I found this Mimi and Maggie dress at a used clothing store. Love when that happens. When Tasha took her mouse on a walk in our back yard I followed her around with my camera.
Dress: Mimi and Maggie
Roman Sandals: Old Navy
Basket: Target
Mouse (form the If you give a Mouse a Cookie series): Kohls
Have a lovely day,
Sofija
Yesterday was our first day of school. It was Lucille’s first day of Kindergarten. She has been waiting for this for a long time. I grew up in Germany and one of the traditions I have kept with all of my children is giving them a “Schultüte” on their very first day of school. These cones are filled with all kinds of goodies, toys, school supplies, and candy. I’m telling you, it is a great way to start out your school career!
The German cones are much larger. When I bought mine online years ago I didn’t realize how small it would be. But since I used it with Finn and took pictures of it I couldn’t buy a bigger one later (kids notice this kind of stuff). So therefore we use the little cone and fill it to the brim.
My goal for this school year: Have more fun!
Seriously, another blogger just announced that after 7 years of home-schooling her kids asked her to let them go to private school. She regrets not having smiled more. I’m right there with her. I have been so grouchy the past few years…I don’t know how long I will be schooling these precious souls. I need to enjoy it.
List of what we will be studying this year coming soon…
Have a lovely day,
Sofija
My favorite shows all happen to be PBS shows, and they are all British. I am convinced if the Brits can’t take over the world with force they will do it with creativity. What drives me crazy is that it takes them so long to do a new season…but it is always worth the wait.
Have you heard about “Call the Midwife”? It is based on a true story about a midwife working among the working class and the poor in East London in the 50’s. The story follows the main character Jenny as she starts working in her early twenties in a challenging district in London. She and other young nurses live with and are being mentored by older more experienced nuns. What I find refreshing is that these nuns are compassionate, non-judgmental, and funny. Not something you see often about people of faith on TV.
Though the show mostly centers around midwifery it also tackles difficult social issues, captures the women’s friendships beautifully, and gives us insight into what life in East London was like in the 50’s.
Season 3 is scheduled to air next spring which should give you plenty of time to watch season 1 and 2 this fall.
-Sofija
Friends,
Children’s fashion to me is as much about the art and creativity as it is about the clothes. Kids are so fun and natural; I find that you can be much more creative with them. With kids you don’t have to take yourself so serious. Poppy England is a perfect example. Their shoot is fun and quirky and has a story book feel to it. In fact each dress comes with a book about Poppy and Fred’s chocolate shop. The story is also written on the hem of the dresses. How cool is that?!
Take a look.
I love how they wrapped the entire shop in brown paper. The make up is too cute! I like how they combined the printed dresses with striped leggings. The yellow tutu in the 4th picture is my favorite.
What do you think? Does this make you want to do your own photo shoot, or is it too much?
Have a great weekend, I can’t wait to see you back here on Monday!
-Sofija
All photos from Poppy England
Pictures found via Smudgetikka
I love it when you are traveling, everybody is getting hungrier by the minute, and you frantically search for a good place to stop and eat…and then what looked like a nondescript picnic area on a map turns out to be this:
The coolest playground in an unlikely area. We found this at the Riverside State Park in Aztec, New Mexico. It sits right on the river Animas. A local told me that they plan to build trails to connect Aztec, Farmington, and Bloomfield. If you are driving from Albuquerque to Durango you want to stop here.
Cool playgrounds are essential for successful travel with kids in my opion. As I find other interesting structures I will post them. If you have a favorite playground I would love to feature them here. You can contact me at sofija.burton@gmail.com.
Have a lovely day,
Sofija
“Go wild in the country” is the name of this collection.
The designer mom Luca is originally from Spain but lives in the UK. Her collection is all about the British countryside. Take a look.
I love the riding style, it is so timeless and classy. I like how she combined the serious tweed look with the playful feathers in the hair. And what about the band jacket, is that cute or what? I’m also fond of the school girl skirt in the third picture. And the elbow patches, so classy and practical…
All photos by Glen Burrows for Deluna Kids – all rights reserved
Have a lovely day,
-Sofija
Friends,
this is our last week off before school starts. My guest room is filled with school books that I am organizing for the new school year.
I was thrilled to find out about Poppin through Design Mom. As you might know by now I’m a sucker for colorful and well designed office supplies. Poppin has it all and then some. Take a look.
Think how much more fun school could be with this much color on your desks?
This week I’m going to start posting about kid’s fall collections. I can’t wait, this fall is promising to be really good.
Have a great day!
Sofija
Friends, it has been a fun filled week for us. We drove up to Durango on Sunday and came back Monday. It was a quick trip, we didn’t do much beyond shopping on Main Street, but I scouted some fun things to do next time we bring the kids.
Durango was originally a mining town. The town has successfully preserved the architecture on main street. They kept most chain stores (I only saw one Subway and one Starbucks) out of the downtown area and filled main street with fun local shops, galleries, restaurants, and hotels. Below is one of the two old hotels in town. I would love to stay here if it is just me and the husband coming up.
During this trip we “only” had 3 kids with us. This made it a lot easier logistically. Main street has just the right length a 5 year old can easily walk, and just enough toy and candy shops along the way to keep them occupied. Located on Main Street is also a visitor center that can answer any questions you might have. Below is my husband with the kids, while I juggled my coffee and my camera…
Love the hills all around down town.
Durango has spent 1 million dollars on art installations around town. The horse below were probably the most expensive ones of the collection. Just the right sizes for the girls…
At the end of Main Street is the train depot. It is here where the famous Durango/Silverton train leaves in the morning. We were hoping to enjoy the scenic train ride through the mountains but two things deterred us this time: its an all day affair and it costs quite a bit of money. Hopefully next time. The train depot also has a museum, another fun thing to do for the kids.
Here are two activities I will put on my itinerary for next time.
1. The Durango Mountain Resort offers:
2. The Mesa Verde National Park
Make sure you have enough time for this. Although the park entrance is only about 30 miles outside of town, it is another 20 miles to get to the ruins.
All in all Durango seems really kid friendly and a great destination for all ages. There is hiking, mountain biking, rafting, horse back riding, and rock climbing for the older ones. These are the just the summer activities; Durango is a great ski destination in winter.
Have a lovely day,
Sofija
Friends,
I love it when the church does its job! In preparation for our missionary family coming back from the field this church has found a nice place to rent and completely furnished it in a matter of weeks. Furniture, bedding, lamps, dishes and food just kept pouring in. I took a picture of the dishes as my daughter and I put them in the cabinet. So pretty.
This family has lived pretty isolated in a country (I cannot name here) for 7 years. This country would not give out visas for family and friends to visit, and it was the last place on earth you ever wanted to visit, I’m not kidding. After 7 years of faithfully serving in that country they got kicked out. The husband had to leave right away, the wife was allowed to stay a little longer to tie up loose ends. Pretty traumatic to be told you have to leave and never come back. Especially for their youngest child for whom this country is home. Would you pray with us for a year of rest and peace as they process the last 7 years and deal with culture shock?
On another note I won’t be posting next week. I’m taking the week off as we will be traveling and then entertaining visitors.
You can find me on Instagram. My Instagram pictures also show up on the side bar of this blog.
Have a lovely weekend, I will miss you!
-Sofija
Our new school year is approaching fast, way too fast! I need to get my life organized. You might have heard me say it before, organization is NOT my strong suit. I need all the help I can get. There is one place I turn to year after year: the Container Store. They make it look fun and easy. Here are some ideas for school papers, pens, markers, and schedules.
And they are having a great sale going right now.
How about you, where do you turn to for inspiration?
Have a lovely day,
Sofija
Teach Where You Live 