My Daughter's Daily Ritual

I pass these beautiful bright flowers six times a day Monday to Friday. And most of the time I'm too busy rushing the kids to school, hurrying back home to start work, rushing again mid way through the day not wanting to be late for nursery pick up and so on so forth, to take much notice of these blooms. But it is the return journey from nursery in the afternoon when it is just my daughter and I that I suddenly become aware of them and there bright and cheerful colour. And its all because it's become part of my daughters daily ritual to stop and pick just one, maybe two on her way home from nursery. She stops selects the individual flower she wants (any more than two would be too greedy, because as she so rightly says 'we must leave them for other people to enjoy') and then she's off riding down the road on her balance bike. The 'selected' flower is then placed in a small glass vase to take pride of place on our kitchen table! It's such a lovely ritual and one that I'm grateful for as it makes me stop and look and admire their beauty however brief the moment lasts!  

A Happy New Year

Christmas 2013 has been and gone and New Year is upon us. We've had a lovely time celebrating, quietly with close family and friends and quietly is exactly how we will be seeing in the New Year. It's been quite a few years since we celebrated lavishly in fact I will probably be tucked up in bed long before the chimes at midnight begin to ring! Tonight I will be curling up on the sofa admiring our Christmas tree with all its decorations that hold many happy memories, being warmed by our wood fire and enjoying a glass or two of wine!

2013 has been a good year for 'a crafty hen' and I'm looking forward to seeing what 2014 brings. 

Thank you all so much for your support, A Crafty Hen' wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you! 

Now where is that glass of wine!  

Whatever you are up to tonight enjoy and stay safe and I wish you all a 'Happy and Healthy New Year.' 

See you in 2014!

My Daughter

A conversation between my 3 year old daughter and me!

"Mummy, why do you keep using your camera"

Me: "Because I like taking photos".

Daughter: "Why do you keep taking photos of me?"

Me: "Because you are beautiful and also because I am trying to learn how to use my new camera."

Daughter: "Oh" (pauses for thought) "Mummy should I stand still for you so you can learn to take some photos?"

Me: "Well yes that would be great!"

Daughter: "Mummy"

Me: "Yes:

Daughter: "I don't think I can stand still!"

I can not quite believe that this little girl, the baby of our family turns 4 tomorrow. It is with bitter sweet emotions that we will celebrate this day. She amazes me every day with her thoughts, her giggles and her love. I can not wait to see her grow though at the same time wish I could bottle her up with all the curiosities and energy she has. Her unconditional love that she has for her brothers makes my heart melt. She wants to do everything they do and more often than not manges to succeed. Her determination and the way she asserts herself is something that I admire greatly. She has made sure that even though she is the baby of the family that she is not overlooked! She is loud, playful and strong willed. She is caring and nurturing and often will stop what she is doing to come and tell me that she loves me. I will never tire of hearing her say "Mummy I really love you so much" and I will never run out of the reply "I love you so much too".

Her dream of what she wants to be when she grows up sums her up right now so well.

"Mummy when I grow up I want to be an Olympic runner. 

And Mummy when I grow up I also want to be an Olympic Swimmer,

and Mummy I also want to be an Olympic talker!"

 {One of these I think she has already managed!}