A Little Crazy and A Lot of Fabric!

Ok, can I just take a moment to share with you a little bit of crazy?

Not crazy exactly, although Josh would probably beg to differ,

but joy, pure unadulterated joy...

You see, a certain package arrived today, and well, this particular package makes me want to do a happy dance!

And where oh where did this package come from? 

Why the fabric fairies at Fabric.com, of course!

And oh!  Just look at those colors!

The raw potential just puts a big ole smile on my face!

I mean navy and white chevron?!!  Be still my heart!

And the textures, twill and cotton duc...ok, probably crazy was a good description, but it's a joyful crazy!

This particular selection of fabrics are destined to become large pocket totes...

large pleated purses...

And various forms of the wet/dry bag!

I am so inspired!

Too bad my energy level doesn't match my enthusiasm.

 As much as I'd like to go ahead and whip out the sewing machine right now and get to work helping my brand new collection of fabric fulfill their creative destinies, it will have to wait until nap time! 

 But stay tuned...



A Simple Idea...

Ok, so I know you all have seen my hand print apron in previous posts...

And it is my 1st and basically my only line of defence against ruined clothes caused by over zealous kids and their art projects, cooking projects, and everything in between!

But if an apron can protect me during project time, why couldn't a child size apron do the same thing for Noah?  Most kids smocks are bulky and uncomfortable, but an apron doesn't get in the way at all, and if I keep following that thread, why not get one and let him decorate it!

The only tricky part of a project like this is the permanence of the paints.  I use regular fabric paints available at any craft store.

Noah had a blast combining colors, squeezing the paint tubes...

And painting his hands...

In order to put those signature hand prints on his own apron!

(Child sized aprons are available at Hobby Lobby, by the way, and if you use a 40% off coupon when you purchase one, it costs next to nothing!)

So that's my simple idea, and activity and a practical result in one!

Psst! Need a crafty Christmas Gift idea?  These aprons also make great gifts, especially for aunts and grandmas!



And We're Back!

It's so nice to have had Thanksgiving a little earlier this year, it feels good to know that it is still November and while Christmas is marching steadily closer, it's not here yet!!!

So before we start gearing up for Christmas, how about a Thanksgiving Break recap?

Well, we ate...

And ate...

And ate...

And ate!

And once we were done eating...

There were leftovers!

Once Thanksgiving was over we headed home where it was decided (by Noah) that it was time to retire the toddler bed and bring in the big boy bed!

So out with the old...

And in with the new!

(And he's not excited or anything!)

And it just wouldn't be a new bed if it wasn't christened with a flying leap onto brand new sheets!

And to round out the day, we decorated for Christmas!

Carefully placing every Elmo ornament we have, and we have many, all in a cluster at the bottom of the tree!

And then it was back to enjoying the larger playing space in Gigi's room now that Noah's bed has been moved out of it!

Someone knows exactly who is in charge!

And then, of course, it was time to eat again!



I Am Thankful For...

Thanksgiving is this week, even though I swear yesterday was the 4th of July, so it's time to pause and reflect on all of the things I am thankful for...

Big things...

Like sibling harmony!

And small things...

Like lunch at Costco!

And sweet things...

Like flowers from your little guy!

And simple things...

Like Popsicles in the backyard on a hot day while rocking your super awesome Star Wars onesie!

And sweet things...

Like a shared summer afternoon nap on a soft blanket in the shade!

And the brilliant things...

Like turning around in your seat and witnessing both of your children absorbed in the literary brilliance of Dr. Seuss!

And the basic things...

Like realizing the back seat has gone strangely quiet, and both children have fallen asleep!

And the strange things...

like being desperately grateful for the hook on the back of the stall door so you don't have to put your purse on the disgusting bathroom floor!  (hey I said it was strange, but you all know exactly what I'm talking about!!)

And the cozy things...

Like those stylish boot toppers knitted for you by your mother!

And the yummy things...

Like a hot cup of coffee and several freshly baked cookies...

And the painful things...

Like the pike plank in pilates that you dutifully perform as penance for the hot cup of coffee and freshly baked cookies!

Ok, almost done, only one more, and this is a big one...

I am thankful for being married to my very best friend  (photo: 2007 Florence Italy - pre-children)...

Who also happens to be the very best daddy...

In the whole wide world!!!

Happy Thanksgiving!

 



No! No! No!...Yes! Yes! Yes!

Allow me to share a moment of success with you...

And let me preface this moment by saying that my daughter HATES broccoli!

(Every time we serve it we have a stubborn showdown including hysterics, pleading, lower lips, and general mayhem)  Ok, now for the moment...

Broccoli was the only thing left on the plate...

out came the lip...

And because I am familiar with this scenario, what did I do?  Offer sympathy?  Ignore it?  Pull my hair out?!!!

NO!  I grabbed my camera and prepared to document the episode!!

And then came the tears...

And so it progressed as it always does, with her pleas and cries and general upset, and my gentle but firm reiterations that she must eat her broccoli before she can leave the table...

I swear she must practice this face in the mirror when I'm not looking!

Talk about weapon of mass destruction!

Anyway, no one out stubborns mom, and after many many minutes...

Success!!!

And it truly is a success because the first time it took almost 45 minutes to get her to eat the broccoli!

Tonight it took less than 10 and we avoided the full on hysterics!  Yehaw!

I asked her to show me her happy face...(My happy face probably looked similar, sort of pained joy!

Of course she was sure she should have a treat just like Big Brother had, and I was inclined to reward the improvement all the while imagining my own treat, a glass of after the kids are in bed red wine!

So, to some it may seem like much ado about nothing, but this was a major success and I thought it was worth sharing!