{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

A Map Party FOUR Matias

Matias is FOUR!  My little boy is so much fun and has such a personality of his own.  One of my favorite things about him is how he takes interest in things that you wouldn't necessarily expect from a little guy.  Most recently, he has been obsessed with maps, and when I asked what kind of birthday party he would like, he said "A MAP party!"

How do you throw a map party, you ask?  Well, after a search of the Internet, I came to the conclusion that map parties have been few and far between.  So in case another child ever requests a map party, I offer here the ideas that I couldn't find...
(and check out the cake here at coolestcakes.com)

Step 1: The Decor

Maps, of course, and a globe!

We taped map puzzle pieces to the walls

Step 2: The Cake

I found a Wilton USA Map cake pan on eBay.  I made one USA cake, and two thin cakes on cookie sheets (line with foil so you can turn them out!)

Place the two cookie sheet cakes next to each other and put the map cake on the top.  I frosted them and sprinkled them with colored sugar (sugar with food coloring stirred in).  I made a little paper template for the great lakes that I covered the cake with while I added the green sugar, and then spooned blue sugar into the lakes.

I added a Google Maps- style marker where we live with a 4 for the birthday boy's age.  I used a white tablecloth with a map as a table runner.  

Step 3: The Party!

2007

2011

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MATIAS!

October

Happy November!  October has been a trying month for us, but it has not been without its joyful moments.  As it is now the month of Thanksgiving, it seems appropriate to look back at the month with a view of gratitude (rather than rehash the drama, and oh have we had drama!)

Feeling oh so thankful for..

:: Lots and lots of baby snuggles
:: Halloween fun
:: A baby growing big and strong, despite my desire to keep her tiny forever
:: Last harvest from the garden...in dancing boots
:: A tired trick or treater...in dancing boots
:: Matching mama-made dresses...and dancing boots
:: Little activities to pass a rainy day away
:: A little girl who is never too sleepy for fashion
:: Giggles
:: Family trips to the beach
:: Yummy new bread recipe and delicious derivations
:: And most importantly, a healthy family

(and if we could maybe get away with a FEW less trips to the hospital this next month I would be VERY thankful for that as well!!)

{this moment}

4 generations of curly girls

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Sharing Stories

Today Matias asked if he could read to Beatrice.  Bless his heart, he sat there and read to her for almost half an hour!  He loves to snuggle with her, and when you add in a book or two, he is in heaven.  Little sister seemed pretty happy as well.  Having three kids is proving to be quite the strategy game so far, but when I see them enjoying each other, it makes it all worth it.

Our Noogler

Matt headed back to work today (well, actually to NY for a big meeting), so we had to take a few Googly pictures of Beatrice for him.  I have to give kudos and a great big thank you to Google for being such an awesome, family-friendly company to work for.  Matt gets seven weeks of paternity leave (to take over the next year), as well as other little gifts and perks...like money to spend on cloth diapers!  Best of all, his boss has been scolding him for checking in with work, telling him to just enjoy his leave and stop worrying.  If every company in America offered parents such generous benefits and leave, it would really change the landscape (we'd all think we were in Scandinavia!).  Having been on the other end of the scale in the past, we are so appreciative of the time we've gotten to spend as a family without having to worry.  

Fall

Leaf jumping

Harvesting the last of our garden goodies

Fall playdough leaf prints

Pumpkin farm

Hayride

Walk at the Nature Center

We've spent a lot of time hanging around home, admiring new baby sister here lately, but we have gotten out now and then to enjoy the beautiful Fall.  If you are on Pinterest (And if you're not, you SHOULD be!  So much fun!) here are some ideas that we've done, plan to do, or just think are really neat: