Homemade vanilla!

Six months ago I started the process of making my own vanilla. Crystal (from A Thrifty Mama) posted a tutorial that looked quite simple, and I was tired of paying outlandish prices for real vanilla! (Especially when I discovered that it actually had corn syrup in it...grr!)

Well, it certainly was simple! I followed the tutorial exactly, and today I bottled my very own, truly pure vanilla!



It smells heavenly. Thomas came out of his quiet time a moment ago and the first thing he asked was "Mommy, what is that really good smell?"



Why, 60 ounces of freshly bottled vanilla, dear!

Mmmm.

He takes after his dad.

Late night music

Insomnia is never fun, but last night's experience really added insult to injury. At 2am I was lying in bed, listening to my brain treat me to endless repetitions of the Bob the Builder theme song.

I think that video series is going to be permanently banned from our house.

Easy readers: frequently enjoyed baby books!

You know how you read those little board books to your kiddos over, and over, and over, and over, and over again? I just discovered a happy result to all those repetitions. Jonathan has gone back to the board books that I was almost ready to put away (I'm glad I hadn't gotten around to it yet!) He's reading them to himself. They have quite a few words in them that aren't technically "easy reader"
language, but because the books often rhyme, and because he remembers how they're supposed to sound, he's able to figure it out. There is a whole new level of enjoyment for him in picking up a book because he wants to, and reading it without asking for help all the time. :)

Besides, who doesn't enjoy books that include lines such as:

Pajammy to the left.

Pajammy to the right.

(Jamma jamma jamma jamma P! J!)

It just makes you smile!

Why-ning

Josiah has brought a whole new level of amusement to toddler whining. His version? "Mommyyyy, why why why why why why why???"

I'm in love...

Isn't this the most beautiful house EVER?



Craftsman, 5 bedrooms, two stories,



on more than 2 acres



surrounded by forest...



I think I want to move TODAY. :)