irma's playhouse

This little playhouse is just about the most magical thing I've ever seen! Check out all the beguiling details over at Dos Family.

napcave

Love.

Via Tralalère.

Spring

Spring! And Earth is like a child
who has learned many poems by heart.
For the trouble of that long learning
she wins the prize.

Her teacher was strict. We loved the white
of the old man's beard. Now we can ask her
the many names of green, of blue,
and she knows them, she knows them!

Earth, school is out now. You're free
to play with the children. We'll catch you,
joyous Earth. The happiest will catch you!

All that the teacher taught her—the many thoughts
pressed now into roots and long
tough stems: she sings! She sings!

--Ranier Maria Rilke, Sonnets to Orpheus I, 21

All photos by me, except for 2 and 4, which are by my friend, Corie.

WHHEEEEEEEE for your Wednesday

Via Ohdeedoh.

Train Love

Over the weekend I set up a little folding table in the boy's playroom and helped them assemble a nice train track complete with bridges and tunnels. They have already spent untold hours there, playing so happily together (with the occasional scuffle over the fact that W likes to pitch the train cars into the ravine between the table and the armchair).

We were all inspired by our recent viewing of the Buster Keaton silent classic, The General, which our friends Corie and Micha'el introduced us to. Here's a clip from the film that totally enchanted us:

Tree Jam

Yesterday we met up with friends on Summit Rock in Central Park. There, J and his buddy, M, rocked out with their "drumsticks" in a groovy tree while we mamas danced with baby brother on our hips. It was all kinds of fun. What are you doing to pass these hot Summer days?

Photo of the Day

I unearthed this on the treasure-trove of breathtaking images that is the National Geographic Photo of the Day.

I love this collection so much, I couldn't help but post a bunch of my favorites on my Tumblr blog, The Bean and The Bear. Here, here, here, here, here, and here.

Good stuff.

Photo, "Girls laughing, Uganda" by Leslie Alsheimer.

Backyard Tipi

Available at Imagine Childhood.

Happy Monday

I love this Pirate ship playhouse, and I thought posting it would be the perfect way to start the week out right :)

Found here.

Playground Amazing

How fun and beautiful is this playground?! It's in Paris. Via Handmade Charlotte.

First Swing, First Slide

Skeptical at first, W was quickly won over by the charms of the swings. Below, big bro was very helpful in giving pointers prior to W's maiden voyage down the baby slide. In other news, my heart bursts.