Tonight Caleb had a run in with the hair dryer and we've been debating on who we think he looks like...
An individual auditioning for Jersey Shore?
Jimmy Hendrix (notice the peace sign)?
Or Einstein (Brad's preference)?
Monday, February 7, 2011
exercise by ainsley
Ainsley has started latching onto our legs as we're walking around the kitchen/dining room/living room and let me tell you, it's a work-out!
Not only are you hefting around an extra 30 lbs, but then the 23 pounder grabs the other legs. And if you aren't dragging around extra weight, you're running from them!
But they'll catch you... eventually! Sometimes they trick you with their innocent sweet smiles that make you think they could never do any wrong. Man, we're in trouble!
he likes bows in his hair...
Bowtie Pasta that is! What a silly boy!
And in further news, this is his new smile. Eyes closed with his mouth in a huge grin while saying "Cheeeee....". He loves to smile for the camera anytime you tell him to say cheese. Such a mess...
Monday, January 31, 2011
2011: year of the house
One of my New Year's resolutions is to make our house a home and finally spend time/effort/energy/money into decorating the house. Ultimately I want to work from room to room but January's work was a bit of a mixed bag. (Maybe I'll update my progress at the end of each month to keep myself motivated)
My first room is the den. These bookshelves were a topic of conversation before we ever even moved into this house 4.5 years ago. Finally I put some effort into it, got some suggestions, and put a plan in place. Now, we have a look to them that I'm not ashamed of. And to top it off, storage for the junk that kids accumulate! (Pardon the kid on the bricks)
We carried the decluttering over to the mantel ...
...and smaller bookshelf. Once this Paperwhite dies, I plan to buy an African Violet (one of my faves!).
This is one of our old end tables and a future project. The tables are very solid and good construction so we're just going to refinish them. Any stain color suggestions?
I'm also hoping to be able to replace our couch, chair and ottoman...some day. I'm planning on a chocolate colored couch but the chair and ottoman are to be determined. We'd also like to get a better tv stand as well as a floor lamp (once the monkey stops climbing everything) . A more affordable item that I'm on the search for is a vintage looking vertical mirror to hopefully reflect some of the sunlight from the window pictured above. Other than that, just some more wall hangings - but those ideas haven't come together yet other than this one...
This is the fabric that I picked out to make a large stretched fabric canvas art to go on the wall opposite the bookshelves. I think I may eventually also make some smaller squares to go on the ends - I just have to find the fabrics (probably 6 - 3 for each side).
Speaking of stretched fabric canvas art, here are two that I made for our dining room. I was looking for fabric for the den, but I found this fabric in the scraps pile and couldn't pass it up. Our total cost on both of these was less than $8!
Up close...
And finally...
Close to a year and a half ago while on our way to Costco, we passed a yardsale in the neighborhood next to ours. Out front were several mirrors and I had been looking for one for Ainsley's room. On our way back home, we stopped by and found this gem for $5. I've been meaning to paint it since we brought it home... (notice the nice pretty bronze rim around the inside)
Well on Friday night Ains and I picked out a paint color. We went to Lowes Saturday and started painting later that day. Last night we finished that project off and her room is now complete - a little over 2 years after we started!
January was busy - let's hope I can keep the momentum up and get my house in better shape (decorating and junk/decluttering wise) by Christmas.
Friday, January 28, 2011
friday funday
Last Friday was quite a busy one in our household but boy was it a lot of fun!
Despite you-know-who getting into a permanent marker, we made it out the door to dance class...
Ains has moved up to the Preschooler class and gets to wear pink! She also gets to do tap!!
From dance we went to paint pottery. Caleb got a little into it and made an absolute mess! Pottery was followed by lunch with Grandma! What a treat.
It took a little convincing but my tender headed daughter finally agreed to let me curl her hair.
This was after about an hour in dry hair with no products. Isn't it precious? Unfortunately, just like her momma, her hair didn't hold it very long.
And the Friday Funday ended with a visit from Mimmy and Pippy. I'm sure this is Ainsley's definition of a perfect day. I think we may institute Friday Fundays as a calendar constant. Today was dance, Chick-Fil-A with balloon animals, and the start of Valentine's crafting! Any suggestions for next Friday?
Thursday, January 20, 2011
favorite cookie recipe
Over the holidays I picked up some Orange Cranberry Oatmeal cookies from Earthfare and they were AMAZING. I set out to find a recipe so that I could make them at home. They were that good! Luckily, the internet is limitless and I quickly happened upon a good recipe. These cookies are too good not to share. Here's the recipe:
Ingredients
Make sure that you don't overcook them. They're best when they're still chewy. Enjoy!
Monday, January 10, 2011
Saturday, January 1, 2011
white christmas
For the first time in my lifetime, we had a white Christmas. It started late in the day so it didn't affect our plans and we had no where to be the next day. The kids were dying to get out and play so by mid-morning, we bundled up and headed out.
Pretty...
Caleb was a little perplexed. He hasn't seen snow since he's been mobile so this was his first one-on-one experience. He wasn't so sure...
'Just what is this stuff Mom?!?...'
'...And how am I supposed to walk in this?!?...'
'...Wait, this is FUN! And you said I can eat it, right?'
I think Ains is over the whole camera thing. This is what I end up with all too often...
Finally I got a smile. I think she was just ready for me to put the camera up so that we could have some fun.
Kayla even got a little frisky and romped around with us. She wasn't keen on my snow angel but she loved running with the kids.
And this fine masterpiece was quite a feat with the wild child that I lovingly call my son. This isn't the nice Frosty that you see on the tv shows, this is the one found at the interstate truck stops evidentally - complete with oil cap nose and trusty hat.
it's been a week...
We have had quite the week around here with the majority of the household falling victim to nasty colds. We finished off our wasted week (wasted because there was a lot of time spent sleeping, shivering, aching, etc...) staying in for NYE. Unfortunately, Kayla fell victim to the human need to entertain oneself. She was a good sport and has been fully rewarded for her participation. Poor doggie.
And speaking of Kayla, today is her 8th birthday. She was treated to her normal bowl of scrambled eggs. I believe they were inhaled in record time. Love you girl!
