Still a work in progress, but most things are up and running by now. I'll hope to see you there!

My daughter Nynke turned one year old February 27th (that's one year of breastfeeding, of which I'm rather proud - and we're still going strong!), my son Olivier was home from school for a week because of the springtime holidays, and I had some book edits to finish.

Also, I discovered a whole new world: needle felting! Plus I had dolls to finish, clothes to knit... I'm not completely satisfied with the way the dolls (Lina & Bram at any rate, I like Rosa, whom I made a couple of years ago) turned out. Lina's eyes are too far apart, and although Bram's eyes are better, they're just not yet the way I'd like them to be. So I need lots more practice!

And yesterday, my sister gave birth to a wonderful little girl named Mare, and I had the privilege of assisting her while she was in labour (together with the midwife and the proud father-to-be, of course!). It's so strange - I was there when she gave birth to her first as well, and at that time, I just knew I was pregnant with Nynke. Seems like such a long time ago, but it isn't, not at all!

Phew. It's been a lovely time, these last couple of weeks! :)

I'm now waiting for my husband to return home with a new IKEA closet, just for me, to store all my crafting materials! So I'll be organizing a bit this afternoon, ready for a clean start! Got to love a a husband that thinks with you. :)

Old Fashioned Play Builds Serious Skills

You know what? I could have written it. Straight from the heart - I couldn't agree more. After reading this, I felt - and still feel - strengthened in my belief that children do NOT need all that plastic junk that poses as toys these days. Just the other day, I observed Olivier, playing with two simple cars and a piece of string, having the time of his life. For a whole hour! Come on people, they don't need plastic. They don't need beeping or flickering. All they need is something that triggers their OWN imagination. Same for television - nothing wrong with it now and again, and hell yes, it's the best babysitter when you're cooking, but the rest of the day? No way. Let them play! Teach them to be imaginative again! Because the rest of the world sure as hell won't.

Which makes me want to add - what is it with the sweets at school anyway? Why do people think it's okay to have their children hand out all that junk when they're celebrating their birthdays, even though the school rules say not to?! What's that all about? I'm seriously thinking of writing a letter of complaint - I mean, Olivier's been at that school for precisely two months now, and you wouldn't believe the stuff that he's been given. Lollipops, sweets, crisps, you name it. It's completely ludicrous.

Right, I'll get off the soap box now. Enough is enough - but I just feel very strongly about all this.

I've been working on a new doll this weekend; it's Nynke's first birthday next week, and as Olivier never wanted a doll, I figured this would be my best chance of ever making one for my kids. I hope Nynke will grow up to be a girly girl, so I can make her many more! :) We've bought her a doll's pram to go with it, so I've colour coordinated the doll. :) Although I think the pram will be redundant for a while yet, as Nynke is showing absolutely no promise of walking or even standing up / sitting up yet. It's a bit of a lazy girl, this one! Not that I mind too much - life's just much more relaxed with her not grabbing things yet!

Ok, and now I really should get a move on. Have a nice day!