Hugger Boo

A Den of One's Own

A den, a hideaway, a grotto, a shady secret spot.  Isn't that what every child needs?

Autumn Window Trees; the reprise

Just a year ago (was that all it was?!), we created our window trees - see their first Autumnal incarnation here.  My goodness, I look back at this and it seems me and the Boo had all the time in the world, now we snatch babe's naptimes as our together time, and to be truthful, mostly we are are outside hunting for spiders and worms rather than creating anything much.  But the trees have been taken to heart as tradition so on they must go!

My current motto for living 'keep it simple' was applied to the trees this season and we simply did some wax leaf rubbings, cut them out and stuck them onto the window.  I say 'we' but Boo only did a couple, leaving me to ensure the trees didnt look completely bereft.  Boo enjoyed applying some of them floating down and on the ground. 

We are loving Autumn right now, with it's bright days (for now at least!), plentiful spidery wonders to be found, funghi sprouting everywhere, leaves fluttering and bulbs to be planted. 

Kitted-out Kitty

 
Hi there!  We've had family visiting for the past few weeks, and I've been spending evenings chatting and sewing... this lovely little creation from Clothkits for Boo.  By hand.  Every little tiny piece.  Somehow I just had to do it, and now I do think it's out of my system.  Phew. 

So I introduce to you Kitty, with her complete kit:

... dungarees

 
...in a pretty floral dress

 
 
... in her 'car outfit'

 
...and her sunflower kimono

this kitty knows how to wear her hat at just the right jaunty angle...

 
Kitty has been taken to Boo's heart and is now accompanying her of many of her daily adventures.

Boo in Okido

 
We have been fans of Okido magazine for a little while now.  We heart the art/science themes (e.g. the weather, babies, emotions etc), the funky innovative illustration and the age-appropriate stories and activities (mazes, doodles, finding characters etc).  Boo senses an alter ego in the character 'messy monster', as I am sure do many young uns reading his stories!  The 'Dirt' issue is particularly special to us, however, as, there on the inside cover are two pics of the Boo herself mucking about in muck.  She appears top and bottom right, in her wellies.  We affectionately refer to her as 'child of the mud', seeking out muddy puddles as is her wont, so she fits right in here.

The Boo Paper Doll

A little while ago I made Boo a paper doll based upon herself...

 
I drew out some clothes based upon her own wardrobe, some of which I coloured and some of which she coloured.

 
 
 
Can you spot which one she did?!

Today we decided to update her wardrobe as Boo has grown out of all the items we based these pieces on.  Everything went a bit pink...

 
 
The poor girl needed some shoes...

 
... and here are the originals they are based upon...

 
The colouring became a bit cursory as time went on, (Boo not showing any signs of inheriting my love of colouring as yet!), but paper Boo was soon bedecked in Boo's favourite 'Kjitebjorn (polar bear)' t shirt.

 
When I was little I love love loved paper dolls, so I'm thrilled to share this with my daughter (you could indeed ask, who are these for?).  I remember having a very precious box of them and I seem to remember I had some hand-drawn and coloured ones which had belonged to my mum (I will have to check my fact with her here, it's possible this is a fantasy).  There are some great vintage ones available on the internet to print out.

What's next I wonder, a whole family of dolls and wardrobes?

Play is the answer

Play is the answer to the question, How does anything new ever come about?

Jean Piaget

 
 

Let the Play begin!

 
A certain wee little man has just begun to hold toys and try to mouth them... though at this stage, his fists are far more reliable for him.  We await the exciting developments ahead in the next few months.

Meanwhile, Bear has been on his travels

 
Plane hand crafted by Dadda Boo. 

 

Back to the Hills

 
It's been a while (for me, at least), but today we took to the trails with Boo Two on my front...and some poles for extra balance!.  I'm pleased to say he loved it (ie. slept throughout) and I'm rather impressed with Boo's stamina these days too (thanks to lots of training sessions with Dadda Boo). 

I believe that's Cypress mountain in the background, scene of major lack of snow for the winter olympics.  No lack this year.

Boo Two's suit was knitted by yours truly, following a pattern in Zoe Mellor's 'Nursery Knits' book.  It looks kinda funny until you get a baby inside it...

 
What a glorious day, happy Spring eve!

Four

 

 
 
 
 
 
 

A trip to the Aquarium and a bear cake for a special four year old in a bear dress.  Happy Birthday Boo!

Love is all around.

 
Didn't he do well?!  I got a smashing card from smudge ink, a fantastic Boston-based letterpress design studio (cards available at Dream Designs shops). 

And some delectable little incense leaves which seem almost too lovely to burn (though I will).

 
 
Boo and I performed a (decidedly girly) makeover on the window trees.

 
 
Boo loves her 'family heart'; she's planning to put some small bears (?!) in the pockets. 

Big love to you all.