Fireworks almost as fun...

as the real thing:
First, you will need some acrylic paint in a colorful and patriotic assortment. (I love Claudine Hellmuth's Studio paints, though any acrylic paint will work.) You will also need water, paper, paintbrushes, and drinking straws.
Pour a small amount of paint into a container and dilute slightly with water. (Make sure to stir!) You want the paint to drip off the paintbrush...think splatter-painting. (I love saving our leftover gelato cups...I use them all the time for crafts and snacks!)
Using the paintbrush, drop paint onto the paper in all different sizes of drops. You could also use a medicine dropper to do this.

Then, place one end of the straw a couple inches above the paint drop. Blow gently until you achieve your desired look. The next three pictures shows how the drops spread. (Pay attention to the dark blue drop.)



The angle at which you hold your straw will determine the direction the paint spreads, so to achieve a "sunburst" you should hold the straw at a 90 degree angle above the drop. Holding the straw at an angle will direct the paint on a more narrow path, as seen above.

You can see a variety of patterns above. (Kind of reminds me of my spin-art days!)

We made ours on some cardstock ready to assemble into cards. We kept it simple and just included a greeting on the front...but I think it would be fun to embellish the fireworks with glitter for some extra sparkle!

Enjoy! (Idea originally found in Family Fun.)

Now and Then

One thing that I love about the changing seasons are the activities that go hand-in-hand with them. The ones you expect and plan on. The ones that come naturally. The ones you *almost* don't notice happening.

Jumping into piles of autumn leaves. Playing in the first snow of winter. Smelling the first spring flowers. Running through the sprinklers on a hot summer afternoon.

There are so many "regular" activities that allow us to easily mark growth and see change. For us, enjoying icy snow cones is an ideal summer activity! We have a fabulous snow cone place that is on a shaded lot with picnic tables and plenty of porch swings!

Inspired by Davinie's "Now and Then" layout over at Studio Calico this month, last night after taking pictures of our snow cones, I remembered a previous set of photos, taken two summers ago...and it amazes me to see the change that has taken place...even though there are still similarities (like Hadleigh's cherry flavor choice...and the fun of sticking out your tongue to see it's color! Even the same corner swing.)

Now

Now

and then.

Now

and then.

Now

and then.

Now

and then.

Ah, I must admit that last one is a little heart-breaking. The seasons change much more quickly with children.

What summer activities are you documenting this year?

Whew!

I can honestly say that this May and June have been busier than I think they have ever been...(except maybe for May-June 2001, when I graduated from college, got married, honeymooned, and moved into our first home.)

Sorry the blog updates have been sporadic...it has been difficult to get back into the groove...so here is a rundown to help me feel a tiny bit caught up!

We've been to Kiawah, SC...for the beach...
and the pool...and time with extended family.
Time in Asheville, NC...we love the park I grew up going to...
Back to OK for a Classical Conversations retreat,
welcoming several new families to the area,
welcoming several new babies,
saying goodbye to friends moving along, on their Air Force journey,
spending time with Aunt Katy who visited,
spending an evening catching up with Shannon
spending a long weekend in New York with my dear friend Shawna (just me! more on that later),
spending time with the kiddos while Brent went to Asheville this past week.

And in our "downtime" we've spent lots of time in the pool, sprinklers, and splash park (and looking at the suits drying in the laundry room, you'd think I had another handful of kiddos!)Making and eating homemade popsicles...And LOTS of time outside. Biking. Swinging. Chasing (and catching) butterflies. Picnicing. Eating gelato. And ice cream. And drinking lemonade. (Anything cold!)
And so far, it's been a great summer. (Though I won't deny I'm a little worn and travel-weary.) Excited that we still have two more months of it. (And after today, I'm looking ever-so-slightly-forward to that cooler weather at the end of it!)

Today...

I am thankful for fathers...
This one in particular, as he is an amazing Daddy to our three children...patient, funny, encouraging, loving. Hadleigh, Nathanael, and Madeleine are so very blessed.

And also these:

Brent and I are blessed with two wonderful fathers...who love us...and their grandchildren, as you can clearly see!

And today, I'm also celebrating these two...my precious sister Katy and brother-in-law Alex! Happy First Anniversary!!!

(wedding photo: Shannon Ho Photography)

Sunny skies...

splash parks,

ponytails,

water balloons,

water balloons,

and more water balloons,

and an Aunt Katy,

are ingredients for a very fun summer day!

Thanks for visiting Katy...we all miss you already!

A Special Day

Happy Birthday to you Mom!
We love you SO much and wish we could celebrate with you today!

(Nathanael said he wanted to be at Mimi's birthday with her!)

Wishing we were still here...

in the land of sand and sun and sea.

Still trying to get back to our routine after our trip (and we've been home for over a week...but a very busy, unusual week!) Lots of favorite pictures to share soon!

Hope you're having a great Memorial Day weekend!

Nine Years

Today.

I love you Brent.

wishes and thank yous

A special wish for a very Happy Mother's Day, to my Mom, who has been my best friend for as long as I can remember. I love you and am so very very thankful for you. Can't wait to see you soon!

And a thank you to those three precious and adorable children of mine. For loving me. For the privilege it is to be your mother. I praise and thank God for entrusting you three to me and your Daddy. I love you!

(Just a cute note...my sweet Hadleigh came and snuggled me this morning and said with a bright smile on her face "Happy Father's Day, Mommy!" I smiled, said thankyou, and said "Did you mean Mother's Day?" We had a good giggle together about it...and I will forever remember it!)

Happy May.

Seriously? We're five days into May? And I had such a fun and colorful May Day post planned. Maybe next year.

April and May have been (and will continue to be) so very busy.

We've spent a bit of every morning and every afternoon and every evening enjoying the gorgeous spring weather. (Yes, it's still windy.)

We've wrapped up the majority of our "scheduled" yearly activities, which has left five full mornings this week. Fabulous. There is just something to say for an unscheduled workweek.

We've had dentist appointments...three little healthy smiles! (And my word of advice to all new parents? Take you child to the dentist at age two. At least. She was a pro...hardly batted an eye. Her older brother and sister (who started the dentist a little later in life than two?) not so much. You'd think they would know the drill by now. (And, yes, Mom, I do remember who their mother is. Sigh.)

And currently? These three cuties?


Are ALL sleeping simultaneously. A little bit of bliss on this gorgeous May day. I'm off to enjoy the moments I have left being creative. Or reading a book. Or sitting, soaking in the silence.