bonnets and bowls.

i took olive and wren to the st. paul antique mall the other day, which is becoming one of my favorite places in st. paul. two levels packed with a variety of vendors and vintage treasures, i always find a few little things to bring home. with the girls it was doll clothes and shinybright aluminum bowls. the doll clothes were set aside for another day (or maybe another girl, i know luna will love them), except for a bright bonnet that olive decided fit wren, and wren-surprisingly-kept on her head all afternoon. the bowls were played with for over an hour. they clunked and clanked them together, and put wooden eggs and babies and soft animals in and out of them. they had so much fun with such a simple "toy", and i love how bright and beautiful these pics turned out....

tomatilla salsa.

i love the afternoons when the little girls sleep and i get some one on one time with luna. the 3-4 year old age range is truly my favorite, they are so capable, curious, and eager to participate in life. when luna and i have time together i try to plan things for her that we couldnt do, or do as well, with the younger kiddos. cooking projects, art projects, and sewing top the list, as luna loves fine motor activities. we made salsa (i dont know, last week? the week before? i never have time to upload and write as frequently as i want to) and luna loved all the peeling involved. she peeled and rinsed the tomatillas. then she peeled the garlic. then she peeled the onion. she also rinsed and sorted (the sorting was her idea) the cilantro. she squeezed in lime and we blended it up. the books i read always say that when children help cook something they are more willing to try it. in my experience this has never been true. but maybe eventually it will be....

wren and olive.

wren is quickly becoming one of the "big kids", and i love to watch how she constantly imitates them. here she and olive are playing with moon sand. olive always takes off her shoes and socks and sits inside the sandbox. this time wren wanted to, too. it was pretty squishy, but they learned to play in there together somehow...