wholesome life
We value a wholesome life and simple childhood for our kids. While we do watch tv and movies, we are careful about the content and try to limit screen time. We want our kids to learn to create fun when they are bored, use their imaginations and enjoy the little things. A slow life allows us to enjoy each moment rather than running from one thing to the next and forgetting about what's right in front of us. It's a lifestyle that we have worked to create and want to maintain.
flower field
We have a big backyard that’s surrounded on one side by pine trees, on another by our large shed, while the entire lot behind us is wildflowers and grasses. Every year, late summer into fall, our backyard looks like a wonderland with the sun shining across the tall grasses and bright pops of yellow, white and purple flowers. Alex and Quill take walks along the field, admiring and picking as they go. They take some back to his play house to tear apart and add to pretend soups. Others they put in water or pretty old vases to brighten up the house. There’s always something new to discover and it never gets boring.
imaginative play
Alex has fond childhood memories of playing with home made play dough at her friend Ramie’s house. So, some days she and Quill make a batch and take it outside, along with a container of extra flour and spend the morning kneading the dough and adding crushed plants or sand from the sandbox. They scavenge around the yard or take the wagon to the community burn pile to find treasures that the neighbors have thrown away. Some of the tossed veggies are good enough to eat, while others they cut up and play with in the backyard, adding them to their dough or pretend soup. We hope our kids will have golden memories of these times, just like Alex does.
tea time
Quill grew up watching Alex enjoy a daily cup of hot tea, and when he was about 18 months, she let him have his own for the first time. He loved it! It’s been special for her to share that love with him. Alex lets him choose his flavor, pulling down her little set of drawers, each one filled with a different kind of tea. He does this while the water boils and they choose their cups. Alex has a special floral cup with “mama” written in golden font across the front, and often Quill will use one of her late grandma’s small, vintage coffee cups. They hold the warm sides while the steam rises and they take tiny sips as it cools. We have many stains on our carpet from spilled cups, but it’s been worth the cozy times they spend bonding together.