Camping

Camping on Sharbot lake and attending Blue Skies music festival. Connecting with Zoe , Owen and family friends. There is nothing like surrounding yourself with people you love in the simplicity of nature to get grounded and feel love and loved. 

Leaf Rubbings

Some crafts are so simple and yet beautiful.   It's summer time and Mother Nature is in her full expression.  Look around and notice all the different sizes and shapes of leaves around you.   By simply noticing and recognizing the fruits of Mother Nature we can feel gratitude and wonder.  We become once again like children, in a state if amazement for the world around us.

Look at the size of this burdock leaf.

Simply place the leaf under a blank piece of paper and rub over with a crayon, length side down. 

While picking your leaves, don't forget to give thanks to Mother Nature. 

A Seed has been Planted

Do I believe in coincidences as omens or as signs, pointing  in me the right direction?  The answer is yes.  Throughout the years, I have followed the direction of certain signs and they have served me well. My good omens have guided me towards teaching prenatal yoga at Rama Lotus, towards the art of felting,  and even developing Singing Tree Daycare, a Living, Loving and Learning centre.  What I am most excited about sharing today is a most recent coincidence.

See this Ukulele in the below picture?  It was given to me on Friday by a sweet dear friend named Alicia.  It was her instrument until she gave to me, in thanks for opening my home up to her, for last 2 weeks.  What is the coincidence in that,  you might ask?   Well keep reading...

The coincidence is that Big Zoe was also given a Ukulele by her brother on the same week that I received mine! What are the chances that 2 people who work together are given a Ukulele in the same week?  To top it all off Zoe and I only have 2 weeks left of work together before she moves on to becoming a full-time student.  We are going to miss working together as we work so well as a team. We have become sisters and love each other deeply.  This giving of the same instrument on the same week feels like it's  a sign, like the universe is giving us a little nudge.  It's a sign to use our instruments as a common focus to gather and jam together, to keep learning and growing together as we've done these last 5 years. 

We see other possibilities, as well.  Since, we both love working with children. we can go on the road.  We can see it now The  Children's Traveling Caravan Presents; The Painted Gypsy (Big Zoe) and Annie Bananie the Clown (Me).    Our caravan brings joy, music, face painting, kids yoga and felting to a neighbourhood or birthday party near you :)   We are 2 passionate women, who love to learn and grow.  

I feel it, there is a possibility to make this grow :) 

I took this picture this past weekend.  Look at the daisy on the top left corner.  It's smiling :)  I think she is saying Zoe and Annie, go for it.  Take this idea and run with it. 

We just might...

In the Moment

Children learn from each other and the experiences that life brings.  

 Children are full of joy and

 energy.  

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As parents we must keep an open mind and heart.  We must be aware of all that our children have to offer, their uniqueness, and their light.  

Often as parents we race through life and  forget to take a breath and be in the moment, to see the beauty in our little ones.   This is a reminder to take a step back, to observe your children and see who they truly are, soak in their smile, their laughter, their cuddles and questions.  One day you will wonder where the time went and want to go back in time to live those moments again.  But time passes and one can never go back.  

Live without regret. 

Summer Fun

Summer, our favourite time of the year.  

We walk bare footed through green, lush grass. 

The sensation of rolling down hills is intoxicatingly fun and brings us into giggles. 

Feet running down the hill, gaining momentum, learning, playing, living our days to the fullest. 

Rainbow wands, streams of colour, fields of green. 

Down time is for painting and creative play. 

Airplane rides, now that's what you call fun!

Big Kid At Heart

This is the thing, I am a big kid at heart.  I love to play, create and learn. What a better way to express these needs through being with children all day.  At daycare I can play my guitar out of tune (instrument and voice) and I am a rockstar.  I can make funny faces and get laughs.  I can paint, draw and be expressive.

It is an honour to spend my days with young children.  The joy of watching them learn new words and observe their personalities unfold is priceless.  I also love to see, little feet running towards mommy and daddy,  at the end of the day.  The joy these moments bring are uplifting and heart warming. Children's love is pure and innocent.  If only we could be more like them.   Well, we were just like them, many moons ago, maybe it's not too late, to get some of that back.

A child's love is unconditional

Inside of you there is still innocence, love and wonder. 

Face Painting

Big Zoe, as we call her, has been discovering her hand at face painting.  The children are absolutely loving it.  The vibrant colours and gorgeous designs are inspiring and a wonderful way to celebrate the colours of spring.   She has been putting so much passion into watching on-line tutorials, and expanding her knowledge of this art form.  

Big Zoe is starting her own face painting business called the Painted Gyspsy.  Her mission is to bring her painting tools to birthday parties, festivals and other events to inspire imagination, art and beauty. 

Children love to get their faces painted and it's amazing how still even the youngest can become, waiting for a design to take shape. 

"Stay inspired, to keep learning and growing. "