Shifting Gears...

School has begun and this mama is getting used to a whole new kind of life. It's an adjustment... like anything else. On one hand, I'm feeling sad and longing for the old days when my daughter had a half day at pre-school. We would often have a play date right after and at a nearby park and home for lunch together... or sometimes lunch out with grandma. Mostly, I'm missing that 'just the two of us' time. It's so rare.

However, the freedom and not so much rushing around is stellar! I've found myself mentally twitching with all the options there are to make art, take a class, do yoga, garden etc. It's staggering this kind of freedom! So, there will be much more art to share here in the next few months. I'm stepping into brand new territory :)

PS
Those prints will be in the shop by the weekend. And... I'm having a 20% off sale till the end of September. Coupon code: soulemama.

End of School Cupcakes

Just couldn't resist sharing these fabulous cupcakes with you. My friend and fellow kindergarten mommy invited me over to help frost these little puppies. (she is a fabulous baker and makes the most creative confections!) Most of them look just like the teacher's dachshund mix dog, Squeakers. The kids will love them :) Happy summer.

At the Fair...

I chaperoned on an all-day field trip to the fair last week... here are some of the lovely sights we saw. It has been quite awhile since our family has gone. Growing up in a small town, the fair was the highlight of summer for a lot of kids... you didn't want to miss all the animals, junk food and carnival rides. It was surprisingly an easy trip with a group of kindergartners - we were there studying animals.

The next morning, I read in the paper about a group of mental patients from Eastern State Hospital were there for a 'field trip' (unknown to the fair administration). Around 11am, one of them escaped... a convicted killer who is a paranoid schizophrenic. He was finally captured over the weekend. What are the chances he would be at the fair the same time we were? There were several school field trips that morning. Hopefully the 'fair people' will tighten up their policies and security. Ensures my 'hand-holding policy' for a good 10 more years!! Pretty scary stuff.

'Goodies' for Friday

Here's a cute little craft invented by my kindergartner son. These are sure to make anyone lucky enough to receive one smile!

He calls these little drawings, 'goodies'. First, draw lots of pictures, cut some and paste to larger paper... use 'fancy scissors', (ziz zag, wavy, etc) if you have them. Make sure you use lots of colors - markers or crayons are good. Fold up carefully into a smallish size and hand-deliver to a very special someone. Upon presenting, my son suggests saying: 'Here's a little goody just for you!' Happy Friday :)

What to do on the First Day of School...

More socks on the needles

Well, today was the first day of school for a little boy in our house but - our daughter is still at home with me :) After much excitement of getting dressed, making lunch, taking all the school supplies in the car... we were off to school! There were several kids having anxiety and sobbing in the kindergarten classroom but this time, it was not my son. He was happily waiting in his seat, teddy bear at hand, ready to 'get his day started.'

So, now... us girls are getting a new routine started as well. I predict lots of tea parties, knitting, stroller rides and art making in the coming weeks... whoooopieeeee!