More Pinterest Inspiration/ Procrastination

I have been thinking lately about why I've been enjoying writing this blog.  Partly it's nice to be able to edit out the parts of my life I'd rather not have the world see and creates a selective memory for me as I look back- I'm writing about the moments of motherhood/wifehood/womanhood that I'm proud of and omitting some of the things I'd rather forget.  Knowing some folks will want to see what we've done in any given week also keeps me motivated to do some cool stuff that I might not have otherwise done, but that we all enjoy.  Mostly however I like to take some of the quiet time I have (usually nap time) and just sit by myself and finish my thoughts.  Without.  Interruptions.  It also gives me a great reason to procrastinate on some of the chores and tasks I should be doing but just don't want to.

So thank you for reading and giving me a reason to write.

Admittedly I got a bit carried away with the cardboard construction but had tons of fun making a few more cardboard city items for the girls.  Ada is really enjoying them.  We even went to a toystore one rainy morning and picked out some more cars.  We got some construction vehicles (construction site has yet to be build, but it is in my minds eye), an airplane, ice cream truck (priorities), and a couple cars.  Please excuse the mess.  We were busy playing.

Got the idea for this at bhoomplay's blog via Pinterest.  The gas station and farmer's market both fold up (the top layer is a little smaller) for easier storage.  It actually fits inside one of the other boxes.  Ada made a water tower with an old playdoh container and 2 egg carton things.  I hot glued and she decorated.

Gas station with shoelace pumps.

Farmer's Market per Ada's request.  I used cutouts from old Cook's Illustrated covers.

The gate is attached with a bent paper clip.

In action.  The box Ada is playing with also has a Pizza shop, hospital (guess which one), her school, our health club, car wash, and a grocery store.   

The airport is a huge hit.  Her little cars frequently take trips to "Massakusetts".

I am very proud of the car wash (light bulb box- folds up nicely- with hot glue and ribbon scraps).  Ada always asks me if we can go through the car wash (we've done it once or twice), and I usually tell her no b/c I would rather spend our money on other things.  Now she can go whenever she wants ;)

Play with dolls/ babies/ daughters is a constant around here.  The Groovy Girls are the latest obsessions- these were passed to us by a girl who I babysat when she was a tiny baby and is going to be a sophomore in college this year- INSANE!

We were out in the driveway the other day so I could paint a little more of the chicken coop and the girls could play in the driveway.  They were driving their cozy coops and drawing with chalk. At some point my brain put together a great counting work with our morning... and this activity was born.   I saw this awesome counting activity using sticks instead of the pricey spindles at The Activity Mom.  I would still like to raid our stick pile and make this, but in the meantime this was super fun.

Note Emma's little one in the background.

Yay!  I figured out how to add video!!!

Then inside for an Olympic inspired lunch.  If I had planned this at all I would have done blueberries for blue, black beans for black and some green veggie for green but alas a red tomato from the garden and a bunch of artificially colored noodles for lunch.

Emma mostly loved the tomato.  She had 3 slices :)

Finally, an oldie but a goodie.  The girls were using teamwork to put all the little letters in the puzzle after they found them in the rice.  I think Emma's favorite part was when we sang the alphabet when we finished.  Love these girls <3