learningumbrella

I am not swapping anymore, because I am just too busy. It was fun for awhile, though, and I will fulfill all outstanding obligations.

I am a about to be 30 yo, Mom of 2 (4yoB and 1yoG), homeschooling and homeschooled, UU, and home-daycare-provider. I'm new to swapping, and came here because a blogging buddy has been posting about her swaps and loving it. My household includes my husband, the 2 kids, my sister-in-law, a dog, 2 cats, 4 goldfish, a corn snake, and 3 chickens. It's not that big a house, either. Oh, and during weekdays I have 3 more kids here for daycare.

Hobbies: reading, blogging, hiking, sewing and crafts, gardening, baking.

My favorite authors are Barbara Kingsolver and Terry Pratchett. I like contemporary lit. and fantasy a lot, but I also read a lot of non-fiction and historical fiction. I have a "life time reading plan", so I try to regularly read a big heavy work off that list.

I read a lot of picture books to the kids, and we enjoy story time everyday. I also do rhythm band with them, and I play the piano and sing for them. We do creative dance and yoga on rainy days, and play wiffle ball and soccer in the back yard on sunny days. I would love to receive kids books or fun little kids toys - I'm a big kid at heart too.

I sew, mostly clothing for myself and the kids but also some crafts like pillows and bags. I like to embellish my kids clothing, so I would love to get ribbons, patches, or cute buttons. Patterns and fabric are always fun too.

I'm a beginning knitter, but I'd love to get easy patterns.

I embroider and do cross stitch.

I spend a lot of time in my kitchen. I'd love to get recipes, cookbooks, hand towels, aprons, or oven mitts.

My kids are allergic to wheat (but the adults eat it), and we're always interested in new treats that are wheat free.

My favorite artists are David Hockney and Van Gogh, but most of the art in my house is stuff by local artists. I love watercolors, but I've never had the patience to really keep at it and learn to do it.

I'm a holiday person, and I decorate and celebrate just about any holiday that comes along. I love holiday decorations - even little figurines and things.

I like retro images of 50's housewives, especially the things Anne Taintor makes.

I like stationary and cards and postcards, and pens that write nice and smooth.

I mostly drink coffee, but I also like hot chocolate and tea. Hot beverages and a good book, while sitting by the window on a rainy day - that's almost perfection.

I hike and camp, and I've begun birdwatching and keeping a Life List. I like bird things - guide books, those little Audubon birds that sing when you squeeze them, bird houses or feeders.

I have a vegetable and a flower garden, and I like to try to grow new things all the time. Seeds would be fun to get.

My favorite candy is chocolate, followed closely by real licorice. Gummy fruity candy is also a guilty pleasure.

I love music, and I like to play a wide variety of stuff, especially when I'm working with the kids. Anything without foul language is great (and I'll listen to foul language when they're not here). My favorites are oldies like Cat Stevens and Carole King, stuff you can dance to, and super-dramatic classical and opera. I also listen to plenty of the current bands - The Shins, Bright Eyes, Snow Patrol, etc.

I like board and card games, but not really jigsaw puzzles.

My favorite color is orange. I also really like green and botanical prints and decor. I'm trying to get my home to feel organic and bright and cheerful.

I'm trying to learn French, and I plan on going to Paris next year.

I play the piano a little bit, and I sing. Easy sheet music is always fun to get.

I like Celtic designs (enough that that's what my tattoos all are).

I have pierced ears, and I like bead necklaces. I have fairly short hair, but I do wear barrettes in it. I also like to mess with my daughter's hair, and use those cute kids pony tail elastics and barrettes.

I wouldn't call myself a scrapbooker, but I do make personal scrap books of my family pictures. I like nice background papers, and stickers.

And - I just like getting mail. Any kind of package is fun to receive.