Ella the Rockstar.....

Every girl needs a teepee

We were strolling through Target (on an outing searching for a little bit Spring) about a month ago, when we came upon a tent shaped like a teepee. To tell you the truth, I am not sure who was more excited, Mary or myself. We both gasped and reached for it at the same time to stare at the card board box in amazement. But then reality hit- no one needs a teepee, and it was way outside of our budget. To add to that we have a monster shaped tent at home that was just bought at Christmas time for the boys. So we left our visions of tea parties and sleep-overs (in a teepee) in aisle F39 and moved on.
So two weeks later on a routine trip for groceries I brought home a surprise. We are now proud owners of a pink & green teepee complimented by flowers printed on the flap. We ripped it out of the box and set it up as quickly as possible without reading the directions. Then the 4 kids and I attempted to all fit in the small structure. It didn't work, so we all took turns going in and out, and laughing as Ella walked into the doorway and falling down over and over. She was so happy that she didn't cry, but she still hasn't learned the art of ducking your head. Needless to say the girls (and boys) absolutely love it. We have no use for Mary's bed anymore. She has slept in the teepee for 6 nights in a row cuddled up with her favorite stuffed elephant and her "Aunt Hannah" blanket. You have to appreciate the little luxuries in life sometimes, and the teepee has definitely made that list. I am so thankful for my husband's provision so that we can have little luxuries every once in awhile.
There is an exclusive tea party scheduled for early next week with a guest list that includes 2 beautiful little girls, 2 stuffed elephants and possibly 2 brothers if they decide the don't need to build a Lego empire at that time. It is sure to be top notch with cookies and juice.
And when Spring produces consistent mild weather we will move the teepee to the back porch where Pocahontas and forest animals can visit at their whim.

The View Through A Lens

I went to Target today to look at the cameras. I am trying to decide which one to save up for, and honestly I am completely stumped. All I know is that my camera is slowly but surely becoming more and more of a frustration then a joy. I love to take pictures, and am completely amateur, but there is something remarkably beautiful about looking through the lens and seeing what pops up. The camera has a way of making perfectly ordinary things look amazing- and prodding you to do things that you ordinarily wouldn't think of doing.
It is the ability to see the beautiful color and texture of things that the human eye cannot pick up on it's own. I look through the camera and suddenly the shape of Mary's fairy wings looks inviting and it is time to become Tinkerbell. Ella's sweet hats, and Zeke's shiny boots beckon you to go outside for a walk. Solomon's book covers just plead for you to huddle under a blanket and read. And I would probably never step foot into my dear husbands Jeep if I didn't look at it through a viewfinder.
I absolutely love and am completely endeared to whomever designed the magical camera. I am sure that God placed a camera in my life to help me do things that I might otherwise find a waste of time (because I have laundry and dishes or misc. cleaning of some other sort).
~K