Craft Hope

When I saw Craft Hope's 2nd project, I knew I wanted to be part of it. Craft Hope's mission is "spreading seeds of hope one stitch at a time". How lovely is that? For their second project, they are asking people to make a handmade doll to give to children at an orphanage in Nicaragua. They provided a pattern via Martha Stewart here, and it was super easy. I had hopes of making the orphanage ones first and then later making Madigan one, but she's not quite old enough to understand that one. However it was a great opportunity to start talking about helping others and giving. I made the little "blond" doll for her after she went to bed. I can't wait to give it to her tomorrow morning (she took the donation doll to bed with her knowing it wasn't for her). I think I'll make a few more for the Nicaraguan children and also one for a special niece (or 2!).

For all of you out there that sew or knit, check out the site if you have time or interest.

Madigan's Montessori Apron

Almost 2 months ago, I made Madigan this apron. I love it. I had been itching to do something with this apple fabric and this made sense. I found the Montessori Apron here. She's hasn't shown any interest in it until this past weekend. I'm not sure that she gets the point of an apron, but I'm working on that.

Tutu

I was bitten by the sewing bug this past weekend...something about cold rainy, snowy weather after having such nice weather. I took the opportunity to make Madigan a tutu. It was on my to do list for awhile now, I just needed the materials. So, during nap on Sunday I whipped up this little tutu. My heart smiles when she wants to wear it everywhere- like out to visit the chickens, to the grocery store, around the house.


Madigan is doing some measuring after hanging some paper on the wall:

Bubbles

Last week when we had 80 degree weather (before the snow and 30 degree weather came back), we had some bubble time! If the weather is nice, we are outside. The fence is complete and our yard has completely changed- like we actually LOVE it and want to spend as much time in it as possible. We also finally finished the chicken coop area (yesterday) and installed a rain barrel-pictures to come soon.

Boyer Goat Farm Visit

The Monday after Easter, we got to visit the Boyer family and their new goats! Madigan was pretty quiet, but she loved every minute of it and remembers the baby goats. The Boyer have been giving us fresh eggs regularly and answering all of our chicken farming questions. They have a son who is turning two next month and he and Madigan did a good job of not acknowledging each other.


Madigan holding a "fryer" chicken.


Little baby goat love.

Kisses from a baby goat.

Finished House Projects

Kyle finished 3 of our 4 gates to the fence in the last couple of weeks. We're so thrilled to have the fence and gates up- it makes a huge difference when you have pets and preschoolers. A few years ago when we built our fence at our old house, I thought it would be cool to incorporate some old VW doors. Well, it didn't work out at that house, but it did for the current one;

We also finally hung some shelving along the stairs. It's an odd space that we weren't sure what to do with for a long time. I ordered the shelving from Rakks.com and Kyle made the bamboo shelves to match the bamboo counters nearby. (Yes, we're going to go easy on the bamboo for awhile- we realize it looks like we grow the stuff around here since we use it so much.) Not the best picture, but here it is:


In Madigan news, she knows her ABC's and can even go and pick them out when you ask her. She's amazing us everyday with her language and pretend play- she has little friends and makes up stories and things chasing her (So we have to save her). She continues to love books as much she always has. AND, she decided on our way home from dinner last Thursday that she was going to sleep in her own bed by herself. So, we went and bought a Dora the Explorer blanket on Friday and she's been going to sleep in her room since!! (Disclaimer: we still have to stay until she falls asleep, and she always comes back to our bed during the night.)

Easter Sunday

We had a perfect Easter. We had pumpkin scones and coffee with Paige's (below) family and Mike our neighbor, before heading out for our Easter egg hunt. The weather was beautiful and we were able to hang out outside for awhile. Paige got to stay for a couple of hours afterward and her and Madigan played with babies and went outside and were just plain goofy together.

The egg hunters:

Finding her Easter basket:

It was soon time to head to brunch so we loaded the girls up and met Paige's papa for a drop off downtown.
And after brunch, this is what we walked home with:
And here's a little movie of Madigan "finding" her Easter basket. She's keeps saying it heavy and the bunny filled it up.


Hope everyone else had a nice holiday!

Pre-Easter Activities

The Museum of the Rockies has an annual dinosaur egg hunt. Madigan even gave Monty the dinosaur a hi-5!





Madigan really liked dying the eggs.


And here Madigan makes some Easter cards.

random

More chicken posting

We've been letting the chickens out in the yard this past week on the days it's warm. We leave them out for about 20 minutes or so. There's 3 videos below since I thought they were all so cute. I like how Madigan pets them with one finger.
While working in the yard this week, we found lots of worms. The chickens get pretty excites sometimes and other times not so much.

Sabo Ranch Visit

Last Monday, Madigan, Sharon and I headed to the Sabo Ranch near Harrison, Montana. We're doing a 'Grassfed Meats CSA' from them which includes pork, lamb and beef. What we've had so far was the most delicious burger EVER! The Sabos live off the grid and are an awesome family. We went to visit and see the animals. I got to milk a cow! Madigan got some milk squirted on her hand and she thought that was pretty cool. We also helped collect eggs. It was one of the first very beautiful Spring days with 60 degree weather----couldn't ask for anything better.

And here Madigan gets to hold the family rat!

Birthday cake

Kyle made a coconut layer cake for my birthday last week. He really only took these pictures so we had pictures of the cake (really!).

Sweater made with love

I made Madigan this spring sweater from this pattern. I love that she loves it and wants to wear it. I let her pick out the yarn at our local yarn shop. I actually did not like it once I got started (thought it was way tooooo pink), but I think it turned out adorable.

And her Madigan yet again carries her baby in her "belly". This picture looks as though she's been following some large pregnant ladies around all day.