Book Nook and the Velvet Underground

 I meant to post something bout this project but never got around to it.  Jay made the "book nook" out of Indigo's old crib!  Though an expensive crib in good condition, drop side cribs are now banned, so we couldn't donate or try to sell it.  I couldn't bear the thought of a perfectly good crib being sent to the landfill so Jay created this little spot for Willow to sit in the sunshine and read and Indigo to maybe one day sleep in (if ever she will leave our bed...sigh).  He just cut off the legs and one side and screwed the rails together.  Pretty ingenious, huh? Now it is easy for both to access and Indigo won't roll far if (when) she sleeps in it as a transition to a big girls bed. I am slowly making pillows to make the space extra soft and comfy, but the girls like it as is-- and it makes a cool fort when covered with a blanket!

Willow loves this Velvet Underground inspired t-shirt I made for her :-)

Easter and Elm Bank Reservation

Sorry folks!  I started this post last Sunday but never got around to posting.  Worse, I have older stories and pictures that I meant to post but didn't.  I plan to post some of the older ones anyway in the next few days.  I also plan to focus more on some of the local sights and our travel around the region.  That was the original plan (and the reason for the blog title) but starting this little space in the dead of one of the worst winters on record meant that there wasn't a whole lotta travel happening.  The sun has returned, though, and we have begun to venture out again! 
Anyway....here is my slightly late Easter post:

Sorting through the loot

It is always a little strange celebrating holidays like this without extended family, but today wound up being a really nice day for everyone.  The girls woke to find hidden Easter baskets and dairy free chocolate (hurriedly made by me the night before!) and coin filled eggs.  They were so happy and excited!  We were told the day would be a little rainy but the skies were blue and the temps were in the 70s so we headed off to a favorite spot-- Elm Bank, a large horticultural reserve on the Natick/Wellesley border.  The girls biked around the trails and Jay and I enjoyed the sunshine.  Elm Bank also has a special children's garden called "Weezie's Garden for Children", which is made entirely of natural materials and is filled with birdhouses and many different species of flowers and plants. There is a beautiful old mansion surrounded by a formal English garden and many other pretty, historic structures, along with test gardens and whole gardens devoted to herbs or tulips or azaleas.  There are also hiking trails, where Jay often takes the girls on days when Mama needs some "Me" time.  We are so lucky to have an outdoor space like this so close to our home!

Beautiful climbing tower in Weezie's children's garden

The girls playing in the "bird nests" in Weezie's garden

Weezie's has a giant sand box that blends in very nicely in the garden setting.

Natick Community Organic Farm

Friday gave us sunshine so the girls and I headed to the Natick Community Organic Farm to visit with our sweet animal friends.  There are lots of babies at this time of year and it is always exciting watching the fields being planted and see the many bottles of maple syrup produced from the trees right there on the farm. 

The "sugar shack" where the maple syrup is made is right behind the sign.  Volunteers work there nonstop, 24-hours per day during syrup season.

Unfortunately, this farm is not a sanctuary, so it is also a good reminder for our family about why we are vegetarians and vegans.  These funny, adorable little piglets will be slaughtered by autumn.

They were so sweet, holding hands all day.  The next day...not so much.

This cow loved Willow.

At the school playground next to the farm.  So worn out that she almost fell asleep in this position!

Earth Day

Happy Earth Day on Friday!

The girls and I started our Earth Day celebration a day early by creating recycled art out of old toilet paper rolls and scraps (sorry, I forgot those photos), visiting some cute little bunnies, creating an offering for the birds, and doing a little science experiment.  A fun day was had...though I wish Mother Nature would have cooperated and given us some warm weather.  I am tired of these chilly temps!  Tonight is supposed to be in the 20s!  Hope my baby lettuces and herbs survive the chill...

Our Earth Day offering to the birds-- a basket full of shredded junk mail, strings and discarded yarn for them to use in their nest building.

We examined both dirt and potting soil to determine what they are made up of and how they differ from each other.  Then the girls drew their observations in their science journals.

Happy Earth Day!!

Marathon Monday

Happy Patriots Day to our fellow Massachusetts residents!  Patriots Day happens to also be the day that the annual Boston Marathon is held.  For the third year in a row, we walked down to cheer on the runners.  It is always so exciting and inspiring and there are always a few crazy costumed characters to keep things interesting.  How did the guy in the full gorilla costume make it the whole 26.2 miles??

Willow's sign says "Go Runners!!!" and has drawings of the wheelchair athletes who we watched leave the starting line on television before we headed down to watch them roll by.

We watched from the 8 mile mark.  Here are the volunteers getting the water station ready.

Here they come!

Masses of runners, as far as the eye can see, for hours.  Amazing!

On the Road...

Lookin' for adventure...

And whatever comes her way...

Birthday weekend and Spring days

Finally...Spring is giving us some warmth after months of coats and icy windshields!!  This weekend included Jay's birthday,  and the sunshine allowed us all to spend time together outside, walking out to Morse Pond in Wellesley and then returning home to grill out in the backyard.

Decorating Daddy's birthday gifts

Creating a birthday banner for Daddy's birthday

Playing at the lake

Today the temps were in the mid 70's!!  The girls and I took advantage of the opportunity to wear shorts and soak up some sunshine.  Love these little teases of summer!

Already looking summery (she put the stickers on her leg a week ago and the WON'T come off!)

A face flushed with warmth and sun rather than cold!

Checking out the insect situation