with a chirp, a buzz, and a lion's roar

out of hibernation

2012-02-02T10:34:00.000-08:00

It began with a slow rumble, an idea swirling around in my head. It continued with a grumble, a creative unease refusing to be ignored. In our new home, my office space/creative studio is much smaller and more compact: a corner of our family room/play room space. In our old house, I had a scrapbooking table, a work desk, and counters for both sewing machines in an office space all my own. Here, I have one table...for all of it. I was right in the middle of scrapbooking first year books for the kids, and I didn't really want to clean up the stickers, the scissors, the yellow polka-dotted paper, or the tape runner. To get it all back out again would be a hassle.

But the idea. It wouldn't be ignored. It was followed by another tiny a-ha. And then another.

And so, on top of the yellow polka-dotted paper and the stickers, I pulled out some fabric. Next to the tape runner, I put down some paper and began to sketch. I dug for my old notes to see what measurements might be necessary. I jotted down a few things and sketched just enough to satisfy my creative urges. And then I set it off to the side.

It seemed my hibernation was not quite over.

Until last week, when the rumbling and grumbling grew louder and were closely followed by a yawn and a stretch. I spent one morning cleaning up the stickers and scissors. Into a drawer, I shoved the yellow-polka dotted paper with the pink stripe paper and the solid blue paper. It could be organized another day. I pulled out my blue cutting mat and searched for my rotary cutter and cutting ruler. I placed them in the middle of my table and began to dig through bins of fabric. Oh that's the very best thing: the digging for fabric, searching for the perfect red print or pink polka dot. Wondering if there's a gray that will be quite right.

I knew I wanted a tiny skirt for Little Sister. This day (last week) confirmed as much.

Tee, Skirt, and Tights: Miss Cati by Catimini

I knew I wanted hand embroidery.

And an apron. It must have an apron.

My sister suggested the wind blowing. It was just what the left side of this little apron needed.

Baby Girl finally got ahold of the balloon string. She was so proud, I tell ya!

The puppy on the tee? That was an add-on last night when I ironed the last corner of the apron and felt like maybe, just maybe, that little puppy needed to do more than just ride on the scooter. He needed to take center stage.

And so he did.

It feels good to emerge from the dark cave where my creative ideas were once soundly sleeping and come out into the bright sunlight. I have a feeling this is just the beginning. More projects are stirring. More projects are certainly to come!

This little set is made with Sherbet Pips fabric by Aneela Hoey. She is, quite possibly, my new most favorite designer. She creates hand embroidery patterns to go with many of her designs. The scooter is hers. The dog on the tee is sketched and stitched by me, using the dog from the fabric.

I have enough fabric to make one more Scoot skirt, from Little Sister sizes to Big Sister sizes. If you would like one, please post in the comments, message me on Facebook, or email me directly at chirpandbuzz [at] yahoo [dot] com

Ah! It's good to be back! Tell me...are you creating anything new right now? What is inspiring you?

I'll take crazy for $1200, Alex

2011-07-11T06:44:00.001-07:00

The short story of crazy:

We sold our house.

We are buying a new house.

We are having a fourth baby.

Hubby started a new job less than six months ago.

We are crazy.

The long story of crazy:

A month and a half ago, (oh how it seems years longer) while visiting my sister, I discovered a house for sale just four doors down from her. Instantly my head began to swirl with dreams of cousins growing up having sleep-overs, running between homes, and moving throughout the neighborhood as a pack. I imagined living life alongside my sister and all within walking distance as we raised our kids, cared for one another, and shared meals together. Yes, I was seven months pregnant. No, we were not looking to move while seven months pregnant. No, I could not ignore this dream.

Hubby and I went into super-overdrive, and by "Hubby and I" I mean I went into super-overdrive and Hubby tolerated my insanity. Each of the first few weekends and each week in between were filled with lists. I became a mad woman painting the living room, family room, laundry room, and Little Lion's almost finished big boy room was instantly finished. We tackled more projects than we've completed in the 10 years we've lived in this house. I was a Nesting Mama focused on a goal and I was not to be deterred.

The house just four doors down from my sister seemed wonderful at first glance, or maybe I made it wonderful at first glance because I wanted it to be wonderful. With three bedrooms and a somewhat quirky design, it needed a lot of work just to move in and make it work for our family. Did I mention I was seven and a half months pregnant and my ever-expanding belly meant our family was growing even more? Space was not just a want, it was a need. Yes, indeed. Crazy.

With laser-like focus, Hubby and I were not deterred by the work to get our house ready. We labored. We toiled. We listed our house Memorial Day weekend. We kept it spotless for showings, potential showings, and an Open House. I slept little and worried much. We prayed a lot, but I held onto our new house and the dreams it held with white knuckles even when I began to see some of the cracks in its physical space create cracks in my emotional attachment to it. I stressed a little and then stressed much.

One morning I was reading a blog and stumbled across Romans 15:13:

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

and I instantly realized I was losing my joy. I had all but lost my peace and I was trusting in my ability to push this dream through. I was praying and praying a lot, but not for all the right things or all the right reasons. I was trusting that God would give me this house and fulfill this dream, however I wasn't looking to do it on His terms, but on my own. My prayers reflected a laundry list of what I wanted Him to do, making me God, while essentially removing Him from the equation altogether. I looked down and realized my knuckles were clenched so tightly to this dream that my fingers were pale, white, and cold, instead of palms turned upward.

I wish I could say I was transformed in that instant. I was not. I slowly began to give up control. I gradually allowed my heart and my deepest prayers to transform from all that I desired to what He desired and had in store for our precious family. My white-knuckle grip was not changed instantly upward. Instead, I found myself relinquishing control one finger-hold at a time, and with each release, my heart pulsed with more a little more joy and far more peace.

We had an offer on our house in less than two weeks and after a few negotiations the contract was finalized. We made an offer on our "dream house" and it too was accepted. Things were moving forward, or so it seemed. Following the whole-house inspection of this dream house, Hubby and I quickly realized that it was not so much a dream as an absolute money pit and potential nightmare. We either needed more money to complete the work needed to return the hidden structural issues to a living level or we needed a bulldozer to start over. Neither were in the budget. And we walked away.

Remarkably, I felt peace. I never dreamed I'd be able to walk away and feel peace. But I did and I didn't look back. My house was sold and I had no new house to move into and I was okay. That's real peace, Baby, and a restful place to be.

In the midst of this process, I woke up in the middle of the night with this verse swirling in my head:

But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah 40:31

Throughout the night, the verse continued to permeate my dreams and became a repeating mantra thumping in my brain. I knew when I woke up that not only did God have a plan for our family, but that He desired a dream for us that would far surpass our wildest dreams. I knew that while I was focused on and praying for a house just down the street from my sister, that He might have something else in store for us. My faith, still tiny and growing, was willing to wait on God...but I'd be a phony if I didn't admit that I hoped God remembered my growing belly and growing family. I wasn't sure I had it in me to be a homeless mother of four with a newborn. It was a struggle to choose to feel renewed and not grow weary with worry.

Faith: It's a marathon...not a sprint, thankfully!

This weekend Hubby and I met a home inspector at a new house, not four doors down from my sister as I hoped, but just a quick mile away. Provided there aren't any unforeseen deal-breaking structural issues, we hope all goes smoothly and we are able to finalize our living situation. More deets to come, but what I know is this: it is the cutest house with enough bedrooms for our family. It is beautifully maintained, clean, and painted in all neutral colors. It is all but move-in ready. Seriously. Too good to be true, especially since I'm now like 19 months pregnant. Well, not literally, but Little Sister will be here in 9 days...or sooner, if she so desires!

Oh, yes. Crazy indeed. Life would be dull if not for crazy and blessings would be missed if not for a little faith to go with a lot of crazy. This much I know to be true: God doesn't promise a smidge of joy or a wee bit of peace. He promises ALL joy and ALL peace to the point of overflowing with hope. That is worth holding out for.

move over, young love

2011-06-17T10:58:00.000-07:00

I've never been afraid of getting old. I remember when thirty seemed far off in the distant future and the thought of having a fifteen year college reunion seemed unheard of. Ironically, thirty still feels a bit off in the distance...just in the opposite direction and this summer marked fifteen years since my college graduation. I'm okay with that. I still don't feel old and I still don't fear getting older or celebrating another passing year.

Similarly, while I've not had fears, I've often wondered how these passing years might impact a marriage. What happens when young love, that new love butterfly in your stomach feeling, wears off? What do people think when they look in the mirror and see wrinkles they'd only glimpsed on their grandmas' faces and look at their spouses and see more of the same? What happens when the battle against gray hair can no longer be fought by plucking them out one by one, but demand full coverage every five to six weeks at the salon? How does this change people? How might it change me?

Despite my monthly trips to the salon (I know, you thought this was my natural color, didn't you?) and my hands that are looking more and more like my mom's, I know I'm still quite young. And I look at Hubby and somehow he hasn't aged a bit since our college days. Oh, he might argue with you and tell you he has wrinkles or tell you all the ways he feels as if he's getting old, but don't believe him. He hasn't changed a bit...or at least I don't think he has.

And that's when it hits me every time. Young love. Butterflies in your stomach excitement. Constant thoughts and wondering, "Does he like me? Does he think I'm funny? Is he going to call me today? Tonight? In the next five minutes? Will I see him walking across campus?" Those things are exciting and passionate and wonderful, but they don't begin to hold a candle to the security and comfort and trust of loving and being loved by someone who knows you like no one else in the world ever could.

Hubby and I get to celebrate twelve years of marriage this weekend. We began dating our sophomore year of college when I was just eighteen years old which means this year, Hubby has been by my side for half my life. Those first several years of dating were young and carefree and our biggest concern was whether to eat at Kettering Hall or Kennedy Union. Our first few years of marriage were easy-living and without a ton of responsibility, living in a tiny one bedroom apartment with our crazy insane dog and wondering if we could really afford a new computer, let alone would we ever be able to buy a house of our own. That all seemed so grown up and having children seemed so far off and so foreign.

Easy and carefree is nice, but it doesn't bring the satisfaction, security, or trust that comes with making big decisions together. Living with few responsibilities may keep wrinkles at bay, but it doesn't grow and stretch you like living through tough times, big celebrations, scary times, births of babies, and the loss of very special loved ones. Eighteen years of walking through life together, twelve years of being married to my very best friend and life-partner, four babies, and living life with an incredible husband who is so full of integrity and loves me despite all my flaws makes me realize I made the very best decision twelve years ago when I walked down that church aisle.

Without hesitation, I'd choose to do it all over again. We're just getting started. We're spring chickens. And while we are never promised tomorrow, I can't wait to celebrate every second of our future together.

Unless you live under a rock you've probably heard Train's song, Marry Me? Take a minute to watch this video even if you know every single word by heart and can sing along. It's worth the four minutes and seven seconds. I'll wait. Just be warned: you might find yourself falling in love all over again. It happens to me every time.

Hubby, at the risk of sounding totally corny, I must quote Train. Forever will never be long enough for me to feel like I've had long enough with you. Marrying you was the best decision I've ever made. Thank you for being the rock you are to our family and bringing us such stability and security. I love you for the Daddy you are to our babies. Thank you for living this life with me and making it the greatest adventure of all time. I love you more than I take the time to express. I would marry you today, tomorrow, and every single day after that.

almost as grand as Oprah's

2011-05-04T15:14:00.002-07:00

My favorite things list:

Shoot the Moon

"The story, on the loose now, raced through the community like an unbridled child.

Rumors climbed over backyard fences, skipped from street to street, romped down

the aisles of Wal-Mart, tumbled through the Laundromat and cartwheeled through the park."

(Shoot the Moon, page 101)

I recently cleaned off my nightstand overflowing with books and discovered two copies of this book. Obviously I thought it was going to be great. I'm not sure why it took me so long to actually sit down and read it, but within a few pages, I was hooked. Published in 2004, I may be the last one in the country to finally read it. If you're like me, don't wait. Read it now.

It's sweet. It's tender. There's a bit of mystery and a small amount of suspense. Mostly it's just a good read.

Pottery Barn Ruffle Jersey Organic Sheets

Pottery Barn describes them as "soft and cozy as your favorite T-shirt." And it's true. These are like sleeping in heaven. Amazingly soft. Not too ruffley. Perfection.

Black Bean Burrito Bake

Black beans. Check.
Sour Cream. Check.
Melted Cheese.

Really, now. What's not to love?

I'm not going to lie. Their picture looks ga-ross. They did not use nearly enough cheese. I have no idea why they skimped. It's worth it to load on the cheese. Trust me.

I also did not use the chipotle chile because the people in this house under age 37 do not like spicy food. We far outnumber those in the over 37 category.

Try it. You won't regret it.

The Royal We

dding

Not for me. In fact, I think I'm the only person in America who did not watch it, not at 4 in the morning or at 4 in the afternoon. But, while I was watching some highlights Sweet Bee came into the room, her bright blue eyes as big as saucers, and asked, "Is that a real princess and prince?" Upon confirmation, her eyes grew impossibly larger. "Bird said there's no such thing as a real princess. She thinks they are made up." Sweet Bee immediately ran upstairs to Bird, shouting, "Bird! Bird! There really are princesses!"

In the days since, Bee has poured over the People Magazine special wedding edition. This elaborate and amazing wedding was significant to many for various reasons, but was important to my girl because it confirmed that fairy tales do come true. I hope she never gives up on her own fairy tale dreams.

gnome sweet gnome

2011-04-25T07:35:00.000-07:00

My first apartment in this city was in a large eclectic apartment complex. I lived in a ground floor apartment and had a tiny little patio with a small garden patch along one edge. Hubby and I planted and tended flowers in our small flower patch. Its tiny size made it the perfect size for us because tiny equals low maintenance and low maintenance equals a workload we can manage. In fact, many days we've longed to trade in our high maintenance yard for that tiny flower patch.

My next door neighbor had an equally small flower patch, only he planted and decorated it as if it was an acre in size. He was a super nice guy who apparently bought into the philosophy that if a little is good...a lot must be better. It was filled with flowers, rocks, decorative stones, patio/path lights (a nightlight would have been totally sufficient), and little ceramic gnomes. Yes, plural.

I'm not sure if that's where my gnome aversion began, but it may have. As a result, we've been late jumping into the gnome craze of late. We just recently made it out to see "Gnomeo and Juliet"; and I've never bought a lawn gnome and hope I never do. But when I saw Michael Miller's Gnomeville fabric line (yes, long after it was sold out in most places) with large wonderful white polka dots against a bold red background? It was love at first sight.

I scoured the internets for this fun whimsical print featuring happy gnomes and mushroom houses. The very best details are the gnomes hanging laundry on a clothesline which scallops along the border and the house sign which reads, "Gnome Sweet Gnome."

I loved pairing the simple design of a peasant dress with the bold print for Sweet Bee. I contrasted the red and white print with a white and red polka dot ribbon sash and added the red and white polka dot print to the lower hem.

And it makes me smile.

And these two. They love each other and Bee is so kind to him. I love to watch them work together to find solutions to big problems...like how to smell the flowers in the tree.

Again, I find myself smiling. That's been happening a lot these days.

Thank you, somewhat sunny skies and warm spring days.

a little perspective

2011-04-22T10:48:00.000-07:00

It seems just after I've "had my fit and fallen in it," as my grandma likes to say, I am reminded of others' struggles and once again my world is righted, my perspective is adjusted, and I am able to realize what matters the very most.

I stumbled upon this blog a few months ago and could not stop reading. I started at the most current posts and began to work my way backwards. I moved to the first post and worked my way forward. I read from beginning to end and end to beginning, finishing somewhere in the middle. I poured through each entry, inspired by many writings. I was hungry for more details, more information, more about this amazing story of a very courageous 20-something girl who gave up a much easier life in Tennessee to move to Uganda and love on those who have been orphaned, cast off, and marginalized. She has adopted and/or is adopting fourteen young girls, but cares for so many more people.

It was her story that inspired me to find joy in my everyday as part of my awareness of my Savior during Lent. Surely if she can find joy in dusty Uganda surrounded by desperately ill and needy people, then I can find it as I sit on my couch in my cushy house. If she can laugh loudly and with wild abandon while hand-washing clothes for at least fifteen people (sometimes more) then certainly I can laugh and be joyful as my washer runs through its cycles all on its own.

A little perspective definitely changes things. She loves her life and loves where God has called her. Her post today (and others like it) are full of raw honesty. They are wonderful as they show that just because she loves that place, doesn't mean that it's always utopian or always easy, and not sometimes difficult. I love my life and the place God has my precious family, even on the hard days. But those hard days, they do exist. There is no doubt about that.

Sometimes I just need to turn my focus off of the things that make me feel like I'm about to crack and place my attention on things that really matter. My children might have pink eyes, green snot, and red inflamed ears, but they are healthy and strong and our lives are good. Very good. And these irritants, while as annoying as a gnat on a hot, sweaty, summer day, are often the small things and not the big, important things.

Today my focus is once again shifted. It is still shifting. It is righting itself. And slowly, my basket is securely in my grasp. Life is not easy, nor was it ever promised to be. More importantly, I am not alone in it and that is a promise I very much cling to.

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deut 31:6

i beg your pardon

2011-04-21T06:39:00.000-07:00

This year for Lent I debated about what to give up. I thoughtfully considered giving up heroin. I've heard withdrawl is just awful, but figured since I've never used it might not be so bad for me. Hubby didn't think that fit the Lenten sacrifice model. Instead, I decided to spend the forty days of Lent striving to find joy in the everyday and live more patiently with my children. Let's face it. Three children (and one growing in my belly) make for some days full of exasperation, frustration, and NO patience.

Girlfriend, I am thankful Lent is almost over. In the words of my brilliant southern friend, Mama, I am about to drop my mother-fracking basket. That's the northern version. I doubt very much that a true southern lady would utter a phrase such as "mother-fracking."

In the past I-don't-know-how-many weeks, my children have had goo pouring from every orifice in their sweet little bodies. They each suffered a fever lasting 4-5 days. They have coughed and hacked more germs in my face than I can bear to think about and all I can imagine is the theater scene from Outbreak. Seriously. They are a colorful bunch with oozy green snot and lovely pink eyes. Somehow green and pink are no longer the cool preppy colors of my youth.

I have washed more loads of laundry: towels, sheets, quilts, blankets, towels, sheets, quilts, blankets. Lather, rinse, repeat. Times a kazillion.

And I'm exhausted. I have been waiting for the first trimester exhaustion to come to an end and to be filled with a huge burst of energy lasting longer than 52 seconds. But I'm tired. I am exhausted and my house needs to be scrubbed from top to bottom to send those pesky little germs packing. I am worn out and my washer just beeped a cruel reminder of more loads to follow. I'm spent and my children are not in school because for some reason schools don't like green goo pouring out of their noses. What's up with that?

And my basket? Oh, I am struggling to hang on to it. It is perilously close to spilling all over the floor as I cling to it with one last pinky knuckle. And next year, I am totally rethinking this Lenten sacrifice thing. I'm thinking I might sacrifice by spending forty days in thoughtful quiet reflection...on an exotic beach on a island far, far away.

what the flock?

2011-04-18T07:06:00.001-07:00

I just fell in love.

Deeply and passionately in love.

If I could marry a pillow, Hubby would be getting very nervous because I just might marry this one.

And if I were a polygamist, I'd marry this one too...and keep Hubby.

I am totally in love with this etsy shop and inspired by her amazing designs.

She has some beautiful hand embroidered pillows that have me itching to embroider. I may just have to add these ideas to the list of projects swirling in my head.

english tea

2011-04-15T07:35:00.000-07:00

I love big, bold floral prints. I adore red and pink. I wanted to call this dress My English Rose, but this fabric isn't exactly a typical English Garden print with large roses because it's far too funky.

When Bird tried it on, she looked so sweet and beautiful and I imagined she might wear it to an English Tea in a fabulous English garden.

Not that I've ever been to such an event or have any idea what one might wear to one. Tattoos? Optional, I'm sure.

Doesn't she look so tall all of a sudden? In the words of Little Lion, "What the heck?"

This girl is ready to go to a fabulous English Tea, but only if the Queen can deviate from tradition and allow a little bit of spirit and funkiness.

And running. Do people run at tea parties?

Don't be fooled...there's a whole lot of sweet mixed in with that free spirit. The Queen would be so very lucky to meet this one.

Love it. Love them.

baby girl goodness

2011-04-14T07:03:00.000-07:00

If I close my eyes and inhale deeply enough, I can already smell her new baby goodness. It's that sweet milky new baby smell that is like no other.

I can hardly wait.

Except that I can because we are so not ready for her to come quite yet! And as the days quickly slip through my fingers before I can grab onto them firmly and snatch them back, I spend my days doing things like making sweet baby girl hats (tutorial and awesome directions found here).

Because while she may not have a nursery or a crib or a swing or...well...an ANYTHING, she will have darling knit hats to warm her sweet baby head. Priorities, people, priorities.

I used many of the same knits I used in Sweet Bee's dress, here. My favorite is the bold floral print I upcycled from Bird's Baby Lulu dress. The whimsical cat and dog print I also used to make a hoodie dress for Bird. I just haven't been able to catch her wearing it because she always seems to be wearing a school uniform.

I hope to snap a picture or two of Bird soon! It's just not the same having her at school all day long!

summer sorbet

2011-04-12T19:20:00.000-07:00

This dress makes me happy. It's bright. It's comfy. And I figured there was no possible way it would turn out.

First, I made it from roughly sketched pieces I drew on wrinkled tissue paper, but I forgot to include a seam allowance. The pieces mostly fit together except one set in the middle that didn't. Out of frustration I set this project aside and figured it was a waste. A few weeks ago, I picked it up again and decided to add another strip midway through sewing and see what might happen...and it fit!

But, best of all? Parts of this dress are upcycled fabrics. The large floral print was a Baby Lulu dress that Bird wore to pieces and was stained. The turquoise polka dot fabric was the bottom piece of a tank top from a dress I made my niece last summer. All other fabrics were stash busters...fabric I had in my stash that I purchased without a plan and and quickly neglected.

But this spring/summer they are feeling the love. And a whole lot of love!

The sizing on this dress is a little off...it's a smidge big, but otherwise, it makes me pretty happy!

That's a very good thing.

rotten ralph

2011-04-11T12:20:00.000-07:00

does not think he needs to take a nap during naptime...

except that he very obviously does...

something in common

2011-04-02T11:12:00.000-07:00

Looking out my dining room window, a tiny black capped chickadee flits wildly from the birdhouse to the ground, back to the treehouse, then to a nearby branch. Spring is in the air and this Mama Chickadee seems to know that her time to prepare a home for her chicks is growing short. Very soon, her eggs will not allow her to flit around. Instead, they will need her to sit still, warming them to perfection as her babies grow inside.

If I could speak chickadee, I might tell her I know just how she feels. I might tell her I feel the sun warming and the wind whispering that soon our babies will be born. Though her flights seem quite purposeful, I might shout to her as she flits around and tell her I feel like I spend my days as she does, flitting around wildly. My days don't feel so purposeful. Instead I feel as if my mind races through all the things I want to complete before my own little chick is born. I jump from activity to activity, without completing any one thing. And, before I know it two weeks have passed, just as they have since my last blog post.

Little Lion turned three. We celebrated as all special people should: in true "Birthday-Time" fashion over the course of a full week. A single day simply will not suffice. He is still potty-training himself and is mostly successful. I am completely in awe and grateful, very very grateful.

I've been sewing like crazy for the girls again. After not sewing for months, maybe a year, it feels so good to plan, design, and create. It also feels frustrating as I have forgotten how I tweaked and changed designs and the sizing is all off. Most can be salvaged, requiring only a little extra TLC. Still I am creating and that is a very good thing. I'll have to share a spring wardrobe reveal sometime when I stop flying from branch to branch and finish the rest of the pieces in my project pile, in my head, and sitting by my machine!

We are working on Little Lion's big boy room. It seems he suddenly became so big. I finished painting and put his bed together last week. We need to put up a chair rail and I need to make or find artwork for his walls. All the finishing touches will simultaneously challenge me and delight me as they fill my brain.

Several years ago I purchased a precious quilt for Little Lion from Pottery Barn Kids, selecting a Full/Queen thinking we might use a bed we had in our basement. We opted not to use that bed, leaving me with a queen-sized quilt and a twin-sized bed. Yesterday I cut the quilt apart and put it back together to fit a twin bed...and the best part? It actually worked and is nearly perfect. Eeek! I am going to use the extra pieces I cut out to make a euro sham. I love how his room is all coming together.

My nesting list is a very long one, leaving very few rooms in our home untouched. Top priority is to share Little Lion's birthday celebration...coming very soon!

easy Easter egg garland

2011-03-18T10:19:00.000-07:00

Okay, this is an easy peasey, lemon squeezey kind of craft. Truth be told, that's the best kind of craft. More truth be told, I don't really love to do crafts because they can make such a mess or take too much time. But I'm working on balance: balance of my home (oh, my poor neglected home), balance of developing my kids' creative energies, and balance of all the things I'd like to do on my own. It's tough to figure out how to fit it all in and not be too heavily weighted in one area or another.

This banner is very kid directed, thus reducing the time I spend making it and increasing the time my children get to be creative! It's really a win-win!

We started with a basic foam craft I picked up at JoAnn's or Hobby Lobby (similar ones found here). The kit came with 24 foam eggs and all the sticky foam pieces to decorate the eggs. You could also cut paper eggs and decorate with paper and fabric scraps or color the eggs with markers and crayons.

The kids worked on the eggs last weekend over a few days. Once the eggs were finished, the dilemma was what to do with 24 foam eggs. Shifting them around the dining room table wasn't working very well; so we decided to sew them together and make a garland banner.

Bee and I used the serger, beginning the first egg with a long thread tail. Make sure you lower your cutter so the tops of the eggs aren't cut off!

Between each egg, we let another thread tail grow to separate the eggs from one another.

After showing Sweet Bee how to gently guide the eggs through, she took over. My job was simply to run the foot pedal. A few times I tried to reach in and help only to have her block my hand. She loved the freedom to sew and control the pieces. She also loved to choose the egg colors and created a color pattern of which her darling teacher would be very proud.

We really could have used two egg kits to make a longer banner, but this one accomplished our goals: creative, child-directed, child-managed, and festive!

a Little Lion kind of day

2011-03-17T10:49:00.000-07:00

Today was Little Lion's best kind of day. It was a school day, which makes it his very best day from the word go. It was also finally his turn to be the snack helper, a special honor, for sure. But, most importantly of all, today was his day to celebrate his birthday at school, complete with green cupcakes and a very special birthday crown.

Little Lion turns three next week. I know. It does not even seem possible to me either.

In the short ride home from school, his conversation displayed all of his nearly three-ness like the grandest fireworks show at Cinderella's castle, but better. Magic.

********************************************

Tiny prayers pack a big punch

Mom, Miss Katrina was not here today.

She wasn't?

No. I said to Miss Caroline that Miss Katrina is sick.

Oh, that's too bad. Maybe you should pray for Miss Katrina.

[At night we pray The Lord's Prayer with the kids. Little Lion has chosen the first line, "Our Father," as the springboard into all of his prayers. Additionally, we end many prayers with, "In Jesus' name we pray, Amen." Little Lion also incorporates that into his prayers.]

And so he prayed:

Our Father, in Jesus' name, thank you for Miss Katrina. Pray for Miss Katrina's sick to be better. Haaaaay-men.

********************************************

Baby smells

When the baby gets here, can I smell her?

Sure, you can smell her if you want to.

I think she will smell like cupcakes....no...like daisies.

********************************************

Oh, Little Lion. I have no idea who this little boy might become with his kind heart and strange little quirks. But what I know is this: he is funny and magical and he delights my Mama's heart to near bursting. I wish I could capture his two-not-quite-three self and preserve it for all time.

tip of the day, courtesy of Bee

2011-03-11T07:59:00.000-08:00

If you want your stretch marks to go away, you need to call 1-800.

1-800?

Yes. If you want them to go away.

Hmm. Okay. What are stretch marks?

I'm not sure. But if you want maybe you could ask your doctor next time you go.

And, you can call 1-800 to get the germs out of your teeth.

Oh, that sounds helpful.

Yes. And then you wouldn't need to use regular toothpaste. And we wouldn't get sick because of germs.

Is this all on TV?

Mmm-hmmm. It's a very helpful TV.

Indeed.

are you thinking what I'm thinking?

2011-03-10T07:34:00.001-08:00

Little Lion: age 2 years, 11 months, 15 days

His video review: "He looks just like me!"

luck o' the Irish

2011-03-09T03:44:00.000-08:00

Last year I vowed to make these St. Patrick's Day tees for my little lad and lasses this year.

For obvious reasons, I did not want to break such a serious vow.

I can't even bear to think of the serious consequences of such a decision.

I looked on Chasing Fireflies to see if they repeated them this year, but they did not. Good news, though, they did make little felt bags to send along with your wee Leprechauns when they go...St. Patrick's Day Trick or Treating?

Surely this is a huge tradition in your area? It's all the rage here. Kids knock on doors sporting red fur beards and Andy Rooney eyebrows (thankfully Chasing Fireflies also sells these) and adults fill their bags with gold coins...and corned beef.

How did I get so far off track?

Anywho, I decided to make my trio their very own personalized tees for St. Patrick's Day. Like last year's Fourth of July tees, I used my cricut to cut out letters, found a nice shamrock online that I printed, and with the magic of freezer paper and fabric paint, I made the shirts.

If you need more info on this process, refer back to this tutorial.

For the girls, I used dark green tees from Old Navy, here, and they have short sleeved tees too, here. I used lime green fabric paint to paint the shamrock and each of their names.

Little Lion's design was created on a white shirt with dark green paint for his shamrock and name.

The best news of all? You still have more than a week to pull it off and your Irish babies will be both cute and un-pinch-able!

assemble!

2011-03-08T03:33:00.000-08:00

Mama, my friend told me that she might have a slumber party soon. Do you think I could go?

Dread.

I'm not going to lie. I've been dreading (and, quite frankly, avoiding) this scenario for quite some time. I'm also not going to lie. I know Hubby and I may be a bit (and sometimes more than a bit) over-protective and this doesn't fare well for our firstborn, Bird. Bird who was on the receiving end of all of my unsplintered, undivided, and focused attention for the first 20 months of her life is the same child who must forge a path through every unchartered new territory of our parenting. Poor Firstborn. Poor Bird.

Faced with the sleep-over question, I felt much like the dog we owned before Hubby and I were an official "we." During our senior year of college, Hubby and I found and fell in love with** our Black Lab mix at an animal shelter near our university. Within weeks (okay, who am I kidding...days? Hours? Yes, that's more likely) of bringing her home, we realized we had the most high maintenance dog on our hands. Or maybe we were the high-maintenance ones and she was merely trying to adjust to us! HA!

Over the course of the next few few years, Reagan lived with Hubby in his college campus house and at home the following year while he lived with his parents. The next year, Hubby started law school in the same city where I lived and moved into an apartment that did not allow dogs. My apartment did. The solution was obvious. Hubby moved to our city, with Reagan in tow. We set up her kennel, arranged her dog dish, hung up her leash, and laid out her toys. Anxious at first, we knew she'd adjust. She was, afterall, an anxious dog by nature. As evening arrived, we put Reagan in her very familiar kennel and went out for dinner. We arrived home to a very anxious, panting, high strung dog and a message on my answering machine from the apartment managers. It seemed our dog howled and barked and howled and whined and howled the entire two hours we were away.

"ASSEMBLE! Assemble the pack!"

I have no idea if that's really why Reagan howled. I don't even sort-of pretend to know what dogs think or why they do the things they do. Maybe that's personifying our dog; but if that's what she was thinking, then I can relate. And so I shared with Bird, "Babe, right now Daddy and I do not think seven is an okay age for sleep-overs. We feel a bit like Reagan that first night in my apartment. Thinking of you away at a friend's house makes me want to start howling and whining and barking. We want our pack assembled and accounted for here in our little home. Some day sleep-overs will be an option, just not right now."

I wish I could report that Bird was totally okay with my response, but she was disappointed. Really disappointed. Right now, until we think she (and we) are ready for sleep-overs, our pack is remaining assembled. Even as I process this, a nagging voice in my brain recognizes that with Baby Girl, we'll be allowing sleep-overs at like 23 months. It's the nature of birth order and this Mama's attempt to keep her pack intact while she still can.

Soon I'll come to terms with the fact that each of my children are going to grow up. Soon I'll accept that our pack will not always be assembled in one place at one time. But for now, I'm just baby-stepping my way there and doing the best I can. I let Bird start Kindergarten, didn't I? See? Progress! Give this howling Mama some credit. Soon I'll settle into my routine and life and accept my growing-older brood. But for now, I just feel like howling...and keeping them all a bit close.

**By this, of course, I mean we (Hubby and I) found our dog, but I fell in love.

pool party planning

2011-03-07T07:19:00.000-08:00

Little Lion will turn three in 16 days. In an effort to focus only on the positive, we won't discuss how he is cramming all of his Terrible Twos into the last 18 days of his Twos, m'kay?

We are having his party at our pool/water park. The best part? They provide the drinks, pizza, cake, and activity. What's not to love about that?

I decided to make his invitations using my beloved Cricut cutter and the Cricut Cartridge, Life is a Beach.

I love this cartridge and I totally love the card feature. It rocks my socks. The only part I struggled with was trying to figure out the sizing of the layers and the cards. Once I got that, it was smooth sailing!

So to make Little Lion's birthday cards, I totally copied a YouTube video for making a shaker card. I'm not sure what measurements she used, but I used the square card feature, set to five inches, and selected the scuba diver.

To make the layers (flippers, swimming shorts, hair, mask), the size must be changed and set to three inches. There may be another way to do this, but I am not that savvy! I used orange for the flippers, swimming shorts, and the outside of the mask. I re-cut the layers using brown to get my diver's brown hair.

For the diving rings, I used paint markers to color them red and blue.

The letters on the front (POOL PARTY) were cut from the letter feature (shift and diver), set to a size of 3/4 of an inch.

Other details:
   • I cut a small acetate square to line the inside front of the card.
   • I poured tiny clear beads onto this acetate layer.
   • Finally I topped the beads with a dark blue square to keep them in place. So, when you look from the
   inside, you see the dark blue square keeping the beads in place.

Finally, I printed out the party details and attached them to the right side of the card.

Totally confused? Check out the YouTube video here. Still confused? Let me know and I'll try to clarify!

Less than 3 weeks until Little Lion's big celebration and Mama's preparations are almost finished!

p.s. See the fabric in the background? Gorgeous, right? That's fabric I'm using to make a blanket for our new baby girl! I can't wait and will post pics if it turns out as I'm hoping it will. Fingers crossed!

logical

2011-03-06T07:33:00.000-08:00

If necessity is truly the mother of invention, then nudist colonies were the brilliant idea of a mother with never-ending piles of never-ending laundry.

Can I get an amen?

risky business

2011-03-02T17:20:00.000-08:00

The only part of parenting that has remained constant in my seven year career is total uncertainty. Just when I think I have one of these little people figured out, they change things up. The moment I feel like we're entering a new stage with Little Lion or Sweet Bee and I start to get a little cocky remembering Bird's voyage through the same stage, they choose to do something a bit differently.

So goes potty training. I will not tell a lie. I loathe potty-training. It might be my most dreaded task as a parent. If nothing else, it ranks right up there with cleaning up puke. Thankfully, Hubby is awesome at cleaning up puke and I'm great at pretending to help Hubby clean up puke. For obvious reasons this makes Hubby and I a great clean-up team. But potty-training is an entirely different beast.

Much like Forrest Gump, "I am not a smart man, Jenny, but I know what love is." Love and power, that is. I know what both of them are when it comes to potty-training and I know that I have NO power. If my children do not want to use the potty, who am I to force them? They can resist my most clever convincing, my highest value bribes, and my best efforts to coax them. But in the end, my potty-training children have all the power and can wait until the very second they descend from the potty to pee right down their legs...or worse. For this reason, I do not pretend to be in control when it comes to potty-training. And when all goes south and I am at my wit's end and they are resisting, I stop potty training. I've decided my children will likely get on board with using a potty when they enter Kindergarten...or at the very least tenth grade.

Over the past five years, friends and acquaintances have shared stories of their child potty prodigies: Brilliant children who decided before age 4 to use the potty with little to no encouragement,; children who woke up one morning, pulled on their undies, and had one (maybe two) accidents at the most. These parenting geniuses did not know the fear that overtakes a mama when her trip to the mall lasts twenty minutes longer than expected. Her heart begins to race as she imagines her darling wee one, wee-ing all over the department store floor. No, these well meaning friends do not know the agony of stripping dirty undies off a child's bum for the what seems like the tenth time in two hours. And, truth be told, I knew in my heart of hearts that they were the lying-est liars who have ever lied.

C'mon now, who's with me?

Until this week...when Little Lion threw me a nice softball lob right about the time I was expecting a fierce fastball. I fully anticipated that Little Lion might not show an interest in going potty for many months, maybe even a year. He's not even three yet, afterall. I encourage him to sit on the potty about once a week or so and often my requests are denied.

Until this week...

I asked Little Lion to try to go potty. And he did. I nearly fell over. I took him to preschool and picked him up two hours later, still in a diaper and very much dry. I suggested he try to potty. And, once again, he did. Seriously. And he went again and again and again all day and woke up the next morning dry, only to repeat the cycle again. At the risk of jinxing the entire success story, we trekked out to Target to buy some very special undies: Thomas the Train and Cars.

Before he was buckled into his carseat, Little Lion began to talk about wearing his new undies. He could not wait. I was much more hesitant. Diapers are easy. Diapers rarely leak. They don't have to be peeled off of dirty bums. They hold all contents nicely inside. Diapers are fairly reliable. Undies are not so much. Still, I gave Little Lion's eagerness the benefit of the doubt and washed his new undies. After naptime, we put them on and Little Lion admired himself in the mirror, much like I imagine Tom Cruise might have right before his Risky Business Tighty Whitey scene.

The real irony is that Little Lion looks much cuter in his undies than Tom Cruise and his pulled-up-to-his-knees white socks. What's up with that? Where was Tom's stylist? His wardrobe person? Yikes.

So far...knock on wood...Little Lion is demonstrating some mad potty training skills. I keep pinching myself and doubting it might really go this smoothly. I will happily and proudly wear the badge of "lying-est liar who ever lied" if Little Lion keeps this up. "Twenty-two days shy of his third birthday," I might even boast...someday...just not quite yet.

baby, baby, baby, ooh

2011-03-01T10:50:00.000-08:00

...thank you, Justin Bieber, for your inspiring lyrics...

This morning Hubby and I went to a much-anticipated ultrasound appointment for the Little Bit growing in my belly. How differently this appointment felt from our first ultrasound for Bird. No less special, of course, just different. This time, our fourth baby, I could easily identify so many things on the monitor: the tiny hands almost clasped together, the four chambers of the heart beating so perfectly, the bony spine and ribcage already formed, and two tiny feet. Oh, how I love the feet.

Pregnant with Bird, I was confident she was a boy. Bee's pregnancy was so very different from Bird's, I was again convinced she was a boy. With Little Lion, I was not going to be fooled a third time and my mommy instincts were much sharper. I knew he was a baby girl. Awesome track record, no? For the first time in four pregnancies, I've waffled back and forth on whether this baby is a boy or girl. Weekly, it seemed, I flipped from boy to girl and back to boy. In the last week, however, I've been confident this baby is a girl and the Chinese Charts agree with me. Nevermind that the Chinese Charts and I only had a fifty percent chance of being wrong.

Last night at dinner, our family of five (for just a few more months!) voted on the gender. Bird voted girl. Initially, Bee's vote was girl, but she decided that might not be quite fair so she changed her vote to boy. With two girls and Mama and one boy and Daddy, Bee decided a boy would be balanced and fair. Leave it to Bee to be diplomatic. Little Lion voted strongly in favor of a boy. "She will be a boy," he declared.

In the car as we drove to the appointment, Hubby and I placed our final bets. I stuck with girl and Hubby voted boy. His scientific method was merely my previous record of 100% inaccurate predictions. Truth be told, that logic almost made me switch my own vote!

I impatiently waited for the tech's grand announcment. Our baby, it seemed, was sitting bottom down, making it hard for her to get a good angle. But as she measured and examined our baby, I was totally overwhelmed by the ultrasound. Our baby's heart was pumping blood just as it should, the liver indicated it was already functioning...all while the baby is one day shy of 19 weeks and a tiny ten ounces. Our baby girl, YES GIRL! is a total miracle and I'm speechless...well nearly. Babies are born every single day, but not to me, and each time I see one of my babies I am overcome with awe.

Our family of soon-to-be six may not be perfectly balanced by Bee's standards, but will be perfectly perfect by ours. We can't wait to meet our sweet baby girl.

fresh

2011-02-21T15:01:00.001-08:00

I recently logged into my very quiet, off-the-grid blog and re-read my very first entry. What the heck?

Bird is now so very seven. She reminds me of myself in so many ways it stuns me. I admire her creativity and loathe her messes and disorganization. I love her determination and cringe at her bossy-take charge attitude. I'm proud of her successes in school, with friends, and how much she loves her teacher. She led me on this adventure beginning in the Special Care Nursery just over seven years ago when I marveled at her newness and her tinyness, and wondered who she might become. She has made me the mama I am today and still calls me "mama." I do so love that. I love that seven isn't too old to call me mama, or hold my hand, or kiss me good-bye in the carpool line, even when seven is a little upset with me for a decision I've made against her newest idea.

Bee was three in that very first entry? She's now five. Five-and-a-half, for anyone who might be counting. She very much CAN reach the snack cabinet, with a chair. She pulls over a chair, climbs on the counter, and snacks her way through whatever box, bag, or package she finds. Bee is so incredibly sensitive, and kind, and passionate. Oh how she loves and snuggles and cares for others passionately; but she tantrums and angers just as passionately. Channeled, that will work beautifully for Bee, I'm confident of that much. During naptime, Bee is my go-between Little Lion and me. If I'm down in the basement and he needs something, he calls out to Bee who notifies me. It's like our own little game of telephone...or something!

Little Lion says "What the heck?" all on his own and starts many sentences with, "Actually..." He loves to pray and his prayers end with a boisterous "Haaaaaaaaaay-men." He is two, almost three, but I'm not giving him the "almost." I need him to stay two because two cracks me up, gives me the very best kisses, and is easy to move to his bedroom when he is being naughty. Two very much wears me out, but I'm pretty sure two wears me out less than twelve or sixteen might. I'll keep two, thankyouverymuch.

And Little Bit is growing in my belly. Four babies seems quite insane and illogical and just plain nutty. I'm pretty sure that's precisely what it is. A dear friend (who is newly expecting) said it most clearly just a few days ago, "We are not having our fourth because it makes sense. It's INSANITY, pure insanity." Yes, that says it all precisely.

Finding my way back to this space and seeing how quickly life has moved makes me want to reclaim this place. I want to record the tiny (yet big and very important) things that happen in our lives, things that are maybe only really important to Hubby and me, but are huge because they're happening to our people. I don't want to forget Bee when she was three, and five, and almost six. I want to remember Little Lion at two because I know he won't be so Little much longer. I don't want Bird's Seven to slip through my fingers and fade into my aging brain.

I want to remember.

2010-08-04T07:57:00.000-07:00

Grief is so unexplainable and I feel as if I'm grieving my brother-in-law in one space and in another space grieving for my sister and her children and how the rug has been pulled out from under their feet.

It's funny, not in a har-har, knee-slapping, belly aching laughter kind-of-funny, but in a how-odd, head scratching funny, how losing someone can result in the loss of many seemingly unrelated things.

• Like a calm stomach. I feel daily like my stomach is in knots and then there is the constant nagging worry setting up camp just behind my eyeballs. I don't know what to do with these feelings. I wonder if they will ever go away and if I will remember what it feels like to feel normal again.

• Like words and ideas and thoughts. None are coherent and my words often do not make sense when strung together. Writing in this space is quite difficult and feels trivial. Posting nonsense on Facebook feels...well, like nonsense. I can't really explain it.

• Like motivation. That really speaks for itself, doesn't it?

Not all is lost as I've gained so much admiration and love for my sister. She is my best friend and has been my go-to for many years and that has swelled to nearly bursting over the past few weeks. She is strong and brave and courageous. And when I grow up I hope I am just like her.

I'm not sure if I'll return to this space. Life is living and moving forward as it should, but my words are not. Bee's birthday came and went last week and I am still searching for the right words to write to her. Her birthday extravaganza is this weekend and I've done nearly nothing to prepare for it (it goes back to the motivation thing) though I know I will take pictures to document it for her. I'm just not sure I'll feel up to sharing.

Maybe someday.

loss

2010-07-29T03:41:00.000-07:00

I am almost at a loss for words. I say almost and not entirely because when someone so wonderful comes into your life and touches it even for the briefest of moments, you can't be totally at a loss for words. It's just not possible.

A week and a half ago, Hubby and I got a call that will forever change our lives. While running with his family on a family vacation in Florida, my brother-in-law suffered cardiac arrest and died. He was 38 and married to a woman he adored, admired, and loved: my beautiful sister. He had four incredible, energetic, and funny children who each reflect some very special part of him: his compassion, his tenderness, his smile, his curly brown hair, his long eyelashes, his humor, his athletic grace.

And I am struggling.

I struggle for my beautiful, strong, and creative sister, a woman so full of grace even while facing the absence of her very best friend and lover.

I struggle for her four confident little children whose little worlds have been shattered and their hearts so completely broken with the loss of their superhero, their coach, their cheerleader, and the person who brought so much joy to their lives with his goofy sense of humor.

I struggle for Hubby and for me and for our three babies. The loss of a man, a brother, and friend so big and so strong does not make a bit of sense and finding meaning in the face of this tragedy is quite difficult, I dare-say impossible.

I've wrestled with God quite a bit over the last week and I plan to wrestle with Him some more. I am assured that He can handle all I bring to Him: my anger, my sorrow, my broken tearful heart, and my grief. Initially, in my sadness, I found myself unable to even seek His face. In the days since, I've brought my questions, my pleas, and my brokenness, turning my tear stained face and head aching with grief and sorrow to His throne. Still no answer suffices and I struggle so very much.

My heart aches for what should have been: a lifetime of love, laughter, and all too much joy; for the grand adventure cut far too short and the dreams yet to be fulfilled.

the art of negotiation

2010-07-13T03:51:00.001-07:00

"How about if I eat three bites of salmon?"

"Why not try four?"

"Okay. That's what I was really going to say."

it's all relative

2010-07-12T07:09:00.000-07:00

I've been in a bit of a funk lately, PMS perhaps? I have no idea and, really, a label doesn't much change how I'm feeling. The source of my funk has yet to be determined. I feel unsettled, restless, and unfocused. I've been off the internets more, which is a very good thing, but reading my Bible and spending time with God less. I'm sure that has a huge impact, actually; I'd bet a lot of money on that.

Yesterday was a beautiful Sunday afternoon. I had to go to the grocery store or attempt to grocery shop with all three of my children in tow when Hubby was at work today. Quite frankly, I'd rather hike through boiling lava and I neither like to be hot nor do I like activities like hiking. I was nearly to the store before I realized I spent the entire (Short!) drive grumbling in my head. I was frustrated to waste the afternoon at the store, frustrated that I was solely responsible for figuring out what to feed all the people in my home, disappointed that Hubby was planning to leave early and work late most of the week (AGAIN!) leaving me to eat all three meals with three little children and no adults. When I realized how much grumbling was swirling around in my head, I felt such guilt.

Really? Irritated that I had to go to the grocery store? Millions of people around the world are starving and so many people right in my community are struggling to pay bills and wonder if they'll have enough money to feed their children. And I'm angry that my Sunday is spent at the store.

Disappointed that I have to eat alone with my children? Boy that is rough. We were unsure we'd be able to have Bird and had some infertility issues conceiving her. Somehow I'm disappointed that I have to eat with my three children. So many Mamas would switch places in a heartbeat. Mamas who have never been able to carry their babies to term and their arms ache to hold a baby. Mamas who have lost their children in tragic accidents or horrible childhood diseases and would trade anything in the entire world just to touch and smell and hear their children's voices again.

And I realized, yes, my feelings are valid. I can't poo-poo them as if having blessings negates any feelings of disappointment or frustration. Prentending all is well or that I'm living in Pleasant-ville doesn't help and only causes my blood to percolate under the surface, ready to burst at any moment. But sometimes in the midst of my funk, it is good to have a little perspective and put all my irritations into focus and realize that in the grand scheme of things this life I'm living is pretty good. I'm blessed. Irritated at times, for sure. But this crazy world we live in is anything but perfect, so what do I expect?

My funk hasn't entirely lifted. I still feel a bit unsettled and unfocused. But less irritated and more thankful and that's a lot.

***********************

Speaking of things being relative (awesome transition, wouldn't you say?)

I just finished these two little dresses for a friend who is taking her kids to the most magical place on earth. I've been creating a lot of baby girl goodness lately and these are just as tiny.

Sometimes when people are selling things like fabric, they'll place a quarter or a dime on the print to show the buyer how large or small the print is. I need to do that when I show these tiny little dresses. Hanging all alone on a clothesline, it's difficult to see their little girl adorableness.

Maybe I need to hang a quarter next to them.

It would be nice if a simple quarter could help me keep my Grumble McGrumblepants attitude in check. Writing about it sure helps and for right now I am choosing to spend more of today thankful and less of today irritated.

I wanna be rich

2010-07-04T20:37:00.000-07:00

"Mama, when Daddy just combed Annie**, he got a bunch of hair off her."

"Oh!" {looking at the pile of hair presented by Bird and trying not to gag} "He sure did!"

"Yeah. And I was thinking. You could use Annie's fur to make things and sell them and be really, really rich. "

Editor's Note: Oh shoot. I just gagged again and threw up in my mouth a little.

"Oh, wow, Bird. I'm not so sure."

"Yeah, Mama. They did it on Cats 101. You could do it too."

There ya go. What do I say to that logic?

p.s. No worries. I won't be creating a cat-fur-handbag tutorial anytime soon. More importantly, that little fancy pile of cat hair was promptly thrown away. Huge relief, I know.

**her real name...I don't figure a pseudonym is required for the cat, is it? Should I call her Kitty instead?

what he might have missed out on...

2010-06-27T08:54:00.000-07:00

...if he had brothers instead of sisters.

nearly wordless Wednesday

2010-06-23T12:41:00.000-07:00

Insert salty, sandy, ocean breeze and you've got our week.

meeting the beach for the very first time

sand is impossibly irresistible for Bird

Hello, Ocean!

ecstatic

hesitant

concerned

I can almost smell the salt and sunscreen on their skin and their ocean breeze blown hair

first day at the beach, here we come!

strength (and courage) in numbers

sticking with a big cousin

I've never been much of a beach girl. I love the idea of the beach. I love the sound of the ocean. I love the sun on my skin. I love the fresh ocean air. I do not like the sand on any part of me except my feet.

My children loved it. They take after their father, obviously.

...and when one is as wordful as I am, this is what nearly wordless looks like!

red, white, and blue

2010-06-22T13:08:00.000-07:00

I love a good knock-off and I'd love to give credit where credit is due. You see my friend Tif did all the work to figure the best way to do these tees...and all I did was copy. Her blog is on summer break or I'd link you'd right to her. You'd love her. You really would.

But back to her cool idea...she knocked off these Chasing Fireflies tees.

She did it with a big heart in the middle and it was perfect for Valentine's! The best part was that Tif's idea doesn't require sewing, drawing, or a screen printer.

As soon as I saw Tif's post a month ago I thought, "AHHHHH! A star would be spectacular for FOJ! Love it!" Then I found these jammies currently on Chasing Fireflies and indeed a star is adorable!

The process is relatively easy...and I have pictures to prove it so you can make your very own Fourth of July initial tee:

Materials:
Freezer Paper (sold at grocery stores near the foil and plastic wrap)
Tee
Fabric Paint
Paint Brush
Template

First, iron Freezer paper onto the inside front of the tee. This is an important step because it prevents the paint from soaking through and ruining the back of the tee.

Then turn your tee right side out with the freezer paper still ironed inside.

Now cut your template for your tee. For the names and initials, I used my Cricut, loading the freezer paper into the machine with the freezer paper shiny side down on the cutting mat. The names require the negative space (what's left after you punch out the letters). Save the first letter to use as the initial for the center of the star. For the star, I just cut out a template on paper, then traced it on freezer paper and cut out the star. Again, you need the negative space so cut the star from the center outward.

If you don't have a Cricut, by all means use this as your excuse to buy one! You can thank me later! :) Or...you can print the names and star on your printer. Then trace it onto the freezer paper and cut out with a knife.

Center the star on the front of the tee.

Iron the outline of the star with the initial in the center.

Next iron on the outline of the name. The heat from the iron seals the edges of the outline and keeps the paint from seeping out.

Now you're ready to paint! Using fabric paint, apply the paint thinly. You will need at least three coats.

Painting thin coats is so important because thick paint may seep past the sealed edges. It is so worth taking the time to paint several thin coats!

After the final coat dries, tear off the freezer paper and wear!

Remember to grab your flag and get your party on! It's going to be a grand celebration!

p.s. I'm totally doing a St Patty's Day tee next year.

some girls and a boy have all the luck

2010-06-20T19:13:00.000-07:00

Eleven years ago yesterday Hubby and I walked up the aisle hand in hand proudly boasting our new title of "Mr. and Mrs. Hubby". By day's end my cheeks hurt from smiling so much. I was pretty sure then and most confident now that I am the luckiest girl alive. Hubby is a wonderfully amazing hubby and, given the chance to choose, I'd choose him all over again.

Eleven years, baby, we are just spring chickens.

Seven years ago today Hubby celebrated his first Father's Day. Our Little Bird was still warm and snuggly in my belly and she was all we talked about day and night and night and day. We read every book about Little Bird and dreamed of who she might become. We had no idea how very lucky we were, but we were pretty sure we were the luckiest Mama and Daddy on earth.

Six years ago today Hubby was completely and totally smitten with Little Bird who was our absolute delight and only 6 1/2 months old. Oh my! Such a fun age and full of so many tricks. I was madly in love with Hubby when I married him, but I fell head over heels in love with him when I watched him love my babies. I swear there's nothing better.

Five years ago today Hubby teetered on the edge of no longer being a Daddy to one precious girl and becoming an incredible Daddy to two secure girls. And I fell in love all over again. This man who teaches his girls what it means to be a princess puts Cinderella's Prince and Snow White's Prince Charming to shame. I almost feel sorry for my girls' future spouses because they have tough shoes to fill.

Four years ago today Hubby was smothered in wet juicy kisses from two little girls who completely adore their Daddy. I totally understand why. No matter how tired Hubby might be or how much work is weighing on his mind, he scoops them up and loves all over them when he walks through the door. And they give him a pretty rockin' greeting so I don't really blame him.

Three years ago today Hubby and I settled into our lives with our two precious girls and knew life was grand. Hubby earned the title of Breakfast Man making his most amazing Saturday and Sunday morning specialties and serving up breakfast each morning of the week. Bath Time and Story Time before bed just isn't the same when Hubby isn't home. I, of course, love the break in my day that comes when Hubby takes over. But it's more than that. I love to see Hubby snuggled up on the couch with my babies in the crooks of his arm, reading a story to them. He patiently pauses for their comments, entertains their questions, and reads each story with a special voice for each character.

Two years ago today Hubby celebrated our lives as we were outnumbered three to two and he wasn't a bit flustered. Laid back, easy going, and steady, Hubby is the rock in our family. He smiles proudly when people remark, "Two girls and a boy. You finally got your boy!" Oh if only they knew that as much as Hubby loves Little Lion there was no part of him that needed a boy, just every part of him that wanted a third baby. How blessed we our with our perfect trio!

And I'm pretty sure Hubby enjoys having a small person who is a complete Hubby-Mini-Me. Striking resemblance, wouldn't you say?

One year ago today Hubby filled more roles than just Breakfast Man, Daddy, and Provider for our family. During Sweet Bee's first soccer game, Hubby earned the title of "Coach" when Bee's coach backed out. "Here, maybe you should wear this yellow shirt so they'll know to look for you," the soccer coordinator said to Hubby before shoving him out on the field. Hubby didn't miss a beat and faithfully came through for Bee and her team and once again showed our children how reliable, faithful, and present he is as a Daddy.

And today life is good. In the eyes of my three children, Hubby is the strongest, bravest, funniest, smartest, silliest, most handsome, and mightiest protector. I think they're exactly right.

I met Hubby eighteen years ago and fell in love with him seventeen years ago. I married Hubby eleven years ago and knew he was an amazing man. Today I am more in love with Hubby than I ever imagined possible and I'm so thankful to have such an amazing Daddy to my three children. We are a lucky bunch!

We love you Hubby! Happy Father's Day! You're the best of the best...the cat's ass, for sure.

baby got back

2010-06-18T11:48:00.000-07:00

Not so long ago I finished a tiny little dress that sent my memory swirling with baby girl goodness. Today my heart yearned for that baby girl goodness times one-finity (the largest number according to Bee) when I finished this one teeny tiny set.

A dress so tiny it only required one hanky for the bodice and apron where most apron dresses require two.

But the best part? Oh the very best part, indeed. The bum. The ruffley, girly bum.

I need to get me a baby. I need to get me a baby girl so she can wear ruffles on her bum every day and my heart can burst right out of my chest.

brilliant

2010-06-16T10:45:00.000-07:00

Dear McDonald's Product Development Director,

This afternoon I found myself pleading with my six year old to get herself buckled into her car seat so we could dine at your fine establishment. First of all, really? I'm sure you see the very same irony that struck me. I was begging my child to go to McDonald's and not because I had a hankering for a Filet-O-Fish or a McRib sandwich, I assure you. Though I do so love your sweet tea and at $1 it's really entirely too tempting and is testing my self control this summer. But I digress.

So I found myself first begging, then directing, and finally bribing my six year old to please (for the love of all that's good and holy in this world) just (stop talking for one small second and) buckle her tiny little self into her car seat. And I found myself uttering, "...or you won't get a Happy Meal at McDonald's." because surely that is a parenting technique worthy of publishing in Kate Gosselin's next book.

Without skipping a beat, my ingenious four year old questioned, "And she'll have to have a Sad Meal, Mama?"

That's where you come in, Madam or Mister McDonald's Product Development Director. It's really quite brilliant, don't you think? When you roll out this fabulous new McSad Meal, please remember where you got the idea. I have three little people to put through sixteen years of school.

Warmest Regards,

summer reading list

2010-06-15T08:17:00.000-07:00

On the last day of school, Bird’s backpack was filled with summer activities, summer math flashcards (WHAT?!? How is that fun?), and a summer reading list. For First Grade, people, I wish I was joking.

I decided if my (soon-to-be) first grader was assigned summer reading then her Mama should set a good example. Beach Week was my Launching Pad. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say I was lucky if I finished one book in the last twelve months. I read (and really enjoyed!) Time of My Life...but that was just last month. I’m forever reading blogs and getting lost on the vast internets blog-jogging. I read the newspaper, yes still the paper version. And, of course, my beloved People Magazine and US Weekly. But a true book is a rarity.

Until this week.

I kicked off my summer reading list with Winter Garden. It’s not a book I might normally pick because it details relationships between characters. I typically reach for mysteries, detective stories, and action-packed books. My sister-in-law gave it to me and I’m really glad she did. I loved the characters, found myself questioning my role as a mother and examining how my children view me and our relationship.

Beach Week wouldn’t be Beach Week without chick lit so I zipped through Shopaholic Takes Manhattan. I seriously love Becky Bloomwood. She’s a bit dingy, so quirky, and finds herself in fabulous messes. I love that about her. I couldn’t read the entire series one right after another because I’m sure I’d find myself bored, but I read Confessions of a Shopaholic a few years ago and giggled all the way through. This second book didn’t disappoint and I’m hoping to read the next book later this summer.

Next I picked up Tell No One. A few years ago a friend recommended Harlan Coben, but I forgot about him until my Mother-In-Law told me she recently became hooked. I really enjoyed the short chapters and trying to unravel the mystery in this book. In fact, this might have been my favorite read of the week and I plan to pick up another Coben novel this summer.

Finally, (phew!) I just finished Vanishing Act, a Jodi Piccoult book. I read a few of her books a few years ago, but grew bored with her formula of surprise endings and switching the point of view from chapter to chapter. As a result I never got around to reading this one. I’m glad I took it to the beach because it was a good read and not a total surprise twist at the end.

I’m now cracking open The Help. I’ve heard so many wonderful things about this book and so far it hasn’t disappointed. Hopefully it won’t take me another twelve months to finish it. Sadly, the real world is looming with laundry, vacuuming, dusting, and kids’ activities and I certainly won’t be able to bury my nose in a book all day. But I hope my summer reading list grows greatly, especially with the summer tv line-up looking pitiful.

Are there any must-reads I should add to my list?

p.s. Oh how I love this new Amazon blogger tool. It made linking to these titles so much easier! Happy Reading!

growing up

2010-06-14T15:54:00.000-07:00

Beach Week marked the end of the school year for Bird and Bee. In fact, I raced around like a mad woman to get the car packed before the end of Bird’s last day of school. We picked her up with a summer dress ready so she could change out of her uniform in the car...while parked, of course. And we headed to Nana’s house! There’s nothing like kicking off summer vacation with a true vacation.

It’s so over-stated, but I can’t resist saying it anyway: I can’t believe how fast this year passed. I can’t believe how much my girls changed and how much more grown up they seem since September.

See for yourself.

Beach Week updates to follow this week. Just you wait!

the place of in between

2010-06-08T12:06:00.000-07:00

My girl completed Kindergarten. She loved it, loved her friends, mostly loved what she was learning, completed (sort-of) her work in the midst of much chatter with classmates, and embraced all that came with being in a big real school. And just like that...she’s finished. I have no idea where they time went, but I am no longer a mother of a Kindergartener.

This past week, while visiting with her Mam, Bird struggled to answer, “So, you’re not a Kindergartener anymore, what are you?” I remember my own internal struggle during the months of June, July, and August. Those days and weeks in which I straddled a previously completed grade and an upcoming, much anticipated new one.

I never quite knew how to respond to the question so frequently asked by well meaning adults, “What grade are you in?” At the age of ten, having just left my beloved Mrs. Salyers behind, I couldn’t answer fifth grade. All projects were complete. I cleaned out my desk, filling my backpack with broken crayons, a ruler decorated with scribble marks and glue residue from making my own version of Lee Press-on nails, and mangled wide rule notebooks. I received my report card with final fourth quarter marks penned in. My work in fifth grade was finished, but I certainly didn’t feel like a sixth grader yet.

My school didn’t announce classroom assignments until late in the summer, just days before Open House so not only did I not feel like a sixth grader, but I didn’t yet have a home in sixth grade either. I felt like a fraud telling people I was a sixth grader, so I stumbled over my words with each response, “Well, I’m a...I mean, I’m going into sixth grade.”

This past week I watched Bird experience the same dilemma and I realized it’s almost a rite of passage. She’s no longer a little girl in Kindergarten; I’ve got the paper to prove it. She’s a {gulp} First Grader, though she doesn’t feel quite right with how that feels just yet.

And, that’s okay because I’m not so sure it feels quite right to me just yet either.

teacher love

2010-06-06T09:56:00.000-07:00

Sweet Bee’s teachers are everything you can imagine a preschool teacher should be. They are kind and gentle and loving.

They teach compassion and acceptance through their natural demonstrations of compassion and acceptance. And learning isn’t learning at all. It’s just plain fun. In fact several times this year, Bird has somberly warned Bee about Kindergarten.

Bird loved Kindergarten, but feels compelled to give Bee significant notice that Kindergarten just isn’t the same as preschool because you don’t get to play, just work. I think Bird wants to make sure Bee isn't taken by surprise when she starts Kindergarten in a few years. Thankfully, Bee has another year with her wonderful teachers.

I picked up the Liberty of London for Target umbrellas for each of them as a small token of appreciation.

Super cute, I know!

Looking for any excuse to use my new Cricut, we also created special cards using designs from Everyday Paper Dolls and Once Upon a Princess. Bee had such fun selecting the hair color and style and dress for each of her sweet teachers.

We finished each note with a reminder of just how special they are and set off to deliver the gifts.

It was a little tough to wrap and disguise the umbrellas. I'm pretty sure Bee's teachers could guess what they were getting...umbrellas...or maybe skinny guns.

inspiration

2010-06-03T13:26:00.001-07:00

I love to walk through Pottery Barn and plan wonderful seasonal decorations for my home. I love to flip through their catalog and imagine redecorating my entire home, room by room. But mostly I love to find ideas that could cost me a ton of money if I splurged, but that I can recreate all on my own. That is blissful.

I fell in love with these and desperately needed a new organizational system for my necklaces. They were hanging on a belt hanger in my closet and were constantly tangled. So not good. These Pottery Barn frames seemed to eliminate the tangle issue. The frames would make my jewelry easier to see. And they would decorate my room. Perfect!

Almost perfect. The only problem was that the frames from Pottery Barn were bigger than I wanted. We don't have a ginormous bedroom suite and my walls didn't need frames quite as large as Pottery Barn was offering.

Thankfully, I stumbled upon two small frames at Joanns for $1.50 and $2.50. I hit up Hobby Lobby on a 50% off backless frames day and picked up a larger frame.

My dad predrilled holes in the frames using the smallest drill bit we own. I picked up small hooks at the hardware store. The earrings on the smallest frame are hanging on picture hanging wire I stapled (with a staple gun) to the back of the frame. Most of my earrings are in my jewelry box, but I needed a third frame and I needed something to put on it!

Voila! I do love them. The hooks are about 2 inches apart. I'm tempted to add more hooks in between so that my necklaces are less stacked.

Total project cost:

Small Frame: $ 1.50

Medium Frame: $ 2.50

Large Frame: $15.00

Hooks: $ 2.00ish

I already had picture hanging wire and staples for the staple gun.

**********************

Total Cost: $21.00 WOOT!

do you see what I see?

2010-05-31T10:05:00.000-07:00

A professional photographer, I am not. I'd love to take a class, to learn something beyond turning the camera on and pushing buttons, something beyond "say cheese!", something that allows me to edit beyond the crop function. But for now, this is where I am and despite my ignorance about all the random letters and icons on my camera setting dial, I love to just take pictures of my littles. Having broken both cameras nearly killed me. It's funny because while I'm no photography expert, I find that taking photos and writing about the everyday happenings in our lives makes me more observant and more appreciative. I've surely missed that and I was practically giddy when my new camera arrived. And who wouldn't be? Without it I might have missed:

preparing to gobble down homemade granola bars, but first pausing to request a picture that shows just a fraction of the excitement she feels:

the little sister so fiercely determined to ride her bike without training wheels just like her big sister

that she learned within a month of said big sister

And the big sister who got this bike riding craze started

and who zips around our cul-de-sac with reckless abandon.

The baby brother who refuses to use the pedals on his tricycle

and also refuses other footwear options despite the heat...and lack of rain.

Driveway paints

and self portraits.

Perfect, right?

sweet baby girl

2010-05-29T04:50:00.000-07:00

Oh mercy. I am in love with this little apron dress I made for my friend.

I can't decide if it's the size, so teeny tiny it causes my brain to swirl back to newborn babydom and pick through the files of memories for a perfect new baby girl whose skin is so incredibly soft and perfectly wrinkled and smells like pink baby lotion. I'm pretty sure that's it, but the tiny rosebuds and crisp white poplin are pretty amazing too.

Either way, a tiny little sprite with sweet little pigtails will be wearing this very soon.

And I can't wait.

report from kindy

2010-05-27T05:21:00.000-07:00

"Mama, I think when Logan smells my breath today he will say it smells minty fresh."

"You think he might? Does Logan smell your breath every day?"

"Well, no. Not usually."

"That's good, I suppose."

"But he does smell Evan's breath every day."

"Logan does?"

"Yes, and he says it smells like his breakfast. I guess Evan forgets to brush his teeth after he eats."

tea for two

2010-05-21T11:58:00.000-07:00

After making an apron dress with a vintage feel for Bee, Bird expressed she'd like one too. I love this style and I love how my girls look in them so I was happy to oblige. Besides, I wanted to tweak the design a bit before making one for a friend.

The bottom hem of the underskirt matches the tie and the band at the waist. It's hard to see because it was a darkish afternoon.

I tweaked this design by making the buttons on the straps button in the front rather than the back. On Bee's dress the buttons in front are fake.

I also made the apron on the bottom line up vertically with the apron on the top. Minor changes, but they made me much happier!

My little partner in crime planted himself underneath the dress and sang out, "Cheese!" every single time I took a picture of the dress.

overheard from time out

2010-05-20T15:41:00.000-07:00

"No time out! I no wan time out, Mama!"

{brief break in cries and protests}

"I see you, Mama."

"Mama? I see you."

(not) the rainy day blues

2010-05-19T07:25:00.000-07:00

It's been raining a lot but I'm not complaining because it's the wonderful cool springtime rains that bring cool sunny weather to follow. At least, I'm believing the cool sunny weather is coming. I haven't quite seen it yet! I love these days and am so grateful for them this late in May. Our spring has been glorious and if we can avoid a swarm of mosquitos, I might run out in my backyard and dance a springtime rain jig!

I've been sewing a bunch for friends of mine and I'm really loving it. For a short spell last year I thought I may never thread another needle, but my machines have been purring and I've been smiling.

There's no time for feeling blue...although I am feeling the blues in this dress. I love them.

magic in the air

2010-05-17T12:47:00.000-07:00

A sweet friend is packing up her son and three daughters and heading to the land of Magic, where all dreams surely do come true.

I was delighted to put together dresses for the girls and a pirate mickey tee for her son.

I hope they have a wonderful time and feel extra magical in their new pieces!

Speaking of dreams, what is my dream? Simply a camera that takes great pictures. My dream of a handsome dress holder came true almost eleven years ago...love you, Hubby!

tea time

2010-05-04T10:50:00.001-07:00

When Bird was a little girl, she had the sweetest, most precious little dress with an apron made to look like a vintage hanky. I saved it for Sweet Bee and just grinned each time I pulled the crisp white dress over their little girl heads. I vowed to make one just like it, maybe six if I had time, but I never managed a single one.

Until this weekend. A friend encouraged me to dig through my stash of vintage (and some vintage-esque) hankies to create a Chirp and Buzz knock off of my own. And, you know, just digging through the stack of delicate squares, decorated with flowers and ribbons and roses, some with scalloped edges and some plain, I couldn't resist diving into the project this time.

Sweet Bee invited me to a Mother's Day Tea at her school this week. I am giddy with excitement and am anticipating being the proudest and most teary-eyed mama in the room. I love events like this.

I asked Bee to try on her new dress so I could take a picture or two. She agreed, but decided Rebecca needed to join her. A Tea Time dress for just one does seem a bit lonely so I agreed. As soon as I slipped it over her head, I grinned just as I did a few years ago.

Sweet. Fresh. Just plain precious.

And the best part is that Bee loved it just as much as I did and asked to wear it all day long. I suggested she might wear it to our special day at her preschool and she gleefully jumped up and down in agreement.

It's going to be a good day. A very good day, indeed.

an itsy bitsy teeny weeny

2010-04-28T12:03:00.000-07:00

no, not yellow polka dot bikini...but an itsy bitsy teeny weeny adorable owl onesie dress.

A friend asked me to make this little sweetie for a baby gift. It was such fun playing with teeny tiny onesies again.

*********************

In other news, my camera is shot. My wonderful Nikon DSLR I do so love because it takes pictures of my kids' faces and not them running away or looking away. It has faithfully caught each moment in the moment and not seconds just after the moment. And for that I love it.

But these days? It's awful. I think Fred Flintstone's bird camera is more efficient than this little beaut and it's making me so sad. I missed wonderful Easter pictures. We're heading to the beach this summer and I know my camera won't be ready yet. {sob}

I think it's time to start looking into a new one: one less fickle...you know, one that will actually take a picture...maybe I should look into trained birds who will peck my pictures out on stone tablets. It's either that or I start drawing the pictures myself with crayon.

beauty is in the eye of the beholder

2010-04-21T14:03:00.000-07:00

While outside playing intently, Bird informed me, "I've been very busy planting these."

I looked up to observe her waving her arm around wildly, fist clutching tightly to a dandelion stem, tiny dandelion seeds blowing through the air.

yes, honey, and dinosaurs too

2010-04-20T10:31:00.000-07:00

Mama, what was it like way back when you were a little girl?

Well, Bird, it was a lot like it is now. We didn't have cell phones, but we had regular phones with cords.

Oh! Like the phones on a string? I've seen one of those before on tv.

Yes, but my friend even had a phone that didn't have buttons. Instead, it had a circle and you turned the circle for the number you wanted.

Wow. Did you have computers?

Not that we used in our house like we have now.

How did you do things?

When I was a little girl we used typewriters.

So you couldn't text or send emails? {pause} How did you send email?

Mail, honey, we wrote letters and sent them in the mail.

favorite things

2010-04-13T16:53:00.000-07:00

I totally need to get pictures from Little Lion's birthday bash posted. I am going to work on that tonight while I become one with my couch. Tonight is Glee and DWTS voting show. Maybe throw in a 16 and Pregnant episode for good measure and I'm loving life. I may never go to sleep.

In the meantime, some etsy loves. I feel like I go in cycles with etsy and shop constantly and then never return. Lately I'm eyeing:

Scandinavian bird print pillow cover

here

I think it would be just adorable at Christmas time. It's cute for spring too, but I've got my fill of spring. It just seems too early to buy for Christmas (Who me? Practical? What?) so I haven't quite hit submit.

Maybe soon.

Felt Pink Cake Stand

here

Yes, duh, this would really be for me. The girls wouldn't really play with it all that much, but it's so adorable! Topped with all those felt cookies, it just calls for a tea party. And, yes, I could even make one of my own. In fact, you can find directions here too.

Linen Tra La La Dress

here

I don't know what it is about this dress, but I totally love it. It's entirely too small for my girls and Little Lion doesn't look good in this style. After oogling it for a very long and being unable to resist a moment longer, I finally convo'ed the seller to see if she could remake it for Bee. I haven't heard back from her. Maybe that's a good thing.

Maybe.

A Bit of Paris Print

here

I purchased this print for our newly remodeled bathroom and picked up a frame from Pottery Barn. Unfortunately the mat in the frame doesn't quite fit the picture. I'm so sad because I adore the print and it will be perfect in the bathroom.

Ice Pink Rose Ring

here

I'm loving big funky rings and hit the jackpot at Pier One. Who knew Pier One had jewelry? I certainly didn't and had to resist stuffing my pockets with fancy big rings when I saw them. Despite my Pier One gluttony, I couldn't control my urges to hit submit on this pink rose ring.

It's just as cool in person as I hoped it might be and not nearly that huge. Love it.

Grrr. I have no idea what's up with the formatting, but I can't make fix it.

To My Baby Boy on His Second Birthday,

2010-04-08T14:29:00.001-07:00

Little Lion,

I think I'm in denial or crazy, maybe a little of both. I've written and re-written this letter to you a million times in my head. Each time my words seem to come up short. It is impossible for me to capture how deeply I adore you, how often you make me burst out laughing, and how perfectly you complete our family.

You are the perfect third child. You fall into line and follow your sisters with relative ease. You tolerate them when they "Mother Hen" you to pieces: directing you, correcting you, making you their baby in their game of "house". I giggle when I see you defy their instructions and make a path all your own. You go along with so much your sisters do to you and with you that it's so funny to me when you go your own way. I've decided that they are teaching you a lot about tolerance and acceptance and learning to negotiate with the best of negotiators.

You are laid back, happy, and carefree. You tend to go with the flow most of the time and you hate to be left out of most activities, except carpool. While you cry if I leave you at home with Daddy on the rare occasion that he's home in the morning, you fall to pieces every single day when it's time to pick the girls up from school. I think it must be for my benefit that you put on that little show because I think you MUST be used to it by this point. Maybe it's your little way of figuring out how much control you have over the situation. Just for future reference, when it comes to carpool, you have NO control so we could really make things easier if we just went along with it happily, m'kay?

I feel obligated to give you credit for your incredible manners. You are the most polite tantrum-thrower I've ever met. In the midst of screaming, arching your back, tears streaming, and yelling you insert several, "NO GING-GOO. NOOOO GING-GOO." Your "No Thank-You's" are almost as if you are politely refusing a refill on a drink, only with the volume one might use in a loud bar like in the middle ball dropping on New Year's Eve.

Little Lion, you are so funny and so proud of your own humor. How is it at the age of two {gasp!} you are so funny and you already know it? Your sisters are really into jumping out and trying to scare an unsuspecting Daddy and they are often successful. You are still working on your delivery. As you sit across from me at the table over a morning snack, you will shout, "Boo! Ah you scare, Mama?" And then you immediately burst out laughing right along with me.

With all loving honesty, I must tell you that you are just as quirky as a little old man. I blame your father for this and, quite honestly, I don't think you stand a chance to be any different. Somehow genetics have played a part in your need to wake up and immediately put on shoes, just like your father. The girls and I? We love to rip our shoes and socks off and walk around in our barefeet. If stores would still serve me, I might never wear shoes again. But you, Little Lion, will sometimes not even wear your crocs without socks. While I'm certain crocs aren't fashionable, crocs with socks are so not fashionable, and I'd like to put it on the record in case Clinton Kelly and the "What Not To Wear" crew show up at our door. I've tried and it's genetic. That's all I've got. These past few sunny days, I've tried more than once to put summer sandals sans socks on your chubby baby feet and one might think I was pouring hot water on your skin. You thrash around, arch your back, scream, and throw in a few "NO GING-GOOs" for good measure.

You are, however, just nuts about your trains and cars and anything with wheels. After our school drop-off, when it's just you and I driving down the road, your little voice will call out "Cah." "Cah." with an accent that rivals Teddy Kennedy. I swear there's no genetic relationship there. You line up your cars and trains and push them across the floor or table or couch. I think my favorite is when you lay flat on your belly with your little head turned sideways, your cheek pressed against the floor, watching the wheels turn around and around and around.

Little Lion, you are a Mama's Boy and that's just how I like it. I am a Smitten Mama, for sure, and I love every centimeter of your delicious chubby baby cheeks. I love to sneak kisses and inhale the delicious baby smell you still have. I know someday all too soon you'll start to smell, well, like a big boy. Today, I'm really not ready for that. Instead, I'll snuggle you in close, inhale deeply, and try not to fall right into your sweet dimple.

You've got this Mama's Heart and I love you to pieces.

Mama

growing pains

2010-04-07T17:36:00.001-07:00

The Wind Blows has been quite prosperous. Bird's inventory sold out twice and she has replenished her stock a time or two. Tonight she asked me to help sort her kites and organize the sold ones and the available inventory. After Little Lion, Bee, Hubby, and I each purchased a kite, her inventory was back down to one with three unfinished orders to make.

Bird thought about her predicament for a minute before presenting her newest idea: expansion. "I think I need to have someone work with me."

"You mean you want to hire someone to work for you?"

"No. Really just work with me."

"Hmmm. That sounds like a good idea. Who might you hire?"

"I think Bee." "Bee, would you like to work with me?"

"Sure!" Bee seemed quite honored.

"You could make kites and you need to think of ideas while you are in your bed."

"I can't. I sleep too much."

Ouch. Therein lies the problem with an uninvested employee. Sometimes growing hurts a bit and Bird may need to go Undercover Boss to get an inside look at her staff and business practices.

Hopefully we'll have some pictures of available inventory soon.

grrr

2010-04-06T18:13:00.000-07:00

Something is up with my camera.

AGAIN.

I was taking pictures of the kids playing in the backyard when literally from one shot

to the next a black line appeared out of nowhere.

It almost looks like a hair. Or a scratch. Or something. Annoying. And now I don't have any Easter pictures. I can't even think about that.

I did finagle a few pictures of dresses a few friends ordered, but that line won't disappear.

Grrr.

Blurry, out of focus, and the color is off, but it's the best I could do trying to take the shot in only a quarter of the viewing screen.

new goodies

2010-04-01T10:08:00.001-07:00

My creative juices are flowing again, a bit more slowly, but flowing nonetheless!

I wasn't going to make anything for Little Lion's birthday, but knew I'd be overcome by Mommy Guilt so I decided to make him a sweet little tee. And I'm so glad I did. I stumbled across this post and it was my inspiration...okay, really I just flat out copied it, for Little Lion's Birthday Tee.

I think it's my new favorite. I found the tee at Old Navy for $1.97, oh yes I did! I used scraps of knit from past projects for the design.

The red oval was actually cut from a tee of Bird's that I tried and tried to stain treat with no luck. The sleeves were white and she destroyed them. But the red part of the tee was just what I needed! True to my obsessive self, I'm now madly saving every worn out, torn, stained, knit item so I can make more fun appliques!

I love how it turned out and it made eating Little Lion's train cake much more delicious! Though, I must confess, that it was hard to resist just flat out gobbling him right up.

*************************************************************************************

I also just finished a few more knit bodice dresses, one for Bird and her doll, Felicity, and one for a friend.

I can't get enough of these.

The best part is that so many of the designs are with my last pieces of fabric, making them nearly one of a kind. It's so much fun to pull out some of my very favorite fabrics and finally get to use them. Satisfaction.

This amazing 70 degree day is a preview of warmer days ahead and we didn't hesitate to pull off those old jackets and winter clothes to put on our spring lovelies.

The grass is turning green so quickly following many rainy days, but the trees are still so bare. I know it's just a matter of a week or two before the trees fill up with lush green leaves again. It just feels odd, somehow, to look out across my yard to see my girls running and playing in sleeveless dresses with bare trees standing behind them.

But we're not complaining.

Not one bit.

oh, get outta here!

2010-03-31T10:54:00.000-07:00

That's what you're going to say when you see what I scored at Pottery Barn.

I've got spring on the brain and I can't get enough bright springy decorations around me. I was on a mad hunt for speckled eggs, had obsessively checked more stores than I can remember with no luck. I found these online at Pottery Barn so I went in to see if they had any in stock. Armed with a $25 off when you spend $50 coupon and a $50 reward certificate, I had a spring in my step and I was feeling lucky. Unfortunately PB did NOT have my eggs (boo!) but they did have so many other lovelies.

First I found this wonderful moss wreath. It was $23.99 in store, slightly more online.

For that price, I knew it would be lovely in my home. I carried it around the store for a bit before I found six baby birds (with wires underneath) and I nearly squealed with glee imagining them on my wreath. PB also had the little metal nests (like these, maybe smaller?) that I wired into the wreath.

I picked up this darling blue bird, never intending to burn him like a candle. I always buy PB seasonal candles, but can never bring myself to light them. It skeeves me out to see a creature with fire on his back, melllllllllting into a puddle like the Wicked Witch of the West. Purely decoration in this house.

I placed a small amount of reindeer moss in a pile to form a nest and placed the Mama Bird in with some chocolate candy eggs. The blue baby bird (newly hatched, of course!) sits beside her with a green bird perched above.

This sweet yellow chick chirped at me a time or two as I passed by and I couldn't just leave him behind, so he joined me as well. His face is just so endearing and he's much easier to care for than the yellow chicks that joined us two years ago!

Okay, so are you ready for this?

1 yellow chick

1 blue bird

6 baby birds

moss wreath

metal nest

(unpictured) black frame for a picture I'm waiting on from etsy

Grand Total: $4.86

Oh, yeah baby. I love shopping trips like that!

I didn't find my most desired speckled eggs, but a friend found them while she was out shopping at KROGER. Ugh, how easy that find SHOULD have been and I could have saved myself a trip to one-finity other stores. Love them.

And, because I can't help but share this...I love to change couch pillows out every few months and I recently picked up this green grass pillow at Crate and Barrel.

I love it in the turquoise too. Both are fresh and springy and just the thing for spring!

two is groovy

2010-03-28T13:38:00.000-07:00

I adore this baby.

the wind blows

2010-03-26T14:51:00.000-07:00

While I have been wholly unproductive and lacked total focus, Bird has been on a mission. A few weeks ago she decided we should take another family vacation to the Most Magical Place on Earth. I think that's a brilliant idea.

You see, I've determined that family vacations are much like parenting. While my brood are talking loudly, asking one-finity questions, and requesting every little tiny useless toy assembled by the Chinese and my cart is overflowing with diapers, toilet paper, snacks, my beloved Diet Coke, and 27 impulse buys, an older mother will turn to me in Target with only a few small items in the basket of her cart and she will smile. Often she will encourage me, "These are the best days. Savor them now." A good reminder, for sure, but she's forgotten the bickering and the arguing and the long days of little children making messes and asking for snacks and asking questions and needing, needing, needing.

I don't doubt these are the best days, oh not one bit. Walt Disney World is the Most Magical Place on Earth for a reason and it's not because every vacation is flawless and every moment is straight off a television commercial. It's because the times of joy and special memories are treasured. And most of all? The pictures we bring home on our trip don't capture any of the insanity: not a single crying eye or long line or puking child or screaming fit from exhaustion. The pictures show our smiling faces and pure adoration at the first meeting with Cinderella and faces in awe of her castle. These are the memories of Walt Disney World that make it magical and parenting is much the same. By the time we raise our children and begin to dream of grandchildren, the years have faded our memories of sleeplessness and exhaustion and long days, and leave us with only happy memories and good times. And that's how it should be.

So the Most Magical Place on Earth beckons Bird back, reminding her only of Cinderella and Princesses and Castles and joy. She's forgotten all of the parts Hubby still remembers so vividly and she's pressing in and beginning her negotiations while he digs in his heels and hopes to stand strong. He tried to discourage her plans by telling her the Most Magical Place on Earth is quite expensive. Money-Schmoney.

"Mama, if we start my chore chart and I get a job, do you think I could have the money saved for Disney World by the time I'm...maybe...twelve?"

Uh, yes. Yes, with that type of long-term planning, I think we will make Disney World happen.

Bird thought about her plan for a few days, and being the firstborn over-achieving child, was not going to be stopped at little bitty plans of making her bed and cleaning her room. She decided to start a business. And I am in awe of her plan.

It's springtime and people like to be outside in the nice weather.

Bird is quite fond of making kites.

She married the two ideas and determined people would love to purchase her kites.

I asked her what she might name her business. "Um. I'm not quite sure. I think I'll take a few days to think about it," she replied. I expected her to settle on "Bird's Kites" or "My Kites" or another simple name.

Instead, I overheard her talking to Bee and brainstorming, "Bee, what do you think about The Wind Blows Again for my kite business. Thud. I fell over on the floor.

Taped to her headboard was this organizational plan:

Make kites here.

The Wind Blows Again.

Amazing.

This morning Bird decided to modify her business name a bit and decided on The Wind Blows.

These are the first seven kites available for purchase.

Each kite is one of a kind and can be personalized. You'll see she left a spot blank next to the "For" spot on the kite.

Please inquire in the comments section if you'd like to purchase one of her kites. We ship first class mail (if you don't mind your kite folded) and accept paypal and cash. :)

Balloon Kite:

I thought some people would love balloons and I love balloons.

One balloons has hearts, one balloon is pink, and one balloon is pink spotted.

This kite sells for $0.25

EASTER EGG KITE:

I got the idea because it's almost Easter. I made it from an Easter picture I got from the library. The egg has dots, squiggles, and stripes.

This kite sells for $0.25 SOLD

CAT LOVER KITE:

I love cats and I have one at home.

There is a cat on the kite.

This kite sells for $0.25

ANNIE-CAT KITE:

Annie is my cat and I love her.

This kite sells for $0.25 SOLD

LOAD KITE:
I think this kite is very cute. It has a truck on it.

This kite sells for $0.25

SPRING FLOWER KITE:

I got this idea because it's spring.

It has a flower, wind, clouds, and the sun on it.

This kite sells for $0.25 SOLD

HAPPY SPRING KITE:

It has flowers and grass with clouds and rain and the sun shine.

This kite sells for $0.25 SOLD

Please place your order in the comment section of this post, on Facebook, or by email chirpandbuzz[at]yahoo[dot]com

My mama heart is simultaneously bursting with pride and giggles at my mini-me of a child.

here, there, and everywhere

2010-03-26T13:27:00.000-07:00

I'm feeling a bit schizophrenic lately. I seem to hop from one project to the next, never really starting one and certainly not finishing any. And I'm starting to make myself a wee bit crazy. I finally got smart this morning and stopped everything I wasn't doing and sat down in the toy room to order a snack from the cutest little server and her adorable assistant.

They serve up a mean Dagwood Sandwich, ice cream, pickles, and sno-cones. It was a very good choice and now I'm stuffed.

But my head is now spinning once again. I'm working on a letter to Little Lion. His second {sob} birthday was Tuesday and I was up until midnight-ish on Monday night working on a birthday tee for him because I knew I'd be eaten up by Mama Guilt. I'm also working on a video for him. It makes me giggle and I love working on it, yet somehow it's still unfinished.

I'm working on outfits for the girls, projects for friends, and a cabinet in my kitchen needs to be painted black. We picked out new counters and I'm feeling panic that I might not love them. I think I picked the perfect color for my family room, but can't bear the thought of cracking open another can of paint. And that little bench for my mudroom space?

Don't you even ask.

The kids are currently storing their coats, bags, and other randomness in the guest bathtub because it's perfectly logical and the shower curtain hides it all perfectly. Classy, huh?

I have tons of fun little decorating projects in my ideas bookmark folder because the only thing I seem to be able to accomplish is randomly blog-jogging and surfing the internets.

This weekend is my weekend to pull it all together and come out victorious and I hope to have a bunch of fun posts to share.

Until then...

under the sea

2010-03-19T13:40:00.000-07:00

A client contacted me and asked me to put a mermaid set together for her daughter. She wanted capris and a tee and an adorable little mermaid.

I started with a much different fabric, but remembered this euro floral print, and really? How could I resist.

Paired with the new Laura Gunn (for Michael Miller) polka dot print and you have perfection. The dots just look water-y to me. Laura Gunn creates her prints by painting them first and the fabric really shows it. I love her designs.

Finished with a pink spin daisy pocket and red flower button.

Summer, we're really enjoying our visit with Spring, but we're preparing for your arrival too!

happy birthday banner

2010-03-16T12:45:00.000-07:00

A few months ago I found these birthday banners on etsy:

I loved that they were made out of paper. I loved the ribbon and I knew I wanted one for Little Lion's birthday party. And as I often do, I declared to myself, "Well, AH do declare! Ah could make that mah-self!"

So I set out. I purchased special decorative paper fit for a train party. I already had a ridiculous stash of ribbon so I was set there. I had the glue. I had solid paper for the background. I just needed letters. And that darling scalloped square. No problem.

Mmm-hmmm. Famous last words.

I checked every craft store and online shop for the perfect solution and found a die-cut for my sizzix cutter. I finally found letters that would work okay from Hobby Lobby. When the scalloped square arrived, I discovered that the letters were a smidge too big for the scalloped square...or the scalloped square was a smidge too small for the letters. Plus I had to buy TWO packages of letters to get the right vowels and consonants to spell "Happy Birthday".

It turned out cute and I love the ribbon and paper combos, but this little $29 etsy find turned out a bit pricier than I expected. In all my searching, I continued to be tempted by the Cricut Expression paper cutter. And, really how could I resist? We have lots of birthdays, afterall, not to mention Father's Day, Flag Day, and many many weekends we might want to celebrate.

So for Sweet Bee's birthday in July I'll have the cutest banner you've ever laid your eyes on with perfectly sized letters and a darling scalloped square as the frame. You can count on it. And the next time I decide I can "just whip that up myself" would someone please remind me that I while I might save $29, it will cost me $300 in the end.

Thanks, much.

to-do list update

2010-03-15T09:27:00.001-07:00

Once again, life changed my well-thought out plans. We had a wonderful weekend, though, so it was all worthwhile!

The weather was raining and gray and chilly all weekend so none of our outside jobs were tackled. I'm rolling them over to another warmer, sunnier spring day and I know one is just around the corner!

1. Clorox and hose out trash cans and recycling bin I'm saving this one for sun!

2. Hose off and store highchair. Yes, you heard that right. The highchair and all of it's nasty crevices and corners that attract food with magnetic accuracy is finally leaving my dining room. That alone deserves a big Hurrah! I'm saving this one for sun!

3. Touch up paint in dining room. Almost finished! I have one more spot and it's wonderful and beautiful!

4. Build the glorious bench pictured in my head. I'm saving this one for sun too! It's an outside project...though I may work on staining the wood this week.

5. Select new counters and backsplash tiles for the kitchen. Woo hoo and thank you, Hubby, for pushing this project up a few months. I can't wait for it to all come together! Hubby and I hired a sitter and spent the afternoon together. It was glorious. We bought new running shoes so I can start up again and made plans to run on the outside track...rain had other plans, but I'm not dismayed! We went to lunch at a little cafe we love. And we picked out and purchased black granite countertops and brown glass tiles for the backsplash. It's fabulous. Wonderful. Beautiful. And I'm tickled.

6. Trim back dead growth on plants I didn't winterize a few months ago. Yeah, you know the drill. Sun.

7. Select paint options for the family room. I picked out a few, but need to decide which direction I'm headed. I think I've picked out too many different colors lately and I'm feeling painted out.

8. Drain-o the bathroom sinks (this one is for you, Hubby!) We bought Drain-O. Does this count?

9. Organize and rearrange sewing room (step one...put fabric away and get a space ready for the old countertop from our kitchen...I'd love to repurpose that down in my sewing room/office space for my machines!) I organized the bulk of my fabric and sorted it so that it's easier to find when it sells out of my etsy shop. I also planned for space to repurpose a portion of our old kitchen counter. I think it will work perfectly.

****************************************************

In addition to our date-afternoon, we also spent Saturday night with best friends for dinner and family movie night. We talked, laughed, and relaxed. It was necessary and felt great. We also got together with Small Group friends Friday night. That's always such a special time and this Friday night did not skimp. At one point I was laughing so hard my belly hurt. I love those laughs.

In the happiest news, I also spent like two hours (maybe more) talking to my sister. She and her family recently moved to the other side of the world...literally...and are living in Singapore! I haven't gotten a chance to talk with her in a while and it was fabulous.

I'm so excited for their adventure and all the opportunities and fun that is ahead for their family, but I miss my sister more than I predicted I might and felt almost a physical pain I was missing her so much. That all passed after a few short hours of us talking about everything under the sun (and then some). I long for this relationship for my own girls and know that if they find a friendship in each other that I've found in my sister, they will be blessed, indeed.

So, not everything on the list was even on my mind this weekend, but some things were checked off, other things were added to the list and THEN checked off, and we lived life with many friends. And that's what matters most!

weekend to-do list

2010-03-12T09:46:00.001-08:00

So many ideas, never enough time. This weekend I want to wrap up a lot of projects and prepare our yard and house for spring.

1. Clorox and hose out trash cans and recycling bin

3. Touch up paint in dining room.

4. Build the glorious bench pictured in my head.

5. Select new counters and backsplash tiles for the kitchen. Woo hoo and thank you, Hubby, for pushing this project up a few months. I can't wait for it to all come together!

6. Trim back dead growth on plants I didn't winterize a few months ago.

7. Select paint options for the family room.

8. Drain-o the bathroom sinks (this one is for you, Hubby!)

If we accomplish just half of these tasks, it will be cause to celebrate. Somehow life with three kids impacts our timelines much more drastically than it really should.

What about you? What do you have lined up for the weekend?

singing in the rain

2010-03-11T14:30:00.000-08:00

Today I am singing in the rain and nary a complaint can be heard.

Yesterday and the day before it was a glorious 44 and high 50s degrees outside. Our cold winter-frozen bones just soaked up the sun and our skin tingled in the warm (ish) air. We rode bikes, pulled wagons, went for walks, swung/swang/swinged/whatever you do in the past tense on swings, ran in the backyard with neighbors and soaked up every bit of the daylight. It felt good.

Why is it that 50ish degrees in the spring feels so fabulously warm and 50ish in the fall makes us bust out our big, hand-woven in Peru, wool sweaters? Did you have one of those big wool sweaters from Peru (or somewhere else...Peru just sounds like a sweater making place)? Way back when I was in college and the dinosaurs were still roaming the earth and amazon.com was a novelty of the future, someone would bring a whole bundle of gorgeous, big, wool sweaters and set up a little stand outside the bookstore. It was always at the beginning of the semester when we were all drawn to the bookstore. I may or may not have bought one or two. I hope I didn't use my textbook money. I'm sure I didn't, Mom and Dad, just an FYI.

But enough talk of cold and fall and big wool sweaters. It's spring time in the Big City and we are loving life! I've already hung clothes outside on my line to dry. Love it. I could never live in a subdivision that wouldn't allow a clothesline. I don't display my unders, of course, just Hubby's (I kid! I kid) but I love to see clothes blowing in the breeze.

The sky is gray today and doesn't look very springy, but our heads know it's spring! The grass is still hibernating a bit, though a few blades have shown their defiance against all things snow and gray and wintery and have turned up green. I love them and their bold ways.

It inspires me and has driven me back to dust off my machines, re-introduce myself, and sew a wee bit. It feels good again.

Don't let the clips fool you. They aren't super-sized or Biggie sized. The dresses are bitty-sized. I love their tiny-ness. The apron dress set is for my friend in a much warmer state and her daughter's doll. I'm sure they're seeing more sun than we are and it may even be almost warm enough to wear them. I'll get them out in the mail tomorrow!

The pink and green dresses and for Sweet Bee and her doll, Rebecca. I'll get pics of the duo soon. First I have to finish a set for Bird and Felicity. You know the whole "fair" thing and all.

as seen on tv

2010-03-10T10:16:00.000-08:00

I wish I had the magic of television. You know, when they start an episode with a nasty disgusting entire kitchen, ceiling falling down, lights dangling by one single wire, cabinets straight out of Leave It To Beaver, and a buckling floor begging to be put to rest. Just thirty minutes later, it's a gorgeous, wonderful, and sometimes practical kitchen.

We started our bench project Sunday afternoon. We worked diligently through naptime and slightly beyond. Our bench now looks like this:

that's the top...

and this:

those are the legs.

You're jealous, aren't you? Doesn't it look like two people with too many degrees spent more than two hours working on that bench?

In happier news, the space now looks like this:

Thank you, Handy Man John for working your magic on this space.

For the record, Hubby and I took out all the shelves, hooks, and mess. John did the wall repair. Isn't it looking fab?

Since our project wasn't finished in thirty minutes, I've had days to let the wheels spin in my head. I'm thinking white beadboard on the lower half of the walls, my rustic distressed bench (it looks beautiful in my head!), and two rows of hooks with a shelf above.

Now if only the magic of TV was my reality, I'd be in business!

it's all relative

2010-03-09T16:18:00.000-08:00

"Mama, how old is Pop?"

"He will be 60 years old in May, Bird."

"Wow." [pausing] "That's really old, isn't it, Mama?"

"Well, yes, I guess it is pretty old, Bird."

"Yeah. And, soon Aunt Callie will be so old she'll be our grandma, won't she Mama?"

sending out an SOS

2010-03-07T08:34:00.001-08:00

We have this little...space, for lack of a better word, when you enter the house through the garage. There's a tiny hallway and stairs down to the basement, and this space.

The space is filled with hooks and shelves and collects the worst junk ever. You know like life vests for swimming at Mam and Pop's house because we do that a few times a summer and need to have them by the back door in prime space at all times.

What's with all those shopping bags? I have no idea what's even in them. Coats and bags and hats fall off the hooks and lay on the floor, that is if they ever make it onto the hooks in the first place.

This weekend Hubby and I, who are neither handy nor woodworkers, decided we could build a bench for that area, re-hang hooks, remove shelves, add baskets for organization and turn it into an HGTV masterpiece. Really, I envisioned all of these things and Hubby nodded politely while buried in the newspaper.

He really should pay closer attention when I start scheming because I'm serious about this little project and even sent Hubby out for wood. Today we tackle it.

And the best part? If our results somewhat resemble my woodworking projects from eighth grade industrial arts class, our home improvement guru, John, is still here working on our house and since he can fix anything, he can surely fix this. Oh how I love John.

Updates soon. I know you're giddy with anticipation.

I'm distracted by shiny things

2010-03-06T11:11:00.000-08:00

Since Bird was wee tiny, I've made something special for the girls to wear for holidays: embellished overalls, tees and skirts, always something. Two years ago, Easter Sunday was especially early, falling on March 23rd. I was H.U.G.E., big, and pregnant, with Little Lion growing inside my belly. My OB gave me the option of scheduling his c-section just before or just after Easter. I opted for just after Easter so I could spend the day hunting for Easter Eggs with the girls and filling any room in my belly, not already occupied by Little Lion, with yummy Easter dinner.

Saturday evening, just before Easter Sunday, Mommy Guilt washed over me. I was too preoccupied with Little Lion's arrival and too tired and big to think about making something special for the girls to wear for Easter. Day in and day out I avoided my sewing machine until I was faced with Easter weekend empty-handed. After tucking the girls in bed, Hubby assured me they wouldn't notice that I didn't make them something. But I knew I would notice and I was pretty sure that might be worse. So I did what any Mama would do and I sat down to make them matching tees.

Eleven p.m. rolled around and Hubby was exhausted and ready for bed. "Just stay up with me and keep me company," I begged, sewing frantically to finish their tees. I must have looked pitiful with my big belly bulging out in front of me because he agreed. We laughed that I was going to sew myself right into Little Lion's birth...and we were right. After going to bed shortly after midnight, bunny shirts still warm from the machine, I woke up to contractions. We headed to the hospital when they couldn't be ignored any longer and just a few hours later I was gazing into my baby boy's eyes.

It was the best Easter Sunday on record.

This year with no pregnant belly to distract me (thankfully!), I had no excuses for skipping Easter goodies, but I have also felt quite uninspired. I decided I may not make them something and I was going to be okay with that, or at least I hoped I might be! But then a trip to my utopia, Hobby Lobby, brought my inspiration!

Shiny blingy Easter Bunnies.

I love Shiny.

I love Bling.

I love Easter Bunnies.

And so do my girls, thankfully!

I was worried the rhinestones wouldn't show up on white tees so I set out to dye the tees...and so can you! During Halloween, a friend asked me about dyeing skirts for the girls so I'll show how easy it is with this project!

Be sure to prewash your tees in warm water, but don't dry them in the dryer. Normally anytime I work with fabric, I prewash and dry it all to allow for shrinkage. We will dry our tees after dyeing them (and before blinging them out) so don't worry about doing it now!

I use a big blue bucket to dye my projects. I bought it at Target, I think, or somewhere like that. It is plastic and somewhat flexible which is nice because I typically dye in my laundry room sink and I need to be able to move the sides of the bucket.

To prepare the dye bath, I don't follow the directions on the box exactly, but it's close. I pour the powder into the bucket and add a small amount of hot-hot-hot water. Stir the powder around to dissolve it. I like to use my big stainless spoons from the kitchen because they are unaffected by the dye and have nice long handles so I'm not covered in dye.

Add a cup of salt and a splash of liquid laundry detergent. Add more hot water until there's enough to cover the fabric.

Now put your fabric (or in this case, tees) into the dye mixture and stir it around continuously.

I use my spoons to pick up the shirts, rearrange, stir, spread out, and stir some more. For a nice even dye, stir continuously for 10-15 minutes and then return to stir and rearrange the fabric every 10 minutes or so for an hour.

For this project, I was okay with an uneven dye because I imagined they might look a little like swirled dyed Easter eggs so I didn't stir very much or very frequently.

When the tees have been dyed to your satisfaction, remove them from the dye and run under cold water until the water runs clear. Then toss them in your washer and run through one load. They will be COVERED in dye so do not wash them with anything you weren't planning to dye.

After the first wash, I run mine through the washer one more time and throw in a color catcher for good measure. Now is when I dry the tees to make sure they won't shrink.

Now for the sparkle. Center the iron on rhinestones before peeling off the plastic covering.

I lay my ruler under the plastic sheet as a guide. Now when I peel off the backing and stick down the rhinestone iron-on sheet, I can just line it up on the ruler.

Turn the tee inside out and iron.

Turn it right side and allow the tee to cool. Then peel off the sticky sheet.

When I peeled mine off, some of the stones did not stick. If this happens to you, lay them on the design, place a thin cloth over them, and iron again.

I thought about making a skirt to match, but realized their Boden plaid skirts match perfectly! WIN-WIN!

So easy and so cute! Give it a shot! The iron-on was $4.99, but you should be able to find them for at least 40% off or use a coupon at Hobby Lobby. Pick up some dye for like $3ish. You can find tees at Target, Old Navy, or Gap. I have a ton of extra tees in my stash and might have the size you need. I have short sleeved and long sleeved and will send them for $4 shipped if I have one you need. Post a comment in the comment section or email me at chirpandbuzz(at)yahoo(dot)com if you need a tee.

Have fun...and know that if you've never dyed before, you're about to become hooked!

Dear Hubby,

2010-03-05T04:52:00.001-08:00

It seems your extraordinary toilet cleaning skills are needed.

Your second born, who is about as big as a sprite, has begun to cover the toilet seat with toilet paper before doing her business.

Thank you for your consideration,

Your bride (who is forever in awe of how well you clean a toilet)

sacrifice

2010-03-04T03:09:00.000-08:00

Each year Hubby faithfully gives up something significant for Lent: sweets, soda, or something else remarkably difficult. I usually give up something like smoking (which I've never done) or stealing (which I've also never tried) or using urinals (ewww). This year I decided to really give something up, something I love. I decided to give up baked goods and chocolate sweets or candy.

Nana (Hubby's mom) tells of her mother, Nanny, who planned all of her meals starting with dessert. I think I would have loved Nanny to pieces. I certainly love dessert to pieces and anyone who loves dessert as much as I do must be pretty wonderful.

Bird gave up juice, mainly because we ran out of it and she was forced to drink water. But also partly because a dental hygienist visited Bird's class and talked about things like sugar, juice, soda, and candy and how they are supposedly bad for your teeth. Bird reports that I should really give up soda because it's bad for my teeth. Next year I might give up dental hygienist visits to elementary classrooms.

Today Bee claimed that she's given up jumping on the couch. Her declaration was carefully timed with Bird jumping onto the couch from the carpet. Of course.

I'm happy to share that I've managed to keep my Lenten sacrifice except for one complete oops when I totally forgot and gobbled down a brownie. Most importantly, I haven't really minded it so much, which is huge for me! But then my friend, Steph, posted about her homemade version of Girl Scout Caramel DeLites. What's up with that spelling, by the way?

I'm not sure what we're having for Easter Dinner, but I now have my Easter Sunday dessert planned. Nanny would be proud.

she is my kid

2010-03-03T07:13:00.000-08:00

I picked up my Ballard Designs catalog to find Bird circled some of her favorite things.

Oh how this Mama's heart nearly burst with pride.

I'm pretty sure it's how Will Smith felt when his son starred with him in Pursuit of Happyness.

Or really close, anyway.

And I quite liked many of her choices.

Except for that speared horse. What's up with that?

all aboard!

2010-03-02T06:36:00.000-08:00

I can't even believe it, my friends. Little Lion is almost two.

I have no idea how this has happened. The days seem to drag on for years, the hours sometimes pass like centuries, and somehow the years pass by in a blink!

Last year with the fog of pregnancy, new baby, and sleep deprivation lifting, I went a wee bit overboard with Little Lion's Birthday Bash. This year I promised Hubby I would keep things under control. He seemed quite certain I'd never follow through with my promise, which is why I've resolved to do it!

Since Little Lion is quite obsessed with trains we are celebrating with a train party.

I contacted Carolyn, my absolute favorite etsy invitation designer, and selected these. I know, ca-ute, aren't they?

She also made these little round train stickers. Love them!

To keep the party small, Little Lion is inviting his sisters, our two best friends, and Mam and Pop. I found these Thomas train whistles for party favors for all the guests under age six.

I bought this cupcake pan when Little Lion was born, secretly hoping he'd love trains as much as his sisters and would love a train party. Luckily for me, he loves trains even more than his sisters and I know he'll just flip over this!

The best part is that there are 12 different sections. Just like a cupcake pan makes 12 cupcakes, when you put the 12 pieces together you get a full train! Squeal! So I think we're going to have one cupcake train made for the birthday song, but then I might make extra train car pieces and have the kids decorate their own car.

And, that, my friends is it. I honestly have no other party plans. Can you believe it?

Okay, truth be told, I really wanted to buy a piece of plywood and paint some train cars on it and cut out circles for everyone's faces for a fun picture. It would totally look like everyone was riding the train. Hubby thought that was overkill, but seriously? This party is still pretty tame. I still might squeeze it in. Mums the word on that!

All Aboard!

market research

2010-02-24T06:18:00.000-08:00

Dear Tooth Fairy,

Can you tell me what you do with my tooth?

When my Daddy was a boy he got gold dollars.

Do you still have them?

My friend, Anna, at school met you.

Can you come to my ballet class?

You are the best Fairy in the world.

Love,

Bird

I love this letter.

I love Bird's respect for the Tooth Fairy. I love that Bird is gathering data on gold dollar availability to lobby for one of her own. I love that when Bird wrote this letter she left a few words blank that she wasn't certain about (what, when, met) and that when she realized "you" was left out she listened to and applied my suggestion to use a carrot.

This is the first time I've watched Bird actually proofread and edit her work. She started at the beginning of each sentence, touched each word, and read it aloud. Each time she filled in a missing word, she started over again at the beginning and re-read it.

When I taught I loved everything about the writing process, except grading it, and for a short time I taught Masters courses on teaching writing to children. It is so fun to see the writing process emerge in my own child just as I suggested it should.

sweet victory

2010-02-23T10:26:00.001-08:00

So, apparently putting something out there on the internets is like sending out an APB because after I announced my great disappointment over my beautiful Ballard Designs print not working out, my peeps (that's you guys) were on the lookout.

Tricia told me that they were at Gormans. Or Gormands. Or Garmans. Or Gor-something. We don't have one of those stores, BUT, this little tidbit did get me to thinking. I busted out my search engine skills and took it to The Google. I found several places that prints could be made, but just wasn't sure of the quality.

Jan directed me to her post that I somehow missed previously where she found hers at Home Goods. I may have run out within twelve hours to tear up our Home Goods. Sadly, I left empty-handed.

Then Jessica, the person with whom I have a daily early morning conference call of two (unless you count Little Lion, Bee, and Bird...then it's five), texted me a picture of the very print and announced one might find it at Garden Ridge. We were out running errands when the text came in so I dropped off Hubby and the kids at home and set out.

Destination: Garden Ridge.

Mission: Locate and Rescue Happiness.

This Garden Ridge location is much like a huge warehouse. In fact, it's like a big huge Home Depot type box store, but with less aisles, less lighting, and stuff everywhere. Like a flea market, but inside. Very strange, indeed. I wiped the sweat off my palms, smoothed back my hair, and grabbed a cart on my way in. Glancing around for just a second, I spotted a picture "section" at the back of the store. Like a heat seeking missile, I was not to be distracted from my mission and as I came within 30 feet (yards? I'm terrible at judging distance. And really is it important to the story? I suppose not.) of the picture "section" I spotted an endcap with THE print. MY print.

I might have gasped with delight and definitely quickened my step to rescue my beloved print. Out of the corner of my eye, I suddenly noticed a woman and her shopping cart stop in front of THE print. MY print.

In my head I began to scream at her. You know in shows when the scene slows to a crawl and the character stretches out her arm while yelling in a Jabba-the-Hut voice, "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO." That was me, but only in my head of course.

She reached out her hand, just as I walked up, and began to pick up THE print. MY print. I smiled politely at her while yelling (still in my head), "Step away from the print and no one will be harmed. Just back it up, Big Girl. You don't want to even lay a finger on the print."

Seriously? To come this close to my beloved print and walk away empty-handed would be more than I could bear. I suddenly understood the Cabbage Patch Brawls that took place in the 1980s because I was ready to take this woman down over my Happiness print. I know, ironic isn't it?

We made eye contact briefly and she looked at me a bit puzzled and maybe a little concerned. Perhaps it was the fact that I was standing just inches from her and invading her personal space. Maybe it was the crazed look in my eyes. At any rate, I tried my best to smile politely and act nonchalant about THE print. Thankfully it was right about that time I realized, with great relief, that there were actually TWO Happiness prints. "Oh! Aren't these lovely!" I declared to her in my I'm-not-psycho-or-crazy-what-made-you-think-that voice. "I'll just take this back one."

I tried to pick it up slowly and casually, avoiding all urges to snatch it, place it under my coat, and run for the door. It helped that I wasn't wearing a coat and that the print was HUGE. I convinced myself that it was smaller than the Ballard Designs version and at a third of the price, what did it matter, really? This really did taste like sweet victory, and Tracy suggested it would be lovely on my garage door. And, really, who am I to argue?

Placing Happiness on top of my cart I may or may not have muttered, "Get in Mah Belly" a la Fat Bastard (his name, not mine) to myself as I awkwardly navigated my way through Garden Ridge to the front counter. Did I mention that this print was HUGE?

Returning home I could hardly contain my excitement. Hubby met me in the driveway to help unload the loot and remarked that Happiness was huge, as huge as the Ballard Designs print. "WHAT? Surely not," I scoffed at him.

Taking her inside, Hubby placed her on the wall in the kitchen, and would you believe she really was just as huge? I let Happiness slip through my fingers once before and I wasn't willing to do it again. A little fancy rearranging of things and she's found the perfect place on my living room wall. Right where we didn't exactly NEED her and nevermind the still vacant spot in the kitchen. Happiness has found her place in my home.

And we shall now live happily ever after.

THE END.

the prize

2010-02-21T04:50:00.000-08:00

I just finished little Brooke's prize from my big giveaway contest! I love the sweet simplicity and loved cutting and sewing such light spring fabrics. Yesterday my dad reported that spring was just 30 days away.

I think I can...I think I can...I think I can...make it 30 more days!

Congrats, Liz, and hope that Brooke is thrilled with it too!

so bromandic

2010-02-20T03:49:00.000-08:00

I was folding laundry and listening to Bee and Little Lion as they played with Little People. Bee was totally lost in a fairy tale land somewhere far, far away while she played with the Little People castle, prince, and princesses. She began to sing her narration of the characters as the scene unfolded. Suddenly, she paused and came running to me.

"Mama! Mama! You will want to hear this song I made up. It is so bromandic it will make you cry and fall down."

"So romantic I will cry and fall down? This sounds serious. Is this something we should videotape?" I asked.

"Oh yes, Mama. We really should and you will just love it." Bee was so convincing I couldn't wait to get my camera ready.

"See what I mean. I told you, Mama. I told you it was very bromandic." Bee declared as she ended her song.

Three comments:

(1) "they fall asleep bromandicly," I have NO idea where she got this, but I had a tough time not laughing when she sang that. I guess sex ed really does start early in schools these days.

(2) Please excuse my amateur videorecording skills. I got so caught up in the bromandic moment that I turned the camera off in the middle of the song. Thankfully nothing flusters Sweet Bee!

(3) Phew...lucky break that the Princess escaped from the Flag. I was pretty worried about that part and I'm sure you were too. Though, truth be told, I thought the Princess made a lucky break from the Frog. You know, because of the whole Frog-Prince fairy tale thing. Bee set me straight on that one.

Make that four comments:

(4) What's up with Little Lion mugging for the Flip camera and falling over on the couch? That boy cracks me up!

in which I question my own sanity

2010-02-19T07:43:00.000-08:00

My house has been sick for as long as I can remember. Not the physical house, of course, though that could use a bit of TLC too, but my people. We've had pukes, fever, hacking 95 year old smoker cough, enough green snot to securely fuse the tiles to the next space shuttle, more fever, pink eye squared, double ear infections, single ear infections, and maybe a case of the bubonic plague that just hasn't surfaced. February, you are killing me.

Today one of Bird's and Bee's friends from school and soccer has a birthday party. She is just a wee little thing and as sweet as she can be. And her party is at Chuck-E-Cheese, where all good little germs go to breed. My heart has already begun to race and my palms are dripping with sweat as I know the girls or maybe Little Lion will pick up a bad case of ebola. Or whopping cough. Or maybe lice. I think I'm most afraid of the latter after reading my hilarious friend, Tracy's blog. These things are no laughing matter, but mostly lice is really no laughing matter, except when Tracy writes about it.

Would it be odd to wrap my children from head to toe in tin foil? Reynolds Wrap with face masks? Oh wait! What about Hazmat suits? Just think how cute they'd be in their little yellow suits with their bright blue eyes peeking out through their face masks.

Boots are all the rage this year. Nevermind that these are orange with funny laces. They'll build character, or something. Besides, I'm pretty sure Jimmy Choo got where he is today by going against the fashion grain.

so perfect and so perfectly not

2010-02-18T14:02:00.000-08:00

I love this print.

From the first moment it introduced itself in my Ballard Designs catalog, I planned where I might place it in my home and plotted how I might own it.

I love this print.

I just knew it would be perfect in my freshly painted Soothing Green Tea (thank you, Glidden, for this color) kitchen. The stairs to our family room and the wall above the stairs are in our kitchen. This wall was just perfect for Seeking Happiness. I may or may not have stalked it's arrival on the UPS tracking site. Maybe even several times a day.

Today it arrived. I couldn't wait to open it. Yes, the box seemed large. I assumed Ballard Designs was just thorough with their packing materials. Never mind the fortune I paid to ship it here because it's oversized...surely that extra money was for the extra packing needed to keep it protected, right?

Except that when I peeked inside the box, there was very little packing stuff and a very large print. I mean I knew it would be large, but wasn't expecting HUMUNGOUS. Should have busted out the tape measure, I suppose.

The worst part? I still love it so very much. It would be easier if I hated it, but I love it. I just wish it was like...oh...half the size. Maybe I can find another place to put it in my house, except we have no big walls.

Do you think it would be lovely on the ceiling?

the drama of six

2010-02-16T10:44:00.001-08:00

My Bird is a Tigger-ful soul. She approaches life with full optimism, thinks the best of most people, and literally bounces and hops through her day. She loves people, loves to visit with people, loves to meet people, and is most happy in a party-packed room.

My Tigger-ful girl does not like to organize. She does not like to clean. She especially does not like to organize or clean on her own. While she is proud of the results and loves the outcome, she does not like to take the required steps to get there. As her Mama, I like to see the floor of her room every once in a while and prefer to retrieve her laundry from her hamper and not all over the floor of her room. I'm sure the clash of ideas is glaringly obvious.

Twice in the last week or so, when asked to clean her room, Bird has protested and found herself unable to even begin the task. "Where should I start? What should I do first? I just can't do this," Bird will moan and wail in agony.

A few weeks ago, these messages magically appeared on the stairs:

Dear Mommy and Daddy and Bee and Little Lion

I fel lonly

It is qoyit and lonly in my bed droom

so I am not cleanen my room

Love, Bird

Dear Mommy and Daddy and Bee and Little Lion,

I feel lonely.

It is quiet and lonely in my bedroom

so I am not cleaning my room.

Love, Bird

and

Dear Bee

If you have a problam or mad

cam to my bed droom and I will help you

Love, Bird

Dear Bee,

If you have a problem or are mad,

come to my bedroom and I will help you.

Love, Bird

Today, Bird protested for quite some time. "Bird, what about starting with your "friends" and putting them all in their bin. Then you can do books and clothes," I suggested.

An hour or so later I was greeted with this message, written on paper and accompanied by a drawing of a very sad tear-streaked face:

Dear Mommy

I do not no wat to do frst

and my mynd can not git to clenen.

Dear Mommy,

I do not know what to do first

and my mind can not get to cleaning.

I stopped in her room, discussed what she might do to start cleaning, and closed the door behind me. Next, this note was pushed under her closed door:

Dear Efrewan

I miss efrewan

I fel like I am nefr camen awt

Love

Bird

Dear Everyone,

I miss everyone.

I feel like I am never coming out.

Love,

Bird

I giggled to myself, realizing the joke is really on me. This is our drama at 6, can you even imagine how much fun this might be at 16? Thankfully, just as I predicted, once Bird finally started cleaning, she managed to pick up her things in about ten minutes, and she was able to finally come out and join "everyone."

dance with me

2010-02-15T05:11:00.000-08:00

His little girls.

Melt my heart.

from the backseat

2010-02-14T11:13:00.000-08:00

Mama, last night I prayed for that lady. The one who was injured at soccer.

You did, Bee? When did you pray for her?

Right before I closed my eyes to fall asleep.

Ahhhh. I know how my Jesus' heart must have just melted when a little tiny voice from a very precious girl, who might only be as big as a sprite, boldly prayed for a stranger she's never met.

At the risk of sounding proud or boastful...which I truly don't wish to...you see, I'm not saying I've got this parenting thing figured out...or even half down, for that matter. But that? That right there tells me we've done something really well.

drumroll, please!

2010-02-13T04:32:00.000-08:00

And the winner is...

True Random Number GeneratorMin: Max:

Result:

9Powered by RANDOM.ORG

LIZ of thesearethedays !

For the record, Aunt Cheri, I made you number 11 since I grabbed your comment on FB (mwah!) and I only had the fancy-schmancy number generator pick a number between 1 and 11. I have no idea why it says 100.

Anywho, Liz email me at chirpandbuzz(at)yahoo(dot)com and tell me Brookie's size. We can talk about what we need to make her!

Here's to bright sunny days and warm weather ahead!

not in these parts: a conversation with Sweet Bee

2010-02-12T04:04:00.000-08:00

"Mama, why do Little Lion and I get along so well?"

(Uh, is this a trick question? A rhetorical one?) "Because you are great friends? And you treat each other kindly?"

"Yes, Mama, and I think we should get married when we are bigger. Don't you? Mama?"

"Only in Kentucky, honey."

"Yes, we will get married, I think and we will get along so well together."

"Well, I think it's great you and Little Lion get along so great, but maybe you could marry someone else and be great friends with Little Lion."

"Yes, Mama, or just marry him."

Or, that...

and next year?

2010-02-11T10:14:00.001-08:00

We're totally doing these

I just found this idea on a new (to me) blog, The Pleated Poppy. I hope to spend some more time poking around her blog later on this week because it looks fun!

For now, I MUST go prime the kitchen...it has become the project that NEVER ends...and I really, really need it to end.

baby, it's cold outside

2010-02-10T02:53:00.001-08:00

The give-away contest is still going on so don't forget to leave a comment! A little birdie submitted her comment on facebook because in my haste I forgot to leave instructions. I was just too excited. So sorry!

Anyway, at the bottom of each post you'll find a link that tells how many comments are in the post. Click on that. You'll need a google account if you don't already have one. They're easy to sign up for and you might be able to do it right there! If not, message me on facebook or somewhere else. You're still in the contest...I'm a big softie like that!

It is snowing like crazy here and I love it. Huge white flakes drifted down all afternoon yesterday. I loved glancing out my window and seeing my backyard blanketed in white while more accumulated. The sky seems brighter reflecting off the brilliant white snow and that's always a good thing. The only downside is finding something to do with my people. They get bored. So do I!

Yesterday we made these little Valentine's to send to the people they love most. I raided my scrapbooking paper stash and gave the girls a ton of hearts to cut out. They were thrilled to be working on a craft. I loved the ease and simplicity of it. If you don't have a sewing machine, you could always use narrow ribbon, maybe pieces that are like 5-7 inch long? Punch holes in the top and bottom of each heart, thread the ribbon through and tie it in a knot. It would still be so cute!

I forgot to have them decorate the hearts. They would look fabulous with gemstones, stickers, and glitter glue....and they might take longer! BONUS!

Happy Valentine's Week and Happy Half-way-through-February!