exploring different cultures pt.1

I'm dying over this adorable thrifted banjara costume that I picked up for Lo. 
She is equally as excited, as you can see. 

In the past few months I've thrifted a traditional Chinese samfoo, a kurta, and now this-- all in Logan's size. 
Meant to be if you ask me.

In our homeschool preschool we've been exploring different cultures: where they live, what they eat, the languages they speak, and what they wear. We credit our monthly issue of National Geographic for exposing us to the best photos of people living every day life throughout different parts of the world.  

We've been using the magazine as a guide for our lessons.

We especially love the photos of people at celebrations across the world in their fanciest of outfits, always envying the colors + textures, + accessories most. 

This outfit is our favorite though. 

We danced around all morning perfecting on our belly dancing moves.

I'll be sharing more about our culture lessons in the next week or so. 
We have been having so much fun with them.

tuesday

Tuesday mornings are the best around here. 
The air is getting cooler. Our drinks are getting warmer. Clothing layers thicken.  Tummies are fuller, spirits are lighter, smiles are bigger-- I love fall feelings.

little freeze, big love

Sometimes the cold can be so, so ugly-- it robs you of any warmth you have as it pierces what little skin peeks out between your scarf and hat. 

But then other times, it is beautiful and the only thing stolen is your attention. It captures your eye and pulls you in. It persuades you to take your hands out of your mittens and become fully absorbed in it all. 

That's what happened this morning. 

Last night frozen rain and low temps owned the night. We awoke to glistening white sights. The temperature had risen and everything once frozen was slowly beginning to thaw. 

Never before had I seen ice in so many forms: thin layers, little ice clusters, hard icicles-- thick and thin, smooth sheets, crystalized ice, and piles of snow turned into snow cone ice piles. Branches looked like they were dipped. 

It really was a sight. 

I'm so happy to have captured it.

Today I developed a new found love for the cold.

it's like a river

Good observation, Lo-- It sure does looks like a river. In fact every time we get rain-for-days rain, our street looks like a river, sometimes raging. 

After Logan woke up from her nap yesterday, we took her outside to see the normally 'ankle deep' creek that runs through the woods, resembling more of a river than anything else. She loved watching the water flow, and listening to sloshing sounds from the water of the normally quite creek. Lo loved jumping in the large puddle of water flowing into the drain. 

Everything was so damp, so green, and so pretty. So was this little blonde explorer. 

Lo's first thing to me this morning was about the creek, and if it was still "so, so full." Checking it out is on our agenda today-- along with a library outing and a mama/baby lunch date. 

Happy Wednesday!

backyard butterfly

Yesterday's backyard adventure involved a butterfly study. This Butterfly Bush brings all types of butterflies-- usually big and boldly colored ones like so. With us being indoors for much of the week due to rain, rain, and even more rain, it was a pleasant change to be outside by the pool with visits from our winged friends. Lo gave this little lady the name: Jewel. She always thinks of the most unique names, it's so sweet.

I love to look at butterflies, but the second one flew too close to my head, you can bet I let out a shriek. Logan looked at me like I was crazy. I hope she doesn't pick up my ridiculous fears, and loves and embraces nature for a long as possible.