Owls & Beads

Yes. I gave my blog another makeover with owls. I just love those furry wise little creatures. I think my obsession with owls started with this classic children's book.



A little secret that you might not know about me. Prior to my major career change twelve years ago, I was a librarian at a liberal arts college. Although my current job is all about technology and developing online courses, I still love a good book and reading is absolutely essential in our house. Even Josie loves her bedtime stories and is now a very patient listener.

Now to the craft...

I found the cutest white table-top tree at our local antique store discounted after Christmas and I decided to decorate it for Valentine's. The girls have had fun making all kinds of ornaments to put on the tree.



To get Josie working with her right hand (she still keeps that new thumb pretty stiff) I had her string beads on a pipe cleaner which we then turned into a heart ornament. She had a ball stringing beads and made several ornaments for me. This craft is so easy, a toddler can do it!!



Supplies needed for this craft include: medium sized plastic beads and white pipe cleaners. I actually got both items at our local Meijer grocery store. I bet a Dollar Store might even carry these supplies too.



Step 1. Take the pipe cleaner and string one bead to an inch of the end of the pipe cleaner. Loop the pipe cleaner around the bead so that the bead doesn't slip off the end of the pipe cleaner.

Step 2. Pour the beads into a small container and let your child string the beads onto the pipe cleaner.



Step 3. Have your child string beads until there is about a inch left of the pipe cleaner.



Step 4. Take the pipe cleaner and form a circle. Close off the ends by twisting the pipe cleaner together. Use the excess pipe cleaner to form a hook.

Step 5. Pinch down the circle to form the sides of a heart. Make a point near the center to form the v of the heart. You're done.



Happy Crafting!!

Starfish & Snowflakes

I promised Kimberlely that I would post some much needed information about the Starfish Cleft Palate Home. Kimberely's blog has all the wonderful details and the amount is totally tax deductible and the donations will go through the STARFISH CHILDREN'S SERVICES. If you've never followed the Throwing Starfish blog, you need to check it out. Amanada is in China and is fostering children who have gone through extensive medical treatments. She has recently been asked to take in 12 children with cleft issues and desperately needs funds to make this work. Use the link listed to find out more information on the Starfish Foster Home.

Thank you Kimberely for having such a HUGE heart and wanting to get the word out to families on how they can make a difference. If you are willing to come forward as a sponsor family or group, please email Kimberely at timnkim@gmail.com.

SNOWFLAKES

We woke up to EVEN more snow falling this morning. I'm normally a snow lover, but I'm officially tired of it. Winter has just taken on a life of its own and I'm ready for spring. Just as Chris and Josie were headed off to daycare and school, I followed them outside and took a picture of them next to our big snowbanks at the end of the driveway.



At least it's February and the Snoopy Valentine flag has replaced our winter snowman flag. It's a small start!!

Paper Heart Animals for Valentine's Day

In preparation for Valentine's Day, the girls made animals out of construction paper hearts this weekend. Emma can cut heart shapes out on her own now, but I cut up a pile of heart shapes (in varying sizes) prior to our project so that they were ready to go.



I just love owls and I think their creatures turned out super cute. If we made them a bit smaller, they would even look cute on Valentine cards.



Along with the owls, we made a frog, a couple of butterflies, a ladybug and a mouse. If you click on the image to make it larger, you can see how to assemble the animals. They are pretty easy and the designs are endless. The main supplies needed for this craft include construction paper, a hole punch for punching out little circles to decorate the ladybug's back and butterfly's wings, scissors and glue.



In case you're wondering what Josie was doing while Emma was putting together the heart animals, she was busy stamping and coloring pre-cut hearts in her high chair. We're still getting her to try and use her right hand more since her cast came off. She's definitely now a lefty (which I don't mind) but I want her to move, bend, flex her right thumb more.



Happy crafting and stayed tuned for more Valentine's Day projects.



PS. Our friends Susan and Roger had their gotcha day yesterday in China. Their daughter such a cutie!!

Reflections & A New Adoption!

On March 16th, we’ll be celebrating our 1 year anniversary of being a family of four. This year has flown by. I look back at these pictures taken on a disposable camera that we sent to her orphanage and I think who is that little girl? I don’t even recognize her.



We’ve seen far more doctors, specialists and medical staff that I ever envisioned since our return home from China, but this experience has positively exceeded anything I could have ever imagined. NOW, I understand why families complete multiple adoptions.



For any of my readers who love watching families travel to China to complete an adoption, my friends Susan and Roger are on their way to China and will receive their daughter (Maiya) on February 2nd.



Their daughter was also born with the same heart condition as Josie but she received corrective heart surgery while she was in China. I can’t wait to follow their journey. They also live near us and we are eager to introduce our daughters to their newest addition. Congratulations, Susan and Roger!!

PS. In sleeping updates with the new bunk beds, the first night went really well for the both girls. Last night, Josie was up at 2:30am, 3:30am and then finally for good at 5:30am. The Mommy is now starting a 2nd cup of coffee...yawn.

Haircut & Big Girl Bed

Josie visited the beauty salon this evening with her Daddy and I have to say her trim looks super cute. I just love the short bangs.



The girls new beds were delivered today. Unfortunately, the dresser didn't quite live up to everything we had hoped for, so it's going back to the furniture store.



Josie was THRILLED, EXCITED, ELATED, FILLED WITH JOY..etc. over her new big girl bed. I have no idea how that's going to translate into sleeping tonight. As you can tell from the picture, Emma was mighty happy with their new bunk bed setup.





Emma still has her own bedroom, but as much time as she sleeps in Josie's room (every night) we decided to put a bunk bed in Josie's room which can be taken apart and made into two single beds. Emma's promised to help make her portion of the bed. I'm holding her to that promise.



Here's to hoping for a good night's rest. Sleep well, my sweet girls.