Noah's Room.

Samantha, of Samantha Cabrera Photography, sent me these images of her little boy's room, I absolutely LOVE how it turned out. Samantha Cabrera is an amazing photographer and hip mom, and put this room together for her son Noah. She has done an amazing job, and I love seeing how all these boy prints go together. Putting together a design for a boy's room can be more challenging than you'd think....and I just am in love with Samantha's collection of boy prints she chose. So inspiring!

If you have images of how you've designed your kid's room with Sarah Jane Prints, you can join the flickr grouphere or email me here.

Book's you'll love: My Garden

We started our garden this week. Our yard is going to need quite the make over (it hasn't been tended in over 10 years!) But that is the charm of it really. It's like having  a secret garden....we're uncovering all sorts of wonderful things. We've had the kids out digging and planting and watering. A garden is magic to a child, and magic to me really. My Garden is a new book by Kevin Henkes (one of my children's illustrator hero's) and this couldn't be any more perfect for this time of year! So charming and sweet and simple. I absolutely love his illustrations....like I said...he's my favorite to admire. And the story is just as charming: this little girl imagines what her garden would be like if she could have it any way she wanted: and there are endless possibilities. I have this book standing upright on my desk and it's like having a bouquet of flowers right next to me. Happy reading and happy gardening!

The Tree Swing.

We moved in about a month ago, and the very first thing we did was put in a tree swing in the back. Well, not we exactly....my monkey husband who climbed 30 feet up a tree and even chopped off a huge limb (in his dress shirt and slacks mind you....it was that urgent!) to give the rope maximum swinging power. My kids have spent hours on this thing. It reminds me of this print, but with much more action.  And it makes me so happy to see them swinging up to the sky without a care in the world. And somehow when I watch, I remember my carefree moments as a child, and realize that they aren't so far away. Better yet, they can still be had....mixed with the typical mothering-worries of course....but there are so many moments of bliss in every day.  I am thankful for reminders from a tree swing.

Fabric.

I got something in the mail this weekend. I am so thrilled about some new items coming soon. Can you guess what this will be for?

Be a Rock Star.

I'm loving when my kids pretend to be rock stars.  On most days, my kids are the experts on something...the top of their world.  And so I ask myself....when was the last time I pretended I was a rock star? Not the spike your hair stiff kind (although that would be pretty wonderful) but a rock star at whatever I am doing at the moment. Like a rock star kitchen sweeper. Or a rock star laundry folder. Think about that. Aren't kids awesome? I learn the coolest stuff. Today is going to be a great day..... I am off to be a really cool rock star.

From the Archives: Golden Shoes.

This is a post from last year's Easter weekend. Moving has thwarted our festivities a bit, but The Country Bunny still remains a tradition.

This weekend we celebrated Easter, and it was our best yet. Easter egg hunts, cake decorating, a wonderful morning at church, candy eating, family gathering and really, really great memories.

One activity we did I think will turn into a yearly tradition: reading of "The Country Bunny and the Little Golden Shoes".

(If this book is new to you, here is the one sentence recap: A country bunny with 21 children to tend to, is able to maintain her status as one of the 5 Easter bunnies, because of her mothering skills in the home, and the extra help of a special pair of magical golden shoes. Message: As long as you always try your best, you will get the help you need to do great things.)

My children have read this before, and my husband and I grew up on this story. It is one of my ALL TIME favorites. But this year, we made it even more special.

On Easter Eve, we walked over to my Grandmother's house where she was waiting for us...ready to read her very own copy of this story (she is the Country Bunny to a "T"). She read it aloud in her own words (which we audio recorded) and then at the end, I pulled out a wrapped box with a real pair of golden shoes to hang up on the wall as a reminder of the amazing message in this book. The kids were tickled to think they had their very own pair to look at.

I wish I could have posted this before Easter, but alas...it was a last minute idea. I had bought a pair of old vintage toddler shoes at an antique store years ago, and I spray painted them gold. I laced them up with leather lacing, and VOILA. A family heirloom to pull out every Easter.

If you haven't ever read this book, you may be a bit confused. You need to go read it...it is worth reading ANY time of the year!