Wood Projects

Pilot loves to play knights and even more than that he loves making things with his Daddy. He wanted to make a sword out of wood, so John had him design one on a piece of paper before he cut out the shape into wood. They build things all the time. Pilot's latest idea is to build a boat. Now, I am interested in how this will turn out. I am not sure who loves these projects more, John or Pilot. They are definitely two peas in a pod. There is nothing better then creating something with your own hands. I feel as we clear more and more of our house of plastic store bought items day by day, it really does leave space and time for creating things with our own hands and from our own creative minds. It becomes more then just getting to the final product. It is experiencing the joys of the process itself that we miss most of the time.

Sanding his sword with great concentration. 

Pilot was so excited to see what he had drawn on paper come to life.

And for the finishing touches.....a little color.

He is so lucky to have a Dad like John.

Below is some another wood projects the kids and john worked on using their own designs. 

My Sweet Boy

I just had to capture his cuteness this morning. He is such a blessing to my life. There are so many little moments that I think I will never forget, but of course, life is so full of those moments that inevitably I forget most of them. There was one the other night though that I hope I never do. I was reading my book in bed and the kids had been asleep for a while when the door cracked open and Pilot walked in around to my side of the bed and said " I think I know more of the song now. Do you want to hear it?" His face was so full of excitement, I couldn't tell him to go back to bed, so I said "of course". He first crouched into a ball to quietly rehearse the song before performing it and then announced he was ready to sing. Out came the sweetest little voice I had ever heard singing " Whistle a Happy Tune, so know will suspect I'm afraid......while shivering in my shoes, I strike a careless pose.........." And on he went. So proud and happy to be sharing this with me. A few times he made a mistake on the words and died laughing at himself. There just aren't words to express the kind of love that I have for this little boy. I always want him to know who he is and know that I love him for that. I want him to know that others will love that too, but unfortunately I can't promise that. I want him to grow up in a world were whomever he decides to love will be respected and honored, whatever beliefs he has he will be comfortable sharing, but I can't promise that either.  Actually, every time I look at him I see him as the man he will become and I feel so responsible for letting him know at every step that I am here for him, and that I will honor who he is. I want this sweet, sensitive, loving, creative, expressive little 4 year old to remember who he is and never be afraid to be a sweet, sensitive, loving, creative and expressive man in this wold. I can't count on the world to give him this, so I will just have to make sure that each day I create a place in my home that nurtures his spirit to grow in the way it was meant to. 

Let them play outside

I just went to call the kids in for bed time. I looked out the window and saw them happily digging in the dirt and swinging on the tree swing in the back yard. When I see how happy and free they are playing outside, my heart fills with joy. I guess I feel that by letting them play, I am giving them the best gift I have to offer.  Some of the best memories from my childhood are of climbing trees, bike riding and mud pies. My wish for them is that they never forget the joy of playing outside no matter what their age. Ok.....I better go call them in.

and now he's 4

He woke up on the day of his birthday with such excitement and anticipation. He decided that he had to make wooden cars for his friends at the party and would not be convinced otherwise. So, of course Daddy was happy to go into the basement and find the wood they needed to get the job done. I think the little cars turned out great! I think they should make more. The whole day was wonderful. He had his 2 buddies to celebrate with and his loving family. He went to bed singing "Happy Birthday to me, I'm 4!"

The day before his birthday

Today is the day before Pilot's 4th Birthday. I woke up so sick with a combo of morning sickness and a headache. I was so afraid I wound not have the energy to make it a special day for him, but as the day progressed I found short periods of time when I felt good enough to get off the couch and make that birthday cake that we have been planning for weeks. He couldn't decided between and apple pie and a strawberry cake, but finally went with the latter. My present to Pilot was to make a strawberry cake with him. Let me tell you, the joy on my little boys face just erased all pain I was feeling for that moment. He has been such a blessing in my life. His long stories about imaginary friends, planes, space or fairies and his beautiful smile that warms every cell of my being makes me feel lucky to be his Mom. In the four years that he has been with us, he has grown into a sensitive, imaginative and joyful little boy who surprises and delights me each day.