Turning Four

Our little sweet pea turned four this weekend... my how the years have flown by!

She had a wonderful party on Saturday filled with family and friends who helped her celebrate her special day! She was able to finally share her new playhouse with her friends, we enjoyed good food, a lady bug release and a pinata... something Holly really wanted! I am very sad because I was so busy that I really did not pick my camera up and missed some really good stuff. But, that is okay -- I was having fun enjoying everything else!

Happy Birthday little love bug!!!

All Cozied Up

Well, here are some shots of the interior of Holly's playhouse. For the most part it is all finished for now. I do still need to paint the floor, however I am waiting until it warms up a bit and the newness of the house wears off... simply because she won't be able to play in it for a couple days. But, it is cute!

Creative Gal

Art is huge in our house. Messes are okay with art. In fact, often the messier the better. We make at least one art project almost every day... sometimes more. Last week on a sunny afternoon we read a dandelion book and then picked a huge bouquet of dandelions and used them as stampers with yellow paint and created a fun flower project. We also made a rainbow and puffy cloud after an afternoon rainbow was spotted out of our living room window over the hillside. And, a final project we did was a paper ladybug after a long discussion about ladybugs in the garden... which we plan to do a large lady bug release at her birthday party this weekend. Basically we use our everyday moments as inspiration for a fun reason to become artistic and messy! I love these memories!

This one was from our preschool meet up, but I love it!

Holly's Little Corner

Well, this was a big weekend -- Bryan and Grandpa Hawk finished the exterior of the playhouse... and it is amazing! I still sit and look at it and just feel wonderfully proud of the incredible job that was done on Holly's playhouse and garden, it is a site to be seen! Everyone worked so hard to make this an amazing little corner for Holly to enjoy and grow up with. We still have some interior bits to accomplish like her little kitchen counter, my curtains and the floor being painted (but that might wait till after her party).

It is just beautiful!

My Little Gardener

Holly has really put in her own time on the whole garden and project as a whole. Including tolerating us as we work so much, she has really gotten her own little hands dirty and put in her own time. Today was a nice example as she worked for over an hour planting various plants throughout her garden. She has really learned the technique well - from how big the hole should be, how to remove it from the pot carefully, how to scruff up the roots before planting to making sure her plants if completely filled in with dirt and patted down nicely... to cleaning up after herself. What a big girl!!! What a great learning lesson this has been!

Living Roof

We have a living roof on the playhouse now!!! It is so very cool!

Last weekend Bryan and Hawk finished building the roof portion and setting up the drainage for it correctly. Today Bryan worked on getting the dirt up to the roof, patted it all down firm to keep it in place and then we started planting it. The upper roof is filled with succulent plants since we won't be caring for that level as much and has a lot of sun. The lower roof is filled with several varieties of lettuce and some strawberries. We can reach that roof easily and will actually harvest the foods from that level and replenish some. It is so neat and rare to see in the area. I can't wait until everything starts to grow and fill in more... than it will be quiet a sight!

A Little Tractor Fun

Last night we did a big yard night. Bryan had the tractor out to mow and Holly jumped at the chance for a little ride around the property. She loves to do this with Daddy. Can you tell?