knitting, bells and rainbows

 Ive been making some progress on my tea leaves cardigan. I'm not sure if its the pattern, the yarn or the experience I've gained in knitting but this cardigan has by far been my favourite knit ever I do believe.
I'm finding it so relaxing so I take it where ever I go and knit a few rows here and there.
Today at nap time I was reading 'The Story of the Root Children' and Cameron said to me "look its you knitting!" when he saw the picture of mother earth with her yarn and knitting.
 Later in the book we decided that he and the others must be my helper ants because they always make sure my ball is perfectly wound for me:)
He was most happy with this as he is a real bug lover.

 Remember this cardigan I was working on way back here? I sure don't expect anyone to, Id forgotten about it myself!
Anyway, Ive finished the second arm (a place when many cardigan knitting halts I'm sure, that second arm gets a bit tedious)
So... hopefully I can get the button band and ends weaved in soon, although progress has halted just a tad since receiving the yarn for my tea leaves

Yesterday I dug the little table and chairs out of the shed and we are all enjoying eating all our meals and snacks outside. In fact were all having so much fun in the garden that we pretty much only come inside for nap times. Ive hardly been setting up any activities because they've all been so engrossed in exploring all the new play spots

 today we strung together some snack/lunch time bells which we will jingle when its time to cook, prepare food and eat at our little outdoor table.
 Its down at the children's level for them to take turns ringing so I think we may have a little meal times confusion until the novelty wears off

 last week we received this dolls hammock and some other rainbow goodness from my friend Alison. Its a great space saver toy as it hangs between two dining room chairs.
Funnily enough we have two wooden doll beds and I don't think either have been as high in demand as this simple little swinging bed

 At the moment we have limited space and lots of toys still packed away and I'm being reminded how powerful simplifying things is. We don't miss any toys, the children just improvise with what they have. Snails become playthings and old teapots become their homes. An old spade handle becomes a galloping hobby horse. The children have been packing up without me asking now that its not a big job. We make the train tracks slither into their basket home like snakes and the building blocks like to jump their way home. The dolls and animals get tired and run home to see their family.
I'm happy that we will soon have room to store whats not in use, I will continue having less out.

In case you were wondering who was being rocked to sleep.. about 30 wooden animals and people plus a few building blocks and trains. Sure, why not!