Our House in the Middle of Our Street

From Soulemama 's blog: {this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

Hello! I'm alive! But barely....I have 3 children under the age of 3 that I'm watching this week (my two, plus another energetic toddler) and about to be buried alive in either sand, acorns, or my piles of dirty laundry. I'll be back with regular posts next week, and a {This Moment} post on Friday. Until Monday! PS-totally loving the Anne of Green Gables books. On book #3 now! photocredit

From Soulemama's blog: {this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

photocredit One of the few things I have always been excited to do with my kids are music lessons . I'd been looking for over a year for a class that wasn't cost prohibitive, both my kids could go to even though their ages are different, and that the scheduled time wasn't a problem. Enter the world of facebook, where an old friend linked to Around the Corner Music Studio and wrote that she and her son would be participating in the 2-PreK class. I jumped at the chance to read about this stuido, of which I never heard before, and the rest, as they say, is history! I signed my children up for a 12 week (30 min session) "mommy + me" type class called " Let The Music Begin!". The great thing was it was a mid-morning class on a day where I never had anything planned, and the best part was that siblings under 2 were free ! I signed up Lukka and Anikka for the price of 1 child, and I couldn't have been more thrilled. They have learned many songs in the fi...

Last weekend we visited Roca Berry Farm with our extended family. The kids loved the petting area most of all. Here is Ani with Oma being a little afraid of (the most docile sheep ever) an animal. Maybe next year. Lukka knows right what to do! He was even scavenging the ground looking for dropped feed to give to this little baby, pushing over a greedy adult goat when it got in the way. He loved the pony ride at this very family-friendly Halloween spot and his mama especially loved her carmel apple! Here's cute little cousin R having a grand ole' time playing around when he wasn't atop Opa's head! What's your favorite Halloween/Harvest spot? Do you go year after year?

photocredit Today is the last of our 20 week CSA boxes filled with delicious local, organic, and (cheap!) healthy food. This has been one of the most fulfilling "experiements" the Mast family did this year. You can read our other posts about CSA ( Community Supported Agriculture ) here and here . I'd like to share a bit of my thoughts and reflections of what Community CROPS CSA did for our family, how it helps the environment, and how you can sign up for next year. Community Supported Agriculture is a food movement to get people involved in what they eat. To eat more locally to reduce travelling distance, to eat more healthful foods (more produce, less processed foods), and to get involved in your community's economy by supporting farmers that live in your area are all components in the slow food movement . I first wanted to join a CSA about three years ago, when I first heard about it and was getting our family's diet a bit 're-organized' so to speak. ...

Just look at that tongue! Taken from Soulemama's blog : {this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

photocredit Whoa. Animal lovers, The Cove is an excellent documentary to watch, even if graphic. I feel the same way about Earthlings , but I know that movie is quite a feat if you're able to sit completely through it. This movie is less graphic, but very emotionally moving. In a small fishing town on the coast of Japan, called Taiji, a small number of workers are killing 23,000 dolphins a year, distributing their meat illegally, and the government is helping to cover it all up. The documentary was organized by Ric Barry, who was the original trainer of the dolphin Cathy, more commonly known as Flipper . He spent 10 years of his life training "Flippers" and then had had it with the entire scene, did a 180, and has now spent 35 years of his life being a dolphin + marine mammal activist freeing them from captivity, and sticking up for them on political fronts. I admit there are bigger issues than animal rights (slavery, child labor in poor countries, etc.) but this is st...

I finally finished a long-awaited item I've had on my list forever. A sweet (large!) advent calendar for the kids to have fun with this December. Stated bluntly, I love everything about this one and used it as my inspiration/model. The 2.5 ft sucker is just waiting for a dowel and a bit of snow and it'll be off on it's daily game! Each number represents not only the day of December before Christmas, but also a fun little activity or surpise awaiting the kids. A few including some hot chocolate dates with dad and mom and even some special Christmas snowboot excursions. I think with Lukka being 3 this year and understanding more everyday, he'll totally get into the festive spirit and look forward to the next day's card (and of course we'll have to be sure he doesn't cheat...like his father... ahem !) I know it was a bit early but once November hits it usually feels like a week until Thanksgiving and then I'm onto my last 4 week spit-fire race to finish ...

photocredit The movie starring Cameron Diaz, Abigail Breslin, and Alec Baldwin, My Sister's Keeper, was first a best-seller written by author Jodi Picoult . I actually remembered seeing this at Barnes & Noble when I worked there, reading the back, and thinking, "looks interesting". I was glad they made a movie, instead, as I've never read any of Picoult's books but the reviews have been hit or miss. I think the plot of this movie is very interesting. This family had two children when they realized their daughter(Kate) had an aggressive form of leukemia. They decided to have a '100% match' made into a younger daughter, for the purpose of being Kate's donor throughout her life. Anna, the third child, goes into multiple surgeries, tests, and blood work donation to save her older sister's life, all throughout her own life. At age 11, she finds a lawyer and sues her parents for medical emancipation! Perhaps it's a bit unbelievable as you're...

Yes, I actually squeezed in a craft this month, hopefully one more , too! I made three front-and-back appliqueed placemats for use as a puzzle (12 mo) or an actual crumb catcher at the table. The great thing about these is they show children the 'proper' way to set the table at the same time. Not only that, but when one side gets dirty, you just flip it over and wah-lah! a fresh start! Here's one side of Anikka's mat sitting for her ready and waiting underneath her clip on seat. I guess I should frame this with: we've never had a high-chair for either of the kids. They have sat at the table from the beginning. Once they can sit up, they can sit in this little portable seat (around $20 at Target, ours was Stefan's when he was little!) and then graduate to a booster around the age of 2. Already Lukka's taken to his placemat and loves to set the table, and this visual just helps. For smaller children, place on the floor with appropriate size bowl, cup, and ...

This picture represents their personalities so well; him seriously at work, her, hardly workin' and being a ham. A Friday ritual to pause and reflect a good memory from thorought the week. Play along at Soulemama .

I've seen a few fun things around the internet and wanted to share them with you. A smaller list, but of course, still packs punch. Enjoy! photo from weheartit Probably the kitschiest home I've ever seen. I love the boys' rooms, though I don't know if I could ever sit on an orange couch. ( Those who know me personally know my strong distaste for yellow + orange!) Also from same lady above, Danielle, is this freakin' sweet arrow DIY for boys. Want to do more natural health remedies this winter for your family? Here are a few quick tips + 5 simple remedies for cold & flu season. Are you already a master herbologist? No? Me neither, though wouldn't that be neat. At one of my favorite sites, Keeper of the Home, October is "Natural Home Remedies & Illness Prevention Month" which just means lots of links/recipes. Start here . Have I told you how much I love the quarterly (seasonal) Rhythm of the Home website? Interviews, projects, recipes, and...

photocredit OneBook OneLincoln's decision was announced in late September. This year's book is "I Am A Man: Chief Standing Bear's Journey For Justice" by Joe Starita. So far this book has been really informative. I especially am enjoying the reading process because it is about tribes who live(d) here in the Midwest, and specifically, Nebraska. I am learning a lot of history that I never knew simply by participating in the reading. I was an 'ethnic studies' minor in college, which just means most of my elective classes were Ethnography, and Literature of different cultures. I did have previous knowledge of the specific tribes talked about in the book (Lakota, Ponca, Omaha, etc.) but this book goes into a lot of detail my classes would have briefly overviewed. I have always been fascinated by other cultures, and my love for travel is one branch of that. This documentary is very well written, though for people who hate miniscule detail, this book might not ...

Today I am going to highlight a few great orchards and pumpkin patch farms around our area so if you're local you can have a heads up on some great places to go this fall. Carmel apples + hay rack rides are a must, of course. Enjoy! photocredit Roca Berry Farm is one of my favorites since I was a small child. Just south of Lincoln, this farm is directed more at families with small children. I'm pretty sure the farm (also of Strawberry pickin' fame ) has had the same props since I was a tot back in the late 80s and early 90s. Yeah, it's kitschy. It's also a very low-key and someplace where you don't have to worry about losing your little one in big crowds. Very friendly service in the past and unique things to do like a crazy half-tractor, half-go-cart race. Pony rides available and a fun tractor ride. photocredit I've never been to Martin's Hillside Orchard in Ceresco, Nebraska, but apparently it's also an apple + fruit orchard, even with raspberr...

photocredit I finally convinced Stefan to watch this movie with me this weekend...I'd wanted to see it ever since I saw that Claire Danes was a part of it, though I didn't know what it was about. The subject is the story of Temple Grandin , a famous woman known for designing humane & efficient cattle slaughter-houses. Sounds strange? Perhaps, but this woman is autistic, and it's her true story of how she was able to 'see in pictures, and connect them' to create something for her beloved animals; specifically cattle. The story is so touching, and family friendly, though a child under 13 may not understand a lot of the subject matter. Autism is becoming diagnosed more and more in children and is the subject of much research. There are many theories of "where" autism comes from, and it takes many, many forms. Children with autism and other special needs are unique and need to be taught in a manner that is engaging to them, and this story is a small pie...

Remembering the work these two did together at the Natural Play Area at Pioneer's Park this week. What a peaceful morning. Play along with Soulemama , Amanda Blake Soule , to reflect on {This Moment}.