A New Joy.... Crocheting!

This week my Mom introduced the kids to a new hobby. She bought yarn and crochet hooks for the kids and showed them all how to crochet. Devin and Dakota have absolutely loved it! Devin is on his way to making a blanket for himself and Dakota has made the worlds longest crocheted chain. Ivy hasn't really grasped it yet, but loves to tie the yarn around her crochet hook and play along side her brother and sister.

Rockin Out With New Fruits

Part of my role as an Unschooling parent is introducing my family to new and exciting experiences. Even a simple trip the grocery store can become a wonderful, enriching trip when we are looking for new and fun foods to bring home to try.

The kids and I love to browse the International Foods aisle and choose something new and yummy looking. This leads us down many interesting paths and introduces us to new cultures and ideas. Whenever my Mom comes over from England she brings us so many new things to try. It is always so fun and an aspect of her visits that we always anticipate.

This week we decided to try some new fruits from the grocery store. We bought a Cuke-asaurus (horned fruit), and a fresh Coconut. Everyone tried the coconut milk and even though no one really liked it, they enjoyed trying something new.

My Beautiful Blessingway

My Blessingway was just beautiful. It was the sweetest, most loving ceremony. I had about a dozen friends here all wishing me well on my upcoming birth. Joe and the kids were here too and all put beads or charms that they picked out on my Birthing Necklace. I soaked my feet in lavender oils and warm water with rose petals floating in it. It was very relaxing. Everyone who attended also brought a candle and at the end of the ceremony lit the candles and shared a wish for our family. When I am in labor I will light the candles for strength and support.

I have hosted Blessingways in my area for over six years now. I love facilitating and honoring other women in this way. Being on the receiving end was very different for me, but so incredible. I am so grateful for my friends who put their time and energy into making me feel so loved and supported.

After the ceremonial part of the Blessingway everyone ate yummy foods and created a tapestry with empowering art and words for our family to hang. It came out so beautifully. My sweet friend Rachel made me a beautiful flower halo/crown for my head which she put on me after this picture was taken.

Every woman deserves to be honored, pampered and supported like I was to prepare for birth. It was amazing and something that I will never forget.

Ivy's Anticipation

I have never experienced one of my children so anxiously awaiting the arrival of another. Ivy Jayden is just so excited about her baby Brother coming soon. She talks to him all the time and kisses and rubs my belly. She "plays" with him every single night when he is very active. She sings.... she talks..... she puts flashlights on my belly...... I mean it.....Ivy has connected with her brother in a way that I never knew possible with a sibling in utero.

Here are some pictures of Ivy and I, as the big day approaches. Here we are relaxing on the couch together one late night last week, and here is Ivy watching intently as my belly was adorned with Mendhi last night.

Cake Decorating

For Christmas Joe got me a cake decorating kit. This sparked a new interest in all of us! Today I baked 2 sheet cakes and cut them in half. The kids and I each had our own cake to decorate any way we wanted. We colored frosting, used sprinkles and all different piping and writing tools while making our cakes. We must have spent 4 hours from start to finish with this fun project. Eating the cakes was even more fun than decorating! (Oh wait.....only I thought that being the very hungry pregnant Mama that I am. ;)