Possibilities

The other day a came home with a van full of possibilities.

To many people it looks like a load of junk, but I see something different behind the rust and grime. I can't wait to get working.


All these lovely, rusted things came from my dad's workshop, high in the loft. My dad helped me get them down. We walked carefully over a creaky ceiling/floor, on beams, down two different ladders. At one point there was a loud bang and the floor of the loft (which is really the ceiling of the shop below) dropped a bit. My mom screamed. I may have too. I'm not sure. My dad calmly said, "Oh, I guess there's too much weight up here. Don't worry there's a large beam holding everything up". Great. I started standing just on the beams. Not easy, considering the beams were round - logs, still with the bark on. But it was worth it.

All these things belonged to my great-grandfathers and a friend of my dad's. They once had a purpose. And will again soon, but they won't be used for their original purpose.

Do you see the old keys? Love.

Meet Poppy and Burt

These two cuties made an appearance Easter morning.

They were quickly scooped up and named. Poppy and Burt.

Poppy sits, keeping a quiet watchful eye over Little Miss' room.

Burt is a little more adventurous. He's been to church, played on the computer, helped build a fort, and flown through the air.



Getting Ready for Easter - Dyeing Eggs

At the farmer's market on Saturday, I bought eggs. White eggs. The kids were excited. I don't normally buy white eggs, but I tracked some down. They knew what was coming. The absence of colour, but all that is about to change.

After school on Monday, we got to work. There were squeals of joy when they realized what we were about to do. "You mean we get to dye eggs right now?!" Yep!
Colouring. Adding polka dots and noses.

Cute eyes waiting for a colour bath. What will you become little one? If you belonged to Mr. Man, you might become a dinosaur, because according to him, dinosaurs are related to chickens. And if chicks are around at Easter, then maybe dinosaurs are too.  Little Miss said "Dinosaurs are NOT Eastery!" "But, aren't they just a little, mom?" asks Mr. Man.

Dipping. We started by using the wire thingy that comes in the box. It didn't work. One egg almost cracked, but didn't. Then the kids thought they'd use their fingers until they dipped them into the blue. A metal came next. The egg rolled off and almost cracked, but didn't. We decided on tongs. Tongs worked. Go with tongs if you do this.

Soaking.

Drying. Mr. Man did a great job in dyeing his blue egg. So pretty.

Waiting. Love that boy and his smile. I could just eat him.

And waiting for the eggs to dry. Hop, hop little bunny!

Cutting, and then taping. Mr. Man loves taping. What kid doesn't?

Decorating. All lined up in the front window. A rainbow of colour against the grey outside.

Mr. Man's sleeping owl. Because every Easter basket needs a sleeping owl.

Getting Ready for Easter - Painting Eggs

While the kids were at school, I stamped several sheets of paper with an egg-shaped cookie cutter dipped into black acrylic paint.

I got the idea from here. Whatever is my favourite blog. Love it.
When the kids came home, they began painting with watercolours, filling in each spot with a different colour.

Choosing. Twirling.

Concentrating.

Painting. Creating.

Being silly.

And sillier still.

Finished.

Cut and hung.

Getting Ready for Easter - Easy Homemade Stamps

A few simple materials are all that is needed.

Draw an egg shape on the styrofoam tray. Cut it out.

Use a pencil to make a design. Adhere a cork to the back of the stamp.

Stamps in action.

Having Fun on a Rainy, Snowy Weekend

Saturday it rained. It was wet, cold and damp. Sunday was the same, except the rain turned to snow. Looking out our front window.

Too cold and nasty to be outside. Let the fun begin inside.
Licking lollipops.

Trying out new hair styles.

Building a bed, enjoying a picnic and hangin' with a furry friend.