Backyard Robin's Nest

Nest with eggs

Waiting

Feeding

If I were a robin, the last place I would want to build my nest would be in a play set, where a 7 and a 3 1/2 year old are accustomed to climbing, jumping, shaking amongst other activities that would make life for newborn birds rather unbearable.

Well, this particular robin mama felt like our backyard play set was the perfect place to have babies, and so she did. Here are some pics of the whole process, taken by my 13 year old who has now developed an interest in nature photography. I must say, it was pretty great to see the way each of our kids reacted to the whole thing. They all developed a true sense of caring for the mama bird, the eggs and later the new born babies. We watched them hatch, feed for the first time, learn to walk, and fly. Living in an urban area does not mean we lack opportunities to see nature at work.

All it takes is to open your eyes wider, and look a little closer!

Thanks for reading!

beijos
allypye

paper bag crafts

I was looking through a book of Holiday crafts with the 6 year old, and we came across this penguin potato print idea! Since we are all quite fond of penguins around here, I took the idea and tried to incorporate it with some found materials: sticks, paper bag, some yarn- plus acrylic paint and brushes to add the finishing details. We made 5 penguins, each representing a member of our family and tied them through holes we made with a hole punch! It looks really cute hanging on the wall in the living room and it was super easy to do:)

Keep creating!

Thanks for reading

beijos

allypye

The Story of Stuff

"Bella and the caterpillar" Photographed by Erik (the husband)

Even though my latest posts have focused on homemaking and family life, sometimes even sounding self-indulgent, a lot of contemplation has taken place in my home in regards to the bigger picture, and how our presence in the world today will impact what we leave behind.

This is no news, the debate is going on everywhere and I just hope to be able to somehow continue with the conviction that a family can take steps to become closer and more loving, without becoming self-centered.

I truly believe we can inspire a sense of community responsibility in our children if we are cognizant of our own duty. To us, this means reading more, talking more, cooking, crafting, listening to music, asking questions and becoming involved in community... Caring for one another at home makes it easier to care for the world outside, its people, animals and resources. It means not having the tv on (maybe once or twice on the weekends for movies), it means NOT going to stores when we are bored, and doing whatever we can to be outside in nature.

The reality is that this way of living simply, taking the focus AWAY from consumption, makes a lot of impact- we have seen a huge difference in the way our family thinks and acts because of it.

We are conditioned by society to become Slaves of Consumption, and it becomes easy to push aside concepts like conservation, reusage, and community building.

I would go as far as saying that a holistic approach to life can lessen the individualistic tendencies that poison us. With that said, I am posting a link to the "Story of Stuff" video (the international web site so you can have subtitles in many other languages.) Please watch, it is soooo worth it!

http://www.storyofstuff.com/international/

Thanks for reading!

Beijos

allypye