made with little hands

The sibling gift making that happens before a birthday is so very dear to me. It's such fun to watch them dream up what they could make each other, the way they plan it out with such excitement and enthusiasm, and oh - the attempts at keeping it all a surprise (which usually entails a lot of REALLY LOUD whispering next to the birthday person). The gift-making and presentation is full of super proud-parenting moments that you remember, tuck away, and pull out when needed in the less-than beautiful moments of sibling life.

Calvin worked on this tote bag for her, making a picture on both sides of the bag with scraps of felt. I love the careful and thoughtful choices of color and design - a bird on there, of course. He started with handstitching the pieces down, but quickly - like his mama - grew tired of that and opted for the machine (he's totally rocking the machine these days). Which is why he tells everyone that this was not, in fact, handmade, but machine made. Right. She loves her bag, of course. She fills it with shoes.

Ezra's gift to Adelaide was a song he 'wrote' and played (foot stomps and all) on his fiddle just before she had her cake. I know. I melted. I really and truly melted from it all. She adored her song - she literally sat smiling with her hands clasped and ready to clap. Ack! In the days before the party, in addition to practicing his song, he told me he also wanted to 'make a pillow for her that looks like the way her birthday fiddle song sounds." Right. Okay. Ezra's always good for a curve ball, puzzler like that. BUT! We came up with this: a doll pillow he stitched - curduroy on one side and linen on the other. On the linen, he wrote (with a fabric marker) the "words" to her fiddle song. He added a button and trim, because, well, who doesn't want to play with buttons and trim?

I know without a doubt that I will completely forget about the xylophone that we got for her second birthday. Or any of the other little gifts we purchased or fretted over. But oh - these extra special, oozing-with-love gifts from her brothers are sure to be remembered by every one of us as the best gifts of all. They always are.

Comments

[sarah]

Oh just look at the look of delight on her face! These are wonderful gifts! I wish I could have seen Ezra's performance on the fiddle! Calvin's sewing skills are amazing! Gryphon is reading over my shoulder and is now bugging me to set up the machine I promised him he could have to learn on. Guess I better get with that! So much love between all your little 'uns, what a lucky mama!

[jean]

fantastic, Amanda. Very special indeed. Love the pillow-that-looks-like-the-music notion. That is perfect. And Calvin could teach me a few machine tips, I'm sure.

[Mama Urchin]

It's obvious that they have such a special bond. Hooray to you for fostering it.

[Eren]

Oh, what a blessed, blessed little girl to have such wonderful gift giving brothers. So sweet.

[Mary]

You are growing some wonderful men! What sweet brothers. What a lucky little sister.

[betsy]

Just look at how she is clutching her music pillow. Such lovely, thoughtful gifts for their 2(!)-year-old sister. xoxo

[erin]

i cannot tell you how much i adore the look on her face when she is holding that pillow.

[bigbucketgirl]

Oh! That post has made me sob happy tears all over my bagel and the keyboard! I need to go get tissues....the bag is wonderful..but the Special Song and the 'make a pillow for her that looks like the way her birthday fiddle song sounds." have sent me over the edge! Bless those children. Your children. xxx

[judi]

Warmed my heart..... truly it did!

[heather]

Oh, this brings back another good memory! When I was a kid, we (my brother, sister and I) used to make gifts for each other and for others in our family. I remember being so pround of making thing for my siblings and how we tried to keep them all "secret" until the big day! oh, what fun! Thanks for sharing this!

[Katherine]

I love the idea of a pillow that looks the way her birthday fiddle song sounds. All lovely, lovely gifts.

[Tere]

Amanda, that is SO sweet. You can tell she loves her pillow by the expression of satisfaction she has on her face! Calvin did a wonderful job on his bag, too. I was so impressed!
You know, I found it interesting that Ezra wanted to create the visual equivalent of his song in pillow form, because I've always been one to "see" things in my mind when I hear things. Words all have colours and shapes, and they've been the same as long as I can remember (eg Suzanne looks like yellow spaghetti noodles!). Ok, so now you probably think I'm crazy, but really I'm not, lol :) Anyway, you have some great kids!

[Kristin]

This is a very touching post, the connections between your children are so important. You clearly foster them which works to make this world a better place! It also brings back memories of the early childhood chapter in our family, I certainly miss the joy of it!

[bubbachic.typepad]

Beautiful, inspiring and creative - what a wonderful and from-the-heart way of celebrating a loved ones birthday.

Dee
x

[beki]

Aww, how special!

[Laura]

Her little face as she contemplates her gift is adorable!

['the' Kristy]

You must never let these memories slip away both physically and mentally.xxx

[Julie]

Oh... how sweet! I'm melting too... what a beautiful and special family you have!

[Viv]

So, so sweet. Everything. And great Podcast, by the way...

[Libby]

So sweet and tender is the love that Ezra and Calvin have for their sister. It's inspiring to see the way you try hard to make their ideas become a reality. I realize that it takes time and patience to make those lovely gifts appear. But, honoring their imaginative plans must make them feel so special and valued.

[Livia]

Oh, absolutely sweet. Those two small boys with huge loving hearts... Adelaide is a one lucky little sister.

[molly]

i'm melting just reading about it. I can only imagine how you must have been feeling in the moment. that last picture, of her looking at ezra's pillow, is priceless. (and the pillow looks like the perfect size for little hands!)

[Bluebirdbaby]

This is just so touching. What a wonderfully creative AND thoughtful family you have. Good job mama :)

[julie]

That is the sweetest, cutest, most darling thing ever. I love how she is looking at the pillow. She totally gets it. Wow.

[Jennifer]

What a beautiful idea, to have your sons make their gifts for their sister, I'm sure she will treasure them, what a lucky girl!

[Deardeedle]

Simply the cutest story yet on this blog. It has me swooning over your babes love for one another!

[amanda]

so sweet. This post really brought a smile to my face.

[cloth.paper.string]

amazingly dear gifts, amanda! it so wonderful to see the creative love encircling and flowing between your little ones.

[Stefani]

Oh gosh, each of their gifts is so full of sweetness and love. Such a memorable moment, and so clear that each of them is taking away more gifts from the experience - knowing the joy of creating for others, knowing what it means to be loved and thought of. Amazing young people you are growing there, Amanda!

[annette]

wow, calvin and ezra! you two are fantastic brothers, what lovely gifts! have you started on christmas already?!

[Andrea]

What a beautiful post. You know how sometimes you imagine being a rock star, and then you picture Janis Joplin as the person you'd emlate, or you dream of being a movie star, and think of Cate Blanchete as your template for that dream. Well, when I dream of being a mom, I have you as my hero. Someday I want to be a mom, like you are a mom. Giving your kids such amazing opportunities and guidance; like not just handing them each 40 bucks at the toy's r us, and telling them to pick something for thier sister. No, actually encouraging them to make, modeling creativity, and teaching them what it means to put their hearts into something they give to someone they love. That giving is as much fun as recieving. Amazing. I'm telling you, your blog is like medicine to me. Thank you so much.

[Sarah]

Secret-keeping among siblings is fun to watch. When one of my girls makes something for her sister, she loudly proclaims it's for her best friend. Of course, everyone knows who it is really for :)

[Nancy]

My, my, my. I'm gushing tears of joy over all that birthday love. Please, will Calvin and Ezra send me some gifties when I turn 37? I'm making a note to start *now* with the handmade gifts for my boy who turns three in November (and make time to help his sister create a gift). Can't begin to tell you how much pure joy your blog has given me -- and how much strength on the days when homeschooling feels challenging. Viva la soulefamily and all your crafty goodness!

[Ella]

Those gifts are truly adorable and special. What fun you all have in celebrating.

[betz]

The "make a pillow that looks like my song" comment sounds like things we hear at our house! It can either make me melt or be exasperating depending on my patience level that day.:)

[Meg]

Thanks for sharing this precious snippet of your life. I have to say ... it's the perfect way to start off my day with my students, who are about the same ages as your children. It's so important to highlight that pure, thoughtful goodness that lives within each child!

[Grace]

aw, it's official. I have melted into a puddle on the floor beneath my computer. I don't know who is typing this. ;)

[kelli]

Oh, I hope my boys can be as sweet to their (due in January) sister...

[Grace]

oh, I just wanted to add a note to Tere who commented above -- I have been the same way all my life, too, and thought everyone was for many years. 3 years (or so) ago, I found out that it's called synesthesia, where you experience two seemingly unrelated senses simultaneously. For a lot of people, it has to do with (consistent -- that's the key) color associations with letters, numbers, words, days of the week, people in their lives, musical notes or phrases, etc., althogh it can be experienced in different ways, too. I was so excited when I learned about this!

[Meghan]

That is so beautiful, such wonderful, thoughtful gifts.

[Diana]

Thanks for sharing all this with us. You certainly put a lot of love and inspiration into parenting and there are the results. Beyond words.
By the way, when will I run into you in Portland? I live nearby Ferdinand and spend all my evenings taking a walk around. Have you tried the teashop in Congress street going east after Washington av? It's perfect for a date with lovers or girlfriends.

[Kim]

Reading this made me choke up. What wonderful brothers to want to spend the time on such thoughtful gifts. Very touching. You're a good mother to have raised such boys.

[JustJessie]

Oh, how sweet! Now I have to let Grayson make something for Grant's birthday party in a couple of weeks. That's why I love your blog. You always help me focus on the important things. :)

[amy]

Your post made me weepy and they aren't even my children! So very sweet...

[lori]

what sweet, creative boys :o)

Your sweet girl is entranced by her pillow in that picture.

My second youngest turned 8 this past weekend and my youngest who is 5 thoroughly ransacked my trim and button stash for her sisters present....Her sister (8 yr old) is a SERIOUS crafter. :o)

[brandie]

its all just too cute, i can hardly stand it. those gifts are just wonderful, such dear sweet siblings they are! and her face, just precious!

[Rubyellen]

That is so inspiring...I hope to surround my children in a nuturing creative environment that makes them run free with lovely ideas and creations...So far my 17 month old and I created a skirt for herself that she drew on...and we called the skirt, "Scribbles."

[kat nicholas]

calvin and ezra - your gifts are incredible. your loving and generous spirits are so adored by adelaide, as they are by us all. thank you for letting mama share the gifts you made with us.
and amanda - what can i say that hasn't already been said? i know there must be temper tantrums, toy throwing, and all the rest going on in your house too, but these moments you share with us on your blog are so energizing and beautiful. you inspire me not only creatively, but also with regards to parenting. thank you thank you thank you. you're one helluva mama.

[ramona]

oooh, that's soo lovely. what amazing gifts!!!

[wenders]

I want to raise children like yours. I LOVE having the kids make each other gifts. I need a note book of ideas for when I'm a mom...