This week a certain brown eyed, blonde haired little gnome turns three....THREE! How does this happen? I could have sworn he was just born yesterday. Ah, but I will save my sappy look back for another day, because now I have work to do.
 

Birthdays are big in our house, as they should be. Crossing over the Rainbow Bridge to join those who will love you the most for your entire life is kind of a big deal. All that being said, our celebrations are pretty simple. The birthday girl or boy awakes to their birthday ring, a handmade sign, usually some flowers and candles, their birthday crown, and a few simple gifts wrapped up in beautiful silks.

A breakfast of their choice is prepared and then the day is spent doing what they most want to do. Julien has always chosen to have just his closest friends doing something simple rather than a big huge party. Last year we went bowling. The year before was a picnic at a beautiful park. This year is still up in the air and he still has a few weeks to decide.

Right now, it is Noah’s turn. We are having a picnic at the playground and then Saturday will be spent doing whatever he would like to do. Right now, I am trying to design a new piece for his crown. His is pretty simple and I am thinking perhaps a backhoe is needed. My little one is very into construction vehicles at the moment.

{Also altering shape a bit, this pattern is too tall for a little head!}

Then there is the cake design. This part I really get into. His first birthday cake was bug themed, because his nickname is Noah-bug.

We have had Stars and Moon cakes...

And last year Julien’s Space Shuttle cake was among the most favourite, not only for the Space Shuttle that was loving designed in the wee hours of the night (Who needs sleep!)...

But also for what was hidden inside. I frosted it white so he had no idea what was hidden beneath.

I am thinking of doing this one for the cake at home. Not sure what to do for the cupcakes for the picnic. Lots of work to do though and it is all good. Birthdays should be a big deal. These two little creatures changed our lives forever in a most wonderful way. I think that warrants a little cake don’t you?

This weekend brought beautiful weather, finally. Our weather has been very fickle and for a while seemed to be having a hard time picking a season. I think, though, it is safe to say that Spring is finally here. With the return of Spring, brings much more outside time. This is not to say that we aren’t outside any other time, but what this means is that life has shifted to outside for majority of the day. We are lucky enough to have a screened in porch which is useful, especially since it is black fly season. Never heard of black fly season??? Check out this charming video. For the record, this is not a dramatization. Really, it isn’t.
 

Despite the lovely visitors that we have outside, we spent the weekend playing, working, and even knitting out there. We have lots of work to do on the property, and lots of things still to set up for the kiddos, but last year we put up a very simple mud kitchen. I have visions of improving it this year, but it serves its purpose quite well right now. I had searched for ideas and came across some really amazing ones, like this one, this one, and this one but truth be told, I think ours is quite good. We are lucky, we live in the forest, so ours can be much more, shall we say, rustic. It blends in and isn’t as much of a visual nightmare as it would be if it were in a manicured backyard.

{This was when it was all shiny and new. Nice water effects eh?}

Really, the keys to a successful mud kitchen are simple. You need sand, dirt, water and some thrifted pots, pans, and muffins tins. Shovels, spoons, and dump trucks are optional. For ours we used a few cinder blocks, some bricks and a few pieces of scrap wood. I made a brick oven for them to cook on by building a little pile that sits in direct sun all day and in the summer, can get quite hot. As Julien pointed out, “Mama, it really works! It gets really hot and cooks the mud!”.

This little pile of bricks and wood have proven to be hours of fun. Who needs fancy toys when you can have dirt and water! Reminds me of a great article from Wired back in January.

So despite blackflies and mosquitoes, we will be spending our days outside from now on, and should you want anything to eat while out there working or playing, the kitchen is always open!

Join me over at Mothering with Mindfulness this weekend as Kim features my humble little etsy shop, Two Little Dragons on her lovely blog. I have the privilage of being a sponsor over there this month so do stop by and read the interview and then stick around to browse through her beautiful site.

Happy Mother's day to all of you Mother's out there. I hope the sun shines upon you, the day is easy and carefree, and that you are surrounded by love!

{this moment}

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{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.