistrano on my Mom’s birthday, several years in a row to watch the swallows return and how neat it was to see them. Their mud nests secured on the Mission walls. Later on, the swallows who returned were fewer and fewer (I believe they head to Chino Hills to freeway overpass’ now).
We’ve been having a really fun time learning about swallows so far.

I made another magnet set for Ellie and our favorite swallow book so far has been Leo Politi’s Song of The Swallow.

I put together a little set of bird card paintings for Ellie (and for me to practice my bird art) and had a friend make a little wooden swallow for the set as well. (I may end up putting a few of these sets in my etsy shop too).
The wooden swallow is getting a lot of play. Here he is co-mingling with some bees.

We even brought in some art into this month’s birding. We molded swallow nests out of clay and then both of us made swallow paper dolls for our nests. It was a fun morning and the nests turned out really sweet.

We even bought a new bird feeder for our front yard and watch our new little house finch friends enjoy the seeds! I never knew birding could be this fun!

We were driving home today, the mountains to our left, the ocean to our right, and the colors of spring were like sirens. Green clover carpeting the previously burned hills with spots of yellow flowers. The ocean, a soft periwinkle with bright blue hues flowing from the Channel Islands. It was just a glorious day. I brought out some Spring toys and materials, replaced fir tree branches in vases, with clover from the garden that desperately needs tending and cuttings from the old peach tree stump, that’s trying very hard to come back to it’s former glory. My mind is full of butterflies and birds, bees and Easter baskets. Spring has come to California.

9/52

eloise: You are growing more inquisitive and curious about the world around you every day. You love learning about new animals and painters. You corrected your Grandma the other day when she asked about “Alpaca fur”. You made sure she knew it was called “fleece” not “fur”. You remember everything we tell you. You really do amaze me every day.

-joining jodi for the 52 project!

8/52

eloise: We’ve hit a new spot in three year old land. It’s called “do all the dangerous things”. I’m always astounded by your bravery and willingness to try new, exciting things. I was not like this at all as a child, so its a new territory for me.
It’s hard to know when to step in and when to let you do what you need to do. My education tells me that taking risks are a good thing, but my mama bear instincts tell me to put a helmet on you and keep you in a soft, comfy bubble. 😉

-joining the 52 project!

Another low key weekend for us. Jeff was fighting another bug and I had to get emergency dental work done, so it was close to home this weekend. We did bring Ellie to a friend’s birthday party at a local park and then spent Sunday with my parents and siblings. Some sketching in there, some great book finds,  some bike riding, and some binge watching of Breaking Bad (after Ellie goes to bed of course). 😉

Hope you had a wonderful weekend!

We have been celebrating Valentine’s Day, pretty much every day this month. Cutting out hearts, painting hearts, drawing hearts in the sand. Reading lovely stories about “love” and listening to podcasts (these ones) about cupid and love.
We started the weekend with two Valentine parties. So much fun. So much candy. Lots of crazy 3.5 year old energy! We ended the weekend at my parents house, enjoying some down time. We spoiled each other with treats and cuddles and love. It was a really nice weekend. Hope you had a wonderful Valentine weekend as well!!
“Good Morning to you, Valentine;
curl your locks as I do mine,
One before and two behind,
Good Morning to you, Valentine.” – Traditional English Rhyme

7/52

Eloise: Three and a half years old. Strong, sassy, wild, smart, lover of all things pink, friend to the animals, champion scissor cutter and heart drawer. Dancer, twirler, singer. Snuggly bug, screaming me me, monkey and kitty and snake and bunny. You are all of these things and so much more.

joining Jodi for the 52 project!